Goodbye Jose, Goodnight Chelsea
Chelsea fans should be worried.
The man that brought Chelsea at least one of every major domestic title has finally left the club. I can’t say I am surprised, as the clashes between Jose Mourinho and billionaire owner Roman Abramovich have been widely covered. The Russian finally won out, and Chelsea is left with an interim manager who isn’t half of what Jose was.
The Special One wasn’t afraid to bruise egos or change his tactics to appease Abramovich or any player. Much has been said of the treasure chest worth of signings Mourinho has received over the past few years. However, it is hardly mentioned how Mourinho handled the signings.
International and European stars such as William Gallas, Michael Ballack, and Andriy Shevchenko are among the casualties of Mourinho’s only desire: to win. Gallas, Ballack, and Shevchenko all either did not perform, or did not fit into Mourinho’s tactical decisions, and he wasn’t afraid to put them on the bench. Instead, Mourinho relied on the previously maligned Didier Drogba and stalwarts Frank Lampard and John Terry, along with his squad rotation system to win, among other things, 2 Premier League titles. Ultimately, this is probably what led to his departure from Chelsea, particularly with the Shevchenko situation.
Chelsea can almost kiss Lampard goodbye. He has long been rumored of a move away from Stamford Bridge, and was a big fan of Mourinho. If things do not go well, look to him to finally make a move to Italy or Spain.
With Mourinho gone, I don’t know if Chelsea can place in the top four this season, and will probably have to settle for a UEFA Cup spot or worse.
Topics: Chelsea, Jose Mourinho, Roman Abramovich
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I wouldn’t say the would be placed outside the top 4. They still have the quality players which can bring them trophies, but the new manager would need to find a decent formation so that they can fit all their players in such as Shevchenko and Ballack.
September 21st, 2007 @ 15:46As a gooner I’m looking forward to watching Chelsea slowly implode. By the look of the crowd that bothered to show up the other night it looks like all the “new” Chelsea fans are crawling back under the rock from which they appeared from. Jose Mourinho will be a massive loss to the Premiership. Whether you love him or hate him the league was a lot more interesting with him around. But one thing for sure is that there will be no sympathy from other football supporters around the country. Shit club no history is rapidly becoming shit club no future! Bring it on!! lol
September 21st, 2007 @ 16:00Chelsea have are the most solid team in the land in terms of individual personnel, and abramovich didn’t get rich by making bad decisions. They will suffer a blip but chelsea shouldnt be written off.
September 21st, 2007 @ 17:03You make pretty good points. Though I expect Chelsea to go into full damage control mode – and Mourinho wasn’t the only persuasive person at Chelsea. Mourinho always claimed that he wasn’t given enough credit for handling a squad full of big players and getting them to perform every week, I suppose we’re going to find out how right he was.
September 21st, 2007 @ 22:23It would have been nice had you not just pointed out one or two sure things as a result of Mourinho’s exit; any amateur pundit could do that.
I’m expecting Lampard to end up at Juventus in the next year or so. However, you don’t mention why he would leave, so I will elaborate. In addition to being a huge fan of Mourinho, Lampard has only two years left on his deal. Unlike the Terry deal that got done this offseason, Lamapard rejected some offers. Chelsea will definitely not pay Lamprd almost the same amount of money to stay and compete with Michael Ballack in the midfield, since Avram Grant for sure will insert a healthy Ballack into the starting 11 as soon as possible.
If you are going to claim that Chelsea will only compete for the UEFA Cup next season, then at least mention why. Certainly, it isn’t just the loss of Mourinho and the probable loss of Lamaprd that will do so. Chelsea will finish top four this season, simply because they are one of the deepest teams in the league. We will be fine but won’t reach the pinnacle of success without Mourinho that we had.
If we do compete only for the UEFA Cup next season, it will be beacuse:
September 21st, 2007 @ 23:501. A non-cup tied Dider Drogba will be sold in either Janaury or this summer.
2. Michael Essien, Florent Malouda, and/or Ricardo Carvalho will move on from Stamford Bridge to a new venue.
3. Andriy Shevchenko will be the only reputable forward, along with Claudio Pizarro, that Chelsea will have.
4. Chelsea’s ability to win almost every single match in which they are outplayed, because of Mourinho, will disappear.
I also expect Lampard to move to Juventus. Probably as Mourinho’s first signing.
September 22nd, 2007 @ 00:54good points bryan. i do think that teams like everton, or newcastle, in that mid-tier cluster, should be very eager for this season to progress, as the departure of mourinho and the other factors mentioned, definitely weaken chelsea and give one of those teams the opportunity to seriously contest for the #4 spot…
September 22nd, 2007 @ 01:06that does not mean i expect chelsea to give up and roll over, too many good athletes and depth to not still compete for the top 4, i dont know about the title, though.
there is even a chance we might see a reaction from chelsea, although it is unlikely till drogba and lampard are out. i aam worried about some kind of backlash in tommorow game against utd. Everybody has written them off, and i sure they are not going to give up that easily.
September 23rd, 2007 @ 03:40Having said that their is no doubt that chelsea and the premiership as a whole are poorer without mourinho. He has been fantastic for the premiership.
Chelsea will be and should be in the bottom half of the league at season end.
September 24th, 2007 @ 15:13If Drogba sits out till Jan. (Champions League games), and he is moved, will he be able to play in when the Champions League resumes?
-Petey
September 25th, 2007 @ 02:39Yes, Petey, he is not cup tied as long as he does not play, so that is my point. Drogba’s value will increase tenfold to Champions League contenders in January. Can you imagine being Real, Milan or another being able to add an available Drogba for european competition in January? Chelsea can make a shitload more money by not suiting him up for another Euro match all year.
September 25th, 2007 @ 04:57it was the most painful moment for me and still can not accept that the man who had put us on the world map as one of the biggest clubs could just be made to go on a’mutual consent’ whatever that meant was not fair to the maltitudes of fans who followed chelsea it was so painful but we had to accept it way.But let me assure you one thing chelsea will this year lift the uefa champions league and fa league as well, as the want to pay tribute to their most beloved coach JOSE “THE SPECIAL ONE” MOURINHO. TO JOSE I SAY YOU WERE A REAL SPECIAL ONE AND YOU DESERVE ALL THE RESPECT YOU DESERVE TO ME YOU ARE A BRAND.THEY SAY YOU WILL NEVER MISS YOUR WATER UNTIL YOUR WELL RUNS DRY THATIS WHAT THE MAN WAS, GOOD LUCKY TO YOU JOSE AND I WISH YOU WELL
October 9th, 2007 @ 15:42Chelsea win the champions league? Don’t make me laugh!!! They’ve got more chance of playing in front of a sell out crowd at Stamford bridge!
October 9th, 2007 @ 21:11Dear Paul you ignorant Arsenal A**ehole we will see who will be top at the end of the season and not before ! You lot are going well at the moment but will it last ? One defeat and the doubts will start remember it happened before , you are a house of straw ! Come on you mighty blues and F**ck all Arsenal shit .
December 2nd, 2007 @ 10:44