Chelsea FC vs Crystal Palace: Post-Match Reflections
Mourinho’s Misguided Loyalty
In the post-match press conference after the game, Mourinho clearly acknowledged the fact that he was more to blame for the defeat than any other factor. He indicated that his trust in the quality of certain players has not been reciprocated, that 2-3 of his trusted players had failed to perform on Saturday and that he made the mistake of not taking off at least one of them during the game.
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Even though he failed to mention the players in question when prompted, it is clear even to the most ignorant of football followers that 2 of the players are Ivanovic and Fabregas, both of whom, along with Nemanja Matic, have been the worst players in the team so far this season.
But citing underperforming players as the main issue is typical Mourinho nonsense. His persistence in using Cesar Azpilicueta down the left has been one of Chelsea’s major problems. Dave (as he is fondly called), is a class act no doubt. But the Spaniard’s inability to use his left foot means that he offers next to nothing going forward, which is probably one of the main reasons why Chelsea (and Hazard) have struggled to be more of a threat on that flank.
It is also more baffling when you consider the fact that Ivanovic (whom Mourinho has named vice captain) has been pretty terrible playing Dave’s preferred right-back position and Baba Rahman (an actual left-back signed for £21million) was seated on the bench but didn’t come on at all.
It is for this same reason that Filipe Luis was forced to leave Chelsea just before the season commenced, yet Mourinho doesn’t seem to have learned anything whatsoever. It is pretty clear that he is not the only one to blame as the board’s lacklustre attitude to dealing with transfers has played a part.
The Blues only recently missed out on the chance to sign Monaco’s Aymen Abdennour, who joined Valencia for £15m despite indicating a preference for a move to Chelsea. But Mourinho’s stubbornness and misguided loyalty to certain players is pulling the team backwards, and he may become the first managerial casualty of the season if things do not improve soon.
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