In what will come as a surprise to no one, Arsenal FC manager Arsene Wenger has given his 2 pence to the media regarding his ever-evolving feelings of Jose Mourinho. According to BBC Sport, Wenger said in his pre-Hull City match presser, “The biggest thing for a manager is to respect other managers. Some people have to improve on that.” In response, the Chelsea boss brushed off any question relating to Wenger in his own press conference.
Earlier in the week, according Mourinho said, “You know, boring I think is 10 years without a title. That’s very boring. You support the club and you’re waiting, waiting, waiting for so many years without a Premier League title, so that’s very boring.” This was in response to the boring criticism from Arsenal supporters during the 0-0 draw at the Emirates on Sunday. The response may have been the painful truth, but it isn’t wrong.
Jose Mourinho.
Credits: In Mou We Trust. (Flickr Creative Commons)
When asked multiple questions relating to Wenger, Jose, with an annoyed look, motioned with his hand as to brush off the questions. Then in what has become a boring question in itself, a journo asked for an explanation as to why Chelsea are viewed as a “boring” team? The Special One responded, “I do to that the same thing I do to Wenger,” and with that it was sorted.
Mourinho is about to win the Premier League in his 2nd season back in England, a remarkable accomplishment. The Special One apologizes to no one. After all, he’s been top of the table since August. Wenger should worry about having his own house in order before criticizing a more successful manager. The truth is, Wenger never respected Chelsea or Mourinho.
Years of complaints and criticism from Wenger about the spending on veteran players to bolster the Chelsea ranks rather than developing youth players has seen the tables turned. Arsenal have spent Mourinho is an unapologetic genius. According to Talk Sport, since Mourinho returned to London, Chelsea have a net spend of 65 million pounds, compared to the 86 million spent at Arsenal, including 35 million pounds on Alexis Sanchez.
He keeps attention on himself, diverts it from the players, and allows them to flourish on the pitch and win trophies. It’s quite a surprise to me that a veteran manager such as Wenger hasn’t learned this yet. They’re mind games. The more you respond to Jose and let him in your head, the worse it will get.
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Personally, I liken the defensive tactics employed by Mourinho to American football. When you’re leading late in the game (or late in the Premier League campaign) you try to kill off the clock, run the ball, and play a prevent defense that aims to bend and not break (parking the bus). No one has an issue with it in that sport, so why the vitriol for Chelsea?
I suppose Arsenal deserve a trophy because of a few wonder goals here and there from Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez, and Olivier Giroud? All that will get you is the ‘Arsenal FC 4th Place Trophy.’ To be able to defend is a key attribute when Mourinho picks his squad. He likes Willian, Oscar, Hazard, Fabregas, et al, because of their ability to track back and defend, as well as move forward and attack.
Besides, over the first half of the season Chelsea was labeled as one of the top attacking clubs in the world. What happened since is a rash of injuries to a key scorer, Diego Costa. When Eden Hazard had Oscar as well as Costa to tie up defenders, he had more space to work.
The Player of the Year still managed to find the net without Costa up front, but it hamstrings (no pun intended) the ability to go forward for the Blues with the same pace as was seen in September. The fact of the matter is, Chelsea win titles. Titles are remembered forever. Scoring fancy goals and coming in 4th is not.
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