Dec 19, 2012

Blues Brothers

Rafael Benitez's welcome at Stamford Bridge wasn't quite as delightful as the cartoon image look-alike. As the cold rainy weather continued to influence the performance on the pitch in a scoreless draw with Manchester City, it didn't affect the fans.

Rafa Benitez was more worried about a win over undefeated Man City, than winning over Chelsea fans. But that didn't stop them from booing the short-term interim manager Rafa, as others held up signs saying "you're not wanted here" and "only one Di Matteo". Chelsea fans clearly didn't like the fact that former manager, Di Matteo was shown the exit door after a 3-0 loss to Juventus in the Champions League.
Though it looked like an indigestible loss on the stat sheet, the ball just didn't bounce Chelsea's way, as the first two goals were deflected past Chelsea's keeper, Petr Cech. Cech played a Captain's game against a Juventus club who had only 1 loss in 34 home games prior to that game.

Di Matteo, was a hero last year after managing Chelsea to win the FA Cup and Champions league title after Chelsea sacked manager André Villas-Boas. Chelsea is still in contention in UEFA's Champions League as they are just two points behind Juventus. The Blues need a win against Nordsjælland who currently sit fourth in Group E, and a hopeful Juventus loss to Shakhtar Donetsk, who sits on top of the group.

In four days, the Spaniard interim manager seems to have helped solidify the Chelsea back line that hasn't held a team scoreless in their last 10 games. Although, the clean sheet could have been in result of the inclement weather and sloppy play, there's still room for improvement.

Di Matteo wasn't the only one shown love today as a sign was held up that said "Drogba Legend". Didier Drogba, the current Shanghai Shenhua center forward helped Chelsea win UEFA's Champions League last year.

I'm sure fans wouldn't mind his return to the club as a replacement for the struggling Fernando Torres, who Chelsea took a £50 million ($80 million) gamble on in January 2011. Benitez formerly coached Torres in Liverpool, and might have been brought in to get the best out of Torres and reveal his prolific form that made him such a feared striker in Liverpool.

Benitez might not win fans over yet, but he plans to when the January transfer windows open up. He has his eyes set on strikers Edinson Cavani and/or Ramadel Falcao to surround Chelsea playmakers Juan Mata and Edin Hazard.

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