When Chelsea sacked Liam Rosenior, they admitted that they were set to undertake a period of “self reflection” before hiring their next manager.
For the first time, it seems as though Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali are questioning the very project that they’ve insisted is working for the last four years.
Those who look after the money would have been hoping to see that self-reflection before £2bn left the accounts for endless transfer flops and managers. Alas, if it’s more than a false dawn, then it should be assumed that Chelsea are finally ready to end their managerial problems.
Why Chelsea should avoid Andoni Iraola
Amid that self reflection, the name Andoni Iraola will emerge. The mirror mirror on the wall may even present the Bournemouth boss as the most exciting manager of them all, but Chelsea should take a closer look at the potential cracks which could appear at Stamford Bridge.
The Spaniard has been excellent on the South Coast. Even after the vultures swooped for his best players in the last 12 months – Antoine Semenyo and Dean Huijsen both left – he has taken Bournemouth closer to European qualification than ever in what will be his final campaign at the club.
There is no denying that he is ready for that crucial next step in management, but that should not come at Chelsea, where the chalice has been poisoned by irresponsible riches.
Iraola’s Bournemouth side thrive out of possession, but they are allowed to do so by teams who dominate the ball. It’s rare that the Cherries are asked to take hold of possession, themselves. It’s the perfect setup for the Spaniard’s system.
At Chelsea, that would be a problem. The Blues are often asked to dominate the ball, and have the technical ability to do so, but have been outrun in every Premier League game this season. It’s a complete contrast to Bournemouth.
Although Iraola’s arrival would help change those running stats, recent evidence suggests that BlueCo won’t have the patience to stick with him and wait for that change.
Instead, they should hire a manager who has been there and done at the top level using a squad of technicians, rather than workhorses. And that manager should be Julian Nagelsmann.
Why Chelsea should hire Julian Nagelsmann
Will the German arrive? Well, according to GiveMeSports’ Ben Jacobs, Chelsea have already interviewed Nagelsmann in recent times.
Jacobs said: “We don’t yet know whether they’re going to be part of the process, but Nagelsmann was interviewed before Mauricio Pochettino got the job. Interestingly, at the time, my sources told me that Nagelsmann wasn’t that sold on the Chelsea project and Chelsea were not that convinced by the strength of Nagelsmann’s interview.”
Well, a couple of years on, they could definitely speak to him. He’s progressed, Chelsea haven’t. There feels like no better time to bring him to the Bridge.
|
Nagelsmann’s Bayern Munich record |
|
|---|---|
|
Games |
84 |
|
Wins |
60 |
|
Draws |
14 |
|
Defeats |
10 |
|
Goals scored |
255 |
|
Goals conceded |
84 |
|
Points per game |
2.31 |
Chelsea, on paper, would certainly be a good fit. The way that he’s got the best out of Florian Wirtz for Germany could be the same way that Cole Palmer rediscovers his best form in West London. Similarly, Nagelsmann’s focus on exciting attacking football could finally get the Blues firing on all cylinders after Rosenior’s struggles.
Dubbed the “best young coach in the world” by reporter Josh Bunting, the 38-year-old still values hard work out of possession like Iraola, but crucially doesn’t rely on it like the Spaniard has done at Bournemouth.
Nagelsmann has taken charge of Germany’s biggest club in Bayern Munich and is now in charge of Germany at just 43. He remains one of the best young minds in football and will be the best option on the market if he leaves his current role.
Managing the Chelsea dressing room has not been an easy task. Enzo Fernandez and Marc Cucurella both handed Rosenior tests that he ultimately failed.
Nagelsmann, however, with his experience and youth, could finally take control. Tactically, he has the versatility to enhance the Blues’ best technicians. Mentally, he has the versatility to turn a circus into the ultimate school of football.
Chelsea set for talks with ex-Real Madrid boss who has the same agents as Iraola
They will contact his reps.
