Although the term transition is bandied about with regular abandon these days, sides have to be careful not to rip the spine out of the side and leave themselves exposed.
Replacements have to be acquired on a regular basis and perhaps the most apt definition of the term transition is when sides do it without anybody really noticing, in the manner in which Sir Alex Ferguson seemed to evolve his United sides without slipping from the top.
This summer, three stalwarts of the Chelsea squad – Ashley Cole, John Terry and Frank Lampard, will see their current contracts expire. Currently, the way in which such things are conducted, all three are free to talk to foreign clubs about securing, possibly, lucrative deals once the season comes to an end.
Now, previously, a big thing has been made about giving contracts to those who are over thirty years of age, by Chelsea. Who`ll ever forge the shenanigans of last season when we didn`t know whether Lampard would be staying or going until the final knockings of the season.
Well it appears this time around things are going to be done differently. One tabloid paper is awash with the suggestion that Jose Mourinho is set to offer all three of the reference trio one year deals to ensure that the transitional period`s upheaval doesn`t cause too much heartache when it comes to obtaining trophies.
Now we`re not sure whether all three will be happy to stay, although we`d be surprised if they didn`t, but another publication, this time the very much respected Daily Telegraph, reports this change in approach as being a sign that Roman Abramovich is showing his trust in Jose Mourinho by letting the ‘Special One` call the tune, which begs me to ask the question – has someone finally seen the light at Stamford Bridge?
Share this article
