Where's the Passion?

"Passionate. Intense. Proud." This was a marketing slogan that the Philadelphia 76ers started using last year.  I think they should sell the rights to Chelsea FC.  Every Chelsea fan out there feels these three simple adjectives.  This is what makes it so difficult to see our side lose to a team in a relegation battle. Our players don't play with the same Passion, Intensity, and Pride that we have.

It's one thing to watch a game and see your team give 100% for 90 minutes and lose. It's another to see partial effort for the majority of a match and 100% for the last 15-20 minutes.  There's no excuse for lack of effort in my book.  I get frustrated as a fan because I know we are better than what we show.  Sometimes a team just isn't good enough and you can deal with a loss like this because the talent is not there.  We have the talent.  It's there. The missing ingredients are intensity and consistency.  I think it is hard for some players (i.e. Marin, Moses, Benayoun, Bertrand) to have these attributes when they play so infrequently.  They sit on the bench the majority of the time and only play in "meaningless" matches.  That doesn't help ones confidence.  Is this an excuse? Absolutely not.  This is where I think Rafa has it wrong.

Is Benitez a good manager. Yes.  Is he a good manager for Chelsea. No. I understand resting players for big matches but the constant changing of the lineup has a negative impact on the team.  I know from my experiences with team sports, it is frustrating when there are always new people around.  Communication is off, timing is off, execution is off.  I think he has the right intention with resting players but he just doesn't do it at the right times and with the right players. The 3 players who have the highest energy and work rate are Hazard, Ramires, and Luiz.  Where were they? That's right, on the bench.  Tactically, I don't have a major problem with Rafa. It is the inconsistency in the lineup that frustrates me.

Benitez says he wants to win trophies for Chelsea. That's great but at this point in the season, a top 4 finish is more important.  Conspiracy that he is here to "sabotage" Chelsea is ludicrous.  I honestly believe he wants Chelsea to be as successful as possible this year.  Our main "success" for this year should be a top 4 finish and that is all.  Would the FA Cup be great? Yes. Europa League? Obviously, but we will need signings and a new manger this summer and I don't know who will want to come if we are not playing Champions League football next year.

So what does all of this about Rafa have to do with passion, intensity, and pride?  For me, it is a matter of Rafa getting the correct players out there from game to game. Yes we have a busy schedule and players need rest but there are players who give their all every game and will play hard even if they are not fully fit.  This player will have a more positive impact on a match than one who is fully fit and plays half hearted.

As a fan, I am always there to support the team and always will be.  It's a little frustrating right now but we have a solid core of players who have been in tough situations throughout their career and will help guide Chelsea to a top 4 finish this year.  As a fan base, we need to keep our heads up and support our team and show them what it means to be Passionate. Intense. Proud.

Chelsea Till I Die!