Change the Game?

Cricket. The game is a phenomenon, a religion, an eternal epidemic of sorts. Almost every Indian seems to be hooked to it. So much is the fanaticism that cricketers who are generally known to be human beings, are considered Gods and Demi-Gods in this colorful land.

God? No.

The media has a huge hand in propagating the game, and thus themselves. Every sports section in every newspaper is replete with facts and rumours about cricket; other sports just mentioned in the sidelines, sometimes not. All the news channels compromise a significant strip of their tacky tickers for displaying the live scores of ongoing matches. This influence has led the BCCI to become the wealthiest board in all of cricketing domain; the Indian cricketers, most opulent. The cricketers get their proceeds from advertisements where they endorse anything and everything from abject objects like inverter batteries to the unrelenting Chyavanprash. Also, they earn a  few bucks through match fees. In spite of this single-gamed approach, India has never cemented itself as cricket's one greatest nation among the handful others. 

So, why this craze? Why are we so obsessed with only one game? Most of the world's nations follow multiple sports with little bias, so why not India? USA boasts of a fair following of sports like basketball, baseball, American football, tennis and what not. UK indulges in football, rugby, tennis, and even cricket. This fact is reflected by their ability to produce top notch athletes in the various sports played across the globe. On the other hand, India has only been able to produce good cricketers. All the other sports have had extremely rare cases of impactful Indian representation. With a population of over 120 crores and such feeble participation, India is indeed an sporting anomaly.

The reasons behind this  irregularity can be many and some, based on different perceptions. Now, the people of the Indian subcontinent inherently lack energy and athleticism. No offence meant, but the average Indian is stocky and about 5'5. Another important factor may be our stereotypical thinking. Well-nigh population think inside the box, giving emphasis to traditional and ubiquitous occupations like doctors, lawyers, engineers, and agriculture. Such restricted thinking leaves little or no room for sports or even other less popular professions. 

Vishwanathan Anand

Bhupati/Paes

Generations of Indians have cherished cricket. Perhaps it is time to change the game, like a popular soft drink ad suggests. Games like badminton, tennis, chess have long threatened to capture a little portion of public interest. Vishwanathan Anand in chess, Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupati in tennis and many such names have consistently performed well on the grandest of stages. Football is steadily displacing gully cricket and becoming a conversational topic among the urban youth. The television viewership for sports like F1,  tennis and football is ever rising.

Though the all conquering cricket mania will be hard to knock-off, maybe other sports can pave their way into public's lives one step at a time. A little encouragement right from the grass-root levels, a little capital influx towards the direction of other sports and an open mind is all that is needed. 

May India one day be a Footballing winner and a Hockey giant; may an Indian be a racing champion, may India justify the sporting versatility of  its 120 crore strong population...

An Enigma called Chelsea

Chelsea Football Club was just another team in the English top division; never threatening to win the title, but at the same time not poor enough to be relegated. That was until an infamous oligarch took control of the club.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do.

Roman Abramovich would change Chelsea's fortune and make it a force to reckon with. An impulsive man, he shook the very core of the club. New managers, new stars, pot loads of money and trophies were the theme at Stamford Bridge. Players like Lampard, Terry, Drogba, Čech formed the spine of Chelsea. Under the stewardship of José Mourinho, Chelsea won back to back Premiership titles, did well in the Champions League, and fared better in domestic Cups. Chelsea were reigning supreme. But Mr. Abramovich, the driven man that he is, wanted more. José went out and in came a string of managers, all big names in the world of Football. But  none were good enough, not in the meager period they were allowed to manage Chelsea. A season without a Cup meant automatic eviction. Since Mourinho, Chelsea have had mixed fortunes. A Premier League title, a FA cup and a Champions League final is all Chelsea have had to show in four years in contrast to Manchester United's dominance.

So, in keeping with the tradition, a new manager  André Villas-Boas  takes charge at Chelsea. At 33, he is as old as some of the players and riding high on his previous successes in Portugal. A gamble, many call him.

Now Chelsea was all about strength and power and they played that way. It wasn't the pretty football associated with teams like Barcelona or even Arsenal, but it was sufficient enough to keep them going and going good.

But then comes André Villas-Boas and he tries to change it all. He injects youth, pace and trickery into the side, or at least tries to. He isn't afraid to bench top dogs like Lampard, Drogba, Anelka or even the record 50 million signing Fernando Torres.

It all seems to good on paper, the start is pretty convincing too, but well, then the plan backfires. Chelsea try to play glitter football, but don't exactly have the personnel to do so. As a result, their oh so sturdy back line leaks goals at a rate at which Ronaldo and Messi score for their respective teams. The Chelsea known for their deep lying strength, their stalwart defence, are now left wanting like Arsene Wenger's boys. Conceding a goal in every match and not always being to match that number at the opposite end is definitely one of the reasons Chelsea are being undone.

With Petr  Čech's erroneous misadventures, with Frank Lampard's old legs, with John Terry slipping up at precisely the most crucial moments, with Didier Drogba being a force on the fall; Chelsea essentially have a failing spine. But players like Juan Mata, a confident Daniel Sturridge, Oriol Romeu and future prospect Joshua McEachran give the Chelsea faithful the much needed hope.

At the crunch match against Valencia Chelsea looked like the Chelsea of old. The dashing Didier Drogba storming the defenders, John Terry marshaling the defence, it was all too good to watch. This was followed by Chelsea winning a couple of matches with a great scoreline of 3-0 and also beating League leaders Manchester City. However they could not cot maintain the good run. Three consecutive 1-1 draws, two of which should have been won, have left the Pensioners with a lost cause. Lethargic displays, a less than lethal attack and a clumsy defence have summed up Chelsea's season; well, at least half of it. With 34 points in 18 matches, 11 behind the Manchester sides,  André  Villas-Boas  admits his side are not in the best vein of form. "Maybe the Premier League is over for us at the moment" he states.

 " Maybe the Premier League is over for us at the moment " 

         

At fourth position with Liverpool and Arsenal tailing closely, many will  have to consider Chelsea a mediocre side at the moment.

The way things are panning out, it is not long before André Villas Boas is sent packing. A skeptic or a realist would say that the team is under threat of becoming ordinary. But another perspective deserves a chance.

If given a chance  Villas-Boas  may in fact bring about a sea of changes at Chelsea, only if Roman is patient enough, only if fans are faithful enough. 

In spite of the manager's denial,  this season could and should be labelled as a transition period. With aged stars such as Anelka and Alex already out of the mix, it is an ideal time to introduce more youth and style into Chelsea while still preserving its base. It would be a shame to let go of Drogba, Lampard or Terry. One would want them to hang up their boots at Stamford bridge much like Paul Scholes or Ryan Giggs. Having said that it is important that those players are made to understand that they will get less time, for change is inevitable. It is an ideal time to come out of the shackles that have tagged Chelsea as a money-spending club. It is an ideal time to bring about a change as has happened with Barcelona under Guardiola. It is an ideal time to make it a Blue day...

Manchester divided!

 
As I have told you, I'm a Chelsea fan and any Chelsea fan will tell you that their greatest rival in the past few years has been none other than Manchester United. So, when Manchester United lose to their neighbour on a fine afternoon in Manchester, its obvious that I should feel happy. But 1-6? That's ecstasy.

As much as I have always wanted United to lose, over the years, I've grown to respect them. Under Ferguson, they have risen in stature to become one of the best sides in Europe, and consistently won trophies. With such enviable history and knack for producing the best players in the world, its given that people will love the club.

Thus once again the much loved United set themselves for a clash with their noisy neighbours, Manchester City, who were a couple of points ahead of the former in the table. But little did they know that they would suffer their worst premier league defeat at the hands of the Citizens. United had a blistering start to the league, trampling the likes of Tottenham, Arsenal and Chelsea; but so did City. So, when the the Mancunians met at Old Trafford amid the humongous hype, the game was destined to create sparks.

Balotelli's tell-tales

The surprise inclusion of the quirky Balotelli by Mancini raised many eyebrows, but two goals and a witty sweatshirt more than justified his start. With a lead of 0-3, City seemed to be well on their way to a comfortable victory. The lack of solidarity and tempo seemed to be United's undoing. Even a gorgeous goal by Fletcher could not stimulate United as City opened the flood gates very late in the game. Two goals from Dzeko and one from Silva completed the rout with the red side left with nothing but long faces.

The result shows that Manchester City have definitely entered the big boys' club and that Ferguson seriously needs to recover from the ill-starred form that his side are in of late. A special day for City fans, no doubt, it might mark the rise of their team. And as far as I'm concerned, its good to see the spotlight move away from Chelsea for sometime. Talking about spotlight, Arsenal should be relieved, its time for some Manchester United jokes...

Of Red hot monsters and misfiring blues!

Oh, Torres!

Being a Chelsea fan, I knew that Manchester United in this form and at home was going to be a mountain to scale. Yes Chelsea did lose the game, 3-1 at that, but don't let the scoreline give you the wrong impression.

 

The Red Devils got the upper hand via a Chris Smalling header(offside). This was followed by Torres playing Ramires unselfishly, only for the latter to timidly push the ball in goalkeeper De Gea's hands. Chelsea were slowly gaining some momentum but a superb bullet from Nani put that in check. Then some superb work from youngster Phil Jones led to a Rooney goal, his ninth in 5 games.

 

Half time was called at 3-0 to the Red side who were looking to run away with the game. Anelka came in for Lampard, who had another sorry game and supplied Torres with a superb through pass which was put to justice with a subtle finish over De Gea. Torres, who was suffering from a goal drought before this game, had hit a goal. And a goal against none other than the Champions, Manchester United. A glimmer of hope, the game was surely not over.

 

Chelsea maintained the good patch for a large part of the second half, Torres again twisted and turned in United's box, but the shot was straight at the keepers hand, and the follow up was above the bar. It was United's turn and some good work from Nani saw United win a penalty and eventually Cole, a yellow card. Rooney steeped up and slipped at the spot to miss the chance and give the opponents some respite. Another attack, and yet again Rooney came close, but this time the bar barred(note the alliteration) him from scoring.

 

Then came the moment of the match. Ramires passed the ball to Torres, bisecting the United defence. Torres did brilliantly, controlled the ball, rounded up the goalkeeper so that nothing stood between him and a gaping United net. Alas, we all know the outcome. I wish I were there instead of him for that very moment, so does every Chelsea fan. There was no going for Chelsea from then. Both the teams looked worn out towards the end with some slack passes and ordinary tempo.

Well, At least Chelsea did not put themselves to shame like certain other Londoners. Indeed, they played on par with United, if not better. Torres had a bittersweet day and Lampard another forgetful one. All in all an exciting match for the Premier League, with notable performances from Nani and if you agree with me, Torres. The result shows that Andre Villas Boas has a lot to learn and a team to build, that Ferguson is still the best football manager in the world and football(or Soccer as some dumb people call it), the best game...