CHELSEA continue their rehabilitation under Guus Hiddink early this morning with a dominant display against Juventus, winning their first-leg Champions League game by a solitary goal.
Didier Drogba was in particular form, scoring the winning goal and putting in a performance that seemed to suggest that he is back to the same level that he was playing under Jose Mourinho.
Can Hiddink’s magic touch last long enough for Chelsea to finally allow owner Roman Abramovich lift the European Cup this season?
After all, Vicente del Bosque did it on short notice with Real Madrid in 2000; Chelsea still have largely the same players as they had last year and Europe calls for more experience and is less demanding on ageing legs.
WELCOME TO THE POSTMAN'S NEIGHBOURHOOD 
While Hiddink seems to improve Chelsea’s performance, I think it would still take some time before we can see a fluent Chelsea side. Though Chelsea won 1-0, Juventus did match them on many occasions in the 2nd half, and there is still everything to play for in the 2ng leg.
Hiddink case is similar to Vicente del Bosque in 2000 whereby a foreign coach (John Toshack) could not adapt to the league and was sacked midway through the season. Back then, the Galacticos era had not started but Real Madrid does have a strong spine in Casillas, Helgura, Hierro, Roberto Carlos, Seedorf, the classy Fernando Renondo and Claude Makélélé whose reinvent the whole the holding midfield position. Additionally, they have 2 strikers that seem to have the same wavelength in Raul and Morientes and the bench contain talents like Steve Mcmanaman, Savio and Anelka and. While Chelsea does have a strong spine, it does seem light on the bench on Anelka and Drogba had not yet to gel.
If Chelsea were to progress into the latter stage of the Champions League, they would have to keep Drogba fit as Chelsea is very thin on the striking department. An injury to Drogba or Anelka would limit Chelsea on the attacking front. Furthermore, the midfield triplets in Ballack, Lampard and Mikel have played so many games that they might run out of steam in the next few weeks.
Can Hiddink’s magic touch last long enough? It does depend on many factors, but once Chelsea had played enough games, Hiddink preferred tactics and line up would be obvious and the opponent coach would be working hard to come out with a plan to stop Chelsea. During Scolari’s first few game, everyone is hailing him a genius by bringing Deco to balance the midfield and pushing the full backs up, and Chelsea was thrashing everyone for fun. However, once a team (for Chelsea case it is Liverpool) demonstrate how to stop Chelsea, subsequent teams would learn and try to contain Chelsea as well.
Vicente del Bosque success at Real Madrid is also partly due to the fact that he played for Real Madrid as a player and knew the club inside out. Besides, the la liga is not so physically demanding as the EPL and that the fixture is always well planned. With Chelsea still in the FA Cup and trying to climb up the table, the Champions League quest could be a step too steep for them.
Comment by Chian Kong — February 26, 2009 @ 3:42 pm
NO! Chelsea might have the experience, but I still think they lack something quality-wise. My top 5 picks for the European crown are Barcelona, Man United, Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Arsenal.
The Blues were not really convincing in their win over Juve and although Drogba looked to be back to his best, certain members of the squad still have not performed. Ashley Cole is still not showing the form he had during his Arsenal’s days, Ballack has not impressed on a regular basis since his move to West London a few years ago, Deco is showing why Barca are willing to part ways with him, Malouda is way inferior to Robben and Duff were a couple of years back and Anelka is not one you can count on despite his goals this season.
They should scrap past Juve in the 2nd leg, although I think it would be very close. After that, it really depends on the luck of the draw. If they are drawn to face the likes of Porto, A.Madrid, Villarreal or Panathinaikos, then they could well advance to the latter stages. But if they were to face either of my top 5 picks, then they would most likely be eliminated.
That’s why people say there are a lot of elements involved if a team is to win the competition. Luck of the draw, injuries & suspensions and form of own team & the opposition all play a crucial role.
Hiddink is lucky that his most important player, Frank Lampard, is almost always present to help out. Also, the good news for the Dutchman is that his team are all but out of the running for the EPL title. He can concentrate his resources in the UCL, then the FA Cup as insurance if they are kicked out in Europe.
With two of their best players Essien and Carvalho nearing their returns from injuries, Hiddink would have one more headache if his side continues to win. Does he drop his form players in favour of those coming back from injuries? Or does he keep the winning team together and leave out the seemingly indispensable Essien and Carvalho?
Also, can he keep all his players happy or will he end up like Scolari who cannot keep the dressing room together? Only time will tell but I think unless the club get rid of underperforming and disgruntled stars like Ivanovic, A.Cole, Ferreira, Ballack, Deco, Malouda, Anelka and Drogba, no manager can really keep the whole squad in harmony. Right now, I think the ‘New manager syndrome’ is still active, thus the team is getting the results as the players want to prove their abilities to the new boss. Scolari too had a great start under his regime, but look what has become of him now? So unless they are incredibly lucky, their only chance of silverware this season is in the FA Cup.
Comment by Loh Shengli, 24, Man United — February 26, 2009 @ 4:15 pm
There is a small error there “Season”
Anyway Hiddink is more than capable of bringing Chelsea to Champions League and FA Cup.
With returning fitness of Key Midfielder Micheal Essien and stepping up of the intensity of the training make only make the Chelsea players stronger, fitter and faster.
His Tatics are also slowly engrave to the Chelsea players mind and Playing Drogba And Anelka together is a wise choice as can be seen against Aston Villa and Juventus. Drogba is a constant menace to the opponent defence and hold up the ball very well with superb chest control.
Cheers ~
Comment by Ng Ghim Pheng — February 26, 2009 @ 10:56 pm
Guus Hiddink brought with him bags of experiences in handling big ego players to play according to his tune. He is pragmatic, willy and well-versed in tactics. His handling of the past two games suggested that he will succeed where Scolari failed. Unlike Scolari, Hiddink has club football experiences as well. He had won honours with PSV, the Eredivisie and the European Cup. It is not beyond him to give Chelsea the extra push towards Champions League honours this season. It all depends on whether the players could be revived sufficiently to realise that they are filthy-rich through playing for Chelsea. Winning the Champions league should be a foregone conclusion. However, year in year out, it was just a dream until now. Guus Hiddink can make that a reality.
Mr elvin Woo P F
55 Civil Servant
Comment by Mr Elvin Woo P F — February 27, 2009 @ 8:05 pm
Guus Hiddink have experience but sadly,he does not have the time or money to rejuvenalised the squad and judging by the way how they beat Juventus,it is going to be an uphill task for them.Perhaps,they can make it to the semis at the most but i think the FA cup is more realistic target for them.
Norman Ng,14,Liverpool fan
Comment by norman — February 28, 2009 @ 10:02 pm
It is unfair to label a coach as ‘saviour’, and after a few decent games, expect Hiddink to deliver the Champions League throphy.
Given the superior players Chelsea has, it is only a matter of time they win. But are they yet? Or do they have the players to do it?
Chelsea doesn’t quite have a striker as good as Liverpool’s Torres, and do not have a winger as flamboyant as Man Utd’s Ronaldo. Ageing Lampard will get less and less influential than youthful Fabregas at Arsenal.
Let’s just note that superior doesn’t mean world beaters.
The collective effort of the team players will be unfortunately neturalised by the unfogiving long run in the league, and Chelsea, under then-manager Scolari, had already mistimed their efforts when they tried to outpace everyone early in the season. There will be no burst of speed from Chelsea.
Guus Hiddink may bring an extra level out of his players, but he seriously need a bigger pool of reserve players when the likes of Ashley Cole, Lampard, Terry have no able replacements.
Chelsea have missed the opportunity of shoring up their squad during the January transfer window and they will be too tired to mount a serious challenge on the Champions League.
Adrian Lim, 29, Civil Servant
Norwich City Fan
Comment by Adrian Lim — March 3, 2009 @ 8:20 pm
There is a possibility that Chelsea may win the Champions League.
Avram Grant ALMOST won it for them. With a more experienced coach in Hiddink, I won’t be surprised Chelsea wins it this year.
Qyaerus-Syahrein, 27, Sengkang Punggol fan
Comment by Alex Hart — March 4, 2009 @ 11:38 pm