So Gameweek 5 of the BPL had just been done and over with.
Not too bad a start to the season, I would say. 5 games in and we're sitting at the top of the pile. Of course this has to be tampered with the fact that save for Newcastle, we've been facing relatively easier opponents (no offence to the like of Stoke's, QPRs, Wigan's or Readings). And, we all know that the season ends only next May.
Nonetheless, a good headstart bodes well for a good campaign. We just need to sustain the momentum and ensure the squad is kept fresh and hungry for the long road ahead. So after 5 games, here are some thoughts to chew on:
The Positives
We seem to have shored up defensively, keeping a tight backline and eliminating the calamitous defending that became the hallmark of our rearguard last season. Whilst still not vintage Mourinho-style shutouts, the couple of gritty 1-0 wins have shown that we are ready to bunker up and put up a solid wall when the need arises.
Encouraging signs also from some of the new signings. Eden Hazard had a flying start and has shown that he can be the next Zola. True, he has slowed down a bit in the last couple of games but that's because he is being compared to his 11 out of 10 performance in the first 2-3 games.
Oscar has also shown that his flair and creative verve may be the added dimension to Chelsea's play this season.
Victor Moses offers pace, skill and width to the game. Lucas Piazon, Ryan Bertrand and Oriol Romeu are slowly coming of age and when Marko Marin fully becomes match-fit, our options in attack are abound.
In terms of defence, David Luiz has been showing a little bit more restraint and maturity, whilst Cahill is growing in stature to be a bona fide replacement for Terry when Captain Marvel's retirement comes (which may be very soon).
Also, despite not playing well or dictating play in a couple of matches, we have managed to grind out the results and get maximum points. Some have said before that this is a trait of champions and by the look of things, these are encouraging signs.
The Negatives
There is this feeling that something special is still lacking. Call it a slow start or call it "gelling period", but there is this gut feeling that the team has yet to truly click. The plays and attacks does not ebb and flow organically like a cohesive unit yet, rather they resemble a patchwork of individual contributors stringing together their skills. It may work, sometimes, but there's still this sneaky suspicion that once opponents find a way to mark out certain players or block out certain routes, there may be no Plan B. Fluidity is the key here, and we don't seem to have it yet.
I also don't think we the old Fernando Torres is truly back. Yet. I know I have been his biggest advocate and I've earmarked this season as one where he will finally deliver the goods but based on these 5 games, it appears very touch-and-go. He's been scoring but not regularly enough. He's scored 1 or 2 really good ones but missed complete sitters also. At the moment, he infuriates as much as he excites.
It's frustrating because you know he has genuine quality, poacher's instinct and skills to make things happen yet seeing him fumble his lines or run into a dead-wall situation time and again because of nerves, lack of confidence or a combo of both. His problems may emanate more from a psychological reason rather than form or playing opportunity. Whatever it is, RDM had better come up with a solution soon. Or alternatively, bring in another striker who can provide competition and replace Nando when he hits a bad patch.
Summary
September is still too early in the campaign to suggest ringing in any drastic moves or making any wholesale changes yet.
However, if RDM wants to fine-tune the Blues machinery, at this juncture he needs to:
(1) solve the Torres-confidence/form issue through either psychological / hypnotic help.
(2) alternatively, get a cheaper, 2nd grade but prolific, bread-and-butter striker in by January. Someone in the mould of Steven Fletcher or Demba Ba or Rickie Lambert type. Someone who wouldn't mind playing second fiddle to El Nino but who can be relied upon to find the net in those gritty, tough-tackling games against the likes of West Ham or Stoke.
(3) slowly ease Terry and Lamps out of the squad (though I think this is what he is already doing) without making the drop too drastic / disrespectful / hurtful to their big egos. Instead, move them more towards the Ryan Giggs / Paul Scholes role of the experienced old head in the squad whose contributions come more in training and the dressing room.
(4) imbue the team with a new 'style' of play. RDM has got to quickly figure out the best shape / type of play most suitable to the new batch of skillful players he has. He must then quickly fashion a system of play which optimizes their abilities and get them used to it. He must also find a Plan B and C for that system and get them used to switching systems at ease depending on the situation.
Well, let's see how things pan out also now that the Champions League group stages are in full swing together with League Cup (now called Capital One Cup if I'm not mistaken), FA Cup and Club World Cup.
On another note, farewell and thanks for the memories to Captain John Terry from the international football scene. He has given blood, sweat and tears (all 3 literally) for the 3 Lions and he has never shirked from a single tackle, elbow or wild kick when donning both the Chelsea blue or the England kit. To see a man-lion call time on his illustrious (and controversial) career amidst (or rather because of) the whole racism inquiry seems a tad ungrateful for this lad from Barking who epitomises the English spirit far better than any of his current colleagues have.
John Terry, whatever the outcome of the enquiry, you are still and always will be a Chelsea and England leader amongst men.
