Pep's Arrival

[Madmax 9,219]

Starting from scratch is not that bad, after all.

Big difference between starting from scratch and going back to Mourinho's ways though.

[jjd06e 37]

Say Pep brings in a formation looking like this one and employs it at Chelsea

Lets also say we sign Hulk+Hazard

For us it could work

Goaltender and 4 defenders are obvious, Busquets role could be played by Mikel. I think we would need to add someone like Modric to play Xavi spot. Mata would take Iniesta role, and then you would have Hazard-Torres-Hulk up front. Might not work as well as at Barca, but I think the guys we are bringing in or rumored to be adding (Hulk, Hazard, Modric, Fellaini) are all guys who could probably work in this system. Which again makes me wonder if Roman is getting these signings done early to convince Pep to come.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

I dont want Pep to come, but someone that can give us attacking football and KNOWS HOW TO DEFEND.

We are in england, not Spain and we dont have Messi, Xavi or Iniesta. Pep without those three would won nothing.

Capello or someone would be better.

[TacticalBlues 2,817]

Not sure about that, when i think of Guardiola's man management, all i can think of is Ibra's comments about him.

Yep, that is the only thing. The Messi text scandal or whatever, where he sent him messages saying he's not important anymore and stuff. When you have the worlds best player virtually threatening you then it's difficult to refuse. I feel sorry for Ibra their, the la masia graduates seem to have that about them. But it isn't just them, Ibra did want a formation change around him which seemed to upset the camps unity. Apart from that though the way he handles the big egos, who may be benched at the expense of youngsters like Tello and Cuenca for example, is top draw.

[silkycuts 19]

Actually my vote goes for Didier Deschamps. His teams seem to have the balance between solid defending and playing "proper" football. And of course being an ex-blue doesn't hurt either.

[Sheva. 5,373]

Yep, that is the only thing. The Messi text scandal or whatever, where he sent him messages saying he's not important anymore and stuff. When you have the worlds best player virtually threatening you then it's difficult to refuse. I feel sorry for Ibra their, the la masia graduates seem to have that about them. But it isn't just them, Ibra did want a formation change around him which seemed to upset the camps unity. Apart from that though the way he handles the big egos, who may be benched at the expense of youngsters like Tello and Cuenca for example, is top draw.

They paid 65m for Ibra, shouldn't they play to his strengths? I'm pretty sure if Pep tried hard enough he could have found a formation that suited both Messi and Ibra.

Instead of just letting such a great striker go.

Also, i don't think they're many big egos at Barca. I might be wrong, but most of them are from the academy, and like Ibra said 'they follow the coach, without ever complaining'

[Swedish House Mafia 508]

At the end of the day the only opinion that matters is that of Abramovich - and hopefully he picks pep

[KonohasOrangeFlash 2,607]

At the end of the day the only opinion that matters is that of Abramovich - and hopefully he picks pep

This.

[Tricky 301]

I think Roberto did a wonderful job last year, his man managment was particually inspiring. But we rode our luck in the CL and more importantly in the leage as well. People seem to forget we were out played by Wigan and dominated by Man City, to name but a few. Thismay / may not have been due to the players at his disposale, and if he were given the chance i am sure he would make a success off it. And i for one would love to have a true chelsea man in charge at the club, you could see how much it meant to him, and thats inspiring to see.

I believe Pep actually accepted that Barcelona needed a plan B in the post match interview following our defeat. I'm going against the tide here, but i'd like him at the Bridge. He showed great humility after their defeat to us (and lets be honest they could quite easily have won with there plan A), and his acceptance of a need for plan B shows a man who is willing to adapt. I believe he would have learned from AVB disastrous approach to change and would adopt a more evolutionary approach.

And as for the high line issue... well we used to play with a higher line under Mourinho, we oftern played higher up the field shutting out the space in midfield and stiffling opponents. Playing the higher line is what enables Barca to win the ball back so quickly (hell look how little time we had on the ball). JT aside we have plenty of pace at the back in Cole. Luis and Cahill, and if we get caught once an a while so be it... everyone has to conceed from time to time.

[bababoom 4,478]

Who doesnt?

This forum is funny sometimes. Same people that months ago were backing AVB, saying he was good, hot, exuberant, young, full of talent and only time was needed, right now are saying we cant take Pepe because he is like AVB.

I'm neutral, i wouldn't mind either way, Pep or RDM, both sounds good to me, although i will be upset for RDM if we get Pep.

[BleedsBlue 1,549]

Everyone wants Pep here but no one wants RDM to leave especially after winning two major trophies in 3 months.I wouldn't mind having Pep as our manager but I'd like see RDM get a chance and 1 year is not enough.RDM can be our perfect manager if he is given full power and responsibility and lastly but not least TIME.

[The Big Drog 1,110]

Your making him out to be some sort of man with super human powers. He inherited one of the best teams of all time and made them pass the ball to death, didn't have a plan b, and when RDM exposed this he walked.

No I'm not hyping him as Superman, simply as a football visionary and the greatest coach in thr history of Barcelona. It's easy to look back now and say he inherited the best team ever, the reality was very different. He took over a team that had just been beaten over 2 legs by Man Utd, a side split into two camps by the Eto'o/Ronaldinho feud and while it did contain the likes of Xavi, Iniesta and Puyol, those players were considered underachievers at both club and international level and were not (with the exception of Puyol) considered the world beaters that they are today. Guardiola went in there, ended the feud and got rid of some big names who were causing problems, united the dressing room and created a system and perfected a philosophy that made this Barcelobaxside the greatest team to ever play the game. Listen to Messi speak about Guardiola, hear how much he says he owes to Guardiola in making him the player that he is today. No other manager could have commanded the kind of respect that Guardiola did in that Barcelona dressing room, he was the boyhood hero of Xavi, Iniesta and Fabregas. As I say the argument that he doesn't have a plan B isn't correct, what you mean is that he didn't have a target man but when plan A is so successful, plan B would simply be a hindrance, after all what world class target man would be content with sitting on the bench, only getting a chance to play on the off chance that Barcelona struggle against Inter or Chelsea in Europe. As has already been well documented and previously stated in this thread, he never intended on staying long anyway, his stay lasted longer than he originally intended.

[RamiCFC9 258]

No I'm not hyping him as Superman, simply as a football visionary and the greatest coach in thr history of Barcelona. It's easy to look back now and say he inherited the best team ever, the reality was very different. He took over a team that had just been beaten over 2 legs by Man Utd, a side split into two camps by the Eto'o/Ronaldinho feud and while it did contain the likes of Xavi, Iniesta and Puyol, those players were considered underachievers at both club and international level and were not (with the exception of Puyol) considered the world beaters that they are today. Guardiola went in there, ended the feud and got rid of some big names who were causing problems, united the dressing room and created a system and perfected a philosophy that made this Barcelobaxside the greatest team to ever play the game. Listen to Messi speak about Guardiola, hear how much he says he owes to Guardiola in making him the player that he is today. No other manager could have commanded the kind of respect that Guardiola did in that Barcelona dressing room, he was the boyhood hero of Xavi, Iniesta and Fabregas. As I say the argument that he doesn't have a plan B isn't correct, what you mean is that he didn't have a target man but when plan A is so successful, plan B would simply be a hindrance, after all what world class target man would be content with sitting on the bench, only getting a chance to play on the off chance that Barcelona struggle against Inter or Chelsea in Europe. As has already been well documented and previously stated in this thread, he never intended on staying long anyway, his stay lasted longer than he originally intended.

Pretty much the best post about Pep in this thread.Ppl think that Pep inherited super-human squad but actually at the time Pep got appointed, Barca were in ruins.

[Aesthetic Relic 301]

No I dont.

Absolutely that helps, though by the same token you could certainly compliment him on promoting a raft of youth team players to the first team squad. While those who came through the Barcelona system obviously learned to play the Barcelona way, what you dont mention is the massive impact Guardiola has had on that Barcelona way and how he has tweaked it into the most dominating style of football anyone has ever seen.

The actual Barcelona way was developed before 10-15 years, it's generally credited to Johann Cruyff who brought a total football element to Barcelona, which Guardiola then worked off to create the most successful side in the club's history. Who expects him to change things overnight? Give him time and he will change things. Roman Abramovich is said to be a huge fan of the Barcelona way and the work Pep did at the club, he would certainly have the backing to change things. What other manager at Chelsea would have had both that power to change the entire structure of the club and also the ability to perform such a change?

Perhaps but given just how long he has admired Guardiola for, Id be fairly confident that he would last a little longer than 6 months.

How exactly has he tweeked it though ?

That's like saying Avram Grant tweeked TSO's team to get us to the CL FInal in 2008 .....and for the record, I did say 10-15 years minimum.

Scolari, Ancelotti and AVB were all brought in to change how we played. When they failed with the open exciting football Roman wanted to see, we went back to what we know best which is basically defend and hit on the break. This way of playing had brought us so much success over the last decade. PG will be asked to create at Chelsea what everyone sees at Barcelona. When he tries to get us playing that way and it goes tits up like every other manager before him Roman will not hesitate to get shafted of him

PG will just be another manager to add to the "tried and failed" list in Romans litle black book.

If he does come I'll wish him all the best, but I know that I'll be back on here saying I told you so when he gets his P45.

[Kez 2,727]

How exactly has he tweeked it though ?

That's like saying Avram Grant tweeked TSO's team to get us to the CL FInal in 2008 .....and for the record, I did say 10-15 years minimum.

Scolari, Ancelotti and AVB were all brought in to change how we played. When they failed with the open exciting football Roman wanted to see, we went back to what we know best which is basically defend and hit on the break. This way of playing had brought us so much success over the last decade. PG will be asked to create at Chelsea what everyone sees at Barcelona. When he tries to get us playing that way and it goes tits up like every other manager before him Roman will not hesitate to get shafted of him

PG will just be another manager to add to the "tried and failed" list in Romans litle black book.

If he does come I'll wish him all the best, but I know that I'll be back on here saying I told you so when he gets his P45.

Stuart!!!!!!!! where have you been all my life?!

[Shane 2,275]

Pretty much the best post about Pep in this thread.Ppl think that Pep inherited super-human squad but actually at the time Pep got appointed, Barca were in ruins.

They lost 1-0 in a Semi final of a Champions League, hardly fucking ruins in fairness.

[Aesthetic Relic 301]

Stuart!!!!!!!! where have you been all my life?!

You know that big handsome guy in your naughty dreams ? :eyebrows: .......that's me...lol

Aye, been pretty hectic here lately, just getting my life back in order.

[Kez 2,727]

You know that big handsome guy in your naughty dreams ? :eyebrows: .......that's me...lol

Aye, been pretty hectic here lately, just getting my life back in order.

Thought I recognised him! Good to see you back, hope you are sticking around