The away win against Crystal Palace is a huge step in the right direction for Chelsea. The manner of the victory just delineates the drastic difference between the way the players performed under Mourinho and are performing under Hiddink.
However, although the victory may give the slightest hope of a battle for the top four places, it will really take a monumental effort for Hiddink and his team to achieve it. The first priority of the club would definitely be to reach the top half of the table. Hence, for a team with much loftier ambitions, this is now certainly a season where there is not much to lose.
When Mourinho was appointed for the second time as the Chelsea manager, it was obviously from a long term point of view and Mourinho himself admitted to the fact of giving the academy players a chance. One player who certainly caught everyone's attention last season was Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Mourinho believed that he was the one for the future and he provided the young man with some opportunities after Chelsea won the title last time.
However, it all went downhill from there with Loftus-Cheek hardly getting any opportunity in spite of the senior players performing poorly this season. Mourinho has gone and Hiddink has come in with nothing to lose. In a season where there is not much expectation, the youngster certainly deserves to be getting more playing time. To be fair to him, he has looked very assured whenever played and can be Premier league material if nurtured in the right way.
Another person who can make an impact for the present champions is Patrick Bamford. The forward was brilliant for Middlesbrough with 17 goals to his name in the championship last season and almost took them to the Premier league. The Chelsea fans had hoped to see Bamford playing on a regular basis with Boro in the Premier league last season but they would not have been too disappointed given that Pardew signed the young center forward on loan for this season.
Although the Palace forwards have not been prolific this season, Bamford hardly got a sniff of the starting eleven and right described his loan spell as terrible. It was surprising that Mourinho chose to sign Falcao as the third choice forward rather than keep Bamford but with Falcao proving that he is beyond repair, surely, the young man should be given a chance.
However, it seems that these two may still not feature in Hiddink's plans. Mikel has certainly been a key figure in Hiddink's plans off late with Bamford set for a loan spell again this season. Bournemouth are the team currently interested in the young forward and it looks like another season where Chelsea may again fail to provide their upcoming academy stars a fair crack of the whip.
 |
| Guus Hiddink |
When Mourinho was appointed for the second time as the Chelsea manager, it was obviously from a long term point of view and Mourinho himself admitted to the fact of giving the academy players a chance. One player who certainly caught everyone's attention last season was Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Mourinho believed that he was the one for the future and he provided the young man with some opportunities after Chelsea won the title last time.
However, it all went downhill from there with Loftus-Cheek hardly getting any opportunity in spite of the senior players performing poorly this season. Mourinho has gone and Hiddink has come in with nothing to lose. In a season where there is not much expectation, the youngster certainly deserves to be getting more playing time. To be fair to him, he has looked very assured whenever played and can be Premier league material if nurtured in the right way.
Another person who can make an impact for the present champions is Patrick Bamford. The forward was brilliant for Middlesbrough with 17 goals to his name in the championship last season and almost took them to the Premier league. The Chelsea fans had hoped to see Bamford playing on a regular basis with Boro in the Premier league last season but they would not have been too disappointed given that Pardew signed the young center forward on loan for this season.
Although the Palace forwards have not been prolific this season, Bamford hardly got a sniff of the starting eleven and right described his loan spell as terrible. It was surprising that Mourinho chose to sign Falcao as the third choice forward rather than keep Bamford but with Falcao proving that he is beyond repair, surely, the young man should be given a chance.
However, it seems that these two may still not feature in Hiddink's plans. Mikel has certainly been a key figure in Hiddink's plans off late with Bamford set for a loan spell again this season. Bournemouth are the team currently interested in the young forward and it looks like another season where Chelsea may again fail to provide their upcoming academy stars a fair crack of the whip.
Post a Comment