The Mourinho Thread

[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 6,585]

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?

[Tomo 21,751]

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?

Not from the start, we will still have to do some defending against these sides and if we go all Brendan Rodgers we will concede a lot of goals.

[Henrique 9,133]

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?

Why not? With 3-6-1 the full backs can support the attack a lot more, and even help in the midfield. You might not even play with full backs, but with wingers with Willian/Ramires style, who will support the defense when its needed.

For example, Brazil won 2002 WC with 3-5-2 (some people say it was 5-2-1-2, or 3-4-3, but in Brazil we always considered that a 3-5-2 formation). The full-backs (Cafu and Roberto Carlos) were free to support the attack, they helped in the midfield a lot, but when things were ugly the team could easy adopt a 5-3-2 system.

I think its funny you said it might be risky, because I always saw 3-5-2 system as pragmatic one. Holland was a pragmatic side in World Cup and they took few risks (and think they were more 3-6-1 than 3-4-3 as some MU fans are claiming). 3-5-2 or 3-6-1 might be the perfect formation if you have the right players, for example, think about a full back like Marcelo, Dani Alves or even Azipilcueta, they might perfect for that system, but the only position that will suit Ivanovic in that system will be as one of the CB. He doesn't have the skills required to play in the mid, or to support the attack in the proper way. Thats system will suit players like Ramires/Willian as well, since one of the reasons Mourinho love both players is because of their defensive work rate.

[Belgiannutt 3,201]

Why not? With 3-6-1 the full backs can support the attack a lot more, and even help in the midfield. You might not even play with full backs, but with wingers with Willian/Ramires style, who will support the defense when its needed.

For example, Brazil won 2002 WC with 3-5-2 (some people say it was 5-2-1-2, or 3-4-3, but in Brazil we always considered that a 3-5-2 formation). The full-backs (Cafu and Roberto Carlos) were free to support the attack, they helped in the midfield a lot, but when things were ugly the team could easy adopt a 5-3-2 system.

I think its funny you said it might be risky, because I always saw 3-5-2 system as pragmatic one. Holland was a pragmatic side in World Cup and they took few risks (and think they were more 3-6-1 than 3-4-3 as some MU fans are claiming). 3-5-2 or 3-6-1 might be the perfect formation if you have the right players, for example, think about a full back like Marcelo, Dani Alves or even Azipilcueta, they might perfect for that system, but the only position that will suit Ivanovic in that system will be as one of the CB. He doesn't have the skills required to play in the mid, or to support the attack in the proper way. Thats system will suit players like Ramires/Willian as well, since one of the reasons Mourinho love both players is because of their defensive work rate.

Well i suppose that depends on what personnel you put on the wingback positions. Putting actual fullbacks on the wingback makes it a more pragmatic tactic, then the 4-2-3-1, while putting wingers on those positions makes it a more risky tactic

Mourinho seems to be using the 3-5-2 as his all out attack tactic. We've only seen the formation when we were down a goal or when we were level and had to win. I don't think he considers it an actual "starting" tactic.

and honestly speaking i don't think we should start with that tactic. Everytime we've played the 3-5-2 it's been a bit chaotic at the back. It seems to be an all or nothing tactic the way Mourinho uses it.

[Sidzeret 2,257]

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.

He used the 3-CB formations only when we were a goal down and were struggling to get back at the opponents. Also in such formations, we used wingers instead of actual wing-backs and compromised a lot on our defense at the flanks.

I'd be surprised if Jose starts with a 3-X-X formation.

[Sidzeret 2,257]

Double post

[Styles 9,790]

He used the 3-CB formations only when we were a goal down and were struggling to get back the opponents. Also in such formations, we used wingers instead of actual wing-backs and compromised a lot on our defense at the flanks.

I'd be surprised if Jose starts with a 3-X-X formation.

Agreed. If/when Mourinho deviates from his standard formation(s) it's because he's desperately chasing a result. I doubt we ever start a game with a 3-4-3 or 3-5-2 as that's not Mourinho's style; he's a very simple tactician. After we took the lead on Sunday he immediately went back to a conventional formation - to our detriment I thought, we were playing well and then became sloppy again after the change.