The Mourinho Thread

[Jase 43,479]

José Mourinho: Keeping Chelsea players happy is not my problem

"I don't know if I will keep them happy or not," said Mourinho. "But I am happy because I have so many good players and because, whether doing well or wrong, I do it in an honest way. The way to do it in an honest way is to let them speak on the pitch. I will judge on the pitch. I will not judge on status, words, interviews, agents, parents or friends, not things in the press or on Twitter or something. I will let football speak and football decide."

He gave an indication of the ruthlessness of his planned meritocracy when he replied to a Belgian journalist's question as to whether Kevin De Bruyne could expect to play more than 20 matches this season. "If he doesn't play 20 matches, it's because he doesn't deserve it. If he deserves it, he will. You speak to him and put pressure on him, tell him: 'Hey kid, you have to be the man of the match.'"

As for Mata, the Portuguese said the club's outstanding player of the last two seasons is not being alienated and can still play a significant role in the coming months as Chelsea tackle the Premier League, Champions League and domestic cups. "He's in the same plans as are all the others. He's a player I trust a lot and will fight for positions like everybody else … The squad is good, it is competitive and, with so many matches coming every three days, sometimes I will make strange decisions in your eyes but sometimes I think about the matches that are coming and leave an important player out of selection because I want to have him at his level for the next match. I want the players to think only about the next match but I have to think further than that as a manager."

[ANDRECHO 432]

José Mourinho: Keeping Chelsea players happy is not my problem

José Mourinho: Keeping Chelsea players happy is not my problem

So true about Kevin , I really like Kevin but the competition is hard , he needs to work hard

[Heisenberg 1,824]

Such memories ! Glad he is back.

[Barbara 15,149]

José Mourinho: Keeping Chelsea players happy is not my problem

What I like Mourinho is his raw honesty. That answer is going to remain as one of the most honest I've seen a manager say in a press conference and although it's obvious - if one player plays more than another is because he's best end of it - most managers could try to be milder in the answer.

I just hate how The Guardian makes it sound like the said keeping players happy isn't his problem in a maybe ambiguous way. When you read his actual words he meant something completely different. He's just saying he can't assure if they'll be happy, but he can assure he'll use meritocracy to pick who plays.

I love the ruthlessness (as the journo puts it) of his meritocracy. It is as it should.

[haranr 485]

Willian Mata Hazard

Eto'o

[Fernando 6,453]

Really great substitute with Torres on for cole!

One thing I like about this manager as compared to Benítez is that he takes risk!

I remember no matter what, Benítez never changed the formation and that was painful to watch.

[hjperdeath 2,226]

Went all attack. Very positive. Needed more like that last season.

[Jase 43,479]

Really great substitute with Torres on for cole!

One thing I like about this manager as compared to Benítez is that he takes risk!

I remember no matter what, Benítez never changed the formation and that was painful to watch.

Agree but sadly for us, as it has been, Torres did absolutely nothing..

[Styles 9,790]

Really great substitute with Torres on for cole!

One thing I like about this manager as compared to Benítez is that he takes risk!

I remember no matter what, Benítez never changed the formation and that was painful to watch.

I remember that time he bought on Ivanovic for Azpilicueta when we were chasing a game!

[OneMoSalah 8,776]

Took the risk going to 3 at the back but it didn't work. The poor first half performance gave us a mountain to climb, Everton always looked like they wanted it more before and scoring. Sure the lads tried but we were poor.

[TrippingStep 336]

I remember that time he bought on Ivanovic for Azpilicueta when we were chasing a game!

Benitez didn't change his formation and general patterns but was more adept of small variation to exploit weaknesses of the opponent.

For example, against West Ham in the second match, Mata and Hazard were like double playmakers in front of their midfield line, moving them and than making runs with the ball to open space and messing their midfield lines.

Against Wigan of Martinez, we were inviting players to some zone where we were trapping them and they were unable to move the ball to the other side, winning the ball back in midfield.

Against Benfica, we didn't play that well, but Ramires running behind their left back was good idea even if it weren't most time greatly executed. And on the winning goal on the corner, that was beautiful movements of many players to let Ivanovic free on the second post.

Gerrard scoring many goals behind the the striker, Hamsik at Napoli, even Lampard last year from late runs is no luck, it's because of the movements of the striker, the left and right winger stretching their defense.

Benitez maybe didn't change his general formation but to not notice variation depending on the opponents and clear gameplan and treating like some very bad coach is wrong for me.

And the pressing on some half against Arsenal, Manchester, Tottenham where we were the boss and putting huge pressure on the opponents with some lovely movements as well is no small feat with a thing squad playing every three days.

[xPetrCechx 13,563]

Agree but sadly for us, as it has been, Torres did absolutely nothing..

WAS WORSE THAN EVER!

[Ainsley Harriott 2,732]

I remember that time he bought on Ivanovic for Azpilicueta when we were chasing a game!

Ivanovic can score some goals mate

[Jack Uzzi 54]

Horrible substitutions.

Keep things clear please. With Lampard en Oscar coming on we lost our momentum.

De Bruyne could have come on for Schurrle with whom he seems in the balance. Willian, if ready, for Hazard. Or Lampard for Mikel/Ramires and Torres for Eto'o.

I may be biased but I think Chelsea could have profited from the deliveries of De Bruyne in the last half hour. When they played crosses they were not good enough.

Torres did nothing and it was a bit strange to have two centre forwards on that early. Oscar tried but lacked precision and Lampard didn't get in the positions he should get at that moment in the game.

[mac.bo 48]

What score would Mourinho give himself out of 10 for todays game? Tatics/players choice/subs ...school report must to better springs to mind. Playing Eto away at goodison aint a place to debut a 32 dude me thinks (he done ok but thats about it)

[zolayes 14,489]

Horrible substitutions.

Keep things clear please. With Lampard en Oscar coming on we lost our momentum.

De Bruyne could have come on for Schurrle with whom he seems in the balance. Willian, if ready, for Hazard. Or Lampard for Mikel/Ramires and Torres for Eto'o.

I may be biased but I think Chelsea could have profited from the deliveries of De Bruyne in the last half hour. When they played crosses they were not good enough.

Torres did nothing and it was a bit strange to have two centre forwards on that early. Oscar tried but lacked precision and Lampard didn't get in the positions he should get at that moment in the game.

TELL me any other manager with the IMAGINATION ( and balls ) to take off a world class LB and replace him with a dodgy striker. THAT is why Jose is the "ONLY ONE"

[mac.bo 48]

De Bruyne from the start . Essien looks like last season for him ...so unlucky with injuries , was 1 of da best until grrrr injuries i miss you bison!

[mac.bo 48]

Dont think we will get relegated this season lol