We have seen this before. Haven't we? Coming on the back of a very successful season, we saw Borussia Dortmund struggle and plummet into the relegation zone of Bundesliga last year. Their season ultimately ended well but Jurgen Klopp left the club and it weren't happy times for their supporters.
With five games on, we may be seeing something similar with Chelsea. A team which looked unstoppable last season is now struggling for any kind of balance and are playing poorly despite having a lot of big name players. Last year's champions have picked up just 4 points so far and are just one position above the relegation zone. They boasted one of the best defences last year but this term they have already conceded 12 goals, more than any other club. Its not time to panic yet as it is just the start of the season but we look at what has been the reasons for this sudden change.
Starting from the back, the decision to let Petr Cech leave was looking a good business at first but then who would have expected Thibaut Cortuois to have gotten suspended in the first game and then subsequently get injured. Begovic does look solid but Chelsea fans would have certainly preferred the big Czech over the Bosnian.
Gary Cahill was not very convincing last year but his flaws were masked by an excellent John Terry. Age has finally seemed to have caught up with him and Mourinho has made it known that he doesn't trust his skipper the same way he did last year anymore.
The most worrying part would be the form of Branislav Ivanovic. The Serb has been a loyal servant to the club and Mourinho has a lot of faith in him. But his performances this season has been far from ideal. Defensively, he has been very susceptible this season and going forward also he looked confused. He is a pale shadow of the marauding full back that he used to be last year. Mourinho likes Ivanovic a lot but I think it is time that he drops him and gives Baba Rahman a chance. The mid week game against M Tel Aviv is a perfect time for that change.
After starting so well for Chelsea last year, Fabregas' form has dipped after Christmas and it has stayed there ever since with him showing little signs of improvement. The Spaniard's defensive commitments were always in question but his attacking abilities overshadowed his shortcomings last season. But this year, he has not been able to create the magic with his feet.
Chelsea defence was great last season mostly due to the protection they received from Matic sitting in front and shielding the back four. This season, he has struggled for form and they don't have a player who can replace him in the long run. John Obi Mikel is a very one dimensional player and cannot be trusted with in a team that looks to challenge for the title. Ramires lacks discipline to play in the holding role and doesn't possess the calmness required there.
Further forward, Chelsea's attack seems to be lacking ideas. Pedro had a very impressive debut but he has been quiet since. The purchase of Falcao will always remain a question mark and the form of his team mates will have done nothing to inspire the Colombian's confidence. Eden Hazard has escaped a lot of criticism but he should be taking some responsibility for all this. He was last year's player of the year and it is on occasions like this when he needs to step up and save his team, just like what Alexis Sanchez did for Arsenal for most part of last year. Willian and Oscar are good players but they are seen as players who play well when the team plays well. It is up to players like Hazard and Costa to come to their team's rescue at such times.
Mourinho is not one who likes to take blame for his team's failings but his behavior so far has not helped to boost his team's morale. Subbing off John Terry at half time against Manchester City was not a popular decision. Neither was criticizing Eva Carneiro after the incident against Swansea City. Reports after the Everton game also suggest that he lost his cool against Roberto Martinez. This is a time where everyone at the club needs to stick together and push forward. Mourinho is new to such circumstances and it will be interesting to see how he takes up this challenge.
Mourinho rarely rotated his first team last season and with many of them out of form this term, that has come back to haunt him. We never knew what Chelsea's shortcomings were last term as they outplayed almost every opposition with their first choice XI. Chelsea did reasonably well in the transfer market but I still think they should have got a centre-back and a central midfielder too, especially in light of how the Manchester clubs have strengthened.
Mourinho knows that victories in their Champions league opener and against Arsenal this weekend are a must if they are to get their season back on track.
 |
| Jose Mourinho |
Starting from the back, the decision to let Petr Cech leave was looking a good business at first but then who would have expected Thibaut Cortuois to have gotten suspended in the first game and then subsequently get injured. Begovic does look solid but Chelsea fans would have certainly preferred the big Czech over the Bosnian.
Gary Cahill was not very convincing last year but his flaws were masked by an excellent John Terry. Age has finally seemed to have caught up with him and Mourinho has made it known that he doesn't trust his skipper the same way he did last year anymore.
The most worrying part would be the form of Branislav Ivanovic. The Serb has been a loyal servant to the club and Mourinho has a lot of faith in him. But his performances this season has been far from ideal. Defensively, he has been very susceptible this season and going forward also he looked confused. He is a pale shadow of the marauding full back that he used to be last year. Mourinho likes Ivanovic a lot but I think it is time that he drops him and gives Baba Rahman a chance. The mid week game against M Tel Aviv is a perfect time for that change.
 |
| John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic |
Chelsea defence was great last season mostly due to the protection they received from Matic sitting in front and shielding the back four. This season, he has struggled for form and they don't have a player who can replace him in the long run. John Obi Mikel is a very one dimensional player and cannot be trusted with in a team that looks to challenge for the title. Ramires lacks discipline to play in the holding role and doesn't possess the calmness required there.
Further forward, Chelsea's attack seems to be lacking ideas. Pedro had a very impressive debut but he has been quiet since. The purchase of Falcao will always remain a question mark and the form of his team mates will have done nothing to inspire the Colombian's confidence. Eden Hazard has escaped a lot of criticism but he should be taking some responsibility for all this. He was last year's player of the year and it is on occasions like this when he needs to step up and save his team, just like what Alexis Sanchez did for Arsenal for most part of last year. Willian and Oscar are good players but they are seen as players who play well when the team plays well. It is up to players like Hazard and Costa to come to their team's rescue at such times.
Mourinho is not one who likes to take blame for his team's failings but his behavior so far has not helped to boost his team's morale. Subbing off John Terry at half time against Manchester City was not a popular decision. Neither was criticizing Eva Carneiro after the incident against Swansea City. Reports after the Everton game also suggest that he lost his cool against Roberto Martinez. This is a time where everyone at the club needs to stick together and push forward. Mourinho is new to such circumstances and it will be interesting to see how he takes up this challenge.
Mourinho rarely rotated his first team last season and with many of them out of form this term, that has come back to haunt him. We never knew what Chelsea's shortcomings were last term as they outplayed almost every opposition with their first choice XI. Chelsea did reasonably well in the transfer market but I still think they should have got a centre-back and a central midfielder too, especially in light of how the Manchester clubs have strengthened.
Mourinho knows that victories in their Champions league opener and against Arsenal this weekend are a must if they are to get their season back on track.
Post a Comment