JE, KWA MWENENDO HUU CHELSEA ITADUMU NA BENITEZ, ABRAHAMOVIC AUMIZWA KICHWA NA MASHABIKI.

Stick with Rafa? Call for Avram? Or go all out for Guardiola? Just 12 days into the Benitez era, Abramovich is at the crossroads again...

Just two weeks ago, Roman Abramovich thought he had chosen the right man and the right path.
Sure, the appointment of Rafael Benitez as manager came with the caveat of the word ‘interim’ but, the Russian believed, that would do nicely for now.
However, just a few footsteps along that new path and Abramovich finds himself confronted with yet another crossroads. He is standing there scratching his head in disbelief, trying to solve another colossal dilemma.

Much to ponder: Following a poor start to the Rafael Benitez era, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich finds himself facing another dilemma

Slow start: Chelsea have collected just two points from nine since Benitez took charge and were beaten 3-1 by West Ham United at the weekend

  

Helping hand: Avram Grant (right), who was in charge of Chelsea when they beat Benitez's Liverpool in the 2008 Champions League semi-final, could return in an advisory role

CHELSEA'S BUSY DECEMBER

December 5 - Nordsjaelland (H) Champions League
December 8 - Sunderland (A)
December 13 - Club World Cup semi-final in Yokohama
December 16 - Club World Cup final or third place play-off in Yokohama
December 19 - Leeds United (A) League Cup quarter-final
December 23 - Aston Villa (H)
December 26 - Norwich City (A)
December 30 - Everton (A)

Absentees: Victor Moses (left) and John Obi Mikel will be playing in the African Cup of Nations early next year

This is where the second path looks less appealing. Avram Grant isn’t going to suddenly reinvigorate the faltering energy levels of an apparently ‘small’ group of players - and his appointment could prove more trouble than it’s worth.
Benitez and Grant have a cordial relationship but how quickly this will sour under the pressure of chasing results. There will be uncertainty and conflicting ideas on who to field and how to play.
While both know the way to th Champions League final – Grant’s Chelsea beat Benitez’s Liverpool, of course, in the 2008 semi-finals – it’s doubtful they can work well together in such an environment, with the axe swinging above their heads.
The bottom line is that the arrival of Grant would fatally undermine Benitez and hasten his exit. It would not be possible for him to be more ‘Interim.’
The Spaniard’s credibility, already running on empty in the eyes of most Chelsea fans, would hit rock bottom. While Grant is more popular among the Stamford Bridge faithful, he’s hardly the charismatic ‘fixer’ that is required and not a great deal better than Benitez.

Not wanted: Chelsea fans have been quick to make their frustrations known over the appointment of Benitez

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Out of sorts: The sight of Fernando Torres looking dejected has become one of the defining images of the season.