Benitez is right on the Chelsea old guard
It’s been well publicised that Andre Villas-Boas was all but forced out of Stamford Bridge by the Chelsea old guard. The likes of John Terry and Frank Lampard regularly voiced their displeasure of the coaching methods of the 35-year-old, despite Roman Abramovich suggesting the young tactician would be the man to usher in a new era at the club.
However, he only lasted a matter of months into his three year deal at the club before Roberto Di Matteo led the Blues to Champions League glory last year. Now with Spaniard Rafael Benitez at the helm, the former Liverpool boss has hinted that changes could well be a possibility ahead of the Capital One Cup semi-final encounter with Swansea City.
Didier Drogba departed the club following eight years at Chelsea last summer, having signed for Shanghai Shenhua following their successful night in Munich. The next departure is looking more and more likely to be the ageing duo of Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole, both of whom’s contracts expire at the end of the season.
It’s been hinted that the duo won’t be offered new deals at the club, with the former linked with a move to the MLS and the latter to Paris St. Germain. Should the pair indeed be leaving, it will leave only John Terry as the last remaining member of the ‘Old Guard’.
While their experience is vital to the success of the team, think ahead to the future should be the priority for Benitez. He may only be in place until the summer, but planning for life after Terry, Lampard and Cole is vital to the long term stability of Chelsea.
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