NICK FEINBERG: BLUES TAKING A BIG GAMBLE

HELLO my good football people! Hoping you’re set back into “normal” life after a great festive season! I have to admit it, first day back to work on Monday and I’m struggling like Chelsea’s top-four challenge.

It’s been a busy few weeks and so much going on the football front. From Donald Trump being awarded a Fifa Peace Prize, to Ruben Amorim and Enzo Maresca getting sacked, to Bafana Bafana being knocked out at the Africa Cup of Nations to Arsenal looking bang average, but six points clear at the top of the Premier League standings!

It’s a circus out there and you just never know what is going to happen next. Mind you, following the divisive public words from both Maresca and Amorim, it was always going to be a matter of when, rather than if they’d be shown the door.

Of course it’s great business to “part ways” mid contract, with bumper payouts! But let’s face it, neither were ever going to last, judged on performance and results.

It was refreshing to at least see some energy on a cold Saturday night at the Valley in south London as Chelsea cruised past Charlton in the FA Cup. Something “Temu Pep” Maresca struggled with when facing “smaller” opposition.

The Blues took to the field for the first time under the tutelage of coach Liam Rosenior. People… I wish I could explain or completely understand the Chelsea (Clearlake Capital) vision, but I can’t and I don’t.

For us simpletons it’s an easy fix, offload some of the players and buy two or three seasoned, experienced, Premier League players to help guide the youngsters, led by an experienced gaffer.

I’m 100 percent behind the team and the coach it just feels like a massive gamble in the hope that the “project” will literally mature and pay off in a few years.

In the meantime, you have an annoyingly impatient fanbase demanding Roman Abramovich-type success and shareholders increasingly agitated at the huge investment seemingly rocking precariously toward the Promised Land.

It’s in some ways a similar story at Old Trafford. What is the obsession with ex-players being considered for the coaching role? Currently, Michael Carrick is favourite to land the job, closely followed by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Meanwhile there is growing anger aimed at part-owner Jim Ratcliffe who has desecrated the club from a budget perspective and continues to make unpopular staffing decisions, like blocking the sale of Joshua Zirkzee and the willingness to sell club captain Bruno Fernandes. But the appointment of a new coach will be the biggest bone of contention.

Following the almost ridiculous notion of Carrick or Solskjaer, is Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner. He made a difference at Selhurst Park, but it was short lived.

Saturday’s historic and embarrassing defeat to non-league Macclesfield wasn’t as surprising as it should be given that this was their ninth game without a win in all competitions.

In fourth place, comes Gareth Southgate.

I’m not sure I’d choose any of those ahead of the almost unheard of (as a coach) Rosenior, who has had stints at, Strasbourg, Hull City and Derby. However, the ownership and sporting directors are having us believe Rosenior is fit for the job and after listening to him in various interviews, I really like what I hear.

A young bloke from a similar background to many of the players, who obviously spends his spare time studying formations and tactics. He has taken on one of football’s biggest jobs and I hope he proves that you don’t need a big name to manage a big club! Will he gain the respect of world-class international players, buckle under the pressure, can he make Chelsea successful?

Well, I look at Bayern Munich for inspiration… Everyone was left scratching their heads when Vincent Kompany made the switch from relegated Burnley. Here is a player turned coach within five years at the helm of one of the world’s biggest clubs, currently p*****g the Bundesliga with 14 wins and two draws from 16 games.

It’s different, I know! Kompany showed incredible leadership qualities as a player.

Can this be said for Solskjaer, Carrick or Rosenior? Definitely not. But as supporters, all we can do is get behind the team and roll with the punches during tough times. Owners, managers and players come and go. The club will always remain.

It’s the Manchester derby this Saturday, let’s hope United crumble and the Gooners slip up at Nottingham Forest!

Chat next week, bye bye.