Roberto Di Matteo sacked. Are Chelsea becoming a laughing stock?

Have to say, it's really sad times for Chelsea. Surrounded by racism allegations against the club captain John Terry, who was banned for 4 matches by the English FA, then in the match against Manchester United, Chelsea were caught in a spat with the referee and even alleging the referee of racial abuse towards John Obi Mikel and Juan Mata, though nothing has been proved against the referee Mar Clattenburg. Juan Mata even saying he never heard a thing. And in more recent news, Chelsea have sacked their manager Roberto Di Matteo after a string of bad perfornances

Roberto Di Matteo's time a Chelsea (4th March - 21 Nov 2012)
Matches - 42
Won       - 24
Draw      - 9
Lost        - 9
Win %    - 57.14

So, Roberto Di Matteo has lasted for 262 days, which is more than that of past Chelsea managers, namely Villas-Boas (256), Grant (247) & Scolari (223)

Is it a wise decision?
As we all know, it is the club owner Roman Abramovich who makes all the major decision. Let's not forget that Di Matteo came at Chelsea when they weren't doing that well. Somehow Di Matteo managed to get the required results and achieved something that not even Jose Mourinho could achieve at the club, that is, to win the Champions League. In addition to that he even won the FA Cup. It ended as a satisfactory season for the blues last season thanks to Di Matteo.

Considering the current season, Chelsea sit in 3rd position in the League with only 4 points off the leaders Manchester City. Surely that is not that bad after only 12 games into the season. In the Champions League, nothing's over as yet. They need to win the final group game and there is a huge possibility that Shaktar will beat Juventus at their home stadium. If that happens then Chelsea go through. As of the League cup, they just knocked of Manchester United out of it.

Honestly, nothing was going that bad. Chelsea are in it in every competition. They made a wrong decision years ago when they sacked the fan favorite Jose Mourinho. They made a bad decision again. Sacking managers mid-season isn't good for any club. It disrupts the stability and the season starts going haywire. 

The only reason I see for the sacking of Di Matteo is the recent form, that is, the last 8 games, when in they lost 4 and drawn 2, winning only 2 games, and also cause they think they are in danger of going out of the Champions League after losing to Juventus 3-0. Even Manchester United and Manchester City were out of the Champions League at the group stage. They didn't sack their respective managers as they have realized it only harms the teams. Honestly, I wish Di Matteo had been given a little more time.

Successor?
Recently, with Chelsea's bad form in the light, many reports suggested that Pep Guardiola could join Chelsea as he is still unemployed. Other reports even suggests the former Liverpool manager Benitez to be the next Chelsea manager, but I'm not sure if that will happen. Not to forget our very own Jose Mourinho. Jose stated many times that he would love to manage a Premier League team again. Many look at him as a successor for Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, but he recently did mention that he would love to play against SAF again instead of replacing him. With SAF still looking good at Manchester United, I think the only option for Mourinho is to join another Premier League team. And here another opportunity beckons with the Chelsea managerial spot up for grabs. I'm sure Chelsea fans wouldn't mind him getting back at Stamford Bridge. Apart from these well know managers I can't see anyone else who can show that caliber for the tedious job. But you never can predict anything in football. It always surprises you.

Wilfried Zaha : The rising star..

His full name - Dazet Wilfried Armel Zaha. More popularly known as Wilfried Zaha. He was born in the country of Ivory Coast, but later on moved over to South London in England with his family at the age of 4. He recently celebrated his birthday on the 10th of November, turning 20. He plays as a winger for Crystal Palace. His performances have also earned him 5 England U21 appearances. Recently he was also selected in the senior England squad for the match against Sweden on the 14th of November at the Friends Arena

Age - 20
Club - Crystal Palace
Appearances - 110
Goals - 17 
Assists - 10

His inclusion in the England squad is quite controversial as he hasn't even played in the Premier League. More over, there also have been better choices, in terms of players, have been ignored. It has been said that his inclusion in the England squad is to prevent him from being capped by his country of birth, that is Ivory Coast, as he is still eligible to play for his country of birth according to FIFA rules, until he makes his England debut.

Didier Drogba is also said to have intervened in this matter. Zaha recently said, "Didier called me and I was shocked, to be honest. He’s a humble guy and he was just talking to me about the Ivory Coast.

"I was born in the Ivory Coast but all I know is England. It’s 50-50 at the moment but it’s a choice I will have to make at some stage"

"I’ve been with the Under 21s and, now that I am with England, I will have to make a decision."

But at this stage it can also be noted that he will still be eligible to play for Ivory Coast even if he makes his debut for England against Sweden as according to FIFA rules, this match is a Non-competitive match.

Recently he even said that the Premier League is the place to be. Many clubs are said to be tracking Zaha. Stoke City and Wigan were after his signature, and now even Manchester United are said to be in the fray.

Considering that already at the age of 20 and with over 100 Championship appearances with Crystal Palace he is ready to make it to the big stage. With Crystal Palace looking good in the Championship, we could see him playing in the Premier League next season with his current club.

Although he plays on the right wing, after watching some of his videos, it came to my notice that he loves to come infield quite often. He has pace and love taking on defenders, a feature which most young Englishmen lack. Never is shy to take a shot on goal. Although he is good player right now, he still has a long way before he reaches that Premier League level. Nevertheless, a rising star.

Messi or Ronaldo? Who is better

Before that let us consider some stats

Leo Messi
Age : 25

Club appearances : 346
Club goals : 273

Country appearances : 75
Country goals : 31

Cristiano Ronaldo

Age : 27

Club appearances : 484
Club goals : 288

Country appearances : 100
Country goals : 37

To start off, I think both Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are two of the most extra-ordinary players currently playing. Considering the stats, Messi at the age of 25 and Ronaldo at the age of 27 are both in their  prime. When you see the club stats, it comes to one's notice that Messi has a better Appearance to goal ratio compared to Ronaldo, while it's more or less even when it comes to country stats

Now when to look at the club careers, it more suits Messi because he has only played for one club all his life, so there doesn't arise a question of adjustment, secondly, Messi has always played for an established team and always in his preferable position. Hence, it has only aided his and therefore has never been on the back-foot  At the same time when you look at Ronaldo's club career, he has played in total for 3 clubs, Portugal's Sporting Lisbon, then Manchester United and later on for Real Madrid. This also includes 3 different countries, Portugal, England and Spain. But whichever place he has played his trend, he has always impressed. Secondly, he is also used to playing in many positions. I remember him playing on the right wing, left wing as well as a striker. That shows his versatility.

When it comes to proving one's self, both Messi and Ronaldo have done it in their own ways. Messi has won many individual trophies and team trophies too. But what I think is the highlight of his game is that he understands the game around himself. His dribbling in combination with his passing has made him impeccable. When it comes to playing with Barcelona, he has played always in compliance of his team's style of play. Xavi, Iniesta have always been auxiliary to his game. Over the last few years he has also improved his finishing which is why he has been the top scorer in the last couple of years. And more importantly he has always delivered when needed. 

Ronaldo on the other hand has won lesser individual and team trophies compared to Messi, but that doesn't take anything away from him. Ronaldo is a player who can carry an entire team on his shoulder. I remember when he played for Manchester United and at times he won games single handed, something which Messi can do, but to a lesser extent. Considering his playing attributes, one can say the he is one of the best headers of the ball, I've never seen anyone better. He has slightly more speed than Messi, which usually helps on one on one situations.

What personally I feel is that Messi is the most naturally talented footballer on the planet currently, where as Ronaldo has up-ed his game through his dedicated hard work as also proved himself as an on field leader. Nevertheless, both are great footballers and can easily be said that any one of them could easily dominate the world of football, if the other one wouldn't exist. Another important thing is that both of them have been injury free for most of their careers. Both deserve to be where they are and currently play for the world's best two club - Barcelona and Real Madrid, and rightly so.

Club stats for previous 5 seasons

Leo Messi :

2008-09 - Apps : 51  Goals : 38

2009-10 - Apps : 53  Goals : 47

2010-11 - Apps : 55  Goals : 53

2011-12 - Apps : 60  Goals : 73

2012-13 - Apps : 17  Goals : 20 (ongoing)

Cristiano Ronaldo :

2008-09 - Apps : 53  Goals : 26

2009-10 - Apps : 35  Goals : 33

2010-11 - Apps : 54  Goals : 53

2011-12 - Apps : 55  Goals : 60

2012-13 - Apps : 17  Goals : 19 (ongoing)

So it is upto you to decide who is better than the other..

Wayne Rooney - Already a Legend?

I have been a Wayne Rooney fan ever since I have started watching football, and after all the football he has played over the years, it's surprising to know he just turned 27 on the 24th of October 2012, Even at 27, he is regarded as one of the all time greats for club and country.

Somethings that many people wouldn't know is that Wayne Rooney is of Irish descent, but born in the city of Liverpool. He grew up supporting the blue half of Liverpool, that is Everton. When aged 9, playing for Copplehouse boys' club, he scored a record 99 goals in that season. Later was spotted by an Everton scout. As a 11 year old he even stood as a mascot for the Everton-Liverpool derby.

Wayne is such a talented footballer that at the age of 15 played for the Everton under 19s. He even led the Everton youth team to the FA youth cup final in 2002 In the same season he was an unused substitute for the game against Southampton. Next season, at the age of 16, was promoted to the first team and made his debut against Tottenham, becoming the second youngest player to play for the senior Everton side. He scored his first ever goal against Wrexham in the League Cu, but it was against Arsenal in the Premier League that he announced himself when he scored the last minute winner, ending Arsenal's 30 game unbeaten run and also becoming the youngest Premier League scorer at that time. Incredible, isn't it?

Later in 2004 he joined Manchester United for £25.6 million and again announced himself in great style with a hat-trick against Fenerbahce in the Champions League. Since then with many ups and downs he has gone on to win 4 Premier League titles, 1 Champions League title(including 3 finals), 1 Club World Cup and 2 League Cups. During this process, he has already made more than 450 club appearances(both Everton and Manchester United) with over 200 goals. He also won 3 'goal of the season award', with the latest one coming in the 2010-11 season when he scored that incredible over-head kick against Manchester City in the Premier League at Old Trafford. Although my favorite Wayne Rooney goal is the volley against Newcastle in April 2005. He also has made 78 appearances for England with 32 goals. Wayne's also been nominated for the 2012 FIFA Ballon D'or making him the only Englishman on the shortlist.

Wayne ranks 5th in the all time top scorers for England and 4th in the list for all time top scorers for Manchester United.

Currently, I think both Wayne Rooney and Robin Van Persie share a great partnership up top for Manchester United. #Deadly. And his new role of playing deeper in the midfield excites me too. The good thing is that both of these players are interchangeable and that only aids his game. A versatile player and even tracks backs once he loses the ball - not many players are that dedicated. One word to describe Wayne? - ' Warrior'.

Another fact is that both Wayne Rooney's son Kai and Leo Messi's son Thiago share the same birthday - 2nd November. #Legends.