Scolari for Vendetta: Chelsea's Revenge

Stamford Bridge was left with a bitter taste in their mouths three times last season. Chelsea FC managed to fall short in the Premiereship, Carling Cup and Champions League. For each competition they had to settle for runners up medals. To add injury to insult they were nice denied their glory by their arch rivals Manchester United. First in the Premiership and soon afterwards on a rainy night in Moscow during the Champions League Finals. That night the English season came to a close and so did Chelsea's manager Avram Grants helm. Captain John Terry had his destiny at his feet and threw it away with a slip at the penalty line that secured victory for the Red Devils. The Chelsea board decided then that drastic changes would have to be made to bring the club back to its success period during Mourinho's regime. Soon after the final Chelsea FC parted ways with Grant and began to look for a suitable successor to take over his position. During that period Euro 08 was being played and rumours spread that two integral members of the team were making preparations to leave the club. A Portuguese defensive winger Boswinga was also signed before joined his team mates in the Euro's. It would soon turn out the winger was not the only Portuguese link that would arrive at the club. In the middle of the Euro's Chelsea released news the the manager of Portugal Felipe Scolari would be their next manager.

Not long after this news Chelsea signed another Portuguese international, Brazilian born Deco. Rumours also spread that Deco would be joined by his former rival team Real Madrid's Robinho. There was a promise that Chelsea would becoming a more entertaining team that would play attacking football similar to the performances the team played at the end of Grants regime. It was exciting times at the Bridge. With Scolari came a calibre and respect that Grant failed to earn from his players. A manager who has a resume that is pages long, that also has World Cup winning Brazilian manager to go a long with it. The only cup that is more coveted than a Champions League trophy is the World Cup, few have the honour to claim that they have won it. The effect of the news immediately changed the atmosphere in the club. Lampard and Drogba, two players who were rumoured to leave quickly rubbished rumours. Lampard went one step further and held negotiations on his time with the club, which eventually lead to a long term extention that could see him ending his career at the club. In the pre-season Scolari exhibited the new Chelsea team during tours in Asia. The team put on impressive displays, including a 5-0 destruction of AC Milan. Chelsea fans bit their nails in anticipation for the official start to the new BPL season.

Chelsea's opening against Portsmouth was not a disappointment. Portsmouth was last season's FA Cup winners and a team known for their defensive capabilities. The Pompey team was not prepared for the attacking onslaught Scolari's team presented at the Stamford Bridge and conceded a goal before the 30 minute mark. New player Deco took on his play making role to the fullest and serviced the attack line with splendid passes and movement. Scolari also gave more freedom to his defensive wing backs which saw Boswinga and Cole to run forward and provide crosses. It was not long before Pompey saw themselves down 3-0. Deco then placed the nail on the coffin with a long range curling ball that left England's number one keeper David James flat footed. The alarms sounded all over the world that Chelsea meant business. Pompeys manager Harry Redknapp was flabbergasted by the performance and explained that the calibre present was to great for his team to respond effectively. The next game Deco continued to impress as he scored an impressive freekick away at Wigan. Chelsea then shared a point with Tottenham in a heated London Derby.It is still early, but so far Scolari has provided Chelsea with the right elements to be a leading contender domestically and in Europe. The he provides respect, Chelsea now has a manager that the players respect. Marquee players who make millions of dollars a season need to be lead by someone who has achieved and has a past of success. Scolari's predessor lacked this and it was evident that his players had little faith in his leadership. It will be interesting to see if Chelsea under Scolari can manage to once more become domestic champions and clutch the coveted Champions League trophy.