Chelsea and the Rafa-lution

Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez talks to his team during a Chelsea training session on May 9, 2013 in Cobham, England. (Getty Images)

Few will argue that the term “hot seat” and the Chelsea’s managerial post are literally synonymous with each other. The suffocating spotlight and the constant media furore left in the aftermath of the Jose Mourinho era has seen a revolving door of sorts; ability without stability has clearly led to a few fissures within the Blues’ squad. Not surprisingly, Chelsea have witnessed their most successful period come at the time of relative stability, during periods of assurances that the manager had no axe looming over his head.

In 2009, Roman Abramovich’s good friend Guus Hiddink was asked to take over as caretaker manager of the Blues, after Luiz Felipe Scolari was fired earlier in the season. His successful tenure ended with Chelsea securing the FA Cup against Everton, and the highly controversial semi-final exit against Barcelona, which many feel they deserved to win. Chelsea lost just one league fixture against Tottenham Hotspur under Hiddink, prompting many Chelsea fans and players to sign him up on a permanent contract, many even singing and chanting his name on the final day of the season.

Come just last year, and Chelsea’s own Roberto Di Matteo took over after Andre Villas-Boas was yet another to face Roman’s rage. The rest they say is history. After overturning a seemingly insurmountable 3-1 deficit against an extremely attack-minded Napoli side, Chelsea went two legs unbeaten against Barcelona and beat Bayern at their own stadium in the final. Di Matteo’s regime seemed to fill in the defensive chinks left by AVB’s preferred high defensive line, evident in their compact defensive performances against Barcelona and Bayern. But next season as the deal was made permanent, the danger of Roman’s managerial guillotine once again became a reality, Di Matteo too, was gone.

The next interim manager at the Blues has brought with abusive rants from fans world over. Although initially receiving a more than frosty reception, Rafa Benitez like all the other caretaker managers in the past, has steered Chelsea’s season to end on a high. With the Europa League final to come and sitting third on the table with a top 3 finish looking increasingly likely, Chelsea’s Rafa-lution has worked out well for all parties involved. So what has Benitez done right to get Chelsea’s season on track?

The Luiz reinvention

Rafa’s reputation has always been cemented by the man’s immense tactical know-how, and exhaustive attention to detail. The first tactical masterstroke came with the reinvention of David Luiz in the central defensive midfield position, after constant scrutiny of his ability to play as a disciplined centre-back. Luiz has displayed a wider variety of his expansive traits in midfield, his excellent tackling coupled with raking through balls and surging runs have been a revelation to say the least. Add to that his aerial ability and his excellent free-kicks, and Rafa’s willingness to play Luiz there looks nothing short of a touch of ingenuity. And with strong centre-backs in Ivanovic and Gary Cahill to cover his previously expensive lapses in concentration, the freedom has benefited the entire team’s dynamics as a whole.

Rotation policy

Previously blasted at Liverpool for constantly rotating his players, Rafa’s rotation policy has attained multiple positives through the course of the season. Firstly, a 69-game season in which Juan Mata and Oscar have played 60 plus games each, Rafa’s rotation has given them much needed rest in what is the busiest season for a team in the Premier League era. Di Matteo’s preference for the trio of Oscar, Hazard and Mata cost Chelsea dearly, as Mata’s busy summer and a flurry of games left Chelsea defensively weak. Benitez though, has used Hazard, Mata, Oscar and Moses intelligently – even using Ramires in the attacking three when needed – and not shying away from using fringe players like Marin or Nathan Ake to make sure that each player was adequately rested.

Another important point to note is that Benitez has not succumbed to the pressure of playing Frank Lampard who is as eager as the Chelsea fans to surpass Bobby Tambling’s record of 202 goals. The 34-year-old has been utilized very well by Rafa, underlined by the former’s influence and vital contributions this season.

Hazard’s defensive tracking

Considering that Oscar is a central midfielder by trade, and Mata has featured as a central midfielder for Valencia, Eden Hazard’s inclusion in the front three introduced a tactical defect in Chelsea’s 4-2-3-1. Ashley Cole’s foray into attacking areas and Hazard’s reluctance to drop back left a massive hole in the left side of Chelsea’s wing, inviting deep lying wingers free to drop in, and run at the free space. Rafa recognized the defensive frailty and has enforced Hazard to drop back, leading to a more rigid and disciplined formation. Just in the last game against Spurs, Hazard clumsily tackled Bale on the left wing, but he tackled him near the corner flag in Chelsea’s half, showing Hazard’s new found resolve to help out defensively.

Torres on track

Fernando Torres reacts after being tackled during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on May 8, 2013 in London, England. (Getty Images)

Keeping aside the harsh criticism that Fernando Torres has endured in his time at Stamford Bridge, Rafa has helped Torres regain bits and pieces of the magic that made him one of the most feared centre forwards in the time. The Torres of the Di Matteo era is no longer found slacking in wide areas or jogging with drooped shoulders, but he in fact willingly chases balls down and stays central, which has increased his involvement as compared to before. Torres has also grown relatively comfortable receiving the ball to feet, contrary to his preference to having the ball played into space (like Steven Gerrard’s through balls, which he happily fed on). Also, having just two centre forwards in the squad has not only reduced the pressure on him, but has also helped him get sufficient rest. Fernando’s record makes much better reading too, he has 20 goals and 6 assists this term, garnering 6 Man of the Match awards, 4 of which have come in his last 10 games.

Essentially speaking, Rafa has done a commendable job at the Blues. His tactical Rafa-lution may as yet see Chelsea finish their season even stronger by winning the Europa League and finishing in the top 3. Whether the next manager in line would be able to better Rafa’s contribution will be interesting to see, but rest assured, Chelsea look like they’re in good hands for now.