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The 2018-19 season for Chelsea began with a new manager being appointed, Maurizio Sarri. Sarri is known for his beautiful possession-based game, and his fluent and attacking style of football.
It was a great start for him, as the team put in some amazing performances at the start of the season. They were unbeaten for 13 league games, and it looked like the management had made the perfect hire.
But after those initial positive results, it has been a roller coaster ride for the team. They were in the top 4 for most of the season and now they have slipped down to the 6th position.
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The London outfit were recently thrashed 6-0 by Manchester City and were also dumped out of the FA Cup by Manchester United last night.
Since then, the rumor mill has been buzzing that Chelsea are going to give the Italian tactician the sack, and that Zinedine Zidane is the front runner to take over the job at Stamford Bridge.
Here, we look at five reasons why Zidane could be great for the team and take them back to the top 4.
#5 New manager, new demands
As per recent reports, Zidane is leading the race for becoming the new manager of Chelsea. But he has raised some conditions if the club want him to be their manager; he has reportedly asked for reinforcements for the squad.
Chelsea currently lack world-class players; only Eden Hazard and N'Golo Kante seem to fit that bill. In case Zidane joins, he will surely ask to spend and sign some great players to get Chelsea back on track.
According to the sources, Zidane has asked around $200m to be spent on the Chelsea squad.
#4 The counter-attacking game
Zidane is known for his attacking game style. He likes his players to continuously counterattack, and asks them to repeatedly give crosses into the box.
The Chelsea board sacked Antonio Conte to appoint Sarri, but this turned out to be a counterproductive decision as the tactics of both of the Italian coaches are opposite, making it really hard for the players. They do not look too comfortable with the ball like Manchester City or Barcelona.
Bringing in Zidane will surely help the team, as he encourages more direct attacking play than passing the ball and keeping possession. With the likes of Eden Hazard, Willian and Pedro who are among the world's fastest players, the counter-attacking style will suit the team more.
Some of Zidane's tactics used in the two major finals for Real Madrid are explained below:
Marcelo and Carvajal were free to provide the width in their role somewhere between full-back and winger, while Casemiro was able to cover behind them to help the defense which now contained the extra pace of Raphael Varane alongside Ramos. Both of them gave crosses into the box where Ronaldo and Benzema stood tall and scored headers and tap-ins.
#3 He is the Champions League master
Zidane achieved a remarkable record by winning three Champions League titles in a row with Real Madrid. It's almost impossible for any team to repeat this achievement.
Zidane has been quite impressive in these years, silencing all his critics and doubters. We all know what he is capable of and he has shown the world that he is among the best managers in history.
If Chelsea sign him before the summer, they would have a chance of getting back in the top 4 and qualifying for the Champions League. Alternatively, they would also try to win the Europa League which gives direct qualification to the Champions League.
Chelsea have not won the Champions League since 2012, and will be hungry to win the trophy again.
#2 Hazard continuing as a Chelsea player
According to some rumors, Zidane has asked for an extension of Eden Hazard's contract with Chelsea if the board want him as their manager. Zidane's interest in Hazard is not new, as he had wanted to bring Hazard to Madrid when he was the coach.
Both Hazard and Zidane want to work together, and it won't be a surprise if Hazard signs a new contract with the Frenchman at the helm.
It will be a win for Chelsea if their main player signs an extension. He will surely help the team in terms of brand value as well as on the pitch.
Hazard has been the best and most important player for Chelsea for years now, and they won't want to lose a player like him.
#1 The passion to win
Zinedine Zidane may not be known as the most tactically astute manager, but he sure knows how to win football matches. Even he himself admits that; he once said: "I am not the best coach tactically, but I have passion and illusion... and that's more important."
We have seen throughout his managerial career that Zidane doesn't destroy the opponent with some great tactics. All he does is motivate his players, generate in them the hunger to win and of course stick to the basics.
The enthusiasm with which his players competed, winning many matches for him in the dying minutes, shows how good he is at motivating them. In the Champions League Real Madrid faced many tough rivals like Bayern, Juventus, Liverpool and PSG, but they managed to defeat all of them.
All we can say is that Zidane knows how to win, and surely that is the most important thing Chelsea players need. They need the motivation, the passion and the hunger to win games.
