By Guy P.
Our wonderful media is of course prone to hyperbole – hence the massive overuse of the term ‘crisis’ when describing a football team who are experiencing a temporary poor run of form. However ‘crisis’ seems an ever more fitting description for Chelsea under Rafael Benitez’s tenure and there is an abundance of statistics that support the use of the term, including:
- 47% – Benitez’s win percentage at Chelsea – the lowest of the 8 managers during Roman Abramovich’s reign.
- 0 Wins in last 4 games and only 3 in previous 10.
- 7 goals conceded in previous 3 games – played against League 1 Brentford and Premiership strugglers Reading and Newcastle.
- 16 points behind Premier League leaders Manchester United.
Under Benitez’s leadership, Chelsea have been knocked out of the Champions League and the Capital One Cup, in addition to failing to win the World Club Cup last December in Japan.
However it is the league form which is of most concern to Chelsea fans, not only due to the fact that table topping Manchester United’s lead over Chelsea has quadrupled since Di Matteo was sacked, but also because the top 4 place required to qualify for next season’s Champions League is now in serious jeopardy. Though Chelsea currently still occupy 3rd place in the table, Tottenham are now merely 1 point behind and both Arsenal and Everton are within 5 points.
William Hill are offering odds of 11/10 that Benitez will be the next manager to leave a Premier League club this season and there can be little doubt that the axe must now be hanging on frayed string above the Spaniard’s head. Chelsea surely have to win their Premier League fixture against struggling Wigan Athletic this weekend if Benitez is to prolong his stay.
Will Chelsea turn around their fortunes or will another dreadful display prove to be a prelude for Benitez exiting Stamford Bridge?
Let’s hear from Chelsea fans on this one
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Talkoftheterrace.net
Feb 7, 2013 at 1:28 am
All boils down to Abramovic really, only has himself to blame. Could of still had the great Mourinho at the helm if he wasnt such an idiot, still feel for Di Matteo, winning a Champions League and then getting the boot, now has Rafa who is walking a tight rope, their will be no hope for the next manager either, its like a revolving door at the Bridge,,