What’s Scolari Done For You?

I was reading this article yesterday about Ashley Cole and how much he seems to have improved under the guidance of Luiz Felipe Scolari. The article wasn’t one I disagreed with, I mean, Cole’s definitely a better player so far this season but he’s not the only one.  

Cole, like a lot of Chelsea players is just enjoying having the reins taken off. Where Mourinho concentrated on defensive responsibilities, strangling any frivolous ideas the players might have about attacking the opposition, Scolari allows the players the sort of freedom to play that’d make TSO’s hair stand on end.

So for Ashley Cole, that means a return to bombing up and down the flanks, creating attacking options and running at the opposition instead of just after them. Florent Malouda too, who was actually signed by Mourinho and then had the misfortune of realising he’d end up with Avram Grant during his first Chelsea season,  looked impressive on his debut before playing like a total inadequate the minute his initial manager was out the door. And yet, again under Scolari, Malouda is starting to show us a bit of what he’s got in his locker.

More surprisingly maybe, is Nicolas Anelka, who not only played like a complete dick for Chelsea last season, but also acted like one both during and after one of Chelsea’s games. And yet his nonchalance wasn’t exactly out of place in a team of individuals who were all pretty much up their own backsides at the time. This season though, Anelka’s started to turn it around in the absence of Didier Drogba. And whilst he’s still a long way from doing what he should be, his first-half performance against Villa is a sign that Scolari has worked a virtual miracle on Le Sulk.

What I like more than anything though, is Chelsea’s attitude now. Despite playing some of the best football they’ve played in years, they’re not doing it with the arrogant swagger of the Mourinho era. Strange really, because they’re actually a lot better than they were then. But maybe that’s down to Scolari too? He doesn’t tell them they’re the most amazing individuals who’ve ever graced a pitch, he doesn’t tell them they’re above the law because he’ll protect them from it, Scolari just tells them how it is. If they’re good, he says they’re good – as a team, and if they’re not then that’s what he says. No flannel, no excuses, no conspiracy theories, just the simple facts.

Of course, we’ve yet to see whether Scolari’s brand of football proves to be successful at Chelsea. There’s a long way to go in all competitions and we still might finish the season empty handed. But y’know what? I’m really not bothered because Scolari’s got Chelsea playing the sort of football I’ve wanted to see from them for years, and if establishing that sort of football at the club means we have to go without a trophy again this season, then so be it.

For me, it’d be a small price to pay for spending at least one season really enjoying our game.