LOL!

Mourinho wants 12-year Chelsea stay

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho believes he can continue to hold the reins of the club for 12 years, according to The Guardian.

The longest serving manager in the league is Arsene Wenger, and Mourinho faces his Arsenal side tonight in an exciting encounter between two of the best teams in Europe.

Wenger is now starting his 18th year as Arsenal manager. Mourinho would like to emulate his success as a long term manager, even though he signed a contract with Chelsea for £10million a season, less than his previous Real Madrid contract.

“Realistically I hope at the end of those four years we sit, analyse the situation and that will be the point where we both – club and me – are happy to carry on or happy to separate,” he said, as reported by the newspaper.

“But I would like [to stay for], say, 12 years. I’m 51 next month. I’d say 12 years, and then two to go to a World Cup with a national team.

“I would prefer the Portuguese national team. England second [choice], yes.”

Impatience

Over the past several years, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has been known for sacking managers easily, but in Mourinho’s first spell at the club he remained at the club for three years.

Mourinho fell out with Abramovich in 2007 (when he was sacked) and some believe that was the main reason why the Portuguese boss lost his job.

But so far this season he has kept a healthy relationship with the Russian billionaire intact.

Mourinho’s optimism is a good sign for Chelsea fans, but with Abramovich’s thirst for titles, their optimism could be short-lived.

http://www.touchlinetalk.com/mourinho-wants-12-year-chelsea-stay/79611/?

John Terry can have the longevity of Ryan Giggs, says José
Dominic Fifield
The Guardian, Saturday 7 December 2013 10.00 AEST

José Mourinho has suggested John Terry has a future at Stamford Bridge beyond the expiry of his contract next summer and believes the defender may have a similar longevity to Ryan Giggs or Javier Zanetti, 40.

Terry, who turns 33 on Saturday, is set to start his 15th Premier League game of the season at Stoke City after form and fitness issues limited him to only 14 appearances in the division last term. The centre-half scored on his 400th top-flight outing last weekend and has regained the authority and confidence of old, benefiting from regular breaks during the various international windows over the autumn.

Mourinho has already conceded that Terry's self-esteem took a battering last year and, while no talks are scheduled as yet over extending Terry's stay at the club, the manager suggested the defender could remain beyond the summer.

"At this age, it's a thing of going year after year," said Mourinho when asked about Terry's capability of emulating Giggs, who turned 40 last week. "At this age, sometimes players reach a level of stability where they become the same. I look at Zanetti in 2008 and Zanetti in 2012, and he was the same. These guys have to enjoy the moment and play with the same ambition.

"They can't be worried about contracts, or time left on their contract, or one more pound or less pound in their contract, but enjoy it to the last day. When they play this way, it's no problem.

"John's self-esteem had been affected last season. He was a bit affected. I think he felt, in a quiet way, the pain of doubts about him. So I told him I'm not here to help him. I'm not here to give him anything he doesn't deserve. But I said: 'I believe if you work really hard from day one, I think you have a chance to play more than you did last season.' I was far from thinking he'd play the first 14 matches consecutively, but he's doing well, working and behaving well, and I'm pleased with him."

Terry is likely to be rested for next week's visit of Steaua Bucharest in the Champions League, a game where Ashley Cole is expected to return to the first team.

Chelsea are wary of the threat that awaits at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday even if the challenge at Stoke is perceived as very different these days.

"At a certain moment, clubs also have to care about a style of play," said Mourinho when asked about Stoke under Mark Hughes. "They also have to care about the way you sell your product. They did well to change a philosophy that was giving points but was not giving a future. They're a little different now. Not so much. They play better football but they keep many things from the past. I don't think they are too different but they're still difficult, that's for sure."

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/dec/06/jose-mourinho-john-terry-chelsea

Didnt know there was a chelsea thread, well done both of you.

Chelsea in crisis? Not yet but they need Didier Drogba Mark Two

Defeat by Basel marked the worst start for any manager under Roman Abramovich and puts pressure on José Mourinho

Barney Ronay at Stamford Bridge

The Guardian, Thursday 19 September 2013

Well, that was not supposed to happen. Chelsea's 29-match unbeaten home run in Europe is over after a performance that lacked drive, incision, leadership and any real sense of an attacking plan B. An excellent Basel team were deserved winners at Stamford Bridge after a display of great energy and no little craft.

But for José Mourinho there are some unexpectedly grave early-season questions after a week that has brought consecutive defeats, with the pre- and post-talk about the extreme youth of Mourinho's squad looking a little hollow.

The average age of Chelsea's team here was 28. Those are some hard-boiled eggs. Mourinho, at least, is still pushing back the boundaries. This is not just a sluggish start but the worst for any manager under Roman Abramovich. There were even boos at the end as Chelsea left the pitch. After the peculiar contortions of last season under Rafael Benítez it was all a bit like old times at Stamford Bridge – only, of course, without the victories in Europe.

If it is not time to panic just yet, the narrative of Mourinho's return has undoubtedly veered off into unexpected territory after a first home defeat in the Champions League group stages for 10 years. There are two immediate questions. Is this really the first knockings of what amounts to a crisis in the rarefied air of Stamford Bridge? And if it is, how well placed is Mourinho to fix it?

Certainly there are questions remaining about a squad blessed with wonderful, soft-shoed, creative resources but lacking a peak-condition, high-quality striker. At times this season, for all their promisingly intricate approach work, Chelsea have resembled a brilliantly armoured cavalryman riding into battle waving a baguette.

If they missed a sense of drive in the middle of the pitch, not to mention those familiar qualities of muscular leadership and even a little arrogance, they also lacked the kind player who can rescue a match when the wiles of that attacking midfield fail to carry the day. Among the many banners draped behind the Stamford Bridge goals is one devoted to Didier Drogba, the greatest signing of Mourinho MK1 and a player made for a night like this.

There was even something poignant in the identity of the scorer of Basel's winning goal. Marco Streller, a vast, gangling, entirely orthodox No9, reacted quickest at the near post to head Behram Safari's corner past Petr Cech and score the kind of seasoned centre-forward's goal that Chelsea have been notably lacking of late.

In the build-up to this match Mourinho had taken the most un-Mourinho-like course of pointing to his own team's deficiencies, rekindling an epic farmyard metaphor dating back to his departure from Chelsea eight years ago. If the intention was to lend his youthful midfield a little high-end underdog momentum, he will surely have had his thoughts on other kinds of weakness. Chelsea have an overload of creative midfielders. He does not need any more eggs or hens. What he lacks is something a little more predatory and sharp-beaked, which is why he tried so hard to sign Wayne Rooney this summer.

Here Samuel Eto'o started as lone striker ahead of a midfield trio of Oscar, in a central position, and Eden Hazard and Willian interchanging on the flanks. He played mainly with his back to goal, a little isolated from his team-mates, occasionally unfurling one of his favourite spiralling runs into space between the full-backs. Eto'o should be match fit – he has been playing matches – and he moved intelligently in the opening hour. But somehow he does not look quite there yet for all his eagerness in harrying the Basel centre-backs in a claustrophobic first half.

Chelsea's goal just before half-time was made by two crisp passes from David Luiz and Frank Lampard, Oscar finding space with a diagonal run and whipping the ball back into the corner across Yann Sommer. After this they created very little. Basel's equaliser was nicely put away by the waspish and inventive Mohamed Salah. Mourinho responded by bringing on Ba to make his Champions League debut. It never looked like being enough.

Whether Chelsea's manager can respond more decisively now remains to be seen. There will, of course, be wider issues teased into view by a couple of poor results and one bad performance: the debilitating effects of Chelsea's managerial promiscuity, the sense of a team constantly in transition, not to mention the manager's own suitability for what is an unfamiliar situation.

Mourinho has had bad results but he has never had a start to a season quite like this. If there has at times been a peculiar anti-swagger, a slightly jarring absence of outright, preening self-belief second time around at Stamford Bridge, perhaps Mourinho is aware of the different challenges facing him this time, the need to build from a position compromised by his failed pursuit of Rooney and with a squad with which he has already expressed his own dissatisfaction. It is perhaps not quite a crisis. But it is certainly new territory for Chelsea's manager. What he does next will, as ever, be fascinating.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/sep/19/chelsea-champions-league-basel

Is absence of Mata the only problem of Chelsea?

by saikatmandal on September 19, 2013

A lot has been said and written about Juan Mata and the cold treatment he has been receiving from his manager, Jose Mourinho. The Spaniard, who was arguably the best player for Chelsea last season, has been limited to a bit part role by the Portuguese so far, a decision that has not only left the media speculating about the player’s future, critics pondering what-went-wrong but have prompted the loyal fans to question the decision too.

Chelsea were left humiliated by FC Basel, after the visitors earned a 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge in the Champions League group stage opener. Mata, who started against Everton, was dropped to the bench and naturally after the defeat the inevitable question has been ringing round. It seems Juan Mata is the root cause of all problems as if Chelsea are losing games, just because he has not been picked.

For that matter, Mata has himself admitted that he struggled with fitness early on with muscle problems. But most importantly, Chelsea have assembled such a rich squad, with an avalanche of attacking players – isn’t it natural that Mourinho would reshuffle his squad every now and then to integrate all his stars?

To me, the central problem lies in the attacking department. Jose clearly said that new striker Samuel Eto’o is lacking in fitness and sharpness while the Portuguese doesn’t seem to trust Fernando Torres or Demba Ba enough.

Sky Sports Pundit and former Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher reflected on this point:

“Virtually every game I’ve seen Chelsea in, they are playing with 10 men. They haven’t got a centre forward, have they?

Even, Mourinho didn’t include a striker against Manchester United at Old Trafford in the starting line-up. Quite naturally, he has no other options rather to keep the faith on his midfielders to score goals. It becomes a huge problem for any side when your central striker is not delivering at all.

Also, there is a lack of proper balance in the defensive front as well. John Terry and Gary Cahill partnership worked very well against Man Utd. Both are similar type of players, who like to drop deep, win the ball aerially and play safe passes. Look at their involvement against Manchester United – all they did was to clear the ball in the air. Simple.

However, when either of them are paired with David Luiz, the problem starts. The Brazilian is a highly gifted player who loves to move with the ball and distribute passes up front. But, he doesn’t track back enough leaving the other centre half exposed.

Obviously, a quality-player like Mata would make a huge difference to any team in the world and probably Jose is hampering the team chemistry by not picking him, but there are other major football-related problems too, which are being overlooked at the moment.

http://soccerlens.com/is-absence-of-mata-the-only-problem-of-chelsea/116947/?

Just proves what a load of bollocks so many players are :lol:

:lol::lol:

Man Utd Tell Chelsea They Are Willing To Sell Wayne Rooney

By Transfer News Reporter Published: 22nd August 2013

With the summer transfer window in full swing, there is plenty of gossip doing the rounds in the newspapers so we’ll keep you up-to-date with the latest transfer rumours. Today, are Manchester United ready to sell Wayne Rooney?

Manchester United have told Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho they are ready to sell striker Wayne Rooney to their title rivals but only once they have a replacement lined-up, according to the Mirror.

Rooney’s future at Old Trafford has come under the spotlight after former boss Sir Alex Ferguson revealed that the striker had asked to leave the club towards the end of last season. Chelsea have not hidden their desire to take the 27-year-old to Stamford Bridge this summer and have already seen a £22m offer rejected by the champions last month.

David Moyes has been insistent all summer that Rooney would not be sold, however that stance appears to have softened with the Mirror claiming that United have now informed the Blues that they are prepared to do business, but only once they have secured a replacement.

Mourinho hinted that a third bid would be submitted for the striker after this Monday’s clash between the two clubs and the newspaper suggests it will be around the £30m mark. Whether that would be enough for United to sell remains to be seen though.

Moyes has been frustrated in his attempts to bring in any marquee names so far this summer and the Mirror claim he will only sanction the sale of the former Everton man once he has found an attacking midfielder to play in the hole behind van Persie – the position he had earmarked for Rooney – as he’s concerned about a backlash from the fans if they sold the forward before a replacement was brought in.

http://football-talk.co.uk/82177/man-utd-tell-chelsea-they-are-willing-to-sell-wayne-rooney/?

Solid start to the season, thought we dominated most of that game. Schurrle will be better when he has more games with the other players, de Bruyne was always trying to be positive/make forward runs etc. Lukaku was okay, nothing special at this stage, but a work in progress still.

The old José Mourinho is back and in business after a sheepish entrance

Tougher tests await once the hero worship dies down but Chelsea's manager needs a top striker to enhance his legacy

Dominic Fifield at Stamford Bridge

The Guardian, Monday 19 August 2013 06.07 AEST

Even José Mourinho had initially been uncomfortable with all the hullabaloo. The Portuguese emerged from the tunnel before kick-off to offer a rather sheepish wave to those at the far end in the Matthew Harding stand as he took his seat in the dug-out and it was only when the adoring reception was prolonged that he rose back to his feet to blow kisses to the crowd. Twice. As the banners declared, this club has its hero back and, after all the poison that infected these parts last term, that is cause enough for celebration.

The Special One turned Happy One-cum-Godfather cut a relaxed figure on the sidelines here, which was simple enough once his side had established their lead and rather pulverised Hull City up to the break before clicking into lockdown mode as fatigue set in. He laughed and joked with his opposite number, Steve Bruce. There were winks to those behind him in the east stand as everything went according to plan out on the turf, his hands sunk deep in his pockets as he surveyed his new charges from the technical area. This was comfortable from the outset and Mourinho, at 50, was at ease.

The reality is tougher tests than this await and the real question is whether the man who delivered this club's first league titles in half a century in his first two years as manager can now hoist a team in transition back into proper contention. Can a side who have tended to start campaigns at a canter similar to this in recent years, only to splutter as winter sets in, thrive more consistently under his leadership? Chelsea have finished nine, 25 and 14 points from the summit in the three seasons since Carlo Ancelotti's team secured the Double. European trophies had rather masked those domestic deficiencies, although Roman Abramovich had clearly been pained by his club traipsing in behind Manchester's United and City.

The owner's stewardship stretches to a decade now, a fact celebrated with a 29-word acknowledgement in the match-day programme. "We have had a great decade together and the club could not have achieved it all without you," he wrote. "Thanks for your support. Here's to many more years of success." The restoration of this team as title challengers was presumably one of his principal aspirations in restoring the most successful manager of his ownership, although the task is very different to that inherited in 2004.

This squad lacked balance last year, with plenty of lavish creators new to these parts but too few strikers to lead the line effectively. Kevin De Bruyne and André Schürrle, each encouraging on debut, have since added to the list of wannabe playmakers but, until the forward ranks are supplemented by a Wayne Rooney or a figure of similar calibre, some level of doubt will remain. Unless, of course, Mourinho can eke more from the group than Ancelotti, André Villas-Boas, Roberto di Matteo and, albeit only in his interim capacity, Rafael Benítez.

There were reasons for optimism. In Eden Hazard, such a livewire presence here, he has a player who will benefit from his experiences "good and bad" in this division last season and is ready now to take the elite by storm. The Belgian played a part in Oscar's opener, even if it was his compatriot De Bruyne slipping the Brazilian free with a cutely clipped pass, and his threat was never truly suppressed. Hazard arrived at this club for a huge fee and with a burgeoning reputation from his productive spell at Lille. Last year yielded excellence over the campaign's latter stages but he seems primed to flourish more regularly this time around.

So too Oscar, whose most productive form after his £23m arrival from Internacional had come in European competition, where life seemed less hectic. He was a blur of flicks and tricks when offered the chance to dictate play at the centre of the creative trio behind Fernando Torres. Admittedly, he rather faded in the second period – a common complaint last year – but his credentials as a No10 are now established. Chelsea dismantled a well-drilled side without requiring Juan Mata, their player of the year for the last two seasons, whose match fitness was apparently an issue.

Mourinho may have bemoaned the fact his attacking trio "disappeared" after the break, apparently wearied by midweek international duty, but their work was long since done. He will be better informed too, now, of the threat Torres carries these days, even if new Chelsea managers no longer arrive at Stamford Bridge charged primarily with reinvigorating the £50m record signing. Memories of the forward's Liverpool days are fading, and it is more about ensuring the 29-year-old contributes effectively to the collective these days, rather than hoping he scorches all-comers single-handedly.

Torres started his own season brightly, linking up smartly with those players closest to him, and won the early penalty fluffed by an otherwise excellent Frank Lampard. He also won the free-kick, rather more questionably, from which the veteran registered his 204th goal for the club, but the Spaniard's display did rather fizzle out as the game followed suit.

Perhaps that much was to be expected on the opening weekend, when few of those on show are at peak form and fitness, although it was noticeable the manager appeared to make a point of applauding his every effort or dart into space. He will need Torres to feel integral if he is to contribute – and even more so if another striker is not recruited. As it was, the manner in which Mourinho flung his notebook into the crowd at the final whistle suggested he had learned little new. The locals rejoiced in his presence. As far as they and the hierarchy are concerned, this is a man who can make a difference.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/aug/18/chelsea-jose-mourinho-back-in-business

Wow, I think this is your first non-article post in this thread :lol:

This is our year, blue is the colour!

Premier League preview No4: Chelsea

José Mourinho is back and optimism is running high at Stamford Bridge but questions remain over who will lead from the front

Last season's position: 3rd

Odds to win the league (via Oddschecker): 9-4

For José Mourinho to remain the Happy One he will have to make some people at Chelsea sad. How he deals with that will go a long way to determining whether the club can mount a credible Premier League challenge for the first time in three years.

Most Chelsea fans are understandably optimistic: Mourinho's Real Madrid reign may have been blighted by infighting but all the success he has enjoyed throughout his career, including during his last spell at Stamford Bridge, has been built on creating the smart battle plans and mighty esprit de corps that Chelsea lacked at crucial times in the previous two campaigns, their cup triumphs notwithstanding.

It is not totally clear whether Chelsea's squad is top-drawer or just top-shelf, since it looks obscenely over-endowed in some areas but suspiciously deficient in a couple of others. Mourinho will have spent the summer determining whether he needs to recruit to provide attractive balance or whether the two main zones of doubt – striker and defensive midfield – can be enhanced by tactical changes and emerging young talent.

At some point soon, Romelu Lukaku is going to have to be given a chance to prove he can be the main man in an elite team's attack. He has done everything that could be reasonably expected of him so far, including hitting 17 Premier League goals while on loan at West Bromwich Albion last term, which is more than Fernando Torres (eight) and Demba Ba (two) managed for Chelsea between them. The London club were the second-highest scorers in the Premier League last season but still suffered from the lack of a really sharp centre-forward.

Lukaku is faster, stronger and more deadly than that pair but, at just 20, he has not yet had the opportunity to confirm that he is savvy enough to lead a top team for an entire campaign. The bid for Wayne Rooney suggests Mourinho fancies having a more seasoned striker to call on (and hasn't lost his knack for mischief-making), which, if the manager is going to deploy a 4-3-3, means Lukaku may not start quite as much as he hopes, though he should probably still have a big role to play.

Certainly a bigger one than Ba and Torres, and the latter is unlikely to relish a back-up role, especially in a World Cup year, and may therefore be replaced if a buyer can be found.

The profusion of creative midfielders, which has been augmented by the signing of André Schürrle and the return of Kevin De Bruyne, means whoever plays up front is sure to be supplied with plenty of scoring chances. There is no reason to expect Juan Mata's form to be any less wonderful than it was last season while Eden Hazard and Oscar, being one season wiser and stronger, are likely to gain consistency. The puzzle lies in how Mourinho will seek to ensure midfield has solidity as well as invention. In several big matches last season, such as at Manchester City, Juventus, Shakhtar Donetsk, and Swansea in the Capital One Cup, opponents were able to play through them too easily.

Mikel John Obi, Frank Lampard and Ramires were not totally convincing when played deep; David Luiz looked to be the solution for a while but Rafael Benítez appeared to lose confidence in that ploy and, besides, the Brazilian may be better used further back.

This season Marco van Ginkel or the returning Michael Essien may provide the answer and Mourinho's familiar 4-3-3 may override any vulnerability in the middle. Given that the Portuguese has always liked to have a strong spine of the side to rely on, he may still buy a surefire fixture for central midfield, which would explain the reported interest in Sami Khedira.

Apart from those two areas, where Chelsea do not appear to have quite as much strength in depth as Manchester City, for one, Mourinho already has the personnel to succeed. Petr Cech remains an outstanding goalkeeper, Ashley Cole is still immaculate at left-back and César Azpilicueta showed last season that he is a fine right-back, both defensively and in terms of his attacking contributions. Chelsea have four good centre-backs, though John Terry will have to accept that he is the fourth best.

While Mourinho can be expected to ensure that Chelsea never seem as unbalanced as they sometimes looked in the past two years, it will be interesting to see whether he can do that while placing an accent on panache. What is certain is that under him Chelsea will pursue victories with more ferocity: last season they won the same number as points as Manchester United against teams in the top half of the Premier League but amassed 14 fewer than the eventual champions against teams in the bottom half – that was ultimately the margin between Chelsea and the title.

They dropped four points to Queens Park Rangers and Southampton in matches where their focus looked blurred, just as it did in the draw at Reading and the defeat at Newcastle. Mourinho will surely adjust that attitude. He is also likely to take more decisive action to influence matches that are not panning out as planned, partially because he will have more options on the bench than Roberto Di Matteo and Benítez had and partially because his substitutions are less formulaic than the Spaniard's tended to be.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2013/aug/06/premier-league-preview-chelsea

Samuel Eto’o keen on Jose Mourinho link up with Chelsea

Tuesday 13 Aug 2013 8:29 am

Samuel Eto’o has opened the door to for a reunion with Jose Mourinho at Chelsea after being put up for sale by Anzhi Makhachkala.

Reports suggest the entire first-team of the big-spending Russian outfit have been transfer listed, and Eto’o, 32, who enjoyed great success under Mourinho at Inter Milan, admits he’d jump at the chance to link back up with the Special One at Stamford Bridge.

‘There is only one Jose Mourinho. I have played under a lot of great coaches – but there is no other character in the game like Jose,’ Eto’o said.

‘He is one of the best coaches in the world – and we had a lot of success together at Inter Milan. I would like to have the chance to play under him again – because it is never boring when Jose is around.

‘Of course Chelsea are a great team – and when we have all the offers on the table then I will discuss with my agent and see what my next step is.’

Eto’o and Mourinho won the Serie A, the Coppa Italia, the Supercoppa Italiana and the Champions League trophy during their time together at Inter.

Fellow Italian outfit Napoli, now managed by Rafa Benitez, are also thought to be monitoring the Cameroonian’s situation, but his agent has revealed no contact has been made.

He said: ‘It’d be a dream for him [Eto’o] to wear the jersey of a glorious club like Napoli. However, so far they have not contacted us.’

http://metro.co.uk/2013/08/13/samuel-etoo-keen-on-jose-mourinho-link-up-with-chelsea-3921430/?

Wayne Rooney 'confident of move'

By Richard Jolly

If at first you don't succeed, try and try again

Wayne Rooney has told his Manchester United team-mates he will be joining Chelsea.

Jose Mourinho has already had two bids for the England striker rejected, but a source close to United told ESPN that Rooney is convinced he will be headed to Stamford Bridge and has said as much to his colleagues at Old Trafford.

Several of the United squad are reportedly unhappy with Rooney, who has ignored their appeals to extend his nine-year stay with the Premier League champions, and their relationship has not improved with the attacker increasingly confident he will go.

United have insisted the 27-year-old is not for sale, but Chelsea haven't abandoned their pursuit of the former Everton player.

Sir Alex Ferguson said that Rooney asked to leave United before the end of last season and that although David Moyes has said he is keen to keep the forward, he remains unsettled.

Rooney has not appeared for United in their pre-season programme -- apart from a behind-closed-doors friendly against Real Betis -- because of hamstring and shoulder injuries.

He missed Rio Ferdinand's testimonial, the 3-1 defeat to Sevilla, but trained with the reserves Thursday and Friday.

Rooney could be fit enough to face Wigan in Sunday's Community Shield at Wembley, but it remains to be seen whether Moyes will pick him.

He has been included in Roy Hodgson's England squad for Wednesday's friendly against Scotland.

http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1518412/wayne-rooney-confident-move-chelsea?cc=3436&asd

Chelsea's balancing act bodes well for Mourinho
Posted by Phil Lythell

Chelsea's 2012-13 campaign will live long in the memory for both the right and wrong reasons. Putting aside the acrimony that surrounded Rafael Benitez's tenure, the positive elements largely came from a changing emphasis toward attacking football that aimed to utilise the outrageous talents of Eden Hazard, Juan Mata and Oscar.

Although exhilarating to watch on occasion, it did not always bear fruit as the team and squad rarely looked in perfect equilibrium personnel-wise. When the trio were fielded together, the Blues retained a clear advantage going forward, though that was often more than counteracted when possession was lost; the fluidity of their interchanging positions often left the team lacking a coherent defensive shape when the ball was turned over.

Benitez sought to solve the problem by rarely playing all three in tandem and opting to play Ramires or Victor Moses in one of the wide positions, but that simultaneously blunted the attacking options. The talent was clearly available, although neither Roberto Di Matteo nor Benitez was entirely sure how best to deploy it without compromising the team's defensive values.

Just as culpable -- perhaps even more so -- was the club's curious transfer policy last summer when a surfeit of attack-minded players were purchased without addressing the deficiencies at the base of midfield, the paucity of striking options or a worrying lack of goalkeeping depth. The style was there though the substance was not, and the imbalance led to a topsy-turvy campaign.

With the new season starting Aug. 18 at home against Hull, the prospects look much better for Chelsea, and not just because Jose Mourinho has exercised his rightful claim to the Stamford Bridge throne. Although only three new players have been signed, all of a sudden the squad has a measured feel to it with options covered in almost every aspect.

The arrivals of Andre Schurrle, Marco van Ginkel and Mark Schwarzer have been complemented by the return to the fold of several loan signings, nearly all of whom have come back with their reputations enhanced.

In defensive midfield, Michael Essien feels almost like a new signing. Looking at his displays so far in preseason, the 'Bison' has immediately added a steel missing in that part of the squad, and he appears to have lost none of his trademark strength and determination. The year at Real Madrid might have seen him shunted around the pitch as he filled in for various roles, but it also gave him a chance to build on his fitness and sharpness after a few injury-hit campaigns. Whether Essien will recover all of his former formidable faculties remains to be seen, but for the moment he is certainly starting to resemble his old rampaging self.

Competing with the Ghanaian for game time, whether the system is a 4-3-3 or a 4-2-3-1, will be John Obi Mikel, Ramires, Frank Lampard, possibly Oscar and, most excitingly, Van Ginkel. The young Dutchman has eased himself gently into life at Chelsea with quietly assured performances in Asia and in the most recent friendly Thursday in Indianapolis against Inter Milan. The 20-year-old has shown he has an astute eye for a pass combined with the ability to execute it. There has also been some real tenacity in the tackle, which is particularly encouraging given the traditional virtues associated with the English game.

Such are the competitive options in midfield that highly promising Nathaniel Chalobah and cultured Josh McEachran will join Nathan Ake in being loaned out for another campaign. Mourinho has already spoken highly of Chalobah, and, should the youngster kick on again from his breakthrough season with Watford, he is destined to become a permanent member of Chelsea's first-team squad in 12 months' time. Similarly, McEachran and Ake will be aiming to emulate their team-mate's progress.

Farther forward, the introduction of Schurrle and the integration of Kevin De Bruyne have added even more fantasy to a flair-filled front line. In particular, De Bruyne's pre-season outings prior to injury caught the eye, as he popped up across the width of the pitch in all manner of positions.

His ability to create and his sharp passing will be key assets in a high-tempo approach, and he looks perfectly able to fill in for or play alongside the wizardry of Mata and Hazard. Schurrle gives the team a more direct approach, with the German not afraid to take on defenders with the ball at his feet. Moses is a similar but more rugged option, and his excellent work in setting up Oscar's goal against Inter will not have gone unnoticed by Mourinho. Chelsea might once again be overloaded in attacking midfield, though each of those players provides a different solution to the equation.

With Schwarzer finally providing the club with respectable back-up for Petr Cech, it is only up front that any doubts really remain. Romelu Lukaku has grabbed the bull by the horns in pre-season, and, if he can replicate that form when the real campaign gets started, then Chelsea will be well set. It is a gamble, though -- and one Mourinho is not likely to take -- if he wants to be in the running for the major trophies, hence his interest in Wayne Rooney.

But that looks like being the final piece of the jigsaw. For a squad that looked in need of some significant surgery in key areas, a few subtle alterations appear to be making a big difference. There is no way of knowing whether an encouraging summer camp will evolve into a title challenge, though Chelsea already look far better equipped than at the start of last season.

http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/chelsea/id/1273?&cc=3436

Transfer news: Chelsea have second bid 'rejected' for Wayne Rooney which could force Manchester United striker to hand in transfer request

The 27-year-old has expressed his desire to leave the club to new manager David Moyes according to reports this morning

JACK DE MENEZES MONDAY 05 AUGUST 13

Manchester United’s want-away striker Wayne Rooney could be about to hand in a formal transfer request to force through a move to Chelsea after a second offer was rejected by the Premier League champions.

The Daily Mail has reported this morning that the Blues made a second unsuccessful bid for the England international, thought to be in the region of £25m, as they try to lure Rooney to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea are currently in America for the International Champions Cup but Jose Mourinho is so determined to add Rooney to his squad that club secretary Dave Barnard has stayed in London in order to head negotiations for Rooney.

It is believed they will not bid over £30m for the 27-year-old, but Chelsea could give United officials something to think about with a third offer after Rooney reportedly confirmed to manager David Moyes that he wants to leave when the two met over the weekend.

The two clubs meet on August 26 and should the matter not be finalised before then, United could choose to leave Rooney out of the match-day squad due to his desire to move to Chelsea.

He featured for 45 minutes in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Real Betis over the weekend, and he is also set to feature against Swedish club AIK in Stockholm on Tuesday as he continues his comeback from injury.

He has told team-mates that he does not wish to move abroad and claims irreconcilable differences with the club have forced his decision to leave Old Trafford, and Chelsea appear to be the only team seriously interested in his services at the present time.

Comments made by Sir Alex Ferguson in May angered Rooney along with David Moyes words that he would not be first choice this season, which left the forward “angry and confused” according to his friends.

It was reported last week that he would put his future in the hands of the Manchester United faithful and base his decision on the reception he got from fans in Rio Ferdinand’s testimonial on Friday, but it seems the transfer request could be lodged before the match and a potential backlash from supporters will add to his reasons for leaving.

United fans have already forgiven Rooney once before, when he asked for a transfer in 2010 before finally agreeing a new five-year contract worth £240,000-a-week, which Chelsea are ready to match should he be allowed to discuss terms with the west London outfit by his current club.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/transfer-news-chelsea-have-second-bid-rejected-for-wayne-rooney-which-could-force-manchester-united-striker-to-hand-in-transfer-request-8746089.html

I think Mourinho can get the best out of Torres, and I didn't think he played badly last season.. saying that, if we buy Rooney I will be stoked, he is quality. Also excited to see Lukaku doing well in preseason. So keen for the season to start!

like the new shirt

Is Jose Mourinho right to pledge to support Torres at Chelsea?

by Gareth McKnight

The Stamford Bridge manager is backing the misfiring Spanish forward, saying that his team must adapt to suit the attacker’s style of play.

Fernando Torres’ demise since moving to Chelsea from Liverpool in a £50 million deal has been well documented, as the once devastating forward has lost confidence, his pace and a real threat in front of goal. With Jose Mourinho back in the Blues hotseat and domestic and European domination the goal, the team’s situation in attack needs to be addressed.

It is believed that Chelsea are in the market for a new top-quality forward, however the boat has sailed on reported targets Radamel Falcao and Edinson Cavani, as Ligue 1’s big-spenders snapped the South American pair up. Others such as Wayne Rooney have been linked, but Mourinho’s latest comments suggest that the club may well make do with what they have, and look to reinvent Torres.



“We know Torres’ game. When we see Torres with his back to goal surrounded by two or three opponents, we know that he is not going to produce a piece of magic. But this is Torres. We want the team not to learn how to play with him, but to improve how to play with him.

“We won’t re-model his game, it is impossible to re-model his game. But we want to adapt the team and teach the team how to use his best qualities, because his game is his game.

“He is not a kid any more, he is at an age where it is difficult to change his play. He is what he is and he is very good with the qualities that he has got. So we need to learn and support his game.

“I feel he is highly motivated, he works very hard. I think some of the work we do with the team in terms of attack suits his qualities.

“So let’s see what happens. We are here to support him.”

Torres started to show signs of recovery last season, and under Rafa Benitez began to regain some of his confidence, with improved performances coming as a result. That said, his eight goals last season shows that he is a long way away from returning to the player that he once was, and a similar return this season will be nowhere near good enough to fire the Blues into contention for honours.

There is a feeling that Chelsea were outgunned financially by Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain in the hunt for Falcao and Cavani, and should the Blues fail in their attempts to convince United to sell Rooney, Torres will be an important player for the Blues next term.

That said, Torres is not guaranteed a starting berth, with Demba Ba and an ever-improving Romelu Lukaku to contend with for the lone striker role.

The Spaniard’s fate will largely depend on the personnel that the club have at their disposal at the close of the transfer window. Should the like of Rooney or another big-name striker be added, Torres could be reduced to fleeting appearances from the bench.

If this is set to be the case, it would be best for both parties for Torres to be allowed to return to his homeland for a fresh start. Former club Atletico Madrid would be a sensible destination, and a partnership in attack with David Villa would be an intriguing one.

Should Torres stay at Chelsea he will need the support that Mourinho speaks of, because he may well spend the bulk of next season on the fringes.

http://hereisthecity.com/2013/08/03/is-mourinho-right-to-pledge-to-support-torres-at-chelsea/

Lampard: Mourinho told me I was the best player in the world

Frank Lampard reveals that José Mourinho told him he was the "best player in the world" during his first spell at Chelsea

By TSR staff
Thursday 1 August 2013, 08:45 UK

Frank Lampard has revealed that José Mourinho told him he was the “best player in the world” during his first spell in charge of Chelsea.

The Portuguese coach led the Blues to six major trophies between 2004 and 2007 before leaving the club and joining Inter Milan shortly after.
Chelsea’s trophy haul under Mourinho included back-to-back Premier League titles – and Lampard admits he was thrilled to see the 50-year-old secure a return to Stamford Bridge on a four-year contract earlier this summer.
“He told me I was the best player in the world, but if you want to be recognised you need to win titles and medals,” Lampard, who signed a one-year Chelsea contract extension in May, told the Sun.
“Whether he meant it or not I’m not sure, but he certainly knew how to get the best out of me, as I thought that I needed to prove this bloke right.
“So for him to come back, for me personally, is brilliant.”

http://www.thesportreview.com/tsr/2013/08/frank-lampard-jose-mourinho-best-player-in-the-world/?

Definitely worth getting rid of him while you've got the chance.

Torres linked with La Liga return

Chelsea striker Fernando Torres is a reported target for Spanish side Valencia as they look to replace Roberto Soldado. Soldado is closing in on a move to Tottenham and if a deal does go through then speculation in Spain says Valencia will attempt to take Torres back to La Liga, where he previously starred for Atletico Madrid. Blues boss Jose Mourinho could be happy to cash in and use the money to bring in his own targets but much will depend on how much Valencia can afford to pay. Los Che do have financial problems and will be unwilling to break the bank for Torres, especially as the striker is due to turn 29 in March. Tottenham will pay £26million for Soldado and that is the kind of offer Valencia will make for Torres and keep their fingers crossed that Chelsea accept.

Read more at: http://www.clubcall.com/chelsea/torres-linked-with-la-liga-return-1611224.html?

Is Wayne Rooney the right man to lead Chelsea’s attack?
JULY 30TH, 2013 BY SHIKHARR CHANDRA


The mood around Stamford Bridge is “special and happy”, two adjectives that describe the new man in charge of Stamford Bridge- Jose Mourinho.

Chelsea welcome back the special one after sacking him back in 2007 and it looks like the Portuguese is on a mission to regain his reputation after his tempestuous departure from Real Madrid.

It was a disastrous last season for the Blues who even though finished third and ended their European campaign with yet another trophy, the mood among the fans was hardly a pleasing site.

Last summer saw an influx of creative midfielders in the side with the likes of Eden Hazard, Oscar taking the Premier League by storm but Chelsea’s relatively poor squad depth ultimately took its toll during the final few months. With Daniel Sturridge being sold to Liverpool, the Blues attacking options were restricted to only Demba Ba and Fernando Torres, both out of touch and even though the latter chipped in with goals in the Europa League, his barren spell in the Premier League saw him net just once from December till the end of the season.

This season though has so far taken a positive shape for the South West London club. The Blues ended their tour of Asia with a 100% record and 13 goals in three games. Mourinho will be particularly pleased with Romelu Lukaku who ended the Asia tour with four goals netting in each of the three games. The young Belgian was quick to pounce on the opportunity and gave the new manager something to ponder about.

Yet despite his excellent form for West Bromwich Albion last season and a couple of pre-season games there still remains a doubt as to who would lead Chelsea’s attack come start of the season. The clubs present options comprise of Demba Ba, Fernando Torres along with Romelu Lukaku.

At first glance, one would feel Mourinho will go with the more obvious and experienced option in Fernando Torres who added yet another feather to his cap with the confederation cup golden boot. The Spaniard bagged 23 goals for Chelsea last season with the majority of them coming in cup competitions. Torres’s dismal run in the Premier League saw the Blues suffer on numerous occasions and entrusting him with the striking duties could be a huge gamble by the Portuguese.



Demba Ba on the other hand is mainly seen as a backup despite his decent showing with Newcastle during the start of the season. The Senegalese forward has so far failed to win many plaudits during the pre-season and despite his acrobatic finishes last season, the striker could mainly see a more regular role on the bench or the occasional capital one cup games.

Lukaku though despite his excellent form could be a major gamble by Jose Mourinho. The 20 year old has hardly been tested on big occasions and over reliance on him could backfire as the season progresses. The Belgian will get to see a lot of action this season more than what he got under Andre Villas-Boas which will help the striker develop his raw talent.

Chelsea’s need for a new striker has been no secret. After persistent efforts to sign Radamel Falcao and Edison Cavani, the club has now turned it’s attention to Manchester United forward, Wayne Rooney, the man who Mourinho identifies as the missing piece to complete the Chelsea puzzle.

At first look, it seems foolish to think that United will sell one of their longest serving player to their rivals especially in an area where the London club is desperate for reinforcements. But the last few weeks have seen a bizarre turn of events with the former Everton forward “angry and confused” with the way he has been treated by Manchester United and Jose Mourinho’s constant flirting has given Rooney much to think about. So, if Chelsea are successful in luring Wayne Rooney from Manchester United, does he solve their problems?

Unlike Falcao or Cavani, Rooney comes with an advantage of having played in the Premier League for the last decade which makes life a little easier for the Manchester United forward to settle in at Chelsea. Another thing that separates Rooney from the current crop of Chelsea strikers is his versatility. The England forward has been deployed on the wings, as a central midfielder, in the hole and a striker too! In Rooney, Chelsea have a player with the ability to not only finish attacks but initiate them as well by bringing the ball from the deep, pretty similar to what Torres has been offering on a very inconsistent basis.

At 27 years of age, Rooney still has several years left in him and despite his “drop in form” for the past few seasons, Rooney could easily slot in as the main forward at Chelsea. Having played second fiddle to Robin Van Persie and out of position on numerous occasions last season, Rooney still ended the campaign with 23 goals in all competitions for club and country, decent for a striker who had to struggle to find a fixed spot for himself in the team.

Having largely played out of his comfort zone in order to get the best out of the likes of Ronaldo, Van Persie, Berbatov, Rooney’s potential to some extent has not been used fully by Manchester United. When played as the central striker (2009-10), Rooney ended the campaign with 34 goals and although it was not enough for United to win the league, the forward clearly made a strong case of his favored position.

With Rooney, Chelsea get a striker whose comfortable in playing with the “three amigos”. The three attacking midfielders seemingly interchange their position on a fairly regular basis and with a striker used to that sort of a role, it makes Chelsea’s front four even more fluid.

In Rooney, Mourinho sees a player desperate to prove himself, a player looking for a new challenge and should Mourinho manage to get the best out of Rooney, Chelsea could finally bid farewell to their striking woes.

http://backpagefootball.com/is-wayne-rooney-the-right-man-to-lead-chelseas-attack/60656/?

Chelsea would definitely rock this season..

Is anything ever going to be discussed in this thread? Seems there's only ever articles from Joffa :lol:

Is the title of this thread ever going to change?

José Mourinho: If a player is 'great' they have to give more

A seemingly more modest Chelsea manager warns his superstars they must produce on the pitch, not just have fun

Dominic Fifield in Jakarta
The Observer, Sunday 28 July 2013 07.43 AEST

José Mourinho is supposed to be a changed man. There were times on Chelsea's pre-season tour of south-east Asia when he would rail, albeit in mock horror, at reminders of the reputation he had once forged for himself, interrupting press conferences as local comperes reverted to those monickers that marked his first spell in English football. "I'm not the Special One any more," he would say. "That was 10 years ago. It's an old story."

The Premier League's provocateur-in-chief has apparently mellowed, enthused by a new kind of challenge at Stamford Bridge and, at 50, the added responsibility that comes with experience. Yet, if the story has moved on, elements of the old plotline remain. The schlep around Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia was all about building fitness, with the tactical fine-tuning to come in the United States, on the four-game second leg that follows. From now on in, Mourinho is intent on making this team tick and, just as in 2004 – when he first arrived in west London – some individuals will find adjustment a slog.

He inherits a side who revolve around free spirits, almost an imitation of the Barcelona lineup he confronted and, briefly, eclipsed while with Real Madrid. Eden Hazard has already made an impression. Juan Mata and Oscar, two of the six players granted more time off after the Confederations Cup, report back at Cobham on Sunday. These are the talents to set Chelsea apart, but they will not be indulged. Mourinho's man-management retains its edge. "I am not the kind of guy who makes life easy for the great players," he said. "This kind of player is the last I praise.

"You have to praise the guys who play to their limits, who give everything. They are not superstars; they are just good players trying to support their teams. Don't get me wrong, I still prefer the top players, the guys who win you matches and make the difference. But if they are 'great', they have to give more than the others. For me, to praise an ordinary player is easy. For me to praise a top player is not. When a player is different and has more potential than others, he has to use his talent in a good way."

That insight was delivered in a sixth-floor meeting room at the team's Jakarta hotel, high above the din of the city's choking gridlock, with the implications clear. It might ring a bell with Damien Duff and Arjen Robben. It certainly will with Joe Cole, now back at West Ham, whose evolution under Mourinho was painful at times. He and Shaun Wright-Phillips were once infamously hooked within the opening 26 minutes of a defeat at Fulham. "Joe was one of the best talents in the Premier League, and in English football, but I made his life quite difficult," said Mourinho. "We transformed his game together because he accepted what I wanted – and we turned a No10, who would come up with two or three amazing actions, into an inside-winger, left or right, who was strong defensively. He was fantastic. I was so pleased with what we did with him.

"A creative player has to use his ability and, if he loses the ball trying to create or score a goal, no problem. If he's just having fun, though, and loses the ball in midfield and then doesn't defend, and the team concede, that's a problem. These guys have to go out there to produce, not have fun or look to humiliate an opponent, putting the ball through their legs. It's about being respectful and having objectives.

"We've had Joe, Robben and Duff, Cristiano Ronaldo, Angel di María and Mesut Ozil … with me [at Real Madrid], players like Eden Hazard will have freedom. The kid has a lot of talent, but it's about what he does next. He has to go from a great talent to great numbers: how many goals, how many assists, how many winning goals, how many goals in big matches. Football is about numbers in a very pragmatic way. I'm ready to help him, I'm ready to work with him. And he must be ready too."

At first glance, Mata would already boast that weight of statistics. The Spaniard has totalled 18 goals and 33 assists in his two Premier League seasons, his efforts earning him the supporters' player of the year award for each of his two seasons at Stamford Bridge, with his team-mates nominating him the players' player of the year, too, last term. That was an award conceived by Mourinho during his first spell at the club, an unapologetically blatant attempt to ensure Claude Makelele was recognised while others hogged the limelight.

"It was my invention," said the manager. "The fans have one perspective, the players another, so for Mata to have won both means a lot. People love him, but his fellow players love the work he puts in for the team. Of course he fits into my plans. I have my idea about him, about where he produces better and where he has more difficulty. We will try to help him perform better in those situations. I've always liked a right-sided player to be left-footed. I started with Robben and Duff, then [Goran] Pandev at Inter, and Di María and Ozil. Many clubs do it. It's more than a tendency.

"I like wingers coming in on the inside for the penetrative movement, for the pass, for the shot. And Juan is the only player we have to do that on the right. On the left we have Hazard, Victor Moses, Kevin De Bruyne, André Schürrle … Juan is also very comfortable playing as a No10. In between these two positions, he has a lot to give to the team."

The signing over two years of so many attack-minded midfielders was supposed to quench Roman Abramovich's thirst for slick, forward-thinking football, a style that successive managers, Mourinho included, have been charged with implementing. Few have conjured a balance between solidity and swashbuckling attack, invariably prompting their own downfall, though the returning head coach does not envisage conflict with the owner this time around. The oligarch has been at Stamford Bridge for a decade, funding Premier League titles and a European Cup. When he first arrived, he was treated with suspicion. Now he feels like a trailblazer.

"Who knows what Chelsea would be like if he hadn't bought the club in 2003?" asked Mourinho before thoughts drifted to Qataris in Paris, Russians in Monaco and Abu Dhabi's growing clout in Manchester. What does he make of the splurge of foreign investors?

"Maybe my question mark is why are they interested. I remember when Roman bought Chelsea, there was always the question: when is he going to sell it? Is he in love with the club? Is he in love with football? Is he doing this for the right reasons? Now I'm 100% sure, even with a big offer, Roman wouldn't sell. Some other clubs and some other owners, I'm not sure. I don't know them, their feelings, where they want to go, when they want to stop. Everybody was saying 'win the Champions League or win the Premier League and Roman will go'. Well, he won the Premier League and the Champions League, and his mentality is the same. He is always adding ideas and pushing because he sees a future. I remember when we started building [the training ground at] Cobham. [The then chief executive] Peter Kenyon and I were worried about giving just the right conditions, but Roman was always going for more. Why build four pitches when we can build 15, for the kids, for the future. Why train people elsewhere, at Brentford, when they can train together here?

"He's made life easier for the new owners coming into football. He did things in the right way so, by being one of the pioneers, he's given those others a chance to be well received. In our time it was hard because Roman was the man on the spot. After that, my profile added to it. We were not loved and people did not give us the credit we deserved at the time. Yet now you see people buying clubs in France, England, Italy, – an Indonesian buying 70% of Internazionale. Things are changing. People are received as 'good'."

Accusations of financial trickery lodged at the time may have been justified, but rivals have since realised they have little choice but to follow Chelsea's lead. Arsenal, who reacted with horror when Abramovich distorted the market, bid more than £40m for Luis Suárez. "I remember something Sir Alex Ferguson said when United won the Premier League in 2007, that the responsibility for United to be stronger that season had been down to Chelsea," added Mourinho. "'Because, in the last two years, they killed us,' he'd said, 'so we understood what we were doing was not enough.' So they bought, they spent, and they brought United to that level."

Others compete on an equal footing these days, yet this remains a manager who can give Chelsea an edge.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/jul/27/jose-mourinho-special-chelsea?