It's easy to assess a team by its body language, this is something that can't always be assessed on TV but can be my fans that are able to go to games. I no longer go to games regularly due to a number of reasons one of which is disillusionment. I was present for RDM' first and last wins as Chelsea manager and there has been a remarkable change in body language since he left and Benitez arrived. A Di Matteo team was the kind of Chelsea team we have come to know since Mourinho or even Ranieri, a side that never gave in and fought tooth and nail. There was a purpose and a sense of belief. At current Petr Cech, Juan Mata, David Luiz and Frank Lampard are the only players that are playing at a similar level or better than they were when RDM was in charge. The decline of players such Ramires, Ivanovic, Cahill, Oscar and even Ashley Cole has been startling. Oscar, a player that made Pirlo look Sunday League and scored a goal that was technically the best I have seen at Stamford Bridge (v Juventus) is now nothing but a bit part "left winger". I would liken his decline to that of Ryan Babel at Liverpool, also another player that Benitez killed, a player that was once likened to Thierry Henry and showed flashes of brilliance.
We are now on the verge of finishing outside of the top 4, as I type, Benitez is still in a job but there are reasons why Chelsea fans should be optimistic about our recent demise, to do that we need to be as cynical as the Chelsea board. What we have established is the board care first and foremost about money, customers, brand image and their own ego's. The only thing that is keeping this club out of the red is money generated through Champions League Football, the competition most in English football now covet and value most, so here are the risks of missing out on top 4:
- Financial figures for 2012/13 will inevitably show us running at a loss, which again looks bad on them and affects their brand image. The only way to make that figure up is by charging more for ticket prices. Reality is from what I've read on social networking and Chelsea fans I know in person/go to games with there is a feeling of disillusion across the fanbase. Tickets aren't shifting as quickly as they were and for once, it has nothing to do with price. Chelsea of course, don't care who buys their tickets, or about the loyal fans who have stuck through the club thick and thin and have support/ties to this club stretching back generations, however we'll see how many tourists or fancy businessmen on 6/7 figure salaries fancy going to see Chelsea play the likes of Sparta Prague or Metalist Kharkiv at home on a cold Thursday Night. Tickets now are still readily available in their thousands despite weeks of sale.
- The next manager - Going back to a previous point the next manager. This board does not accept second best and Benitez has been given more chances than any other manager during Roman's tenure partly due to Emanelo - Benitez's close friend. Benitez stays and the fans/players walk. I am deadly serious about the players, even with CL football it will be difficult to keep Hazard and Oscar away from the clutches of Barca or Real (if they reach their potential) but without it chances are slim to none, and reality is we'd have to sell to balance the books. Benitez doesn't stay then you look to the next manager. Which manager is going to want to inherit this mess of a club WITHOUT CL football (the one trophy the board covet most)?
- Players to strengthen - Whether we want to admit it or not, if Arsenal and Spurs get Champions League football at our expense (which looks increasingly likely) then that makes them more attractive propositions for top players to join. The reality is all three are pretty much similar sized clubs, I'd argue Chelsea and Arsenal are slightly bigger but not by much, Spurs have narrowed that gap, top players now want to join them whereas in the past they were laughed out the house by them (see Eto'o 2008).
- Global Brand - The thing that matters to the board most, without wanting to offend overseas fans, you tend to find the most passionate and committed fans are from the country of the club's origin. Fans will come and go, supporters will always be there. Chelsea have millions of fans but only tens of thousands of supporters by comparison. Fans are fickle, they will change teams and often claim they "support more than four clubs". Success breeds fans and without it, you can pretty much bet your bottom dollar they'll lose interest and switch to the next flavour of the month. So we'll see how many followers the club get on Twitter and how many turn up to their pre-season tours in Malaysia should the club continue to decline.
The form of the team is worrying. Similar to AVB and Scolari's last days. No belief, no passion or conviction in final third and goals leaked left, right and centre. Make no mistake top 4 is in the balance now, we have a much tougher run (on paper) than Arsenal and Spurs and we aren't even winning the games we should be winning. A win or even a point for Spurs tomorrow puts them closer to us despite being out of form of late, Arsenal now only 5 points behind. Failure to beat Wigan means that if Arsenal, Spurs and Everton take maximum points from their games we find ourselves in 6TH PLACE by the time kick off at MAN CITY (AWAY).
Ultimately it's a game of stick or twist for the board now, face the consequences or stick with Benitez. As much as I loathe Benitez, I believe like with AVB the board have made their bed, now they should lie in it (until the Summer).
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