Reference: The team that plays the closest thing to the Barca style in England is Arsenal. Clearly they have not won the UCL and the EPL in ages because they lack the player quality in sufficient numbers to execute this tactic and without a plan B Wenger is often stranded.

RDM had seen that his best players were over thirty so why play tippy tap or attack madly. Is it Drogba that will drive the ball 50 yards or Lampard that will take on 3 defenders. But Drogba doesn't need 3 shots on goal to score. Lampard needs only 1 good pass. That is experience. So what do you do with the rest of your time. Defend of course and wait for mistakes. That is smart. That is tactics. RDM did it five times against Pool, Barca, Napoli and Bayern. How can that be luck.

pro01:
Na wa oh. I understand people tend to get carried away by the euphoria of victory and success, and then forget the details of how such victories were achieved. If I may ask, was it part of Di Matteo's "tactics" that Barca would hit the post twice in the first leg at the Stamford Bridge, and then hit the post thrice in the second leg? Was it also part of the tactical script that Messi, of all people, and Robben, would both miss penalties that would have sealed our fate? Was it part of tactics that Barca, Liverpool, and Bayern would lose a plethora of chances, including one that perhaps crossed the goal line (in the FA cup final) but was overlooked?

The tactics were indeed woeful, not necessarily because of it's sheer ugliness, but because it was defective and designed to depend on luck more than efficiency. A more effective form of the same tactic was masterfully used by Mourinho's Inter Milan in their treble winning season last two years. Although Barca outplayed Inter, they didn't create many chances - that is the ultimate aim of a containment tactic - to suffocate the superior attacking team and prevent them from creating chances! Not to allow them create uncountable chances and hope that they fail to convert the chances (and penalties)! How on earth can you call that "tactics"? If Messi had scored that penalty and made it 3-1, we would have been forced to attack, thereby exposing our 'yansh' at the rear. . . and then the game might have ended 5-1 or more.

I believe so much in destiny. Chelsea were destined to excel this year, against all odds. It was written in the stars. Simple. There is no logical or rational way of explaining our miraculous triumphs in spite of so many near-death moments, other than to attribute everything to divine intervention - rather than tactics. Which kind tactics be that?? As such, we can't be sure of Di Matteo's abilities until he spends one full season in charge, without the notoriously promiscuous Lady Luck by his side. Let's not make it look like it is his right to get a longer contract; that is the privilege and prerogative of the owner, Abramovich, who has rewarded Di Matteo enough by giving him a bonus of £1m for the UCL win as well as a one year contract. Is that not fair enough? ? ?

pro01:
Na wa oh. I understand people tend to get carried away by the euphoria of victory and success, and then forget the details of how such victories were achieved. If I may ask, was it part of Di Matteo's "tactics" that Barca would hit the post twice in the first leg at the Stamford Bridge, and then hit the post thrice in the second leg? Was it also part of the tactical script that Messi, of all people, and Robben, would both miss penalties that would have sealed our fate? Was it part of tactics that Barca, Liverpool, and Bayern would lose a plethora of chances, including one that perhaps crossed the goal line (in the FA cup final) but was overlooked?

The tactics were indeed woeful, not necessarily because of it's sheer ugliness, but because it was defective and designed to depend on luck more than efficiency. A more effective form of the same tactic was masterfully used by Mourinho's Inter Milan in their treble winning season last two years. Although Barca outplayed Inter, they didn't create many chances - that is the ultimate aim of a containment tactic - to suffocate the superior attacking team and prevent them from creating chances! Not to allow them create uncountable chances and hope that they fail to convert the chances (and penalties)! How on earth can you call that "tactics"? If Messi had scored that penalty and made it 3-1, we would have been forced to attack, thereby exposing our 'yansh' at the rear. . . and then the game might have ended 5-1 or more.

I believe so much in destiny. Chelsea were destined to excel this year, against all odds. It was written in the stars. Simple. There is no logical or rational way of explaining our miraculous triumphs in spite of so many near-death moments, other than to attribute everything to divine intervention - rather than tactics. Which kind tactics be that?? As such, we can't be sure of Di Matteo's abilities until he spends one full season in charge, without the notoriously promiscuous Lady Luck by his side. Let's not make it look like it is his right to get a longer contract; that is the privilege and prerogative of the owner, Abramovich, who has rewarded Di Matteo enough by giving him a bonus of £1m for the UCL win as well as a one year contract. Is that not fair enough? ? ?

pro01:

Your father and mother and all the never do well children they produced, including you, are nincompoops. Since you have no better way of analysing a situation objectively and making your own points as I made mine other than spewing insults like a rabid dog, it is extremely clear to all that you're brain-damaged. I honestly don't know how characters like you are conceived. Your mum must have ingested a lot of foul chemicals when you were in her womb. What a waste.

twinstaiye: If I were RDM, I will resign. I have built my CV already by winning FA cup and CL. Staying with Chelsea will definitely spoil his credentials as RA had been known to be sacking coach at all times. Why not just leave when the ovation is loud.

twinstaiye: If I were RDM, I will resign. I have built my CV already by winning FA cup and CL. Staying with Chelsea will definitely spoil his credentials as RA had been known to be sacking coach at all times. Why not just leave when the ovation is loud.

Adexchelsea19: Dats just it my guy,we may have won the CL but i was nt hapy wit the kind of football we played,

opokonwa: I have read everyone's comment here with keen interest.
Pr01's and Ibime's and other comments have entertained me but the insults?...just too much.

My own take:

None of the earlier comments here ever noted that in all of Guardiola'a 4years of coaching Barca's Senior Side, he never took/signed more than 1-year contract. In fact, he opted out of any contract that will tie him for more than 1 season at a time. His contracts were often renewed yearly.
4 years and 13 trophies later, Guardiola has written his name in Gold. He may even add a 14th trophy come Friday, tomorrow.

That said, i don't think that Chelsea's 1-year contract to RDM (if confirmed) should generate such a fuss. If RDM proves himself like Guardiola, he may likely get a renewal just like Guardiola did three times with Barca.

That said, I think RDM is a very intelligent man and tactical coach with lots of 'Good Luck'. However, I do not think he left most chance to luck. Chelsea team worked really hard in most of their crucial matches against Barca, Bayern, Napoli and even Liverpool(FA Cup Final).
It takes a higher mental state to withstand the onslaught of both Barca and Bayern and hit them devastatingly when it matters most.

Besides, how do you play attacking football with Barca and Bayern when your team's best quality is its resilience in both the Goal-keeping and Defence?
Chelsea had no Mid-Field and the attacking options were limited to Drogba, Ramires(suspended) and Torres(Unpredictable-Undependable). RDM simply used his best asset and hit on a counter....the posts and Lady luck helped him more than a few times but I doubt if Lady luck would have succeeded if he changed his pattern in the short term.

Rumor mills have it that Chelsea wants to buy players like Neymar, Hulk, Falcao, Eden Hazard, Lucas Moura and others. Give RDM a 1-year contract and sign a few of these attack-minded and game-changing players and see if Chelsea will play the same.

A coach defines his tactics by evaluating the individual strengths of his key players against their individual weaknesses and blending them into a team.
Di Matteo inherited a team of demoralized, aging, ego-tripping, confused and slow individuals and brought out the best from them, beating the best in the world, even winning two very-important cups, one of them the UEFA Champions League! when everyone including the whole lot of us posting here wrote them off?! All these in less than 3-months! Come on! I do not know how else to define a Great Coach!

Abramovich's reaction is expected! For someone to buy a middle table club for £120 million and spend over £1 billion turning it into the biggest threat in European football, it simply speaks volumes about his passion for the game, his expectations from coaches and the type of results he expects. His decision (if confirmed) to give RDM just a 1-year contract is on point!

Having said this, I think Abramovich having tasted European Glory once, is impulsive as ever about staying at the top and will pull all the right stops to remain there. RDM's one-year contract(if confirmed) is just the beginning of it. For Abramovich, Chelsea is not a toy or hubby, Chelsea is a full-time job! An expression of his passion, love, competitiveness, tenacity, ego, image, dominance and an extension of himself!

I think that Chelsea Football Club has just gotten more vicious in their competition to attract the best talent and the best winning formula.

Chelsea Fans should just sit tight and brace themselves up for some of the best dominance of European Football.

Domaro: Rebertho Dimatteo desrve this job without conditions, he did what so called ''world class coach'' couldn't do. So what other proof do you need to reinstate him as perm coach. Owner be carefull, Fans are watching

opokonwa: I have read everyone's comment here with keen interest.
Pr01's and Ibime's and other comments have entertained me but the insults?...just too much.

My own take:

None of the earlier comments here ever noted that in all of Guardiola'a 4years of coaching Barca's Senior Side, he never took/signed more than 1-year contract. In fact, he opted out of any contract that will tie him for more than 1 season at a time. His contracts were often renewed yearly.
4 years and 13 trophies later, Guardiola has written his name in Gold. He may even add a 14th trophy come Friday, tomorrow.

That said, i don't think that Chelsea's 1-year contract to RDM (if confirmed) should generate such a fuss. If RDM proves himself like Guardiola, he may likely get a renewal just like Guardiola did three times with Barca.

That said, I think RDM is a very intelligent man and tactical coach with lots of 'Good Luck'. However, I do not think he left most chance to luck. Chelsea team worked really hard in most of their crucial matches against Barca, Bayern, Napoli and even Liverpool(FA Cup Final).
It takes a higher mental state to withstand the onslaught of both Barca and Bayern and hit them devastatingly when it matters most.

Besides, how do you play attacking football with Barca and Bayern when your team's best quality is its resilience in both the Goal-keeping and Defence?
Chelsea had no Mid-Field and the attacking options were limited to Drogba, Ramires(suspended) and Torres(Unpredictable-Undependable). RDM simply used his best asset and hit on a counter....the posts and Lady luck helped him more than a few times but I doubt if Lady luck would have succeeded if he changed his pattern in the short term.

Rumor mills have it that Chelsea wants to buy players like Neymar, Hulk, Falcao, Eden Hazard, Lucas Moura and others. Give RDM a 1-year contract and sign a few of these attack-minded and game-changing players and see if Chelsea will play the same.

A coach defines his tactics by evaluating the individual strengths of his key players against their individual weaknesses and blending them into a team.
Di Matteo inherited a team of demoralized, aging, ego-tripping, confused and slow individuals and brought out the best from them, beating the best in the world, even winning two very-important cups, one of them the UEFA Champions League! when everyone including the whole lot of us posting here wrote them off?! All these in less than 3-months! Come on! I do not know how else to define a Great Coach!

Abramovich's reaction is expected! For someone to buy a middle table club for £120 million and spend over £1 billion turning it into the biggest threat in European football, it simply speaks volumes about his passion for the game, his expectations from coaches and the type of results he expects. His decision (if confirmed) to give RDM just a 1-year contract is on point!

Having said this, I think Abramovich having tasted European Glory once, is impulsive as ever about staying at the top and will pull all the right stops to remain there. RDM's one-year contract(if confirmed) is just the beginning of it. For Abramovich, Chelsea is not a toy or hubby, Chelsea is a full-time job! An expression of his passion, love, competitiveness, tenacity, ego, image, dominance and an extension of himself!

I think that Chelsea Football Club has just gotten more vicious in their competition to attract the best talent and the best winning formula.

Chelsea Fans should just sit tight and brace themselves up for some of the best dominance of European Football.

mandsignal: are you are nigerian . . Oh ... No wonder