Congratulations are in order for Mr Abramovich – he has cracked the code!
For years the chairman has sat in one of the most lavish of directors’ boxes on offer in the world.
But, in recent seasons his football-watching experience has not been perfect, certain changes had to be made.
His leather seats were not what was bothering him; it was the years of viewing lacklustre football that meant the business tycoon was a frustrated man.
Every season he teetered with his system, making bold sackings and wacky transfers has been a mere means of displaying a desperation for something more.
But now the Russian can turn-up expecting to witness samba football, not having to fear this is going to affect his ruthless expectations of cross-competition trophy success.
Roman’s trial and error experiment has resulted in the positive realisation he needs to take a step back when it comes to transfers.
Before when he made mega-bucks transfers, he seemed to throw mud at the wall to see what would stick, but rarely would those signings adopt the style of play that both the brains and the piggy bank behind the club wanted.
This season, instead of making rash domineering decisions, it is understood he begun to openly communicate with others at the club before splashing out on the likes of Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas.
Astute long-term signings like these were bound to improve the flair and results of last season’s trophyless side.
Furthermore, the managerial merry-go-round seen at Stamford Bridge is proof enough of the chairman’s dissatisfaction with his recent employees.
Fans fondly remember Ruud Gullit and Carlo Ancelloti’s tenures in which similarly mouth-watering football to today was played.
Ancelotti’s sacking at the time miffed many, but now could look a stroke of genius.
The right transfer policy was not in place as signing David Luiz and Fernando Torres for extortionate sums led to no success in his second season.
Two previous managers to reach the Champions League final at Chelsea were sacked soon after for dull and tedious football – Avram Grant and Roberto Di Matteo failed to adapt the technique which got Mourinho sacked in his first stint at the job.
Nullifying opponents attacks gained them success in Europe, but this ‘parking the bus’ style looks a distant memory of what they are today.
Chelsea achieved their record-scoring Champions League victory in midweek against Maribor – moving the ball with a swagger – and will certainly look to seriously push on.
They are not playing gung-ho all-out-attack football. Each movement at Chelsea starts off at a slow tempo, matching the level of energy needed to expend, and crescendos into measured and well thought out destruction.
Free-flowing football, reminiscent of the samba approach Brazil have played over decades, is being made effective in a league which relies on strength, power and speed.
Chelsea’s effective samba football can be partially attributed to the adaptation of player roles.
Full-backs Branislav Ivanovic and Felipe Luis have proved adept at the top of the field, while Gary Cahill and John Terry look completely different to last year, not so concerned about holding a deep line but attempting to win balls in the midfield area.
However, the pinnacle of this energetic football comes from their unsung hero – Oscar.
The 23-year-old is turning into the complete footballer, modelling his game on Kaka both offensively and defensively.
His high work-rate is demonstrated by hounding opposition players all over the pitch, looking to turn the course of play into the perfect attack.
Surging runs are not his game, unlike the silkiness and confidence of Hazard and Willian who bully defenders by running at them with the ball.
Oscar confuses defenders with his off-the ball movement and positioning, which is better than anyone in the Chelsea team, enabling the side to play in the way they do.
He knows who is around him and if there is not the potential of a goalscoring chance, he will pass it back and get himself into a better-placed position.
He has the highest shot accuracy of the Chelsea midfield this season and his goal against Crystal Palace last week is a prime example of his raw talent.
The current side could be on the road to great success, with words like ‘quadruple’ and ‘invincibles’ being bandied around.
But it is Oscar who is the club’s present, the club’s future and who will one day be looked back as the epitome of Abramovich’s most successful achievement.
Featured image courtesy of SkyNews via Youtube, with thanks
