Manchester United and Chelsea gamble on inexperienced former heroes
Manchester United vs Chelsea used to be a game that decided where titles were won and lost. For this weekend’s opening Premier League round, however, the game is a little different.
EPL
Don't miss out on the headlines from EPL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
We start this new season Premier League preview not with the opening fixture, nor the reigning champions, but with the final game of the round, a fixture that once would have decided titles but now is more likely to only affect the odds for first manager to be sacked.
These are strange times for Manchester United and Chelsea. Two clubs that have embodied the Premier League era perhaps more than any others — not just for the titles, trophies, and world-class talents, but the brash egos, the staggering financial expansion and the morally questionable sugar daddy.
Stream live coverage of the 2019/20 FA Cup with ESPN on KAYO SPORTS. Get your 14 day free trial & start streaming instantly >
Two clubs that have previously been adherents to the cult-of-personality manager more than any other are now putting their faith in two coaches who are little more than graduates, former favourites hired out of the desperation of failed experiments and in the hope of regaining a little of the soul (and success) that once made both so special.
The hiring of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Frank Lampard is a rarity for elite Premier League clubs, as both United and Chelsea put aside their habit of appointing experienced coaches with a (mostly) successful history. Both have been burnt by supposedly better qualified men with no connection to the club; so why not gamble on the relationship rather than the CV?
Both coaches face pressure for results — but it is certainly Solskjaer who is at most immediate risk. His return to Old Trafford was a relief after the acrimony of Jose Mourinho’s departure — the beer on a hot day, the yoghurt with the curry — but, as often happens with both those examples, things quite quickly got off track.
After 15 games in charge, Solskjaer was breaking records with a winning run that put United back in the top four fight. But that early spark faded, and United’s season ended with a whimper in a humiliating 2-0 defeat to Cardiff that left them slumming it in sixth place.
The seeds of doubt were sewn but the United board’s decision to hand Solskjaer a three-year contract in March meant the path was set and they had no choice but to back their man in the transfer window. Solskjaer’s admission that his rebuilding job would take time supports the relatively subdued transfer activity.
There has been no radical restructure with too many new faces; instead Solskjaer focused on United’s biggest problem last season, the defence. United’s 54 conceded was second only to West Ham’s 55 in the top 10.
Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka certainly didn’t come cheap ($225 million) but that’s what you have to pay for high quality young English defenders these days. Is Harry Maguire worth more than Virgil van Dijk? Not many seem to think so but his true value should be judged in United’s goals against column at the end of the season.
The impending departure of striker Romelu Lukaku to Inter does leave United looking light up front — but the Belgian only scored 15 goals last season and it seems Solskjaer has faith in Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and 17-year-old forward Mason Greenwood, who looks set to play against Chelsea.
But it is the future of Paul Pogba that remains the biggest dark cloud hanging over the Theatre of Dreams. With Real Madrid seemingly unwilling to offer the huge sum United would accept, the mercurial France international looks set to stay in Manchester. If Solskjaer can finally get the best out of him, United would thrive. But recent history suggests that despite his reputation, consistency remains an issue for Pogba, an insecurity that sums up United’s whole situation right now.
In north London, Frank Lampard faces a similar task of getting the best out of what he has.
Stamford Bridge feels a more welcoming place than Old Trafford at the moment. Given Mauricio Sarri’s rocky relationship with the fans, despite his departing gift of the Europa League trophy, and after Eden Hazard’s exit to Real Madrid, there is perhaps more acceptance of the job Lampard has been handed.
With club owner Roman Abramovich now something of an absent godfather and the club suffering under a two-window transfer ban from FIFA, Lampard’s success will hang on his capacity to bring the best out of Chelsea’s up-and-coming talent.
The likes of 21-year-old striker Tammy Abraham, 20-year-old midfielder Mason Mount and 18-year-old forward Callum Hudson-Odoi have struggled to breakthrough so far but Lampard will have to put his faith in his youngsters to deliver quickly.
Lampard is a Blues legend — but he returns to Chelsea after just one season as a head coach with Derby County, who he took to sixth place in the Championship and lost the playoff. If Chelsea fans know the club has gone backwards, they must also accept that their new coach will need plenty of patience.
Solskjaer’s honeymoon period is well and truly over, however, and he is already the bookies’ favourite as the first coach to go in the Premier League sack race.
There has been an increased focus on player fitness and a more coherent strategy during preseason — but that counts for little when results slip and morale slumps. United don’t have the squad to win things this season and the best case scenario would be a return to the top four discussion.
But that’s the problem. Being part of the discussion is not enough for United. At least, not for the fans and the media commentators and former pros who will waste no time tearing into the club’s hierarchy for any perceived focus on financial stability over on-field success.
Old Trafford will be a fascinating place this weekend; optimistic yet anxious and it might not take long for last season’s worries to come to the surface if things don’t go well. Lampard can get away with a respectable loss. But Solskjaer might find his rope a little shorter than his counterparts.
Originally published as Manchester United and Chelsea gamble on inexperienced former heroes
Socceroo makes Premier League debut
A Socceroos defender’s patience has been rewarded with an English Premier League debut, but the result wasn’t what he wanted.
‘Deeply saddened’: Football world in mourning as legend, Guus’ Socceroos assistant dies
Socceroos manager Guus Hiddink’s assistant at the 2006 FIFA World Cup and Ajax and Barcelona legend Johan Neeskens has died aged 73.