The Mourinho Thread

[xPetrCechx 13,598]

[zolayes 14,489]

Similar to when Ray was suddenly sacked in 2010-11, it has the exact same effect then.

then it was the board ,, this time it is the manager ,, MUCH more worrying

[CMS 382]

Stop reading half truths people. This is what he said in full, you also clearly see the pk, where the guy grabbed hold of Zouma in mid air and pulled him to the ground

‘My first thought is to Palace,’ began Mourinho. ‘They came with everything, their team was ready, their players were ready and they came with a fantastic spirit. They were lucky but they deserved the luck, they fought a lot for that.

‘Secondly my team, I think we deserved more. I am not saying we deserved to win because it is not true, but we deserved more than the result we got.

‘And my third thought is the referee made a big mistake, a clear penalty [not given] for the foul on Zouma with the score 0-0. In the game for me it looked clear and at half-time I watched it on television and it was a clear penalty, unless the pundits who can see the red cards for John Terry and Thibaut Courtois see it differently from me.

‘But I prefer to go in this order and when I say Crystal Palace first it is because they are the most important thing [regarding the result].’

[Blue Colored Sky 1,807]

He doesn't have backing from the board but come on, Jose is no innovative whatsoever. I was crying inside when I saw that Pep gone with no CBs against Champions League club. Pep Guardiola constantly tries something new, whether it is playing with no centre-backs or some other crazier stuff, but he constantly switches something and try different patterns while Jose is so predictable, I mean 99% percent can say what XI we're going to field, when we went 0:1 down we knew that he will gone 2 strikers plus 3 CBs as he does every time. When some amateurs, FMs wannabes like us can say what XI we're gonna field and how we're gonna play how easy it is for professional managers ?

He doesn't have a midfield steel he'd want, Essien-type player, but there's enough talent and enough variation to try something. Willian as no.10, we know he can't create and can't score yet he is automatic pick there ? What the hell, why not try him as a CM ? Or Oscar next to Matic ? Why not play with 3 CBs from the start ? The only innovative changes Jose is able to do are with defensive players, Zouma as a midfielder (Pepe in previous club) or Azpilicueta as a left-back. Yes, that's the only innovative thinking by our manager.

He famously said that every big tactical evolution in football happened in 70s and modern managers can only copy what was made there.

That's why for 2 years we haven't build any platform yet and why Jose is usually only known for committing players to the cause.

[CMS 382]

It is now a fortnight before the next game with little chance to work with the squad at Cobham due to internationals, but changes to the side are not out of the question…

‘If a player is not performing there are two ways of looking at it. One is I trust so much the player I am going to wait for an improvement, and maybe it comes and maybe it doesn’t. Or even trusting the player, there arrives a moment when you think you have to change.

‘We have eight points less than the leader and in another league I would say game over because in these leagues for top teams it is very difficult to lose so many points. In the Premier League I don’t say game over.

‘The reality is we had a bad start, four points from four matches is a very bad start.’

[zolayes 14,489]

Stop reading half truths people. This is what he said in full, you also clearly see the pk, where the guy grabbed hold of Zouma in mid air and pulled him to the ground

They were lucky

we were unlucky

we should have had a penalty

He should put it to music and record it ...

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Oh man, Mourinho don't do that, don't suggest the transfer window is closed :-(

We do need signings. What's more evident today than anything is we're severly lacking leadership in the defensive reigon of the pitch. Look at Ivanovic today, the vice-captain who's going to be more captain than vice with Terry's form, who was responsible for nearly all the mistakes made today. Stones isn't a leader either, so the question is Mourinho, what are you planning?! He needs to tell one of these guys, Azpiliceuta most suitably, that 'you MUST organise this defensive line'.

In losing Drogba, Lampard and Terry we've failed to replace them with guys who are ready to step up. This is what makes players like Rooney, Gerrard, Viera, Keane, Terry, Lampard and Drogba so irreplaceable at times. When you don't sign leaders to take their mantle, you feel their absence a lot more. When Mourinho first came to Chelsea he identified Terry as the leader of the group and entrusted him with it. We see how Arsenal have fallen apart since Viera left the club - They're still trying to replace him!

Who does he now turn to? That decision will be important.

[CurlyHairLikeLuiz 1,625]

Stop reading half truths people. This is what he said in full, you also clearly see the pk, where the guy grabbed hold of Zouma in mid air and pulled him to the ground

I think a lot of people ignored this.

[Pizy 19,374]

What a terrible transfer window.

Man City did exactly what we did last summer and there's still the unknown with United who will surely sign at least one more.

How is our window closed!? We've clearly left it far too late and have as a consequence been told no by the club's whose players we're trying to panic buy. The "we don't need players" and "we will do it with the same players" statements have come back to haunt us before we've even really got going.

[Chelsea4 1,521]

Mourinho will get sacked sooner or later.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

Mourinho said nothing wrong in his press conference. I don't know why it's even a topic, you guys should watch the video and leave daily mail headlines...

[Jase 43,479]

Of all the sides he's managed, the current crop of players is probably the most un-Mourinho team ever.

1. Defense. We're shambolic. OK, we might have ended up with the best defence in each season since his return but we're still making mistakes (really silly and basic mistakes) that are not normally associated with a Mourinho side. Never mind about letting in goals, a Mourinho side usually doesn't give the opposition many chances but this season alone, we've probably conceded more than 30 shots on target in four matches! That's poor for a big club and I think only the relegation teams are close to that amount.

2. Set pieces. Do we actually even practice corners and free kicks in training? It's beyond shocking how often the set pieces fail to beat the first man, are overhit or hit straight to an opposition player. We are already struggling to score from open play, the least we could do is be more threatening, more imaginative with our set pieces so we can score from them.

3. Counter-attacks. For a side filled with fast attacking players, we sure score very few goals from counter-attacking situations. Don't commit enough men forward, not decisive in the final third, like to take the extra touch and making the wrong decision with the final delivery. Mourinho has been working with these players for 2 1/2 seasons now and there hasn't been any improvement. I still remember the 4 v 1 counter attack we had at City 2 seasons ago and we somehow contrived to mess it up!

4. Tiki-taka passing. Maybe Mourinho is trying to change our way of playing but can he tell the players not to over-elaborate in the final third? If there's a good chance to shoot at goal, then shoot. But if the opportunity isn't there, then don't and keep the ball moving. It's extremely infuriating that we're tying to be like Arsenal and walk the ball into the net. Be quicker and direct with the passing (I don't mean just lumping the ball to the striker). If there's a chance to set someone on goal, then quickly do it. Don't take the extra touch and pass to create the perfect goal. Quick, direct goals can be effective and great to watch too!

5. Midfield. Teams of Mourinho tend to contain the strong, physical players especially in midfield but this side has too many softies (e.g. Fabregas). Again, this is perhaps part of Mourinho's attempt to try a new way of playing but we are desperately lacking a physical player or two to go alongside Matic. We need someone who isn't afraid to fight, to do the dirty things (if you can call it that) etc when matches get tough and physical. Imagine what a peak Essien, Ballack or Lampard would do for this side. Mourinho needs to get 1-2 those kind of players in because we need to have a balance of strength, power, pace and creativity. Without that strength and power in the side, we get overrun too easily whenever we come up against a half-decent side.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

Of all the sides he's managed, the current crop of players is probably the most un-Mourinho team ever.

1. Defense. We're shambolic. OK, we might have ended up with the best defence in each season since his return but we're still making mistakes (really silly and basic mistakes) that are not normally associated with a Mourinho side. Never mind about letting in goals, a Mourinho side usually doesn't give the opposition many chances but this season alone, we've probably conceded more than 30 shots on target in four matches! That's poor for a big club and I think only the relegation teams are close to that amount.

2. Set pieces. Do we actually even practice corners and free kicks in training? It's beyond shocking how often the set pieces fail to beat the first man, are overhit or hit straight to an opposition player. We are already struggling to score from open play, the least we could do is be more threatening, more imaginative with our set pieces so we can score from them.

3. Counter-attacks. For a side filled with fast attacking players, we sure score very few goals from counter-attacking situations. Don't commit enough men forward, not decisive in the final third, like to take the extra touch and making the wrong decision with the final delivery. Mourinho has been working with these players for 2 1/2 seasons now and there hasn't been any improvement. I still remember the 4 v 1 counter attack we had at City 2 seasons ago and we somehow contrived to mess it up!

4. Tiki-taka passing. Maybe Mourinho is trying to change our way of playing but can he tell the players not to over-elaborate in the final third? If there's a good chance to shoot at goal, then shoot. But if the opportunity isn't there, then don't and keep the ball moving. It's extremely infuriating that we're tying to be like Arsenal and walk the ball into the net. Be quicker and direct with the passing (I don't mean just lumping the ball to the striker). If there's a chance to set someone on goal, then quickly do it. Don't take the extra touch and pass to create the perfect goal. Quick, direct goals can be effective and great to watch too!

5. Midfield. Teams of Mourinho tend to contain the strong, physical players especially in midfield but this side has too many softies (e.g. Fabregas). Again, this is perhaps part of Mourinho's attempt to try a new way of playing but we are desperately lacking a physical player or two to go alongside Matic. We need someone who isn't afraid to fight, to do the dirty things (if you can call it that) etc when matches get tough and physical. Imagine what a peak Essien, Ballack or Lampard would do for this side. Mourinho needs to get 1-2 those kind of players in because we need to have a balance of strength, power, pace and creativity. Without that strength and power in the side, we get overrun too easily whenever we come up against a half-decent side.

Exactly

This side is the most unathletic side he's ever managed. This side is physically the weakest in midfield, terrible on the counter, terrible in pressing, terrible defending one on one, terrible in long range shooting and terrible in setpieces.

This is not a Mourinho group of players at all.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

Of all the sides he's managed, the current crop of players is probably the most un-Mourinho team ever.

1. Defensively, we are shambolic. OK, we might have ended up with the best defence in each season since his return but we're still making mistakes (really silly and basic mistakes) that are not normally associated with a Mourinho side. Never mind about letting in goals, a Mourinho side usually doesn't give the opposition many chances but this season alone, we've probably conceded more than 30 shots on target. That's poor for a big club and I think only the relegation teams are close to that amount.

2. Set pieces. Do we actually even practice corners and free kicks in training? It's beyond shocking how often the set pieces fail to beat the first man, are overhit or hit straight to an opposition player. We are already struggling to score from open play, the least we could do is more threatening, more imaginative with our set pieces so we can score from them.

3. Counter-attacks. For a side filled with fast attacking players, we sure score very few goals from counter-attacking situations. Don't commit enough men forward, not decisive in the final third, like to take the extra touch and making the wrong decision with the final delivery. Mourinho has been working with these players for 2 1/2 seasons now and there hasn't been any improvement. I still remember the 4 v 1 counter attack we had at City 2 seasons ago and we somehow contrived to mess it up!

4. Tiki-taka passing. Maybe Mourinho is trying to change our way of playing but can he tell the players not to over-elaborate in the final third? If there's a good chance to shoot at goal, then shoot. But if the opportunity isn't there, then don't and keep the ball moving. It's extremely infuriating that we're tying to be like Arsenal and walk the ball into the net. Be quicker and direct with the passing (I don't mean just lumping the ball to the striker). If there's a chance to set someone on goal, then quickly do it. Don't take the extra touch and pass to create the perfect goal. Quick, direct goals can be effective and great to watch too!

5. Midfield. Teams of Mourinho tend to contain the strong, physical players especially in midfield but this side has too many softies (e.g. Fabregas). Again, this is perhaps part of Mourinho's attempt to try a new way of playing but we are desperately lacking a physical player or two to go alongside Matic. We need someone who isn't afraid to fight, to do the dirty things (if you can call it that) etc when matches get tough and physical. Imagine what a peak Essien, Ballack or Lampard would do for this side. Mourinho needs to get 1-2 those kind of players in because we need to have a balance of strength, power, pace and creativity. Without that strength and power in the side, we get overrun too easily whenever we come up against a half-decent side.

He went completely wrong with this team indeed. ''brilliant defence'' was just a cover. It couldnt last forever. Our defenders apart from Azpi and now Zouma cant keep us alive when facing opponents 1on1. It doesnt matter who, Aguero or Zaha, its the same thing.

Also, Cesc in middle, place where Mou needs a stability and Willian on wing where Mou needs efficiency tells you all. We lost physicality, speed, efficiency, danger from set pieces. What we have now is alot more technical team, but sadly Mourinho is probably the worst coach in the world elite to train planned attacks.

Also our tactics have become terrible aswell. Going from dynamical, ''adopt to your opponent'', we are one dimensional now, its realy painful. Its clear we dont have no real plan for the games. We try to play more open, but our defense gets exposed and our attack is clueless.

Opponents have read us. Only what they need to do is put numbers in defence, press our midfield and counter us. They know Cesc is absolute shit under pressure, and we suck against closed defences. They also know our defenders are slow and opponents will have plenty of space to exploit. And thats where we needed to evolve in summer. Bringing Vidal, Pedro and CB like Otamendi would do the job. Im not sure why we signed Baba anyway. For 20m. Thats what I expect a nailed on starter in fullback. Well, at least we needed one because Iva is poor. Yet Mou brought one FB that will probably need another 2 months to get to fitness and meanwhile lose all confidence and touch...

[Stats 7,230]

Totally agree, MrBlueGuy and excalibur are trolls of the highest order.

Just because Excalibur speaks against the manager a bit more than most that does not make him a troll. He is a very valuable member and I value his opinions. He is a clear Chelsea fan and just offers his opinions but like Lionsdenm they speak out against the manager more. Nothing wrong with that. People obviously had their doubts about Oscar before the season started and he scored 1 goal and had a good game then Gilvorak went "I have the smuggest look on my face right now". I did not see the same reaction then.

It works both ways. When we win, we have people who like to call out others. He is doing nothing wrong and before I see any BS about him being warned/suspened because of what he said, someone insulted him first.

It annoys me how people regard people as trolls just because they speak out against players/staff of the club more than others. He has not said anything ludicrous.

[Polo7 3,496]

Just because Excalibur speaks against the manager a bit more than most that does not make him a troll. He is a very valuable member and I value his problems. He is a clear Chelsea fan and just offers his opinions but like Lionsdenm they speak out against the manager more. Nothing wrong with that. People obviously had their doubts about Oscar before the season started and he scored 1 goal and had a good game then Gilvorak went "I have the smuggest look on my face right now". I did not see the same reaction then.

It works both ways. When we win, we have people who like to call out others. He is doing nothing wrong and before I see any BS about him being warned/suspened because of what he said, someone insulted him first.

It annoys me how people regard people as trolls just because they speak out against players/staff of the club more than others. He has not said anything ludicrous.

Speaking against the manager is one thing. Constantly bashing him regardless of the outcome becomes tedious. But Im glad they have hired you as some sort of lawyer.

[Magic Lamps 11,692]

Of all the sides he's managed, the current crop of players is probably the most un-Mourinho team ever.

1. Defense. We're shambolic. OK, we might have ended up with the best defence in each season since his return but we're still making mistakes (really silly and basic mistakes) that are not normally associated with a Mourinho side. Never mind about letting in goals, a Mourinho side usually doesn't give the opposition many chances but this season alone, we've probably conceded more than 30 shots on target in four matches! That's poor for a big club and I think only the relegation teams are close to that amount.

2. Set pieces. Do we actually even practice corners and free kicks in training? It's beyond shocking how often the set pieces fail to beat the first man, are overhit or hit straight to an opposition player. We are already struggling to score from open play, the least we could do is be more threatening, more imaginative with our set pieces so we can score from them.

3. Counter-attacks. For a side filled with fast attacking players, we sure score very few goals from counter-attacking situations. Don't commit enough men forward, not decisive in the final third, like to take the extra touch and making the wrong decision with the final delivery. Mourinho has been working with these players for 2 1/2 seasons now and there hasn't been any improvement. I still remember the 4 v 1 counter attack we had at City 2 seasons ago and we somehow contrived to mess it up!

4. Tiki-taka passing. Maybe Mourinho is trying to change our way of playing but can he tell the players not to over-elaborate in the final third? If there's a good chance to shoot at goal, then shoot. But if the opportunity isn't there, then don't and keep the ball moving. It's extremely infuriating that we're tying to be like Arsenal and walk the ball into the net. Be quicker and direct with the passing (I don't mean just lumping the ball to the striker). If there's a chance to set someone on goal, then quickly do it. Don't take the extra touch and pass to create the perfect goal. Quick, direct goals can be effective and great to watch too!

5. Midfield. Teams of Mourinho tend to contain the strong, physical players especially in midfield but this side has too many softies (e.g. Fabregas). Again, this is perhaps part of Mourinho's attempt to try a new way of playing but we are desperately lacking a physical player or two to go alongside Matic. We need someone who isn't afraid to fight, to do the dirty things (if you can call it that) etc when matches get tough and physical. Imagine what a peak Essien, Ballack or Lampard would do for this side. Mourinho needs to get 1-2 those kind of players in because we need to have a balance of strength, power, pace and creativity. Without that strength and power in the side, we get overrun too easily whenever we come up against a half-decent side.

1. we only had the 2nd best defense after southampton. that is because we have been leaking unnecessary goals since that tottenham defeat and never quite corrected that

2. yup our set pieces are dead on shit. we have no decent set piece taker. we used to have ballack, lampard, drogba, deco, mata now we are stuck with average ones from pedro, willian and fabregas. and this is shocking as it is so easy to work on these. even most amateur players take better freekicks than us

3. Totally agree. even though counter attacks are about the only way we score these days.

4. noticed that a few times every game that we over-elaborate instead of playing passes that actually give us space. in germany we call this "klein-klein". quick short passing is only beneficial when peoplemake runs to exploit space behind defenders not around them.

5. this is really a shame. some of our players should get their shit together and have a few more kgs oatmeal and streaks per day. Even Matic is not remotedly as strong as Lamps, ballack, essien used to be. Fabregas is as easy to dispossess as a kid. no idea where his flat track ability has gone. he is completely useless nowadays.

[Stats 7,230]

Speaking against the manager is one thing. Constantly bashing him regardless of the outcome becomes tedious. But Im glad they have hired you as some sort of lawyer.

And constantly licking his ass becomes tedious too. Some will exempt him from any form of criticism.

[quickpassnmove 924]

1. we only had the 2nd best defense after southampton. that is because we have been leaking unnecessary goals since that tottenham defeat and never quite corrected that

2. yup our set pieces are dead on shit. we have no decent set piece taker. we used to have ballack, lampard, drogba, deco, mata now we are stuck with average ones from pedro, willian and fabregas. and this is shocking as it is so easy to work on these. even most amateur players take better freekicks than us

3. Totally agree. even though counter attacks are about the only way we score these days.

4. noticed that a few times every game that we over-elaborate instead of playing passes that actually give us space. in germany we call this "klein-klein". quick short passing is only beneficial when peoplemake runs to exploit space behind defenders not around them.

5. this is really a shame. some of our players should get their shit together and have a few more kgs oatmeal and streaks per day. Even Matic is not remotedly as strong as Lamps, ballack, essien used to be. Fabregas is as easy to dispossess as a kid. no idea where his flat track ability has gone. he is completely useless nowadays.

1. to sum things up over the years since 2005, or when Robben departed: Chelsea have spent a lot of money and have not had a complete squad (meaning: pick a formation, look at the quality in depth in each and every position).

2. Chelsea might not be using short passes with such futility if someone would coach them differently. Watch a United match (forget about them not scoring enough for a moment), or see how Dortmund push and pull an opponent. No one does this at Chelsea. Front-to-back and side-to-side Chelsea are too slow and lack incision and it's been this way year after year after year after year after year.... someone needs to change the way this team plays on the park and I don't see Mourinho doing it.

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Same as he said for Cuadrado, Matic and Salah.

Yeah man, there's nothing to be overly read into here. Mourinho,and Chelsea for that matter, love to make these proclaimations and then go back on it lmao.. Let's see what actually happens on/by Tuesday 11pm (BST)