Seasonal storm 'ROMAN' returns to cause 'ABRA'-sion at Chelsea!

Being a Chelsea fan, I initially feel kind of lost while writing this article. The reason, of course, is well-known to all of us.

The man who was once a Chelsea legendary player himself; the man who always led Chelsea with heart on all fronts; the man who turned the club’s fortunes in 3 months by landing their 7th FA CUP and first ever Champions League crown; Roberto Di Matteo, tasted the ice-cold axe barely six months after being announced as the Chelsea manager by the ruthless, impatient, demanding and intolerant Russian owner Roman Abramovich.

Roberto Di Matteo celebrating their Champions League victory

The boot proved that Robbie wasn’t wanted in the first place. One could always sense that reluctance of the Russian in naming him the permanent manager. During his successful six months at Chelsea, Robbie won all hearts, except that of the owner’s. Chelsea fans will never forget this controversial day, and never this traitor Abramovich for his selfless attitude towards a highly-respectable person. As the heated news of the sack spread like a fire into the football world; players, legends and managers of other clubs stepped out to defend the victim. And surely, Abramovich would’ve felt ashamed, he should always. All of the Chelsea staff loved to work with Robbie, who currently has one of the best CVs in the world and will thus not find it difficult to find jobs.

A few hours later, Robbie himself had some things to say. He said that it was great to be a part of Chelsea, and that he would walk out with pride for what he had achieved in minimal time which others hadn’t. He thanked all the staff, players and fans for their invaluable support all throughout. He thanked his love (CHELSEA FC) for all it had given him, both as a player and a manager. Yes, after all, Chelsea was his life. And then, with a last glance at his holy grail, he left, leaving behind the sweetest memories we cherished together ALONG WITH THE OWNER. It felt pitch-dark even though the winter sun rose over West London. Everywhere, there was absolute silence…

Digesting the shock (not completely though), things returned to a state of meta-stability. Finally, to make things more complicated, Roman Abramovich completed what was arguably his most controversial day at office, by appointing former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez as the interim manager, after attempts to woo Pep Guardiola to the post failed. The former Barcelona man stressed that he would only return to football next season…

Do you remember me? Rafael Benitez and Fernando Torres at Cobham

And now starts a new chapter, a new era at Chelsea. What had to happen, happened and what had to come, came by. New manager, greater expectations, improved results. Rafael Benitez has got his work cut out for various reasons.

Firstly, he needs to win over the fans. Fans remember him for his tirade over Chelsea several times when Jose Mourinho was the manager. He needs to address that and needs to show the fans that he’s the right person to vanquish the lull phase.

Next, his aim will be to bring the best out of their £50 million man Fernando Torres; a task which his predecessors failed to do. And I have every belief in Rafa that he can do it again. The pair was successful in their time at Liverpool. Rafa made the Torres we know. Furthermore, I have every faith in Torres that he will take this last chance and return to his old self and be one of the best again. And once the front-man starts to fire consistently, few of Chelsea’s problems will automatically be addressed.

Rafael Benitez will also have to stabilise and organise the defence, and at the same time continue the ever-attractive attacking philosophy for which Chelsea have won many plaudits this season.

Once all this clicks, we can expect Rafa not only to become a huge hit, but also stay on for longer.

HOPING FOR THE BEST! KTBFFH!