Chelsea FC are in tough spot. They need to find inspiration before the campaign completely derails
The refugees may be having the toughest of times as correctly stated by Jose Mourinho, but the people associated with Chelsea FC, be it the fans or the players, aren’t going through the happiest of times either with the club’s title defense seemingly crumbling down after just 5 games.
With 4 points thus far, this is Chelsea’s worst start to a season since 1988. With 12 goals conceded, Chelsea have the worst defensive record as of this moment in the whole of the Premier League and suddenly the prolific event of lifting the Premier League trophy just 3 months back feels a light year away.
Everything seems to be going against Mourinho at the moment. And by everything, I mean mostly the defense which is lying in tatters and filled with flaws. Last season, it was because of a certain Nemanja Matic and a strong backline that Chelsea were able to balance their play and thus strolled towards winning the title.
This season, however, it seems as though the opposition have discovered a remedy to Chelsea’s dominance by attacking their defense which is devoid of pace. With Branislav Ivanovic at 31, John Terry at 34 and Gary Cahill being naturally slow in pace, the teams are constantly attacking them head on and at tremendous pace. As of this moment, Terry and co. have no answers.
Also the club’s attacking talent are anonymous at the moment. Cesc Fabregas especially is totally out of sorts; he is second guessing before every pass while his positioning at times is creating problems for his central midfield partner Matic. He just looks bereft of any confidence at the moment.
Diego Costa seems to be working too hard where, rather than focusing on helping his team mates, he is putting all his energy in creating unwanted issues with other players. While this is really irritating to the opponents, it is also to us fans.
Jose Mourinho used the same team throughout last season where players featured week in and out. After the campaign, they then embarked on the world tour for friendlies which took a toll on the players resulting in fatigue. Even Jose himself cribbed about making his team travel halfway across the world for exhibitions when he felt that they should have been given a well deserved rest.
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The whole team still looks tired and the creative players up front have run out of ideas. This sentiment is reflected by the fact that Chelsea could only muster 2 shots on target in the game against Everton. There seems to be a lack of hunger and enthusiasm in the whole team and the squad is in dire need of motivation and inspiration.
When the first team players are leggy, the next step is to change them with those on the bench who are capable of filling in. Unfortunately, Chelsea don’t seem to have that strong a bench who can assume the responsibility when called upon. Chelsea’s lack of rotation last season was reason enough for the transfer committee to go out and spend on players in this transfer market but they have failed to do so appropriately.
Chelsea being inactive in the transfer market is a rare sight. Yes, the Blues were miles ahead than others in terms of the quality of players but their rivals consolidated their squads to a huge extent which called for the same in the Chelsea camp. But surprisingly the Blues did not make a move until the last week of the transfer market with their failed attempts on Paul Pogba and John Stones.
Was it because of the lack of transfer funds (a consequence of their plans to redevelop Stamford Bridge) or was it sheer complacency? No matter what the reason, Chelsea’s lack of transfer activity will haunt them for the rest of the season.
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Winning the title is a challenge in itself, but for defending it, one needs a totally different and stiff mentality which Mourinho’s 2004 Chelsea team was an embodiment of. This team may have a better balance in terms of offensive and defensive play, but after witnessing the start of this season, it seems that the players lack that mental toughness and grit which a 38-game defence requires.
These attributes also emanate from the manager himself. Like last season, Chelsea’s arrogance and ruthlessness in games stemmed from Mourinho. It was Jose and Chelsea against the world.
This season, however, from day one against Swansea the atmosphere around the club was rocked by the sending off of a Chelsea player. Then to make matters more interesting with regard to the media, the clash of Jose with his medical staff and especially Eva Carneiro added an extra unwanted dimension. To instill motivation to a squad who are not performing well, a manager himself must lead by example and inspire his charges.
The question is whether Mourinho is internally motivated and positive to lead his team at the moment when surrounded by controversies.
The Eva Carneiro row has brought much unwelcome and negative attention to the club and it is sad to admit, but it has besmirched the name of both Chelsea FC and the manager. This is not the right atmosphere for a manager to be working in. With reports of Carneiro seeking legal action against the club, things are not looking better.
‘I am the man for the job. I don’t think there is better man who could do my job.’ –Jose Mourinho
Fortunately, Jose is also said to be at his best when under the pressure of the media and such situations (although being 16th in the table is a first for him). He needs to take a good look in the mirror and then revisit 2004 to derive a stimulus and apply the same spirit to the present predicament that he is in.
He has a good team and he knows he is a brilliant manager, but when a squad are facing hurdles twice their height it takes something special to overcome them. But isn’t this the very reason we know him as the Special One?
Next: Chelsea FC Fall At Everton