How can Jose Mourinho turn this Chelsea FC season around? Well, I have five solutions…
Talk about tables being turned in one season. Last time out we Chelsea fans were at the top of the world bragging our Blue color as Chelsea FC cantered to the Premier League title with our beloved Jose Mourinho at the helm.
Now we lie one spot above the relegation zone in 17th place. Our loyalties are going through a harsh litmus test.
Chelsea have started their title defense in a dreadful manner. The so called ‘Untouchables’ of Mourinho who steamrolled their way to the title last season are suddenly looking like the ‘Disposables’ (especially Branislav Ivanovic). Their performances are a far cry from the pure attacking ecstasy which we witnessed last season.
The reason for Chelsea’s miserable start to the season is not only because of their performances on the pitch, but some off the field incidents also.
A winning team is not only the result of the 11 players on the pitch but there must be a positive atmosphere around the club which helps the players and the manager instill a winning mindset before every game.
From day one this season, Stamford Bridge has not been a happy place. With the red cards and issues with staff members coupled with the problems on the pitch, Jose Mourinho is not the ‘Happy One’ as he claimed to be when he rejoined the West London club.
But Jose being the way he is, I still believe he is the one to turn things around for us. He is one of the best managers in the world and one of those rare specimens who exhibits grace under pressure. However, in order to turn things around, I believe the following 5 steps must be taken as a course of immediate action by the boss.
Next: 1. Utilise The New Signings
1. Utilise The New Signings
It is surprising that I have to reiterate this point in this article considering the footballing intellect of Mourinho and the blatant and obvious fact regarding the under performance of the players. Simply put, we did not have a good transfer window whatever the reason was. Other teams around us strengthened their squads while the Chelsea transfer committee only started to work when a week was left before the deadline.
Fortunately, we were able to sign some players although it is a doubt whether all of them were to Jose’s liking or not. Apart from Pedro, it’s uncertain whether Baba Rahman or Papy Djilobodji were his first choice signings. Even if Mourinho did not particularly handpick the recruits, with Chelsea’s current situation why refrain from using them?
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Abdul Baba Rahman is an established defender from Augsburg. Instead of keeping faith with a misfiring Ivanovic, Jose should immediately deploy Rahman into the right back position without any question. Mourinho is known for his game-changing decisions but leaving Ivanovic on the pitch despite his miserable performances is beyond any reason.
On the other hand, Papy Djilobodji, a player relatively unheard of has been bought as a compensation for not getting John Stones. Not only is he untested in the Premier League but he also doesn’t come with the credibility of Rahman.
Djilobodji is a central defensive midfielder and a center-back. Being a midfielder, it can be deduced from that fact that he has a considerable amount of pace, a feature which the Chelsea back line is devoid of at the moment. A reason enough for Mourinho to give Djilobodji a chance in the first 11 as soon as possible, especially when the lack of pace in the central defensive pairing of John Terry and Gary Cahill is being exploited by the opponents.
Next: 2. Solve The Eva Carneiro Case
2. Solve The Eva Carneiro Case
When talking about off-the-pitch controversies, this case has to be the one which comes to mind first. On the first day of the season against Swansea, Mourinho lost his composure and patience and ranted against the Chelsea doctor for going on the pitch to treat Eden Hazard. As a result the Blues were left with only 10 men to defend a last ditch Swansea free-kick.
Consequently, he sacked both Eva Carneiro and physio Jon Fearn from attending the Chelsea matches and brought in a new medical staff.
Such a move by the manager brought in huge criticism from the both the pundits and the Football Medical Association who totally supported Dr. Carneiro as she was rightly abiding by her duties as per the laws.
Although Mourinho has praised his medical staff in subsequent press conferences, it doesn’t seem to be lightening the situation as reports have surfaced that Eva Carniero is planning legal action against Chelsea. If true, such actions can escalate the situation to a whole another level.
Such tense and unwanted distractions around the club often impact negatively on the players and the manager. It can consequently affect the performances on the pitch as well. Jose Mourinho should put an end to this in whatever way possible before it completely gets out of hand.
Next: 3. Use The January Transfer Window Wisely
3. Use The January Transfer Window Wisely
As stated earlier, the summer transfer window has been an utter failure which calls for smart use of the January transfer window.
Apart from the Premier League, Chelsea have a chance to win the FA Cup, the Capital One Cup and the Champions League. But it is appropriate to say that the squad, being as good as it is, needs reinforcements to get level with their European counterparts.
Chelsea’s starting XI may be strong (albeit misfiring at the moment). However, they lack serious depth on the bench, players who can inflict damage and get the job done when given the responsibility. With all due respect, a loan signing of Falcao, Baba Rahman and an inexperienced Djilobodji, along with Pedro won’t cut it at the highest level.
I don’t mean that Chelsea have to go for a big money move in January although I wouldn’t mind Paul Pogba coming in (a Chelsea loyalist can dream!), but Jose has to identify the holes and fill them sufficiently, like he did last season with so much success.
Chelsea are known to be one of the best teams when it comes to making quick transfer dealings. Last season, they acted fast and got the likes of Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas after they settled the deals in the early hours of the transfer window.
The transfer committee must be on its toes once the January window opens and get the essential players. With some new players Chelsea may be able to fight on multiple fronts with a greater chance of success. Not all is lost. As the Starks say, ‘Winter is Coming’.
Next: 4. Prioritise The Champions League
4. Prioritise The Champions League
Many may call me delusional after reading this and especially during a time when we are getting steamrolled by Everton. However, I believe that the Premier League is out of our hands now and there is no way we can close an 11 point gap on an unstoppable Manchester City.
The only other big tournament up for grabs is the Champions League and that is the only trophy which Jose Mourinho has not lifted with Chelsea.
If I am to be realistic, I believe he should now prioritize the Champions League over the Premier League and should aim for a top 4 finish in the league through which we can guarantee a CL spot for next season.
Let’s take a hypothetical situation which is also realistic in nature. Chelsea can fare well in the group stages and make it to the round of 16 as they have been handed a relatively easy group.
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The round of 16 starts in Feb 2016, and provided that the Blues have a good January transfer window, with a reinforced squad who knows what can happen?
The Champions League along with either the FA Cup or the Capital One Cup and a top 4 finish, and suddenly the season looks like a success. Hell, the Champions League and 15th would be a success too.
As of this moment, beating the likes of Bayern Munich, Barcelona or Real Madrid seems like an impossible task but to all the non-believers I say: REMEMBER MUNICH 2012.
Next: 5. Mourinho Must Stay Calm
5. Mourinho Must Stay Calm
Jose Mourinho is not feeling the pressure at Chelsea. I actually believed him when he said that he is not under pressure, instead opting to share his concern for the refugees and state that they are ones who are under the real pressure.
It is Mourinho after all, how can he feel the pressure? Such is the irony of life that I was proved wrong just hours after this. The Chelsea boss was reportedly involved in a verbal spat with Roberto Martinez where he was heard swearing at the Everton boss.
This has raised a question not only in me but in many, has Mourinho lost it?
The Portuguese manager has always been an outspoken man who is not afraid to share his opinions. Such an attitude has made him a darling of the media and us fans as well. We all like a manager who is bold enough to challenge the norms even if he gets indicted for it at times.
We have come to love his siege mentality that he has instilled in the club and we aren’t afraid to face the world with him at the helm.
But, at times like these, we come to realize the fact that sometimes such a personality can work against the person. Mourinho has already attracted negative criticism for the Carniero case and he doesn’t need more of the same. Furthermore, the players and the fans don’t need more of the same either.
Mourinho should now keep himself more composed in heated situations, go about his job quietly and work towards turning this season around.
We love our manager for the bold and brave person that he is, but for now, Jose, can we keep it on the down low?
Next: Asmir Begovic: We Cannot Feel Sorry For Ourselves