Abramovich's New Approach

I take a closer look at the newly-adopted approach from the Russian owner with his beloved football club.

Many Chelsea fans would have found themselves asking the same question throughout the past few weeks of struggle, has Roman Abramovich and Chelsea Football Club changed their approach?

The answer is yes - Roman is running his prized possession in a contrasting manner from how he did a few years ago, but how? Let’s take a look…

Transfer Policy

Gone are the days of the scouting department panicking whilst rummaging through files stained with names past their sell-by date in order to temporarily fix the apparent #9 curse (cue the Fernando Torres and Falcao’s of this world.)

Chelsea were often known to recruit superstars in a “Galactico” sense across recent years. However, there is now a calculated process to their recruitment, a long-term view with incoming signings, and a preference to obtain lucrative youngsters with exciting potential (cue the long-term pursuit of our very own Kai Havertz.)

The last time Chelsea went with this approach, was the exhilarating signing of a certain, Eden Hazard.

Sustainability

If you read Chelsea’s public numbers ten years ago, one would not judge you for being simply shell-shocked at some of the figures you’d have read.

Believe me, I’ve often questioned how have we remained “financially fair playing” at times with our way of operating; nevertheless, is that even a rule anymore?

Roman and his board are now prioritising balance in the accounting department, with current Chelsea CEO Guy Laurence simply doing whatever necessary to bring money into the club (perhaps controversially to many fans when you think of online booking fees, etc.)

This, accompanied by Marina Granovskaia’s brilliance at selling on undesirable first-team players for an impressive profit would point to Chelsea now seamlessly forging into the trend of this sport becoming more business savvy as the world ticks on.

Project

Perhaps the most evident and rigorously discussed sign that Roman’s orchestration is heading in a new direction is his patience towards his managers.

Many wouldn’t argue that both previous managers, Antonio Conte and Maurizio Sarri lasted longer than we’d all presume, given the respected strenuous conditions they found themselves in at times.

However, those aren’t the names being thrown around on Twitter regarding whether they should still be Chelsea’s head coach or not, that name is our current commander, Frank Lampard.

Many have debated recently with concerns to Chelsea’s poor recent form that “if this wasn’t Frank Lampard, he’d of been sacked by now,” which you could argue for and against this being true.

For the sake of this article, let’s say it’s true, which I believe it is. However, not for the famed “only because he is a club legend” reasoning many have now adopted. For me, it’s because Roman’s approach has shifted from his old hire and fire ways.

Did Frank Lampard being our all-time top goal scorer help him get his current role as Chelsea’s head coach? Yes. Is that the same reason that Lampard is still in the job, despite a poor run of form, predominantly in the league over the past 6-7 games? Maybe on the surface.

Nevertheless, if you dig deeper, there are more reasons than one for this.

One may be the fact Lampard was hired during a transitional phase for the club, where a transfer ban was in effect, accompanied with the fact Roman’s heightened desire to see the ever-successful academy and its products being used further. Perfect timing.

New Transfer Policy

Sign promising superstars with an abundance of potential which can be developed over years to come, accompanied by Abramovich’s amplified desire for fast, lucrative attacking football, resulting in yet another compatible match.

Yet, perhaps most importantly, the reason Frank Lampard is still in the job, is the fact Roman Abramovich and his beloved football club’s approach has changed.

Patience is now prevalent in SW6; an exciting, yet juvenile project is barely halfway into its existence, concluding with the fact Chelsea knew they were hiring an inexperienced coach who would need time to develop his ideas and philosophy, just like it will take time for Kai Havertz and Timo Werner to reach the compelling heights their potential possesses.

You can argue until the cows come home if this shift in direction will be successful for Chelsea Football Club, yet whilst this approach wasn’t on the menu in Cobham in the hire and fire years at Chelsea, it’s most certainly now the chef’s special.

Written by Dan McCarthy - @MaccaSport