The Mourinho Thread

[The Chels 2,502]

With so many players unavailable, Mourinho will have big decisions to make regarding team selection for Sunday's game at Liverpool.

'I can't decide by myself, that's a decision where I have to listen to the club. I'm just a piece, the manager and no more than that. The fact the match is on Sunday puts the problem not in my hands, but the hands of the people who decide the game should be played on Sunday, not Saturday or Friday. We represent English football, we are the only English team in Europe. Spain has four teams and gives them all the conditions to have success.'

Any thoughts about those quotes?

Seems to be venting about everything that pisses him off recently. In this interview he appeared angry at the FA's reluctance to move fixtures to support teams in the CL, and also at Chelsea's hierarchy, which might suggest things are already going awry between him and the board? Interesting quotes but difficult to infer from them.

[Yeboii 1,844]

Seems to be venting about everything that pisses him off recently. In this interview he appeared angry at the FA's reluctance to move fixtures to support teams in the CL, and also at Chelsea's hierarchy, which might suggest things are already going awry between him and the board? Interesting quotes but difficult to infer from them.

I don't think he is pissed at the board. It's more asking them if they think we should try and beat Liverpool or just focus 100% on the Champions League.

[The Chels 2,502]

I don't think he is pissed at the board. It's more asking them if they think we should try and beat Liverpool or just focus 100% on the Champions League.

But don't you think his comments - "I'm not the most important person at the club. I do what the club decides" - particularly in the angry mood he's been in has a lot more to it than what you're saying?

[Yeboii 1,844]

But don't you think his comments - "I'm not the most important person at the club. I do what the club decides" - particularly in the angry mood he's been in has a lot more to it than what you're saying?

I think he is just being realistic. The club is his employer. If they want him to go all out against Liverpool then he will have to go all out against Liverpool, but it is clear that José wants to focus 100% on the CL.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

I just wish he would make our attack more efficient. Show our players how to play as team, how to create and score by following certain patern.

Lack of striker is big problem, but Oscar, Willian, Schurrle,...are here to play and yet they dont realy impress.

There are many factors for bad attacking like lack of striker, no support from fullbacks (width), no support from DLP etc, but finishing and decision making of Oscar, Schurrle, Willian,...actualy whole team is realy average. We defend like a team, but we dont attack like one. Today, we couldnt make three straight passes in attack, because we lack plan, patern or sth...

I hope Mou will make us counter attacking team based on Chelsea from 2009/10 or Borussia. But for that, you need realy complete team, great understanding, no selfish players, intelligent players who can play fast and efficient football with lots of one-two passes or long crosses. And most importantly, you need DEADLY ATTACKERS WHO SCORE EVERY CHANCE GIVEN. Anelka, Drogba, Malouda, Lamps, even Essien, Ballack, Cole could score stunners. I remember Smeltzer scoring that goal vs Real last season. Goal from full back. You dont see that in Chelsea. Azpi scoring such goal? Even attackers like Willian or Oscar cant finish. They have great workrate, thats why we re good in defense, but lack efficiency in attack. Next year we will improve; but for counterfootball, you need 3/4 attackers who can naturaly score goals when chance given. Oscar or Willian arent that. Hazard is still learning. Midifeld has no players who can score goals, we need CM who can take shots aswell.

[Tomo 21,733]

Mourinho wanted the 0-0 and we got it. Decent result, but an away goal would've been worth a 2-1 defeat. This stat doesn't transpire much confidence should Atletico score:

@RichJolly 1h

Chelsea's CL semi-final scores under Mourinho: 0-0, 0-1, 1-0, 0-1, 0-0. 1 goal scored in 480 minutes (inc extra time).

Why? A 2-1 win will send us through now it would have meant extra time if we lost 2-1, furthermore a 0-0 will get us extra time where as a 2-1 loss tonight would have meant that score sent us out.

[nofacej 132]

0-0 is definitely better than losing 2-1. Would have preferred a 1-1 though. As it stands the tie is very even. We have the home advantage, but that is somewhat negated by the away goal rule.

I'm not too concerned about the players we'll be missing for the second leg. Ivanovic can sub in for Terry at CB, leaving Luiz and Ramires to play in the middle and Cole and Azpi as FBs. I also think Schwarzer is more than up to the task of replacing Cech in goal. The man has nerves of steel and has proven himself for club and country in the past. We couldn't ask for a better second choice keeper.

I am a little concerned by Mourinho's attitude of late. It would be hugely disappointing if he wasn't at the club next season, but in all truthfulness I think he'd be crazy to leave. He'd have to give up CL football to go to United and their team is in disarray at the moment. Other than United there are no real alternatives. The club has supported Mourinho every step of the way this season from what we can see. Mata and De Brunye were both sold because of his preferences and the club were quick to sign replacements that fit the style he wants to play. Of course we can't know what goes on behind the scenes, but the way the fans sing his name has got to make him feel good.

[Henrique 9,133]

Seems to be venting about everything that pisses him off recently. In this interview he appeared angry at the FA's reluctance to move fixtures to support teams in the CL, and also at Chelsea's hierarchy, which might suggest things are already going awry between him and the board? Interesting quotes but difficult to infer from them.

I think he would put the weakest team as possible, not only to preserve the players for the second leg, but as protest against FA.

Hilario; Ake, Kalas, Ivanovic; Mikel, Matic, Van Ginkel, Ashley Cole; Oscar, Schurle, Salah; Torres.

[Strike 7,272]

Masterclass from Jose again! great result!

masterclass? nope!

great defensive performance but absolutely no plan or clue going forward

[Blue Gino 377]

If true, I'm disappointed in Jose to show a lack of faith in his players and insulting traveling supporters by supposedly going to Anfield with a "weaker" team to prioritize Europe when in that 1st leg he shows a lack of faith in his team by refusing to fight Atletico and just sit back as if they suddenly can flip a switch and get goals against one of the best goal keepers on the planet? Fuck Liverpool and make them work for that crown Jose.

[Strike 7,272]

this is a wake up call really. 2 years from 2012. over 150 million spent on players and still resorting to park the bus tactics. needs to change that soon imo. not that i condemn chelsea for playing it yesterday, 0-0 is a decent result away from home given injuries etc but approach needs to change soon

[Henrique 9,133]

About Mourinho interviews: I realized a while ago that it seems only british press and the majority of Chelsea's fans still take it serious.

[Blue-in-me-Veins 4,067]

this is a wake up call really. 2 years from 2012. over 150 million spent on players and still resorting to park the bus tactics. needs to change that soon imo. not that i condemn chelsea for playing it yesterday, 0-0 is a decent result away from home given injuries etc but approach needs to change soon

Word, even i was suprised to us resort to THAT infamous tactic again.

But i dont think we will see that type of football untill we have a solid striking core, and another CM to complement Matic. But i agree, would really like to see us take that next step and really have confidence that we can pass our way to victory at times and not always resort to Countering and/or the Bus.

Been a while since we seen a Chelsea side really boss a top team, (in terms of possesion) i mean besides PSG i can't really think of one. But i'll give it till after the summer to see who we sign. We have a lot of stop-gap players, time to take that final step and build a new core. A more technical core at that also.

[Chelsea Legend 11 4,062]

Why is this thread still open?

HE'S THE BEST! LOCK THIS SHIT UP ALREADY!

[kellzfresh 7,229]

I just wish he would make our attack more efficient. Show our players how to play as team, how to create and score by following certain patern.

Lack of striker is big problem, but Oscar, Willian, Schurrle,...are here to play and yet they dont realy impress.

There are many factors for bad attacking like lack of striker, no support from fullbacks (width), no support from DLP etc, but finishing and decision making of Oscar, Schurrle, Willian,...actualy whole team is realy average. We defend like a team, but we dont attack like one. Today, we couldnt make three straight passes in attack, because we lack plan, patern or sth...

I hope Mou will make us counter attacking team based on Chelsea from 2009/10 or Borussia. But for that, you need realy complete team, great understanding, no selfish players, intelligent players who can play fast and efficient football with lots of one-two passes or long crosses. And most importantly, you need DEADLY ATTACKERS WHO SCORE EVERY CHANCE GIVEN. Anelka, Drogba, Malouda, Lamps, even Essien, Ballack, Cole could score stunners. I remember Smeltzer scoring that goal vs Real last season. Goal from full back. You dont see that in Chelsea. Azpi scoring such goal? Even attackers like Willian or Oscar cant finish. They have great workrate, thats why we re good in defense, but lack efficiency in attack. Next year we will improve; but for counterfootball, you need 3/4 attackers who can naturaly score goals when chance given. Oscar or Willian arent that. Hazard is still learning. Midifeld has no players who can score goals, we need CM who can take shots aswell.

We will improve next season. I just wish he had already started the process this season so that it'll be easier for him.

Like for example, yesterday we could have also used a tactics that spain use which is to hold the ball without attacking much and still keeping shape defensively. That way, there will be no pressure on us and we can have more dimensions to our game instead of being one dimensional. But sometimes we can't string 5 passes together and its beginning to look funny.

If by next season we get our striker, mourinho then focuses on our attack around him like he focused on our defence this season, we could see madrid 2012 style for us. But we should have started training/practicing on it this season to make progress faster.

Your right about all our attackers bar hazard not being able to produce anything special on their own and still end up missing sitters once in a while. Its a problem but I hope it has more to do with adaptation and not ability.

[DanAdibi! 106]

Got this off twitter: "Mourinho is entitled to play like that to reach finals; neutrals are entitled to jeer; more ambitious teams than Atletico must find a way through. Simple."

The fact is most managers are not tactically good enough to set up their team to go away and get draws on demand like we've done today, At Arsenal and at Man United. It was ugly but brilliant. A goalless draw is still dangerous, but even with suspensions and injuries, I will think we are favourites in the 2nd leg.

So, I'm guessing Ivanovic plays at CB, with Ramires and Luiz in the pivot with Eden, Eto'o Schurrle and Oscar to come in for the 2nd leg then we will show our power.

Don't be down-trodden by the rival fans who will surely mock our performance as they watch to be entertained while we watch to see CFC win football matches and trophies. Beautiful football is irrelevant in such games. The onus was on Atletico to break us and they failed to do so

Best reaction I've made on the game. Very well said.

[Pacquiao 1,834]

masterclass? nope!

great defensive performance but absolutely no plan or clue going forward

LOL! it was a complete masterclass from Jose again! he put Atletico out of their comfort zone and forced them to play a style they are not comfortable with! he set us up to invite Atletico onto us, they are not a team who like to dominate possession and try to break a team down, its not their strength at all! he made sure they couldn't take a lead with them into the 2nd leg!

Excellent from Jose again!

[blu35_army 551]

I just wish he would make our attack more efficient. Show our players how to play as team, how to create and score by following certain patern.

Lack of striker is big problem, but Oscar, Willian, Schurrle,...are here to play and yet they dont realy impress.

There are many factors for bad attacking like lack of striker, no support from fullbacks (width), no support from DLP etc, but finishing and decision making of Oscar, Schurrle, Willian,...actualy whole team is realy average. We defend like a team, but we dont attack like one. Today, we couldnt make three straight passes in attack, because we lack plan, patern or sth...

I hope Mou will make us counter attacking team based on Chelsea from 2009/10 or Borussia. But for that, you need realy complete team, great understanding, no selfish players, intelligent players who can play fast and efficient football with lots of one-two passes or long crosses. And most importantly, you need DEADLY ATTACKERS WHO SCORE EVERY CHANCE GIVEN. Anelka, Drogba, Malouda, Lamps, even Essien, Ballack, Cole could score stunners. I remember Smeltzer scoring that goal vs Real last season. Goal from full back. You dont see that in Chelsea. Azpi scoring such goal? Even attackers like Willian or Oscar cant finish. They have great workrate, thats why we re good in defense, but lack efficiency in attack. Next year we will improve; but for counterfootball, you need 3/4 attackers who can naturaly score goals when chance given. Oscar or Willian arent that. Hazard is still learning. Midifeld has no players who can score goals, we need CM who can take shots aswell.

maybe Vidal, Rodriguez and Cavani could be the answer,,100 million pounds for the 3-4 years ahead. such a good investment...