Will Robbie bring Attacking football to Chelsea?

[JoeyN]

In the 2nd half of the season we played defensivley. His exact wording was "Having a solid defence is paramount and with the players we have, there is always a high chance of us scoring".

The defensive play worked brilliantly in the cups, but is very different in the league. Our league form remained poor but many things can be take into consideration.

1) Tiredness.

We had a very congested fixture list and the players needed to be rotated frequently so our first team was hardly played in the league in the 2nd half of the season.

2) Players

We lack creativity in certain parts of the field. Torres was regaining his confidence, but still not a on fire striker

3) Taking charge at the end of the season

It's difficult to come up with a strategy and get the players used to it in the middle to end part of the season, so maybe he wanted to play more simple yet effective in cups football.

TL:DR

Do you think Robbie can bring an attacking philosophy to Chelsea and get us playing "attractive" football?

[chelseablueboy]

I think the very fact that we've signed Hazard means that it's virtually impossible to be as defensive as last season !

It does seem we are still on the lookout for quick, skilful players as opposed to steady holding types.

I am proper exited for next season... i genuinely believe our team is going to dish out some football lessons, with some teams coming in for a drubbing.

Alan

[SydneyChelsea]

I don't really care for our team handing out drubbings, but I do want to ee more control of the game and better quality of chances created. I don't want to see games,where we dominate possession but create nothing bar pot shots outside the box

[JoeyN]

Don't care about possession. Most possession sides don't do anything useful with the ball anyway.

Would like to see faster / short passing and more throughballs to the striker (ie Torres)

[just]

We need three components:

1. A solid, organised defence.

2. A degree of pace and creative, attacking flair.

3. A consistent cutting edge up front.

Attacking football is not the be all and end all, and is, in itself, no guarantee of success. Just ask Mr Wenger or Kevin Keegan. As The Special One commented after being told the final score between Tottenham and Arsenal was 5-4........................ "That is not a football score, it is a hockey score."

Personally, I have always got just as much enjoyment out of watching masters of the defensive side of the game, (Desailly, Makelele, JT), everybit as much as watching the attacking genius of a Messi, Zola or Van Basten. One of my favourite ever pairings was JT and Gallas in their prime. I have never felt so safe and secure watching us defend. It was like they were telepathic at times.

For sure, we all know we have needed an injection of pace and creativity, arguably since, Duff, Robben and Joe Cole have left. But while injecting pace and creativity is a sure fire way to get the crowd, (and Roman!), off their seats, it has to be married to a team structure, defensive solidity and an end product to reap the full benefit. It's no good scoring freely if you are shipping goals at the other end. Keeping possession of the ball is usually key to that Joey.

Due to the playing staff we had when he took on the Caretaker role, RDM had few creative options available to him and only Sturridge with genuine pace. Therefore, he quite rightly set-up the team to play to its defensive strengths first and foremost. Yes, we rode our luck at times, but IMO it was a shrewd, pragmatic move and the results were better than anyone could have hoped for. With the arrival of Hazard, Marin, DeBruyne, and maybe one or two more, we should have more creative options and, hopefully, a little more pace available now. I am certain Robbie knows this and I am quitely confident he will find the right blend.

Edited June 19, 2012 by just

[Brayerz]

Can see it being a lot like Madrid in that the defence is set up to be extremely solid but once the ball is won back the quartet of attackers and either one or two of the deeper midfielders are let free, with no real instructions but to create and score.

[Teritus]

Speaking of next season, do any of you believe that we have a genuine chance at the title, of course depending on what signings we make?

[bluedave]

We already know Robbie isn't a one trick pony from his time at WBA. I think he's good enough to know the best tactics to play in the circumstances, and for Chelsea against Barcelona and Bayern the best approach was defensive and it worked out pretty well.

Next season the attack should be stronger so I would expect him to make good use of that strength.

I believe we have a genuine title chance next season, and if it wasn't for AVB we would have been challenging last season as well.

[Blue Kangeroo]

"That is not a football score, it is a hockey score." Good old Jose.

Of course RDM will have to Manage CFC based on the qualities of the team and with the introduction of speed and skill along with an excellent defense we are going to rip teams apart, I have every confidence in our 'NEW MANAGER, Roberto Di Matteo" sounds good doesn't it.

[shedpensioner]

In answer to the top question, I doubt it very much!

He's Italian FFS hardly renowned for their attacking instincts!

He'll build a solid base, with attacking flair for when we do get forward!

[Zola]

We will have a lot more pace this coming season, however I dont think Robbie will go full throttle attack. We will be very much a counter attacking side I think. AVB tried going tits out attack, with a high line and it back fired big time.

Robbie will obviously know this and will have learned from it.

[evissy]

In a word NO. But against most sides we are going to be more balanced and attacking even in the league. I don't want him to do anything out of his comfort zone in tactics.

Real attacks like h*ll against most sides but against Barca for example they have the same bus parked as we did. Depends who you play.

But if you are talking about what AVB tried to bring or what Pep did at Barca the answer is no.

[Guest RFC_CFC]

What we saw with Jose in the early days was what I think Robbie will try to bring back to Chelsea.

We had a strong midfield and back line that did not ship many goals while we had forwards who were strong (Drogba), fast (Duff), Skillful (Cole) and young raw talent (Robben).

We have a great back line with Cole, Terry, Luiz, Cahill and Ivan. Our midfield is not as strong as it was under Jose imo but still one of the best in England. Our attack should be electric next season with Torres, Hazzard, Danny, Ramires and hopefully another wide man.

If we can get the balance back which we had a few years ago then I will be more than happy.

[Mike Carefree]

i feel he will bring an abundance of intelligence to the way we play..he ll teach the players to adapt to oppos play like a game of chess , suss them , find their weakness and use it to score goals..

[Bluehatter]

Speaking of next season, do any of you believe that we have a genuine chance at the title, of course depending on what signings we make?

If hulk signs I think we will have enough for at least a challenge for the title. For me it all depends on if we can get a connection between torres, mata and hazard. We seemed to struggle to create anything last year against weaker teams therefore pushing to high up and ending up losing. Prime example of this was the aston villa home game.

Breaking down those weaker teams is going to be the key and with a blend of strength and pace (hulk) creativity ( mata and hazard) and good finishing (Hopefully torres) we should have enough to break them down.

I'm excited by the communtity shield game as it is a good test before it all starts to see how close we are to the top sides like city.

[Teritus]

I certainly wouldn't mind what he had under Mourinho. A rock solid defence and a quick and lethal counter attack.

[erskblue]

Speaking of next season, do any of you believe that we have a genuine chance at the title, of course depending on what signings we make?

Yes I do. I genuinely believe we have a chance.

[Little Boy Blue]

He'll build a solid base, with attacking flair for when we do get forward!

I could live with that.

[DaRick]

He has proven that he can set up more attacking sides in the past, so that's not an issue. I also think that with a better squad he is more likely to attack, given his past record.

The issue is that he successfully marries attack and defence. He's not (yet) proven that he can do that consistently, mostly due to factors beyond his control - fixture congestion, massive games against technically superior opponents, etc.

However, his tactics have generally been pretty good given the circumstances, even if he has been slower to attack opponents at times than some of us would have liked - some here were a little critical of him for not trying to exploit Bayern's weaker defence more.

[AdelaideChelsea]

His side at West Brom was pretty attacking and free flowing. If we can play similarly and keep it solid at the back (particuarly at set pieces), we could do well. The signings we have made (and are rumored to make) would suggest a fairly attacking ethos.

[Uno]

But are they Robbie's signings, dont get me wrong im sure he isnt complaining but RDM said that Marin (sp) wasnt his signing and Hazard was signed well before RDM was confirmed as manager.

I am interested to see who we will sign now RDM is in charge.

[Greg]

We need three components:

1. A solid, organised defence.

2. A degree of pace and creative, attacking flair.

3. A consistent cutting edge up front.

Attacking football is not the be all and end all, and is, in itself, no guarantee of success. Just ask Mr Wenger or Kevin Keegan. As The Special One commented after being told the final score between Tottenham and Arsenal was 5-4........................ "That is not a football score, it is a hockey score."

Personally, I have always got just as much enjoyment out of watching masters of the defensive side of the game, (Desailly, Makelele, JT), everybit as much as watching the attacking genius of a Messi, Zola or Van Basten. One of my favourite ever pairings was JT and Gallas in their prime. I have never felt so safe and secure watching us defend. It was like they were telepathic at times.

For sure, we all know we have needed an injection of pace and creativity, arguably since, Duff, Robben and Joe Cole have left. But while injecting pace and creativity is a sure fire way to get the crowd, (and Roman!), off their seats, it has to be married to a team structure, defensive solidity and an end product to reap the full benefit. It's no good scoring freely if you are shipping goals at the other end. Keeping possession of the ball is usually key to that Joey.

Due to the playing staff we had when he took on the Caretaker role, RDM had few creative options available to him and only Sturridge with genuine pace. Therefore, he quite rightly set-up the team to play to its defensive strengths first and foremost. Yes, we rode our luck at times, but IMO it was a shrewd, pragmatic move and the results were better than anyone could have hoped for. With the arrival of Hazard, Marin, DeBruyne, and maybe one or two more, we should have more creative options and, hopefully, a little more pace available now. I am certain Robbie knows this and I am quitely confident he will find the right blend.

Great post that I fully agree with. Fortunately, it seems that we're not too far away from having all three components you listed. Our defence looks resolute and composed, especially since Di Matteo took over. There's only Luiz that can seem a little suspect at times, but he certainly has the potential to develop as a player which is good to know. Cole, Terry, Cahill and Ivanovic leave us with a very strong back line, however; arguably the best in the league.

Our acquisitions in the window thus far has seen an influx of attacking flair and pace, which is another thing we were lacking last season at times as you noted.

The key component for me, though, has got to be the consistent cutting edge up front. Hopefully Torres will provide that if he's the heart of our attacking force with players seeking to play the ball in behind and to his feet, as opposed to bypassing him with hopeless balls in the air. Drogba was good at retaining possession in that fashion, whereas Torres has no chance.

But are they Robbie's signings, dont get me wrong im sure he isnt complaining but RDM said that Marin (sp) wasnt his signing and Hazard was signed well before RDM was confirmed as manager.

I am interested to see who we will sign now RDM is in charge.

Hadn't Di Matteo been in contact (apparently) with Hazard before he signed, though? If that's the case, then Robbie will have been consulted before the deal was concluded.

Edited June 29, 2012 by Greg

[Uno]

Yeah i think you are right. Maybe RDM had sway before signing his contract.

For me i think the RB position will be the most interesting signing because it seems like Robbie is making the lists up (well according to the press that is).

I wonder what Robbie's eye for talent is really like.

[timetowaste]

I still think he'll be gone before the end of the season. I sincerely hope I'm wrong.