Jose Mourinho has so far failed to fix the problems that see reigning Premier League champions Chelsea now occupying 16th spot on the table.
The ‘Special One’ has said himself that he has not experienced such a negative run of results before in his career, accustomed only to success at the highest levels not just previously at Stamford Bridge, but also with Inter Milan and Real Madrid.
In some ways, this has made it surprising in the sudden fashion that speculation arose surrounding the security of his position. A merciless English media took little time to wonder how long Roman Abramovic’s patience would hold out as the side languishes in the bottom-half of the table, others beforehand having been thrown-out of the position for less.
A bizzare seven-minute rant surrounding the subject following the most recent defeat to Southampton only added further fuel to the fire, with a bewildered Mourinho claiming:
“I think this is a crucial moment in the history of this club. Do you know why? Because if the club sacks me, they sack the best manager that this club has, and secondly, the message is again – bad results and the manager is guilty.”
It seems as though the club and the manager’s psyche are nearing a tipping-point. While an official statement issued from the powers-that-be put full support behind the 52-year-old to turn the campaign around, only a quick return to the success the Blues have become familiar with will provide a true remedy.
While Mourinho does, for now at least, still possess the support of his superior and the Chelsea fans, the form of the team in the first eight weeks of the season was inexcusable. While only the most dedicated can still cling to any hopes of still defending the title, with each week and every poor showing, criticisms of the team selections came in increasing numbers.
None more so have been at the receiving end than right-back Branislav Ivanovic, who somehow continued to be given chances in the starting XI (even taking-up the captain’s armband), despite glaring deficiencies.
The Serbian has been flat-footed and unfocused in every game so far, completely undone by even the slightest showing of speed or trickery from an oncoming attacker. With the vast majority of Chelsea’s 17 conceded goals coming through the right-flank and especially after he was made to look like a schoolboy by Dusan Tadic, it is understandable that supporters would be desperate for the manager to explore any possible alternatives.
Tadic x Ivanovic http://t.co/nOFe8o7sti
— Futmais (@futmais) October 5, 2015
But Ivanovic is just one of many Blues players which should have long ago been given some time on the sidelines. John Terry, Nemanja Matic, Cesc Fabregas and Eden Hazard are all suffering from what could be the worst championship hangover in the modern Premier League, but due to a lack of imports and some hasty sales in the transfer window, back-up options for these key areas on the field are limited. The continued reliance on these underperformers also is an issue that is seemingly symptomatic of Mourinho’s infamous lack of faith in younger, unproven signings and those players who come up through the Chelsea academy, now returning to haunt to ‘Special One’ in a devastating fashion.
Veteran captain Terry is the only one who has been regularly interchanged with the emerging Kurt Zouma, yet the manager only trusted the Frenchman after solid showings when required in the absence of Gary Cahill last season.
However, Mourinho’s hand has now been forced by factors outside of his control. A hamstring injury suffered by Ivanovic during the International Break is expected to keep the 31-year-old out of action for three weeks, a turn of fortune which should finally give Baba Rahman a chance to display his skills among the backline. The young Ghanaian was signed in early August from German outfit Augsburg for a rumoured £14 initial fee (possibly rising as high as £21) but has only made two overall appearances, against Tel Aviv in Europe and Walsall in the League Cup.
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A key wheel in the Barcelona machine for years, there was no lack of faith or time wasted by Mourinho to bringing Pedro into the starting lineup, sparking some competition among the complacent trio of Eden Hazard, Oscar and Willian. Having not done the same with Rahman in the defence left the Blues suffering through weeks of Ivanovic-inspired misery and now presents the ‘Special One’ with what seems to be his biggest fear – trusting a name that is yet to see Premier League action.
Opportunities to kick things into full gear with any meaningful impact are running thin and this weekend’s match against Aston Villa is a must win on every level for the team and manager. Looking at it on paper Tim Sherwood’s team should be far more manageable on the wings, while a returning Diego Costa will no doubt want to spearhead an assault on a defence which has not been much less vulnerable than their own.
There are likely to be bigger influencing factors on this weekend’s result, but Rahman’s debut could be the start of Chelsea’s 2015-16 turnaround and may just provide a personal lesson or two for Mourinho himself.
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