Jose Mourinho should have left John Terry out of the team
It seemed like the world might stop spinning on its axis when Jose Mourinho dropped John Terry for the visit of Arsenal to Stamford Bridge back in September. Perhaps the Chelsea manager should have trusted his instincts and permanently demoted the club captain to the bench.
Since that 2-0 win over Arsenal the centre-half has started four Premier League league matches, with the only win coming against Aston Villa.
Ignoring the fact that Kurt Zouma has been shunted to full-back to accommodate the former England international, Liverpool’s 3-1 win showed that Terry no longer possesses the sharpness or awareness to lead the Chelsea defence.
He was culpable for Philippe Coutinho’s equaliser as he did not get close enough to Firmino, he was unfortunate that Coutinho’s second deflected in off him but for Christian Benteke’s goal he and Gary Cahill were both painfully slow to react, giving the big Belgian all the time in the world to pick his spot.
Jurgen Klopp is enjoying himself a lot more than Jose Mourinho
Jose Mourinho was once full of brio and unsullied enthusiasm, like Jurgen Klopp, but his second coming as Chelsea manager has worn him down and even before defeat and his already cult classic post-match interview the Portuguese looked an unhappy camper today.
He wasn’t saying, obviously, but he will not have been happy with referee Mark Clattenburg going over the minimum two minutes added time at the end of the first half and his failure to show Lucas Leiva a second yellow card.
But Mourinho is at the point where he will find happiness in little or nothing, in contrast to the new Liverpool manager, who is finding happiness in just about everything. Even before notching his first Premier League win at the third attempt.
Jurgen Klopp. Right now. https://t.co/ohrDz6rsPh
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) October 31, 2015
Nobody is expecting miracles from the German but even if it takes time for him to implement his philosophy and fitness regime, his enthusiasm is being reflected in a Liverpool side playing with energy and determination.
Klopp leaps as @LFC make giant strides… https://t.co/xkyO3hNEdf
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 31, 2015
Mourinho used to gambol up and down the sideline too.Now he just storms down the tunnel.
Christian Benteke is a game changer
When Liverpool signed Christian Benteke from Aston Villa some fans were worried the big Belgian wouldn’t fit the team’s style of play. When Jurgen Klopp succeeded Brendan Rodgers similar doubts were raised, but the striker’s cameo today, and last week against Southampton, proved his usefulness to the side.
Chelsea’s defence had already looked jittery before his introduction on the hour, but crumbled once Benteke arrived. The striker gave Liverpool a more direct option, which they managed to fully exploit with a precision long pass from Mamadou Sakho. Benteke beat Cesar Azpilicueta in the air, setting up Philippe Coutinho, who showed some wonderful control and finished for his second.
Benteke was in acres of space for his own goal, but still had work to do before finishing past Asmir Begovic.
This idea that Benteke doesn’t fit Liverpool’s style is arguably redundant. Different games call for different approaches and Benteke offers Liverpool a variety they’ve been lacking in the past in forward areas.
The Belgian isn’t Andy Carroll Mark II, and although he doesn’t work as hard as some other players in Liverpool’s side, he’s proved he’s a dangerous option to have. Benteke has settled well into life at Anfield, and already has four goals, despite his playing time being limited by injuries.
With Daniel Sturridge to return from injury, Benteke and the option of Roberto Firmino, Liverpool’s variety in forward positions could prove very beneficial as the season progresses.
Eden Hazard looks ready to be rid of Jose Mourinho
You might not have noticed, but a world class performer and double player of the year was on show today. Eden Hazard is a shadow of the player that was comfortably the best footballer in the Premier League last season, but the question is why?
One could cite a shortened pre-season, the fact Hazard’s playing in a team devoid of confidence and that the player himself is just out of form. But why is he also not trying a leg during matches? Is it possible the player has downed tools and is no longer playing for his under-siege manager?
The evidence would suggest so. Jose Mourinho has an inherent distrust of flair players and every player in his teams, including the most skilful, have to be defenders first. When things are going well, and Chelsea are breaking with speed, scoring goals and winning matches and trophies, a player such as Hazard is unlikely to cause a fuss.
But, when things begin to unravel, as they currently are at Chelsea, and in his final months at Real Madrid, Mourinho’s star players seem to turn against him.
His relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo cooled considerably, and, since dropping Hazard earlier this month for the game against Aston Villa, there’s signs the Belgian is ready to be rid of Mourinho.
The 23 year old was withdrawn after an hour against Liverpool, after a non-existent performance. If Mourinho’s future rests in the form of his best player, then he may not be long for Chelsea because there’s no sign from Hazard that he’s trying for his manager.
Eden Hazard's game by numbers vs. Liverpool:
0 chances created
0 take-ons completed
0 crosses
0 shotsPoor form. pic.twitter.com/IzChQwWGW8
— Squawka (@Squawka) October 31, 2015
Jose Mourinho is out of ideas
In the past, Chelsea taking the lead meant sitting back, closing down space and seeing out a narrow win. Think of Chelsea’s game against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge last season, as soon as Eden Hazard scored, the full-time whistle might as well have been blown. Mourinho’s side just wasn’t going to concede.
Today though, an early goal was a mere preface to a capitulation. Liverpool were fully deserving of their win, but this was just the second time in the last 16 games they’ve scored more than two goals in a game.
Mourinho dropped the lightweight Cesc Fabregas for the defensive solidity of John “the wardrobe” Obi Mikel, used Willian as an auxiliary full-back and Kurt Zouma was effectively a third centre-half, but still conceded three goals.
Chelsea also create very few chances – Ramires’ goal was their only effort on target in the first half – and are forced to bring the pointless Radamel Falcao from the bench.
Mourinho’s team are leaking goals, can’t create chances, score enough goals or hold onto leads. Their best player is a passenger, their captain looks ready for MLS and main striker wanders around like a sloppy drunk at closing time looking for a row.
Back in December 2013, following Chelsea’s defeat to Sunderland, Mourinho gave an insight into his footballing philosophy, and greatest talent as a coach.
“It’s something I don’t want to do,” Mourinho said, “to play more counterattacking, but I’m giving it serious thought.”
“If I want to win 1-0 I think I can as I think it is one of the easiest things in football. It is not so difficult, as you don’t give players the chance to express themselves.”
Right now the players aren’t expressing themselves or winning one-nil, and Mourinho isn’t extracting performances from his team. He’s tried castigating them, rotating them and encouraging them, but nothing has worked.
Where does he go from here?
