Chelsea FC vs Crystal Palace: Post-Match Reflections
Final Thoughts
Alan Pardew may be Mourinho’s closest pal among the coaches in the EPL, but it doesn’t seem to extend to relations on the pitch. Pardew has more victories over Mourinho than any other manager that the Portuguese has faced in the Premier League, with Saturday’s game bringing his tally to 4 wins.
Pardew has also inspired Palace to become a real force away from home, with Saturday’s result making it his 8th win in 10 away games as Crystal Palace manager. He seems to have finally put behind him the difficulties he faced in his last few months at Newcastle United.
Many have labelled Mourinho a monster, arrogant, deceptive, deceitful and many more negative adjectives. But the loyalty and affection he generates from the majority of the players he has managed cannot be questioned. He showed why on Saturday when he went to pay his condolences to Yannick Bolasie, who lost his father a few weeks ago.
Jose’s attention to every detail, no matter how little, as well as his unending interest in the affairs of his charges, football related or not, makes him the special manager that he is. This is why even the players who claim to despise him cannot resist the urge to play for him when the opportunity arises, like Samuel Eto’o and Cesc Fabregas.
It is high time that Mourinho does something about Branislav Ivanovic. The 31-year old Serbian has had a nightmare start to the season and has unarguably been Chelsea’s worst player so far this season. However, the signing of Baba Rahman from Augsburg early this month means that the Blues no longer have to continue watching Ivanovic being burned by every Tom, Dick and Harry (or more appropriately, every Montero, Sterling and Zaha). Mourinho now has to do what is best for the team by moving Azpilicueta to his more suited right-back role and making full use of his expensive left-back arrival.
Chelsea need to find a way to get out of this early season slump in performances, and soon, if they want to have any realistic chance of winning a major trophy this year (and by major trophy I mean the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup!).
Hazard needs to get out of the funk he is currently in and get back to the player whom Mourinho declared as the 2nd best player in the world behind Lionel Messi. Oscar, meanwhile, needs to start fulfilling the potential that allowed Mourinho to sell Juan Mata. In general, all the players need to start justifying the faith that Mourinho has placed in their abilities to better their performances of last season.
Finally, Chelsea’s board need to start making contingency plans about dealing with the imminent exits of John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic, because on evidence of their performances so far this season, it is looking less likely that they will be offered new contracts for the next campaign.
Next: Chelsea FC Reveal Model For Stamford Bridge Renovations