I don't believe that Benitez will be Chelsea manager at any point, but stranger things have happened (like signing Torres for 50M), and there is an inevitable spate of articles linking us with Rafa; here's an example: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2236033/Roberto-di-Matteo-replaced-Rafa-Benitez-EXCLUSIVE.html#ixzz2Co8CKWaI
Before you say that even we can't be naive, keep in mind that we paid an unprecedented sum for a chronically injured, out of form striker who would have no allegiance to us, since he played for a team that can't stand us. We then replaced two managers as a result of that striker's non-performances, and built a team around him. Benitez and his proponents will proclaim that he knows how to get the best out of Torres, and that he should be given a chance to do so at Chelsea.
At the moment, Torres' contract has a negative value or zero resale value, since nobody will believe that Torres is worth more than the surplus of his wages over the amount that he should be earning. For example, if Torres' contract is valued at £15M, and a club believes that he's making £100K/week more than he should, Torres is worth about negative £3M (£15M - 180 weeks * £100K/week).
Benitez is in his own class as well. It took him only a few months to turn the European champions into mid-table mediocrities (i.e. something like Liverpool, at the time when he left them).
If we get rid of RDM and bring in Benitez, we will only continue to reward Torres' failures, and to compound the mistakes associated with buying Torres. Just say no to Benitez. Give RDM a chance.
Just say no to Benitez
posted on 21/11/12
Ludy - under Rafa, would we even be a team that qualifies for the CL? Why couldn't he help Inter remain a force of any kind, when they were supposedly the best team in Europe just months earlier?
At this point, I'd be extremely weary of being affiliated with anyone with a strong, positive connection to Liverpool. Furthermore, I get the impression that Rafa is trying to refashion himself into a Sven-style mercenary, although he has a much higher bidding price.
I honestly wouldn't mind giving Redknapp a shot, if it comes down to it, but I think we should stick with RDM for the time. He is a shrewd manager, he knows how to motivate, many of his risks seem to pay off, and he is not afraid to make changes when a lineup or tactic isn't working well. Ship Torres, recall a couple of our loaned players (we desperately need depth), and buy a new striker, and we'll be in good shape.
posted on 21/11/12
Ludy - under Rafa, would we even be a team that qualifies for the CL? Why couldn't he help Inter remain a force of any kind, when they were supposedly the best team in Europe just months earlier?
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Squad became too old etc. Not one of the managers after him at Inter did well either. Forget his Liverpool days, when he was at Valencia he broke up the Real-Barca domination in La Liga. Will he get you qualified for the CL? Probably yeah, he got Liverpool there plenty of times, things only went down hill when he got rid of Alonso.
Add to that he'll probably get the best out of Torres too. Torres said before that Rafa used to tell him where exactly he wanted him to be at what moment in a match.
posted on 21/11/12
"Squad became too old etc. Not one of the managers after him at Inter did well either."
But don't you think it's a bit strange that their age wasn't nearly as much of an issue only months earlier? The effect of age couldn't have become that apparent over the summer, could it? I'm not a huge follower of Serie A nor Inter, so I'm not really qualified to offer an informed analysis on this one. Only read that the stylistic and squad changes that Benitez tried to impose on them didn't work out, and they never really recovered.
"Will he get you qualified for the CL? Probably yeah, he got Liverpool there plenty of times, things only went down hill when he got rid of Alonso."
But doesn't the fact that there was so little resilience against the effects of the sale of Alonso indicate the he didn't act adequately to ensure his team's success?
"Add to that he'll probably get the best out of Torres too. Torres said before that Rafa used to tell him where exactly he wanted him to be at what moment in a match."
He may get the best out of Torres, but I'm afraid that Torres' best isn't much these days. We've literally built an attacking midfield with Torres in mind, and it doesn't help. Torres is supported by the best midfield in the world when he plays for Spain, and they've often decided to play without a striker rather than use Torres. I think his injuries have reduced his abilities, and he doesn't really have a passion for playing for Chelsea. I'd rather replace Torres than keep trying to accommodate him in every possible way.
posted on 21/11/12
Mourinho is just special, put it that way. No other manager would've won the CL with that Inter squad.
posted on 21/11/12
RDM out
posted on 21/11/12
you people shouldn't believe all the gutter press write!
1 star!
posted on 21/11/12
Mourinho left a first 11 and nothing else, when Rafa got there about 7 of that first 11 was injured, he had no squad and wasn't given the money to buy anybody. Also most of that team was over 30, none on them were going to improve. Mourinho has a habit of building teams for a season of two and then leaving things a mess.
Rafa is a great manager and one of the few who can match Mourinho time and time again. Chelsea needs stability because every sacking is just ruining the club, who the hell would want to be a manager there at the moment?
posted on 21/11/12
sacking rdm is nuts, but roman is the nutty owner. i am a big benitez fan anyway.. i wont mind it he'll do well
posted on 21/11/12
Well he's gone now
posted on 21/11/12
tdrog, look at the time i would have bet my house that we wouldnt be sacking RDM and the last person i thought would be our next manager was Rafa.
i get very defensive over cfc and the rubbish the press continously print about us , im sure you feel the same.
But i do stand corrected and for you honest article i have rewarded it with a 5 stars , happy now!