GRANTed - Avram - The unsung Hero

Date - April,30,2008 (Just after CL semi final against Liverpool. Chelsea won 3-2).

After their historic win against Liverpool in Champions League second leg, there will be a flood of articles praising Avram Grant all over but i think this guy deserves more than a praise at least from a critic turned fan like me.

Nobody can tell better than 'big mouth' Jose Mourinho that how it feels to manage giants like Chelsea. His 4 year tenure at Stamford Bridge saw some historic moments in the club history comprising of winning premiership title after 5 decades and that too back to back, FA cup and Carling cup. He went on to win at least one silverware every season no way its a small
achievement for a club who didn't win Premiership for 50 years. but it was not enough for a club which has brought up each and every big name into the squad from around the world. Jose's inability to qualify for Champions League final consecutive years fell upon him and he was sacked after a not so convincing start for the season 2007-08.Then there came a name from
nowhere Avram Grant.

Grant although didn't have any major achievement on his back other than helping Israel to secure third place in Euro Qualifiers, his inclusion was more debatable because he was a close Friend of Abramovich. Nobody at stamford bridge was ready to accept that including players who came out openly against Mourinho sacking. Supporters were on rampage as they wanted
somebody big as big as players and not an introvert like Avram. No wonder he started his season as badly as he could losing 2-0 to United but then he started opening his cards.

Till March end, the EPL title fight was all revolving around United and Gunners despite of Chelsea's 16 match unbeaten streak and there perfect record at Stamford Bridge, almost everybody signed them off but Avram.There was a silent wind from Chelsea
which nobody heard until it turned into a storm. The storm which has led them equal to United in the table. It is evident that title will be decided only by the very last match unless Chelsea loose its run unexpectedly.

Avram took on the Diamond ship which was already very well made by his predecessor but this ship was sinking.Avram knew it from day 1 that he is in 'No man's land' with no support from anybody else other than Abramovich and his team.The silent man
led to some dead football in the beginning which was far far and far boring than the football being played by Liverpool, United and Arsenal but they were winning...silently.Everywhere there were news that Drogba, Ballack, Lampard and Shevchenko were not happy but they were still scoring. It was like a Pheonix, re-inventing from its own ashes.


They were never called good enough to compete in Europe an in some sense critics can still prove that as they didn't have to play any big team in champions league till quarter final stages. Only team which i think was big enough to match Chelsea was Valencia which is still fighting for its relegation in La Liga. They went on for a mixed results of win and draw in group
stages but Avram had other plans for Knock out stages. They went on to kill Olympiakos, Fenerbahce and now Liverpool to the Champions League final. Something which 'Special One' like Mourinho couldn't do in three years, Avram has done it in less than a year and that too with the same team.Nobody wanted to believe in Avram and i was no different but guiding Chelsea to their first ever Champions League final and standing neck to neck in table in Premiership has silenced all his critics, i am no different.

Whatever it is but Avram has prove every worth of his by proving each and every football 'pundit' wrong out there and all i can say is that Avram Football is GRANTed.

In the end, some famous chants against Avram from Chelsea supporters.

1) Avram out! Avram out!
2) Who are ya! Who are ya!
3) Are you Jose? Are you Jose! Are you Jose in disguise!
4) Do-do-doo, lets all hire Avram, Ooo-ooo-ooo, then we might score a goal.


A critic turned fan. Hats off Avram !!
(Being a united fan, i can see Chelsea losing both Premiership and Champions league final to Red Devils but Avram has emerged as undisputed hero for me this season)