Whilst the loss at Everton over the weekend was far from a disaster, Jose Mourinho’s comments after the game sought to put some perspective on the expectation surrounding the club.
This is not yet a team in his image.
There is much about this Chelsea squad to admire given the size, depth and the youthful appearance that it now has. It is, however, at odds with Mourinho’s style to a large degree.
During his first time, Mourinho played a 4-3-3 compromising of a solid midfield three of the likes of Claude Makelele, Frank Lampard and Michael Ballack, speedy wingers and a powerful centre forward.
In Madrid where he had far more attacking expectations, Mourinho’s tactics morphed more in to a 4-2-3-1, given that he had two exceptional deep-lying midfielders in Sami Khedira and Xabi Alonso, which afforded the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Mesut Ozil the freedom they craved. He could also play Pepe in a destructive deep-lying midfield role.
Mourinho has adopted a similar style at Chelsea, but the problem is he does not really possess the players required in the deeper roles. John Obi Mikel is lacking at the very top and while an ageing Lampard and the tireless Ramires are both excellent players, neither is a natural holding player and their talents are stifled in such a system. Both are far more suited to playing in a 4-3-3.
To switch to a 4-3-3, however, would be to give less credence to Chelsea’s obvious strength of the ‘three’ in the 4-2-3-1. Of the players that operate in those positions, only Oscar could reasonably be expected to play in a deeper role given his (largely unnoticed) tackling and tracking back ability.
Leaving the likes of Eden Hazard and Juan Mata purely on the wings would be a waste; the interchanging in the current system suits them wonderfully. He also has to find game time for Andre Schurrle, Kevin de Bruyne and Willian.
Time and time again in his previous Chelsea guise, Mourinho waxed lyrical of the benefits of having an extra man in midfield, namely Makelele. To facilitate that you need to play 4-3-3.
The 4-2-3-1 feels in a way like a compromise that Mourinho has made to satisfy the attacking cravings of his paymasters at Madrid and Chelsea. Neither also are necessarily teams where he had complete charge of the transfer policy. Adding Schurrle, Willian and Marco van Ginkel this summer gives him little option in terms of the system he can employ.
The Chelsea boss did, however, manage to snap up Samuel Eto’o on a free. Given this array of attacking options, Mourinho will be forced to be bold, but he clearly needs to marry this to the pragmatism he always feels is required and which has made his teams so successful.
Whilst Madrid performed on the whole very well under him, it never really appeared as if it was his team in the same way it did at Chelsea first time around or at Internazionale where his identity, tactics and character were stamped all over the park.
If Mourinho is to repeat his previous glories at Chelsea and turn them into Champions League contenders again, then the balance of the squad needs to be addressed, and Roman Abramovich must indulge some of Mourinho’s caution to proceedings.
It may well be that it is next season before we see a Chelsea team truly again in Mourinho’s image, if indeed that is what the Russian owner is prepared to sanction.
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
I"m not sure Sturridge has proved himself at all in the context of some of the lavish praise that has been heaped on him. Let me be clear, I have nothing against him at all and I do think he's a good player but proving himself is putting in a couple of consistent seasons of 20 goals plus like the top guys do. There was little pressure on him last season as Liverpool weren't particularly playing for very much but as everyone rightly points out the Reds look in good shape this season and Suarez is yet to return. He's now on a bigger stage. There will be bigger and bigger games to come with more pressure. If Sturridge gets to May with 20 odd goals in his pocket and Liverpool there or there abouts for the CL spots (granted he doesn't have a total say in that eventuality), then I would agree he has seriously begun to prove himself.
AlexThanopoulos
Roar Rookie
Pretty sure Sturridge had a very strong finish to last season as well. He has gone past having to prove himself. Either way, it is very early doors in the season so far and teams will settle and kick on. All teams being discussed here have new managers at the helm. It will take time for the managers of Unioed, Chelsea, City to settle and make their mark on their new squads. It really shouldn't a be a surprise that Arsenal, Liverpool and Spurs have had better than decent starts and the have managers at the helm of squads that they have been with for more than a few months.
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
Sturridge has had a great start but we'll have to judge him over the season. I don't think anyone at Chelsea ever doubted his ability but his attitude. Players do invariably grow up and it may be that Liverpool suits him better, it's a fantastic club after all. Chelsea's record of bringing through younger players isn't great to date much to my disappointment. Chelsea has been highly dysfunctional for a while with so many managers, very hard for a young player to develop in those circumstances. With the players at Chelsea now, I'm not sure how much playing time he'd have got although he seems a far better option to me than Demba Ba granted. He definitely looks like a player that needs more playing time and he'll get that at Liverpool. Definitely a great start for tje reds this season so far, they're going to push for the top 4 for sure.
AlexThanopoulos
Roar Rookie
Shelvey was awesome. Box to box for both sides. His use of the 'air swing' in the build up to his goal was sublime.
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
Cheers for the comments Henry. The reason I'm concentrating on the midfield is I was trying to outline the tactical problem he has in there. Whilst Lampard (he is getting very old also) and Ramires are both excellent players as you point out, both are box to box midfielders, not holding midfielders, thus far better suited to 4-3-3 which is Mourinho's favoured formation. Mata, Oscar, Hazard and co however are far better suited to the 4-2-3-1. My point being that whichever system he employs right now, his midfield is going to be out of balance and the team won't click properly until that is addressed. It'll be ok against most teams - Chelsea's problem on Saturday was they simply couldn't score - but against the top teams it will be an issue. Either system will only require 1 upfront. I agree with you that the options don't stack up to Drogba. I have no idea what condition Eto'o is really in and whether he can get properly fit again, I think he's generally looked after himself but he is 32. Torres seems to work well in the link up stage in the 4-2-3-1 but he just doesn't look a regular goal threat anymore and I don't think he'll ever be the same player again. Ba is not upto it I completely agree if you are talking about titles and Champions League. I'd have binned him off and kept Lukaku in, but I suppose there's a reason Mourinho is paid 10s of millions to manage Chelsea and I am not. The only issue I'd take with you mate is Mikel. He is far from word class and any regular Stamford Bridge attendee will agree with me. I live in Singapore now and don't get to use my season tickets much but I went for the ManU game last year and he was dire, he's tactically inept and gives far too many fouls away. Mourinho doesn't trust him for sure and there's good reason. He's pants! I honestly don't understand the Lukaku decision but I have to go along with it so I agree they still need a striker - hence the Rooney interest - and if they are going to persist with 4-2-3-1 then they need different personnel in the holding roles, maybe Oriel Romeu would have suited but again he's out on loan........... Cheers for taking the time to read the article.
Cameron
Roar Guru
Thoroughly enjoyed the Swansea - Liverpool match this morning. Such a poor shame Daniel Sturridge and Victor Moses (former Chelsea boys) did well in scoring for the Reds. I bet they'd love to have the 4 goals Sturridge has this season. Liverpool now sit a top of the EPL ladder after 4 rounds & the special ones team somewhat struggles. Only early days but Everton & Man U have shown they lack a potent weapon against tough opposition. They'll need to find it before it becomes too late. Just enjoying the good start from Liverpool. A mention should go out to Shelvey, superb performance, he had a hand in all four goals!
Henry
Guest
You spend so much time talking about the defensive midfielders, Lampard, Remires, Mikel are all world class and can do the job there, Chelsea's problem since didier left is the strikers, too many goal scoring opportunities are wasted, Ba is not that good, torres is still the same old Torres and much is not expected of a 32years old Eto..