Could Chelsea's Horrible Start Have Been Prevented by 1 Footballer?
Many have pontificated about Chelsea Football Club's less-than-auspicious start to the 2015/16 season. The reasons are varied but normally centre around transfer complacency, form and the Blues' desire to "go again" after winning the 2014/15 League Cup and 2014/15 Premier League title.
These are undoubtedly problems that need fixing and are rather easy to identify, but why are they issues?
Jose Mourinho is possibly the world's best manager—certainly the Premier League's pre-eminent boss—the players are paid professionals who should not need coaxing to play to their proven championship potential, but yet they have stumbled out of the proverbial starting blocks.
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Were one looking for why, one might commence his or her search in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Not because the Blues had their pre-season base there, but because their most important footballer over the past decade is currently plying his trade with the local Quebecois club.
Didier Drogba might be Chelsea's greatest-ever player.
Frank Lampard, John Terry, Petr Cech, Peter Osgood, Ron Harris and/or Jimmy Greaves can be argued, but the Ivorian centre-forward provided the west Londoners with their seminal moment as a club in the 2012 UEFA Champions League final as well as countless other mammoth performances in domestic and continental competition.
Leaving the club after Atlas-like heroics vs. Bayern Munich in the 2012 UCL final, Mourinho brought Drogba back for the 2014/15 season.
The move was looked at with cautious optimism by Chelsea supporters and general confusion by those outside Stamford Bridge. The then-36-year-old was definitely on his last legs as a professional footballer, and after a lacklustre 2014 World Cup with the Ivory Coast, there was little indication he would play a vital role in whatever happenings.
Injuries to Diego Costa and Loic Remy made Drogba appear more times than originally projected. The striker played in 40 matches, starting in 15, and was directly responsible for nine goals.
Decent production from a free transfer (and a player who had 18 senior campaigns on his resume), but statistics are not what made Drogba's return a masterstroke—it was his personality.
After losing Lampard, Michael Essien and Ashley Cole the season prior, Mourinho knew he needed a veteran dressing room presence. What better person to preach the Mourinho Gospel than a man with limitless Chelsea clout who also played three seasons with the manager that brought him to Chelsea in 2004?
There could be no better disciple than Drogba.
A fierce competitor yet also outgoing, the now-37-year-old was Chelsea's conduit in 2014/15.
Drogba was the cool "big brother" who could spoon-feed Mourinho's message to younger players like Eden Hazard, Oscar (who gave up his No. 11 shirt) and Kurt Zouma but who also knew the remaining veterans from his previous English seasons.
Terry and Branislav Ivanovic were terrific on-pitch leaders last season for the Blues, but neither of the duo seem particularly amiable. Drogba is a gregarious statesman, something the current rendition of Chelsea Football Club probably lack.
"All I'm saying is: #CFC haven't won the league without Drogba since 1955. Charismatic leaders—w/ credentials—are vital to winning trophies.
— chelseaTALK (@ChelseaTaIk) August 31, 2015"
There are at least four legitimate challengers for the Premier League every season. Four clubs have the requisite talent to outlast their competition and win the title, but talent gets you nowhere without desire, passion and heart. The old adage goes: "Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard," and Chelsea were found out to start their title defence.
Mourinho needs independent leaders who can inspire the dressing room, acting as a buffer between management. Drogba was the unquestioned governor last season, but the designated man for 2015/16 has yet to avail himself.
Would Chelsea's horrible start have been prevented by the Ivorian?
A case could be made that with arguably the club's greatest-ever footballer and his brand of infectious leadership on board, the Blues' porous opening act would have been lessened.
The troubling situation for Mourinho and Blues supporters is: If Drogba's omission does indeed prove the missing link between this season and last, the striker will not be returning from his Canadian adventure to aid them.
Chelsea must correct their problems in his absence, lest they lose their crown.
*Stats are via WhoScored.com; transfer fees are via Soccerbase where not noted.
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