Three games are left in the 2013/14 Premier League season with Chelsea being second place, 5 points off leaders, Liverpool.
The defeat to Sunderland, last weekend, made it almost impossible for Chelsea to win the Premier League title. Fabio Borini’s late penalty goal secured the 3 points for the relegation threatened Sunderland and it also ended Jose Mourinho’s impressive 77 games unbeaten Premier League home record with Chelsea. However, it was an absolute nightmare for all Chelsea fans around the world.
“I just want to say four things and I’m sorry because if you ask me more questions, I’ll repeat exactly the same thing,” said Mourinho, who had not spoken at his previous three press conference following his fine for entering the pitch during a defeat at Aston Villa last month.
“Congratulations to my players because they gave what they have and what they don’t have.
“Congratulations to Sunderland, because they won.
“Congratulations to Mike Dean, because he made a fantastic performance.
“And congratulations to Mike Riley, because what they did during the season was fantastic for the way the championship is going.
“Congratulations to all of them – and I have nothing more to say.” – Jose Mourinho
source : Sky Sports
Typical Jose Mourinho, he took the blame away from his players after a defeat. I’m not saying Chelsea weren’t robbed in that game, however Chelsea didn’t play well, and didn't deserved the 3 points. Had it been anyone but Mourinho, Chelsea fans would have been making a campaign to sack the manager as Chelsea are likely to lose the title in the last 4 games. The expensive “little horse” is losing the race.
In 2 transfer windows this season, Chelsea have spent around £100 m (read below). It’s realistic if Chelsea boards and fans expected better ending for this season from Jose Mourinho and the players.
| PLAYER | FROM | FEE | DATE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andre Schurrle | B Leverkusen | £18,000,000 | 25 Jun, 2013 |
| Marco van Ginkel | Vitesse Arn. | £8,000,000 | 05 Jul, 2013 |
| Mark Schwarzer | Fulham | Free | 09 Jul, 2013 |
| Willian | Anzhi | £32,000,000 | 28 Aug, 2013 |
| Samuel Eto’o | Anzhi | Free | 29 Aug, 2013 |
| Christian Atsu | Porto | £3,500,000 | 01 Sep, 2013 |
| Nemanja Matic | Benfica | £21,000,000 | 15 Jan, 2014 |
| Mohamed Salah | Basle | £11,000,000 | 26 Jan, 2014 |
| Kurt Zouma | St-Etienne | £12,500,000 | 31 Jan, 2014 |
| Total: £106,000,000 | |||
At the start of the season, with the squad that was available, who would expect Chelsea spend £100m and still not having a squad that could win the title?
The striker role has taken the limelight for years, as it's the role Chelsea need to improve immediately. Yet, Chelsea only added Samuel Eto’o on a costless transfer and loaned out the best one in my opinion, Romelu Lukaku to Everton. £100m and Chelsea only added Eto’o for the weak link of the team. Who to blame?
On a tactical note, Chelsea play a defensive counter attacking 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3.
This system used by Mourinho usually works well against attacking teams, as Chelsea puts 8-9 players on their own half, and attack the opponents’ on counter through their pacey midfielders. This allows Hazard to be the main creator of the team, especially with Mata’s departure to Manchester United. Hazard has been doing well in the role and is definitely Chelsea's best attacker this season. Besides having an incredibly talented attacking midfield, Chelsea's defenders are mostly aerial type and this creates an advantage to attack from set-pieces.
However, when the opponents play defensive football, put their players in and around their 16 yards box, and it is Chelsea’s turn to break the wall of defence; Chelsea seem in trouble. The lack of vision, movement off the ball and through-balls by the midfielders give the striker(s) little options as they end up surrounded by at least 4 opposition defenders. As a result, Chelsea players can only play the ball around the box, keep passing the ball from a flank to another, until somebody crosses or shoots. With way too many defenders inside waiting, there is little chances of breaking the line of defence set up by the opposition. Fortunately for Chelsea, Eden Hazard can break the defence by his dribbling ability to save them.
The dependance on Hazard is to create chances and break the defence. However, this has made Chelsea way too predictable as Eden Hazard gets marked by more and more players every game. Whilst Willian and Oscar are too busy with their defensive contribution to impress the manager, Jose Mourinho. When Chelsea are desperate to score the goal as the attacking midfielders cannot break the defence, Mourinho adds more strikers and changes the tactic to 3-5-2 or 4-4-2. It only pushes the opponents to flood their players at their defence area leading to an even harder wall to break.
But one must admit that Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea have been doing good defensively as they've conceded the least goals this season (26 goals conceded), but they’ve been poor offensively compared to other title rivals (Chelsea 67 goals scored, Liverpool 96, Man City 91).
I’m actually a fan of good defensive football. However for Chelsea, which have spent a lot of cash to invest on attacking area, what’s the point of playing defensive football whilst the best department of your team is attacking role? Chelsea should exploit the talents of their young attacking midfielders and sign decent strikers to complete the spear.
Not to mention that Chelsea don’t have the type of midfielder that is good on defence and able to transition for a counter attack break. This player is one that can deliver the ball from the back four to the front four quickly to keep the momentum of counter attack. Oscar usually drops deeper to pick the ball from back four, passes a 5 yard ball to the wide players and that’s about it. Also, I don’t have to tell you Chelsea strikers’ chances conversion rate as playing counter attacking football means you will have fewer chances and have to be clinical in front of the goal.
Liverpool play the similar counter attacking football, but they have decent forwards up front (most prolific team this season despite playing counter attacking football), their centre midfielders, Steven Gerrard and Coutinho, can pass the ball to the front three as soon as they are in possession of the ball.
Criticism aside though, Chelsea are putting their effort on stake in Champions league and are hoping to end the season with at least a trophy. They are not the favourites, but they also have the fighting spirit to win it. This mentalty was shown against Paris Saint Germain and seems to be a consistent factor at the club as they stunned everyone in the 2011/12 Champions League campaign by lifting the trophy.
That being said, Jose Mourinho is likely to stay another season at Stamford Bridge and he will rebuild the squad next summer, and will definitely aim to win the trophies. Let’s see if the Happy One will still be happy at the end of the season. – This article was written by Crissandy (@rabonerkick)