The Mourinho Thread

[Blue Colored Sky 1,807]

Just saying I would have absolutely no regret or hate towards him if we end the season 2nd or 3rd without any trophy, but under condition that the likes of Baba, Kenedy, Rlc, Zouma get alot of play time and improve noticably.

I would love that. We won PL last year, I would sacrifice one year to develop some of our young players. It would be great, especialy if Ruben develops well.

But if we end season trophyless, and Mou plays Iva ahead of Baba, Ramires and Mikel over Rlc, Falcao over Remy, and partly Willian over Kenedy, plus there is absolutely no sign of improvement, I will go nuts.

I would seriously consider releasing Mou, despite for everything he has done.

All that said, I think we will be average in PL (better say city too good) but we will win CL. Regardless of how shit we play now, I feel we have all the chances and talent to completely focus on CL and win it.

I agree and hope that club don't think about such stupid things like sacking Jose after what they did in the transfer window.

But you say that we have chance in the CL and do you really think that when we go into latter stages we will rely on younger players instead of bringing in Ivanovic, Ramires, Azpilicueta as a winger etc. ? I think that's exactly what would happen.

[J.F. 1,484]

Medel-kongdobia-melo are ideal for jose.

Mikel alone is more creative than those 3 players.

[Blue Colored Sky 1,807]

We could have gone for a different CB who isnt inferior to Stones + CM who's better than Mikel/Ramires - in the region of those 30m pounds, maybe 40m max.

Miranda and Allan, both for 15m€ each ? I think of that kind of players.

Also you can see at Juventus, they were very clear that they want the number 10 and tried with Oscar, Isco, Goetze then Draxler eventually setting for Hernanes but they got their man because they really wanted a number 10.

Oh, look at Baba signing, there were many LB changing club this summer, Alex Sandro, Kurzawa, Coentrao etc. but Chelsea wasn't linked with any of them, they were only focusing on Baba Rahman, just like they didn't want a LB, they wanted Baba Rahman.

I think it's fair to say that we look for top quality young players and therefore we're limiting ourself to just a few names. We don't want a midfielder, we want Koke/Pogba. Very specific targets. And since they finally hasn't settled for cheaper alternative I think they're fairly confident of getting them eventually.

[Duppy Conqueror 1,549]

good point Blue Coloured Sky.

the 2 signings in the last 24 hours. the stop gap guys.they could be seen as panic buys but at that point if we had splashed big money,then we would either lose our true targets in the future or players like Zouma and say whoever out of our midfield.. RLC or another midfielder may make us change our mind on needing Pogba but Stones still remains a target..hopefully Everton have a shitty season.Martinez gets sacked or quits and we get Stones for a better price.i do think Martinez was the cock blocker..Kenwright is more a realist..even tho he made his money in show business.

[nadavTKL 1,787]

Miranda and Allan, both for 15m€ each ? I think of that kind of players.

Also you can see at Juventus, they were very clear that they want the number 10 and tried with Oscar, Isco, Goetze then Draxler eventually setting for Hernanes but they got their man because they really wanted a number 10.

Oh, look at Baba signing, there were many LB changing club this summer, Alex Sandro, Kurzawa, Coentrao etc. but Chelsea wasn't linked with any of them, they were only focusing on Baba Rahman, just like they didn't want a LB, they wanted Baba Rahman.

I think it's fair to say that we look for top quality young players and therefore we're limiting ourself to just a few names. We don't want a midfielder, we want Koke/Pogba. Very specific targets. And since they finally hasn't settled for cheaper alternative I think they're fairly confident of getting them eventually.

Exactly! same happend with Stones, it didnt looked like we want a CB, we only wanted Stones. But in the final week we started to look for other CB, shame we didnt do the same with CM.

Maybe its because of the numbers in the squad? we had 3 CBs so Jose wanted the 4th one, and he already had enough CMs. Maybe thats the case.

Miranda and Allan would've been perfect stopgaps until we get that specific CB and CM.

Btw, "top quality young players" - thats what Rob Beasly said like a month ago, he said we only want those kind of players. Pedro is also a stopgap, and so is Djilobodji, but those are panic buys in the final 10 days.

[nadavTKL 1,787]

Mourinho just needs a mixture of technical and mobile/athletic players.

Which means fast centerbacks,

fullbacks that can dribble past their man like maicon/marcelo,

box to box cm who can drive through the middle like essien/vidal/matuidi,

passers who can defend like Sneijder/modric,

one dribbling winger, and one who makes runs behind the defence to score.

And a technical striker with proper holdup play and aerial ability like drogba/Milito/benzema

I can agree with this description of a "perfect Mourinho side", but you could see a change in his views since he joined Real Madrid. He spent 3 seasons in Real and i dont think your description fits to the side he had there.

And im talking about the midfield. In Porto, Chelsea 04-07 and Inter he played 4-3-3, in Real Madrid and now in Chelsea he plays 4-2-3-1. And its not just the formation, its the actual midfield players, he went from having Lampard/Sneijder - central midfilders, to Ozil - actual #10 who cant tackle. Also Khedira is not a quality box to box, i always saw him as a german Ramires. In current Chelsea his midfield is a mess - Fabregas is obviously not the DLP he wished to have, he had to settle for it becasue we couldnt get anyone else. Because of that he uses Ramires in the big games. Oscar is the odd man, is he a #10? a "Lampard/Sneijder"? We cant really tell because Cesc-Matic pivot doesnt fit Oscar.

I think by changing from 4-3-3 to 4-2-3-1 with 3 AMs, Jose tried to match his sides to the more attacking minded football we see today in Europe. He had to do it in Madrid to win the La Liga but also to please the fans.

In the last few years i heard him a few times saying "The formation i like in my teams is 4-2-3-1", something has changed. But him going after Pogba this summer might means he wanted to go back to 4-3-3.

Tbh, Jose's targets for the summer - Pogba, Pedro, Baba, Stones - would've made us a "perfect Mourinho side" for years if we got all of them. Maybe thats what the club wants, a side that would go for a decade with little changes.

And thats why they hesitate so much about getting stopgaps.

[cfcs most wanted 657]

Ronald Koeman likes this is the best

[kellzfresh 7,229]

I can agree with this description of a "perfect Mourinho side", but you could see a change in his views since he joined Real Madrid. He spent 3 seasons in Real and i dont think your description fits to the side he had there.

And im talking about the midfield. In Porto, Chelsea 04-07 and Inter he played 4-3-3, in Real Madrid and now in Chelsea he plays 4-2-3-1. And its not just the formation, its the actual midfield players, he went from having Lampard/Sneijder - central midfilders, to Ozil - actual #10 who cant tackle. Also Khedira is not a quality box to box, i always saw him as a german Ramires. In current Chelsea his midfield is a mess - Fabregas is obviously not the DLP he wished to have, he had to settle for it becasue we couldnt get anyone else. Because of that he uses Ramires in the big games. Oscar is the odd man, is he a #10? a "Lampard/Sneijder"? We cant really tell because Cesc-Matic pivot doesnt fit Oscar.

I think by changing from 4-3-3 to 4-2-3-1 with 3 AMs, Jose tried to match his sides to the more attacking minded football we see today in Europe. He had to do it in Madrid to win the La Liga but also to please the fans.

In the last few years i heard him a few times saying "The formation i like in my teams is 4-2-3-1", something has changed. But him going after Pogba this summer might means he wanted to go back to 4-3-3.

Tbh, Jose's targets for the summer - Pogba, Pedro, Baba, Stones - would've made us a "perfect Mourinho side" for years if we got all of them. Maybe thats what the club wants, a side that would go for a decade with little changes.

The change that happened in Madrid did not really affect his team because they had mobile players and natural dribblers everywhere. In their starting line-up (ronaldo, dimaria, benzema, ozil, marcelo, modric) could all make things happen on their own while we just have hazard and pedro. (willian is too shy to use his abilities)

The holding ball under pressure was never a problem for them, they had so many players that could cope with pressure in the starting line-up but we on the other hand need hazard to play well or else.

Then they had fast, technical centerbacks of Ramos and pépé to cope with counterattacks.

Even if Mourinho goes back to 4-3-3 with our current squad, we're still too physically limited or unathletic enough to compare with any team he's ever managed.

[nadavTKL 1,787]

The change that happened in Madrid did not really affect his team because they had mobile players and natural dribblers everywhere. In their starting line-up (ronaldo, dimaria, benzema, ozil, marcelo, modric) could all make things happen on their own while we just have hazard and pedro. (willian is too shy to use his abilities)

The holding ball under pressure was never a problem for them, they had so many players that could cope with pressure in the starting line-up but we on the other hand need hazard to play well or else.

Then they had fast, technical centerbacks of Ramos and pépé to cope with counterattacks.

Even if Mourinho goes back to 4-3-3 with our current squad, we're still too physically limited or unathletic enough to compare with any team he's ever managed.

Modric wasnt a starter for him though, thats a big difference. And i dont think Ozil made things on his own, both him and Di Maria were very inconsistent. I never rated Mourinho's RM that much, i always thought its not the real deal, its almost.

It was a better and more balanced side than the one we have now though, i agree about that.

[lionsden 4,689]

The fact that most people are now only criticising mourinho when in reality the only difference between the second half of last season and now is the result, shows how result oriented some fans really are. My prediction is, once we get a couple of wins under our belt, the teams garbage performances and issue with the team will be overlooked and swept under the carpet as usual. As fans, We have the lowest expectation and standard of the "top teams" on Europe.

[Stingray 9,441]

The fact that most people are now only criticising mourinho when in reality the only difference between the second half of last season and now is the result, shows how result oriented some fans really are. My prediction is, once we get a couple of wins underbpir belt, the teams garbage performance and issue with the team will be overlooked and swept under the carpet as usual. As fans, We have the lowest expectation of the "top teams" on Europe.

Ah yes. We are indeed fickle, prone to short term enjoyment. Its why we like smoking or drinking, but in the long run we die from it. The keyword remains: what is our vision?

I still believe - even with Mou - we are doing the fire fighting strategy. We have no strategy, no vision. We only have (or had) a strategy to win silverware in the short run.

You called it long before, and I do believe you are right, mate.

Ps: you are a great poster. Plz continue.

[Alan Partridge 1,124]

Remember that 3rd season when Jose was here when we signed shit like Sidwell?

Hope this season doesn't go that way

[lionsden 4,689]

Ah yes. We are indeed fickle, prone to short term enjoyment. Its why we like smoking or drinking, but in the long run we die from it. The keyword remains: what is our vision?

I still believe - even with Mou - we are doing the fire fighting strategy. We have no strategy, no vision. We only have (or had) a strategy to win silverware in the short run.

You called it long before, and I do believe you are right, mate.

Ps: you are a great poster. Plz continue.

Which contradicts everything Jose has been saying about being here for the long haul. If this is what we have to look forward to in the longterm then I'm certainly not filled with excitement.

I can imagine fans using our relatively subpar transfer window to exonerate Mourinho but the truth is, we are not a bum thing we still have a quality side that's capable of far better football than we have been showing. There's no reason why teams like Swansea and leicester with far inferior squad/team are producing better football/performances than us. yes our squad could be better but mourinho is not doing enough to get the best out of the current crop. Like you said, there's no sense of direction, strategy, philosophy with this team.

We had been getting away with it that our luck was always bound to run out. We are so bad right now that the team demonstrating the ability to defend and attack as a team will be a great start.

[nadavTKL 1,787]

We only have (or had) a strategy to win silverware in the short run.

I dont think its true that the club strategy is to only win in the short run. I think its completely the opposite.

Off the field, our primary targets this season were very young - Baba, Pogba and Stones. And we looked like not wanting stopgap signings. The club is looking for the future, the question is if Mourinho can do the same and if he's the rigt man. He need to show it this season.

[supporter 3,088]

Being in a difficult situation, such as where we are now, I think the smartest way that Jose could take is to go for young players.

If Jose plays with Iva - Cahill - JT - Azpi with Zouma in midfield it would be a terrible mistake. Especially when people start saying that Jose could be sacked as happened in 2007. (Incidentally, I am totally against a hypothetical change of manager, Jose is perfect for us, but he has to change his mind).

If Jose repeats an approach of the "bus" against Everton and we lose, the situation could become hysterically dramatic (metaphorically).

But if Jose bet on a new team, with players like Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Zouma, Baba, Oscar or Kenedy (in addition to Pedro), even losing the feelings would be very different.

It would not be a situation of paranoid drama because, at least, we would be betting on young players and trying to change our negative trend.

I'm not saying that a defeat could be good. In fact, if we do not fall into a situation of an anxiety attack, we can beat Everton clearly. In addition humiliate Martinez would be perfect.

But a team with Zouma - Baba - Ruben Loftus-Cheek - Oscar - Kenedy, with that team, Jose would be launching a strong message to some of our players to get their reactions and they stop being in a comfortable situation / with no competition / unmotivated.

Sometimes Jose says it is very difficult to bet on young players because of the difficulty / anxiety of being on a team that has to win every game. But now in a difficult situation where we are in - 8 points in the table, bet on young player is the best option because if we lose, at least we will be building a good future for the team. Betting on young people is easier now than ever.

[DYC. 7,542]

I can agree with this description of a "perfect Mourinho side", but you could see a change in his views since he joined Real Madrid. He spent 3 seasons in Real and i dont think your description fits to the side he had there.

And im talking about the midfield. In Porto, Chelsea 04-07 and Inter he played 4-3-3, in Real Madrid and now in Chelsea he plays 4-2-3-1. And its not just the formation, its the actual midfield players, he went from having Lampard/Sneijder - central midfilders, to Ozil - actual #10 who cant tackle. Also Khedira is not a quality box to box, i always saw him as a german Ramires. In current Chelsea his midfield is a mess - Fabregas is obviously not the DLP he wished to have, he had to settle for it becasue we couldnt get anyone else. Because of that he uses Ramires in the big games. Oscar is the odd man, is he a #10? a "Lampard/Sneijder"? We cant really tell because Cesc-Matic pivot doesnt fit Oscar.

I think by changing from 4-3-3 to 4-2-3-1 with 3 AMs, Jose tried to match his sides to the more attacking minded football we see today in Europe. He had to do it in Madrid to win the La Liga but also to please the fans.

In the last few years i heard him a few times saying "The formation i like in my teams is 4-2-3-1", something has changed. But him going after Pogba this summer might means he wanted to go back to 4-3-3.

Tbh, Jose's targets for the summer - Pogba, Pedro, Baba, Stones - would've made us a "perfect Mourinho side" for years if we got all of them. Maybe thats what the club wants, a side that would go for a decade with little changes.

And thats why they hesitate so much about getting stopgaps.

Inter was 4-3-1-2 and 4-2-3-1. Sneijder is very much a #10, and he can't tackle/defend either. He so often played with a midfield three consisting of Cambiasso/Motta/Stankovic/Muntari behind Sneijder, which helped mask Sneijder's deficiences off the ball and gave him a lot of freedom.

I don't think Mourinho's change from 4-3-3 to 4-2-3-1 has any deep meaning. Football keeps evolving so managers have to make changes. And you adapt to your material, not the other way around.

Besides, it's not like every match is played in a single shape. The shape of a team can change even up to three times in a match.

[CurlyHairLikeLuiz 1,625]

Mourinho loves this club, I trust him to knuckle down and get through it. If he does not then he is a weaker character than I thought.

Also, smh, so many players here now have said having Mourinho here swayed their decision in our favour (most recent example is Pedro) over a rival, say, MU or Arsenal. The board will know this. He himself will know this. We gave him a 4 year contract, he is going nowhere.

[zolayes 14,489]

My prediction: Ivanovic will start against Everton and Arsenal

[Essien19 1,415]

Which contradicts everything Jose has been saying about being here for the long haul. If this is what we have to look forward to in the longterm then I'm certainly not filled with excitement.

I can imagine fans using our relatively subpar transfer window to exonerate Mourinho but the truth is, we are not a bum thing we still have a quality side that's capable of far better football than we have been showing. There's no reason why teams like Swansea and leicester with far inferior squad/team are producing better football/performances than us. yes our squad could be better but mourinho is not doing enough to get the best out of the current crop. Like you said, there's no sense of direction, strategy, philosophy with this team.

We had been getting away with it that our luck was always bound to run out. We are so bad right now that the team demonstrating the ability to defend and attack as a team will be a great start.

Do i like the style of play from the team so far?

No, but what should we do?!

Mourinho has already shown his grumpiness, he is clearly unhappy with the performances of some players.

In the last game Mourinho brought Loftus-Cheek and Kenedy into the game, they performed well.

Instead of Loftus-Cheek or Kenedy there could have been Mikel...

A fellow fan thinks that the departure of Moses makes room for Kenedy or Traore, only the future will tell...

Have you seen the Champions-League Squad from Chelsea?

There are some good prospects in it, for example Loftus-Cheek, Kenedy, Traore, Baba, Zouma and so on...

Jose rewards good performances in training and limited time in matches.

The new guy Papy isn't in the squad, Mourinho prefers giving some young players a proper chance.

Why did it not work out for Kevin de Bruyne?

The player has to respect the manager, Zouma doesn't whine or moan in public, he accepts every decision.

That's how it should be...

Big managers have big egos, it takes time to cut some Champions out of the squad!

It has already started with the substitution of John Terry, they aren't untouchables anymore.

Yes, some of the players have thrown away too many chances to redeem themselves, but as Jose said: enough is enough!

He is going to change something....

The balance has gone down the drain, but why did it happen? No clue, maybe some of the players are satisfied with their medals, i don't know.

Yes, Mourinho is responsible for the approach, line-up and so on...

But i think he can fix it, for example the counter-attack which led to the goal against West Brom was top-class and without luck;

interception, switch of play and exact coordination between Pedro and Costa for the final pass!

You want to know about direction, strategy, philosophy of Mourinho? In my point of view that's a good start.

With all due respect, Rodgers, Van Gaal and Mr. Wenger haven't shown such a lovely piece of play this season, at least that's my opinion.

Where is Oscar, when we need him the most? His absence is a loss, no doubt about that. Willian's decision making is currently shocking!

Sooner than later he has to come back! The health problems of Oscar are not Mourinhos fault...

Ivanovic shouldn't be the only scapegoat, but he is nervous nowadays, he can't give Bolasie so much space!

In the future there has to be a change. Some of you call me naive, but i think Jose will do it, but first things first, Baba has to get in shape!

At the moment Swansea plays terrific football, i think some the guys could play for a top club.

The quality in the league is high, everyone can beat anybody.

Maybe you have still memories about Jack Cork, nowadays he dominates a lot of midfields; Congrats!

I like their possession football. I am not so sure, they can play like that throughout the season, we'll see....

I think some of the impressions are way too dark and onedimensional;

yes, they have to improve their style of play, 4/12 points are bad, little reinforcements,

but after 4 games, some improvements (counter vs. West Brom, Pedro and his crossing for Falcao and so on)

and seeing the likes of Loftus-Cheek and Kenedy actually play brings hope for the future.

You can't take away the medals and Mourinho has already shown that he is capable of playing spectacular football.

It will come good just needs little time...

In the end, if you could choose, which personality would excel and lead to club to glory in your point of view?

Maybe i am a fanboy, but i don't know any coach who has the skillset and the experience of Mourinho,

maybe Ancelotti, but that didn't work out. He rotates less than Jose, do you want that?

[lionsden 4,689]

Do i like the style of play from the team so far?

No, but what should we do?!

Mourinho has already shown his grumpiness, he is clearly unhappy with the performances of some players.

In the last game Mourinho brought Loftus-Cheek and Kenedy into the game, they performed well.

Instead of Loftus-Cheek or Kenedy there could have been Mikel...

A fellow fan thinks that the departure of Moses makes room for Kenedy or Traore, only the future will tell...

Are you seriously asking this question? Isn't that what we are paying the manager millions for, to get the best out of his squad and limit bad performances to a bare minimum while the team shows clear signs of improvement that we haven't seen since january.

For starters he could drop under-performing players like Ivanovic, fabregas, Costa, Matic et al and give chances to players like Baba (move azpi to right back), Remy, Kenedy, RLC and co. Also the way we have been relying on hazard and to a lesser extent fabregas for creativity and our horrendously poor defensive displays, the way we are constantly dominated and overrun in midfield against every decent opposition and so on reeks of tactical deficiency and flaws. we do not attack and defend well as a team and that's up to the manager to sort out.

Instead of Loftus-Cheek or Kenedy there could have been Mikel...

A fellow fan thinks that the departure of Moses makes room for Kenedy or Traore, only the future will tell...

Have you seen the Champions-League Squad from Chelsea?

There are some good prospects in it, for example Loftus-Cheek, Kenedy, Traore, Baba, Zouma and so on...

Jose rewards good performances in training and limited time in matches.

The new guy Papy isn't in the squad, Mourinho prefers giving some young players a proper chance.

Why did it not work out for Kevin de Bruyne?

The player has to respect the manager, Zouma doesn't whine or moan in public, he accepts every decision.

That's how it should be...

I have and it means absolutely nothing. The likes of Ake, RLC, Christensen,Bog also made last season UCL squad and we know what happened.

Jose rewards good performances in training and limited time in matches.

Since when? is that why Remy, one of our most productive players last season has been completely abandaoned and our best player in pre season, Moses has been shipped out on loan again without playing a single minute for us. What about Ake and Kalas what reward did they get for their good performances?

On the other hand it could be said that he definitely doesn't punish awful/bad performances from players he considers his favourite/untouchables like Ivanovic, fabregas,Costa just to name a few.