Losing to Newcastle away and managing to scrape a point at home against the Baggies has floated a few question marks over Jose Mourinho’s return to The Bridge.
The 2-0 defeat at St James’ was an unmitigated disaster, especially given the fact that Liverpool and Arsenal met each other on the same day and Liverpool also bungled so Chelsea had the perfect chance to create a gap at the top. That opportunity was missed, and Jose must avoid any more foul-ups if he is to add to his existing collection Barclays Premier League titles.
Chelsea have not looked to be in great form in any of their games this season, but they have been winning anyway. Gritty and ugly wins have become their staple, and the Blues boss was furious that his team collapsed at Newcastle. He told The Guardian:
“I told my players nothing,” said a man who has never won a Premier League game at St James’ Park. “After the match it’s time to cool down. I never say anything to them immediately. I hope there’ll be a reaction. I’m angry and frustrated with the team but I’m part of the team and I’ll look at myself as well.”
This is a Newcastle side that have struggled to make any impression on top teams for the past 12-18 months. The game was a strange one where Chelsea enjoyed more than 60% of possession. However, they could not do anything of note with it. Eden Hazard, Oscar and Juan Mata simply didn’t achieve anything of worth.
That trio of players have only ever lost two Premier League games they have all started in, but they still have not totally clicked as a partnership. But what Chelsea actually need is a player who is slightly different. Someone strong, direct, and single minded in his approach.
Instead, they have Hazard, Mata and Oscar playing short passes near the edge of the box, with little to no penetration. Chelsea fans have high expectations and it has to be said, that this season is turning out to be hit and miss. Not the Chelsea way. Stamford Bridge routinely sells out, the box office is always under siege, online tickets snapped up. These fans have a tradition of supporting a team with a tough mentality. Chelsea need some tougher recruits.
The striking position is another tough dilemma for Mourinho. He made the mystifying decision to let Romelu Lukaku join Everton on loan, and must now get the best out of the three that are left.
Fernando Torres has shown some life in recent games, but reverted to his regular Chelsea self in the game against Newcastle. It’s the same old story with Fernando. If Torres can get himself going on a consistent basis, Chelsea will be a tougher proposition.
So, they need a world class striker. Samuel Eto’o looks a shadow of the player who used to rip apart defenses at Barcelona. Rumours persist that Wayne Rooney could be targeted The Daily Star talking up a £35m deal. Frankly, the chances of this happening are slim to none. Rooney is resurgent at Manchester United this season. Why would he move?
The Premier League has never been so open as it is this season. The reason being that the quality is up across the board. As we saw this weekend when Chelsea were lucky to snatch a point at home to West Brom, of all people. Last season, Tottenham achieved their highest points haul in a season and still only managed to finish 5th.
As a result Premier League tickets are flying, stadiums have never been busier. It used to be the case that it was The Championship where anyone could beat anyone, but we’re rapidly approaching a similar circumstance in the top flight.
The International break, ordinarily a nuisance for Premier League sides, may well come as a timely break for the Blues. Give them a chance to regroup and refocus.
Jose’s next game is away to West Ham United. A game that is likely to be a grueling affair, as Big Sam sets up yet another game using his unique system of 4-5-0. Striker-less, the Hammers are proving difficult to break down. Let’s hope the Blues have a strategy in place to counter this.
Its easy. Play Mikel with Remires. Play Mata as the chief playmaker. Harzard and Andre on the flanks and stop favouring Lampard and oscar and we are good to go.
WHY DOESN’T MOURINHO UNDERSTAND THIS. Mata is THE PLAYMAKER for Chelsea. Not Oscar.
You are wrong author, the teams in the Bpl have changed their approach espesially to teams they fear most. Many team are parking bus or their are defending the whole team and try to hits the opponent on a counter attack, if our team fails to score an early goal it will be difficult to get the opponent out of their own shell. We can’t blame Etoo and Torres their form isn’t that bad maybe only for Ba whose mising game time.
Samu Shingirai———- Sent via Nokia Email