The Mourinho Thread

[LAM09 6,742]

Who knows what Jose did, or did not, try to do in the summer? As events unfolded he changed his tune but, long before the season ended, he was talking about the need for three or four signings in the window. I commented on it at the time because: -

• He never says so many.
• He always signs more players than he initially predicts so, if he said up to four, then how many did he actually think were required?

Does anyone believe that the players we signed last summer were the whole of the list Jose had in mind when he made those comments? Does anyone doubt that, when he later said we were OK without new signings, he was simply reacting to the fact that our plans had gone badly and that it was not right to announce our failures to any remaining targets?

Be all that as it may, surely the truth of Jose's statement quoted above is evident to anyone who watches the team. I and many others said it before Jose did. (Publicly that is.)

Jose was criticised for the switch he made after the Tottenham game in January 2015. Countless trillions of photons have hurtled into our eyes carrying the moans about the ugliness of Chelsea's football after that time*. The change was necessary however because that was the only way this lot would gather enough points to ensure the title. Sadly for the club that trophy merely convinced the squad that they are better than is really the case, that they had outgrown TSO, and that they could do it their own way. As a result; they downed tools, betrayed Jose's methods and allowed the spectre of relegation to move into our house.

What have our players done since Jose left? They have picked up their tools again and set about proving, if proof were needed, that Jose was right. They may be trying but they are not very good. Which of us really needed that proof however? Not me.

 

*Please don't tell me we were brilliant before Christmas last season. Anyone who thinks that, wasn't watching. We were fluent for about six weeks until sides began to suss us out. After that, with few exceptions, it was clunkey all the way until the results began to be threatened and Jose made the change.

I think it all boils down to the board for part of the failure. A team always needs improving once a title is won, but that didn't happen. The squad we have/had was no way good enough to repeat last season efforts and the form of Hazard this season has just made things worse.

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

3 hours ago, Special Juan said:

Adrian Durham piece on The Mail

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3503746/Chelsea-players-disgrace-Thibaut-Courtois-average-John-Terry-club-look-bad-Eden-Hazard-joke-looks-like-Chester.html

The keywords link consist of 'disgrace Tibo', 'average JT club', 'bad Eden Hazard joke' make me scary. Too afraid to open it.

Wait, did I mistakenly extract the keywords?

[manpe 10,861]

39 minutes ago, RoyalBlues said:

The keywords link consist of 'disgrace Tibo', 'average JT club', 'bad Eden Hazard joke' make me scary. Too afraid to open it.

Wait, did I mistakenly extract the keywords?

Subject: Chelsea players are a disgrace! Thibaut Courtois is average, John Terry made the club look bad and Eden Hazard is a joke who looks like he should be at Chester

And then, 
Maybe Eden Hazard should be stripped of last year's player of the year title

As if this season's form has anything to do with last season's. Joke of a journalist.

[Blue Colored Sky 1,807]

9 hours ago, OhForAGreavsie said:

 

Who knows what Jose did, or did not, try to do in the summer? As events unfolded he changed his tune but, long before the season ended, he was talking about the need for three or four signings in the window. I commented on it at the time because: -

• He never says so many.
• He always signs more players than he initially predicts so, if he said up to four, then how many did he actually think were required?

Does anyone believe that the players we signed last summer were the whole of the list Jose had in mind when he made those comments? Does anyone doubt that, when he later said we were OK without new signings, he was simply reacting to the fact that our plans had gone badly and that it was not right to announce our failures to any remaining targets?

Be all that as it may, surely the truth of Jose's statement quoted above is evident to anyone who watches the team. I and many others said it before Jose did. (Publicly that is.)

 

Sorry Greavsie but Jose doesn't defend himself here. I read every comment he makes since his Inter days. I made my dissapointment with Chelsea style and approach clear here during last spring. But I was still Jose through and through fan, I still love the man, even today. Tried to change that but I can't. You can't see that but even now I stopped writing this post for a while because it hitted me that Chelsea fired Jose and he is no longer here. I should get over this but it's hard, it still strikes me through the times when I think reasonably and calculate that this was much of a good decision to simply cry inside because for some people you have such affection even though they're wrong. But that is for my personal diggresion.

So imagine that why my frustration over Chelsea performance was big enough I tried to grasp any hint that yes, the summer overhaul is needed and it will be done. Yet he didn't speak. Can you imagine ? The only loop he left when he was saying on Chelsea Player of the Season Award ceremony, spoke that now everyone will try to catch them so everyone has to be better including himself. And that's it. Maybe now I'm missing something so I'm open to see links and quotes.

He even said that thing, and that was after the season ended that "who can improve Chelsea, who can be better RB than Ivanovic, better CM than Matic etc.", that infamous quote all remember. He also repeated several times in conference that Chelsea have to be better and improve but through work, not NECCESARLY signing new player. What was that all about ? He was really quiet in that matter that Chelsea have to improve and buy BETTER player. If anything, he only assured that everything is all right in that department.

Then it was that outburst after the game against Crystal Palace, losing to them, losing at Stamford Bridge. Why only now he let his frustration heard ? The timing of this, straight after the game, he is always frustrated after a lost game and knowing him transfers may well be suitable excuse. ESPECIALLY as he wasn't so open about needing of new players.

And what exact players he was expecting ? You know, he signed a contract worth between 8 to 12 m£ for 4 years including his staff, I'm thinking Chelsea commited 40 to even 50m£ for their manager. You think that they wouldn't sign a player for him after commiting to such huge number ? I don't know, he wrote Pogba, Griezmann and Stones in the notes at the end of April and expected to all this go through or bust ? Chelsea tried all 3 of them, failed in all 3 cases. But again, Chelsea were much commited to Jose so if there was a case of signing more realistic targets, let's say Payet, Imbula, they wouldn't do it ? For the manager to whom they agreed to commit 40-50m£ ? It sounds unrealistic to me.

Finally, why he signed his new contract when board was playing with him ?

[OhForAGreavsie 5,890]

14 hours ago, Blue Colored Sky said:

Sorry Greavsie but Jose doesn't defend himself here.

Thanks for the detailed response BCS. I enjoyed reading it.

14 hours ago, Blue Colored Sky said:

...I tried to grasp any hint that yes, the summer overhaul is needed and it will be done. Yet he didn't speak. Can you imagine ? The only loop he left when he was saying on Chelsea Player of the Season Award ceremony, spoke that now everyone will try to catch them so everyone has to be better including himself. And that's it. Maybe now I'm missing something so I'm open to see links and quotes.

"I want a striker, because we lost our legend [Drogba]," Mourinho said in May. "Also a defender and a midfield player to give a little bit more competitiveness to the squad, bring some new blood in, put some players a little bit under pressure."  ESPN

Also this interview. http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11668/9863904/jose-mourinho-eyes-premier-league-title-defence-with-new-additions

There were other statements too. Google must be able to help.

Bear in mind that in every transfer window during which Jose was manager, Chelsea signed more players than Jose initially claimed they would. Every single one. Although his public comments were always conservative there was a press conference I watched where he talked about wanting 3 or 4 signings and wanting to have the business done before he went on holiday. Clearly no manager wants to unsettle his squad by saying they all need to be replaced, so of course he made statements about being happy with what he has. Every manager in the history of the world ever, says that but his other comments speak volumes about what he was really thinking. The implication is clear, only after the deals failed to arrive did he start to change his tune. He did so, I think, to hide the fact that we were not succeeding with our targets, to pretended that everything was fine. We knew, and he knew, that it was not.

14 hours ago, Blue Colored Sky said:

Then it was that outburst after the game against Crystal Palace, losing to them, losing at Stamford Bridge. Why only now he let his frustration heard ? The timing of this, straight after the game, he is always frustrated after a lost game and knowing him transfers may well be suitable excuse. ESPECIALLY as he wasn't so open about needing of new players

Because he was frustrated. Of course he had been open about needing new players and indeed, just in the last few weeks we've read a number of comments from officials of other clubs confirming that they turned down bids from Chelsea in the summer. We needed new players, the boss knew it, and the club knew it too.

15 hours ago, Blue Colored Sky said:

Finally, why he signed his new contract when board was playing with him ?

The club was not playing with him. We tried to get the players. They were not available, not affordable or not interested.

[xPetrCechx 13,563]

[xPetrCechx 13,563]

 

 

[Blue Armour 4,278]

2 hours ago, xPetrCechx said:

 

 

 

Haha,..no doubt Mourinho lost a major ally in the dressing room with Drogba's departure.

[Jase 43,479]

Jose Mourinho says he wants new job in a place 'where I'm truly wanted'

The Deluded One.

[petre.ispirescu 4,928]

Every day that goes by I get the feeling that he is closer to Real Madrid than Man United. Madrid will probably get past Wolfsburg, but that's about it, can't see them going all the way. And frankly even if they did beat Barcelona a week ago, league is over for them. That will make it two seasons in a row w/o a single trophy. They will be in for major changes in the summer, no doubt about it. 

While Man United, although they have not been at their best, Van Gaal has had to deal with lots of injuries during the entire season. Still, they are in for a Champions League spot and I get this feeling that if they are to finish in top 4, then Van Gaal will stay put for another season. 

[Laylabelle 9,351]

Yeah can see him getting another season.not doing to bad chance to qualify and reach far cup semi finals.If same results next year though reckon that be it

Just read on BBC he's turned down Syrian coaching job..

 

[Iggy Doonican 4,186]

If he does get the Man United job more fools them from the outside looking in all the Mourinho apologists will soon realise what a twat the man is. Sell the best players, piss everyone one off from the tea lady to the lady doctor, spend huge amounts on second rate players hello Mr Cuadrado, rely on one player to win you the league but feel free to still slag him off even though if Hazard got injured last Christmas we would have won fuck all we limped over the line as it was. Can't wait for Conte because he accepts players as they are look at Oscar for fuck sake the special one took a potential massive talent into someone who makes James Milner look like Zidane.

[MichaelDance 552]

14 hours ago, Jason said:

Jose Mourinho says he wants new job in a place 'where I'm truly wanted'

The Deluded One.

I suppose he means the Board mate he knows us fans have always had his back and love him, as for Courtois if he did say that, he can fuck right back off to Belgium with Hazard.... We lost Cech to give him the first spot on the team sheet the first he can do is support the guy who gave him that spot.

[Essien19 1,415]

If he does get the Man United job more fools them from the outside looking in all the Mourinho apologists will soon realise what a twat the man is. Sell the best players, piss everyone one off from the tea lady to the lady doctor, spend huge amounts on second rate players hello Mr Cuadrado, rely on one player to win you the league but feel free to still slag him off even though if Hazard got injured last Christmas we would have won fuck all we limped over the line as it was. Can't wait for Conte because he accepts players as they are look at Oscar for fuck sake the special one took a potential massive talent into someone who makes James Milner look like Zidane.

He made mistakes, maybe wasn't as friendly as before. The press conferences were a bit grumpy, mhh.

Buying some light fast attacking wingers, that happens under Jose's watch, but there's a blindspot, back in the day Wright-Phillips wasn't good enough. That was the start, imo.

Speaking of mistakes, yes Kevin de Bruyne...

but apart from that, the likes of Willian, Costa, Fabregas, integrating Courtois... give credit where credit is due, imo.

Matic is a special case, one excellent year, we needed his stablity, i don't think his regression is solely on Jose, he himself is the main problem.

Jose won us 8 trophies in 5 years, i think some gratitude is needed.

I feel a lot of anger, but dividing the community is never a good thing.

I'm a big fan of his, of course i will keep tabs on how he's doing, but like most of squad here we all watch Chelsea, because that's what we are.

Yes, we try to find positive things to convince ourselves that Conte will be a success story, a even better one than Jose. But if he backs Oscar, the mood around here will change quickly, then you're in for a massive shock, because guns will be pointed at him.

Oscar's not shining under Hiddink so far, last season he was useful, mhh.

[Jase 43,479]

9 hours ago, MichaelDance said:

I suppose he means the Board mate he knows us fans have always had his back and love him, as for Courtois if he did say that, he can fuck right back off to Belgium with Hazard.... We lost Cech to give him the first spot on the team sheet the first he can do is support the guy who gave him that spot.

Sure, the board did make mistakes but you can't tell he he didn't have the board's backing. Almost everyone wanted him to stay at the club - he even got a 3-year contract extension! - but it's his antics (to put it kindly) that forced people to not want him. It's the same story wherever he's been and he's seriously deluded if he doesn't see the error of his ways yet.

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

23 hours ago, petre.ispirescu said:

Every day that goes by I get the feeling that he is closer to Real Madrid than Man United. Madrid will probably get past Wolfsburg, but that's about it, can't see them going all the way. And frankly even if they did beat Barcelona a week ago, league is over for them. That will make it two seasons in a row w/o a single trophy. They will be in for major changes in the summer, no doubt about it. 

While Man United, although they have not been at their best, Van Gaal has had to deal with lots of injuries during the entire season. Still, they are in for a Champions League spot and I get this feeling that if they are to finish in top 4, then Van Gaal will stay put for another season. 

Moratti sister seems pretty sure Jose to MU done deal.

[Iggy Doonican 4,186]

1 hour ago, Essien19 said:

He made mistakes, maybe wasn't as friendly as before. The press conferences were a bit grumpy, mhh.

Buying some light fast attacking wingers, that happens under Jose's watch, but there's a blindspot, back in the day Wright-Phillips wasn't good enough. That was the start, imo.

Speaking of mistakes, yes Kevin de Bruyne...

but apart from that, the likes of Willian, Costa, Fabregas, integrating Courtois... give credit where credit is due, imo.

Matic is a special case, one excellent year, we needed his stablity, i don't think his regression is solely on Jose, he himself is the main problem.

Jose won us 8 trophies in 5 years, i think some gratitude is needed.

I feel a lot of anger, but dividing the community is never a good thing.

I'm a big fan of his, of course i will keep tabs on how he's doing, but like most of squad here we all watch Chelsea, because that's what we are.

Yes, we try to find positive things to convince ourselves that Conte will be a success story, a even better one than Jose. But if he backs Oscar, the mood around here will change quickly, then you're in for a massive shock, because guns will be pointed at him.

Oscar's not shining under Hiddink so far, last season he was useful, mhh.

Willian, Costa, Fabregas and Courtois have been inconsistent to say the least. Mourinho won trophies yes but at what cost?. He does what he always does and that is to burn his bridges wherever he goes. To take a championship winning team to the brink of the relegation zone is appalling who ever the manager is especially when your the self appointed '' Special One''.

[Essien19 1,415]

Willian, Costa, Fabregas and Courtois have been inconsistent to say the least. Mourinho won trophies yes but at what cost?. He does what he always does and that is to burn his bridges wherever he goes. To take a championship winning team to the brink of the relegation zone is appalling who ever the manager is especially when your the self appointed '' Special One''.

Most of guys i know (fans of other clubs) would have gladly accepted an abymsal season but as the being the current champions.

We all fucked it up, some people are more to blame than others, Jose played his part.

He crossed a line, why did he do it?

It's a travesty what happened, he is a Chelsea man, belonged to us and the club, lost for words and still very sad about it.

I know it's easy to belittle him, i think it's direspectful, we don't talk shit about our goners, but whatever floats your boat, mhh.

Willian was never as poor as Fabregas and Costa. Sometimes he was frustrating in the final third, but his overall style of play was ok, imo.

Courtois had a serious injury and was out for months, yes, he should have protected his near post better, i agree,

but he has excuses, imo.

Should stop with the bad mouthing, but that's a different problem, nothing to do with his performances.

One can only hope for better times next season.