The Mourinho Thread

[HD3D 1,038]

explains why he never celebrated much when Porto won the CL.

Actually, when that happened, I remember the Portuguese media reporting he didn't celebrate because he received death threats against his family from some dumb Porto fans, who didn't want him to leave the club and go to Chelsea.

[Term-X 7,892]

Actually, when that happened, I remember the Portuguese media reporting he didn't celebrate because he received death threats against his family from some dumb Porto fans, who didn't want him to leave the club and go to Chelsea.

That may explain why he didn't go back to Porto for the bus parade, but there was no reason to leave early on the night of the final. When Porto lifted the trophy, he was seen taking his medal off and leaving the pitch.

[The Chels 2,502]

That may explain why he didn't go back to Porto for the bus parade, but there was no reason to leave early on the night of the final. When Porto lifted the trophy, he was seen taking his medal off and leaving the pitch.

Mourinho really ought to have been more considerate towards the fans. I also remember how, on the night of winning the CL with Inter, he told everyone he was leaving for Real Madrid.

[Term-X 7,892]

Mourinho really ought to have been more considerate towards the fans. I also remember how, on the night of winning the CL with Inter, he told everyone he was leaving for Real Madrid.

True, but that's ambition for you. Porto to Chelsea, Inter to Real, those are big steps.. and he wasn't going to let anyone hold him back.

Thankfully, he's returned with grey hairs and is ready to settle down.

[HD3D 1,038]

That may explain why he didn't go back to Porto for the bus parade, but there was no reason to leave early on the night of the final.

How so? If a group of fanatics from your own fanbase told you they were going to murder your family because you plan on leaving, wouldn't that ruin your night?

[Term-X 7,892]

How so? If a group of fanatics from your own fanbase told you they were going to murder your family because you plan on leaving, wouldn't that ruin your night?

Not in the moment no, not on the pitch with all that adrenaline from winning. He also hired private security before the game for his family. Mourinho didn't attend Inter's bus parade before leaving for Real too, unless he also received death threats from Inter fans.

There isn't really a discussion here, since Mourinho himself has explained to you the reasons why he restricts his celebrations in the video.

[Term-X 7,892]

Remember when Mourinho took part in Soccer aid and we were all posting videos of that tackle, and when he peeked his head through the door on the england team. Nobody posted the changing room pre-match talk, so here it is..

[The Skipper 20,609]

Schurlle and Costa like getting into the 18box, so no problem with that

It's a match made in heaven. Luis overlapping Hazard from the left, Hazard plays it through to him, and he has two fantastic off the ball movers in Schurrle and Costa to pick out. Think he's going to have at least 5 assists this season.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

If Mou wont bring another striker its him digging the grave in case of Costa injury. And even if Costa wont get injured, he still must not play all games or he will be too tired for season finale.

Having Torres and Drogba is ridiculous. Mou should know that. If you have some unproven striker who can step up when needed like Milito and improve big time is one thing, but having Drogba and Torres who are both past it is another. Either Ba, Etoo or Lukaku would be better than any of Torres/Drogba. I love Drogba, but putting emotions on side, he is striker who can score maybe 5 goals (4 of them vs Arsenal) but we need better. Bony for example could step up and become realy quality striker for us, leading us in victories, something that Torres or Drogba cant anymore.

I hope Mou knows what he is doing, last year he thought our attack is good enough, he was wrong. Same thing could happen again this year.

[Yasser 63]

Bony for example could step up

Bony is a very good choice, but I don't think the club will go and sign second choice striker for £19m ( like what swansea ask ) ,

I think Chicharito and Remy both of them are fantastic second choice and both of them won't cost more than £10m.

[Henrique 9,133]

During this pre-season its clear Mourinho favorite system still is the 4-2-3-1, but for people who dream about a 4-3-3 return, it seems Mourinho reckon he might use a 3-6-1, 3-5-2 (van Gaal influence here).

But right its not easy to imagine Chelsea starting XI against Burnley. No doubt the system will be 4-2-3-1, and Matic+Fabregas will both play in the mid, Costa is our main striker and Hazard will be one of the 3 attacking men. That leave 2 positions for Oscar, Salah, Willian and Schurle. The german is full of confidence, but his biggest weakness is his defensive work. He always looks a little bit clumsy when he is defending, and Jose love wingers with good defensive work, I'm not so sure he will be the starting man everyone think he is going to be. I think Salah will be starting the first games of the season, since he had a full pre season and played some decent games.

At the back, I don't know if Mourinho will play Ivanovic as a RB or as a CB, or if its going to be Terry + Cahill or Terry + Ivanovic. No doubt Luis is the one starting in the left. Curtois will be the GK. If Mourinho wanted Cech to be the first choice, Curtoius would have stayed with Madrid for another season.

But I predict the team will have a slow start of the season. Compared to Arsenal, City, United and Liverpool, its a little bit strange that we are facing weak opposition. Players who are starting the first games have a HUGE chance of being dropped during the season. Just remember lasts season when KDB, Luiz and Schurle (who even scored against City) were starting games but became squad players after some matches.

[The Chels 2,502]

Players who are starting the first games have a HUGE chance of being dropped during the season. Just remember lasts season when KDB, Luiz and Schurle (who even scored against City) were starting games but became squad players after some matches.

I think that's because it was Jose's first season back and he was just getting to know the players. There shouldn't be much need to chop and change so much this season except for rotational purposes.

[Henrique 9,133]

I think that's because it was Jose's first season back and he was just getting to know the players. There shouldn't be much need to chop and change so much this season except for rotational purposes.

He will change if the results are not what he is expecting.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

During this pre-season its clear Mourinho favorite system still is the 4-2-3-1, but for people who dream about a 4-3-3 return, it seems Mourinho reckon he might use a 3-6-1, 3-5-2 (van Gaal influence here).

But right its not easy to imagine Chelsea starting XI against Burnley. No doubt the system will be 4-2-3-1, and Matic+Fabregas will both play in the mid, Costa is our main striker and Hazard will be one of the 3 attacking men. That leave 2 positions for Oscar, Salah, Willian and Schurle. The german is full of confidence, but his biggest weakness is his defensive work. He always looks a little bit clumsy when he is defending, and Jose love wingers with good defensive work, I'm not so sure he will be the starting man everyone think he is going to be. I think Salah will be starting the first games of the season, since he had a full pre season and played some decent games.

At the back, I don't know if Mourinho will play Ivanovic as a RB or as a CB, or if its going to be Terry + Cahill or Terry + Ivanovic. No doubt Luis is the one starting in the left. Curtois will be the GK. If Mourinho wanted Cech to be the first choice, Curtoius would have stayed with Madrid for another season.

But I predict the team will have a slow start of the season. Compared to Arsenal, City, United and Liverpool, its a little bit strange that we are facing weak opposition. Players who are starting the first games have a HUGE chance of being dropped during the season. Just remember lasts season when KDB, Luiz and Schurle (who even scored against City) were starting games but became squad players after some matches.

Finally a post that talks about tactics, I liked your post just for that.

Mourinho didn't copy 3-5-2 from vangaal, he used it last season against Norwich, Everton and some other teams at the beginning of last season.

Now we have a left footed starter in Luis and à striker that moves, so it will feel more natural to the team.

But I'm not sure if Mourinho play terry because that formation requires 3fast centerbacks.

Mourinho obviously still loves his 4-2-3-1 and ramires will play more than we think. I liked salahs linkup play yesterday, the fact he would pass and go for the return instead of standing like willian in the firsthalf made me happy because we need a lot of movement in our team to make our teamplay fluid.

I'm happy we are playing smaller teams because we all know that is what cost us the title last season. He has been tweaking the formations all pre-season to find the best style that opens up parked buses. So far this 3-5-2 was the best in terms of fluid movement, especially when moses played RWB but without fast centerbacks we will suffer on the counter. There has to be a balance.

[Muzchap 8,966]

If Mou wont bring another striker its him digging the grave in case of Costa injury. And even if Costa wont get injured, he still must not play all games or he will be too tired for season finale.

Having Torres and Drogba is ridiculous. Mou should know that. If you have some unproven striker who can step up when needed like Milito and improve big time is one thing, but having Drogba and Torres who are both past it is another. Either Ba, Etoo or Lukaku would be better than any of Torres/Drogba. I love Drogba, but putting emotions on side, he is striker who can score maybe 5 goals (4 of them vs Arsenal) but we need better. Bony for example could step up and become realy quality striker for us, leading us in victories, something that Torres or Drogba cant anymore.

I hope Mou knows what he is doing, last year he thought our attack is good enough, he was wrong. Same thing could happen again this year.

I don't think Mou stated he had a good enough attack? In fact he got caught moaning about them

We just simply don't know what's going on behind the scenes and the HG quota is causing a few problems - so I hope one of our young lads gets a chance up front - no expense, no HG issues and every chance to succeed!

If not Remy will do fine

[Henrique 9,133]

Finally a post that talks about tactics, I liked your post just for that.

Mourinho didn't copy 3-5-2 from vangaal, he used it last season against Norwich, Everton and some other teams at the beginning of last season.

Now we have a left footed starter in Luis and à striker that moves, so it will feel more natural to the team.

But I'm not sure if Mourinho play terry because that formation requires 3fast centerbacks.

Mourinho obviously still loves his 4-2-3-1 and ramires will play more than we think. I liked salahs linkup play yesterday, the fact he would pass and go for the return instead of standing like willian in the firsthalf made me happy because we need a lot of movement in our team to make our teamplay fluid.

I'm happy we are playing smaller teams because we all know that is what cost us the title last season. He has been tweaking the formations all pre-season to find the best style that opens up parked buses. So far this 3-5-2 was the best in terms of fluid movement, especially when moses played RWB but without fast centerbacks we will suffer on the counter. There has to be a balance.

Last season I dont remember this 3-5-2 formation. If it happened it was Mourinho pressing the random button, like in the game against PSG.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

Last season I dont remember this 3-5-2 formation. If it happened it was Mourinho pressing the random button, like in the game against PSG.

He certainly used it against Norwich early last season. Where willian and Hazard scored at the end.

He never started with it though, he mostly made changes in the 2nd half.

[Johnny Kills 164]

Last season I dont remember this 3-5-2 formation. If it happened it was Mourinho pressing the random button, like in the game against PSG.

He literally just told you when it happened. Everton, Norwich, Cardiff, maybe more but those are the matches I remember. It wasn't random. Mourinho made the changes himself like a big boy. He's allowed to be intelligent ya know.

[hjperdeath 2,226]

Last season I dont remember this 3-5-2 formation. If it happened it was Mourinho pressing the random button, like in the game against PSG.

somebody needs to watch more..

[Fernando 6,743]

Last season I dont remember this 3-5-2 formation. If it happened it was Mourinho pressing the random button, like in the game against PSG.

Do you think it's wise to start with such formation against team we already know will park the bus at the Bridge?

Like say Burnley at home?

Or still too risky and best wait to see how things pan out in the second half?