A seven day period speaks volumes about Chelsea’s Premier League title defence

A seven day period speaks volumes about Chelsea’s Premier League title defence

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Stamford Bridge was a ground that struck fear into Premier League opposition during the 2014-15 season. Opening their title defence at home may have seemed like the ideal scenario for Chelsea, yet some of the wind was taken out of their sails after a 2-2 draw with Swansea City last Saturday night.

The Blues came out of a frantic 10 minute period within the first-half with a 2-1 lead, Oscar’s free-kick opening the scoring in the 23rd minute, followed by an Andre Ayew equaliser and a Federico Fernandez own goal. A mix of complacency and misfortune after the break cost Jose Mourinho’s team maximum points, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois shown a straight red card for a horribly mistimed charge at striker Bafetimbi Gomis in a one-on-one scenario, then giving up the lead for a second time from the ensuing spot-kick.

The biggest questions surrounding the team have focused on the striking department, where the opening fixture provided both positives and negatives. Although Diego Costa lasted the full 90 minutes against the Swans, he had only one strike on goal and had difficulty finding dangerous space inside the 18-yard area. A quietened Eden Hazard was also afforded just a single opportunity and unusually failed to find the target on a quarter of his passing attempts, while Cesc Fabregas was taken out of the game early in a defensively-minded substitution when Courtois was sent-off.

Arsenal’s opening round loss sent their fans and the media into a frenzy for blood, and for the defending champions the 2-2 draw might not be considered that much better of a result. But in typical Chelsea fashion, it is the off-field drama that garners attention.

While the focus should be on preparing for what will be an insightful clash with Manchester City this weekend, the spotlight has been diverted onto Jose Mourinho’s controversial treatment of club doctor Eva Carneiro after the opening game against Swansea. The ‘Special One’ did not react well to the medical staff’s decision to treat Hazard on the pitch (seemingly called upon by the referee) in the closing moments of the game, therefore removing one of this most viable attacking threats, and leaving the Blues momentarily with nine men.

Carniero's treatment of Hazard in the 93rd minute of the match with Swansea sparked large controversy
Carniero’s treatment of Hazard in the 93rd minute of the match against Swansea sparked controversy

Consequently, Carneiro had her role within the team significantly reduced, a post on Facebook prompting an outcry of support over social media on one side, and others defending Mourinho, who questioned his doctor’s understanding of the game itself, on the other.

“Putting that ‘thanks for the support’ note on Facebook was extremely naive,” said former Chelsea doctor Ralph Rodgers in an interview with the Daily Mail.

“That would upset anyone. What was she trying to achieve there? Are you bigger than the manager? You’re never going to win, nor should you.

“My personal feeling is that he was frustrated and those frustrations were deep-seated. They weren’t just ‘oh you ran on the pitch, you made a mistake.’ To be honest with you, you do have to understand the game. He has a legitimate point.”

No matter the circumstance, it seems that Mourinho’s actions on the sideline will always speak louder than that of his team’s on the pitch.

Many would agree that one of the finest Chelsea performances of their dominant 2014-15 was the opening day 3-1 defeat of Burnley, one that was very much indicative of how things would go for the rest of the campaign. Fast-forward 12 months, and it is a very different feeling after the first outing. Although the team is still jammed with the same world class players, this seemingly would lead to little change in the smothering strategy, which fellow contenders who have experienced the bus will now look to breakdown with their own quality signings from the summer.

This weekend the London giants will meet a Manchester City side with added sting in the form of Raheem Sterling, coming off the best result of the Premier League’s opening round and eager to take revenge on the team that took their crown back in May. Will the match prove that Mourinho’s gameplan is beginning to stagnate? Or will the Blues bounce back and make a statement of intent against some of their fiercest title competition?

What are your thoughts? Let us know by dropping a comment below via our Facebook comment box. Make sure you follow us on Twitter @Outside90 and like us on Facebook.

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