As a Chelsea fan there have been times this season where I have had the audacity and the sheer cheek to, from time to time, question some of Jose Mourinho’s actions in his second coming to Stamford Bridge.
The questionable signings of Willian and Samuel Eto’o, not to mention the decision to loan out Romelu Lukaku to Everton, seemed so far left-field I thought it came from the Stamford Bridge carpark.
But the major issue burning on most Chelsea supporters lips is the one regarding the alienation of two time Chelsea player of the year, and Spanish World Cup player Juan Mata.
No matter how much I would tell my friends that Jose knows what he’s doing and that as a Chelsea supporter he has my full support, I admit there were times where ‘WTF’ constantly went through my head.
However, for each doubt I have had about Jose the results have spoken loud and clear and support ‘The Special One’.
Willian, seemed to be a purchase purely out of spite, designed to further agitate Tottenham fans who understood the Brazilian had all but signed with them, only for Chelsea to dangle the carrot of Champions League football in front of him.
He took about half a season to find his feet in the premier league, but now is a vital part of a front-three playing behind the striker.
His surging runs on the counter and ability to win the ball back and distribute forwards is a fine example of the skills he brings to the side. Jose was right.
Samuel Eto’o, a player who at times was unplayable during his career, playing at big clubs such as Barcelona, Inter Milan, Anzhi Makhachkala….ok maybe not the last one.
But the man was once a brilliant striker, a born predator on the football pitch who, when he signed, I thought he was the wrong side of 30 and with not much left to offer.
Again, after a slow start to the season where he looked like a bad Samuel Eto’o impersonator at times, Jose identified that even if Eto’o was past his best, he still has a lot to offer.
His hat-trick against Manchester United (not too many have done that) was described as a fluke and two tap ins; but they still meant three points for Chelsea. Again, Jose’ was right.
Loaning Romelu Lukaku to Everton seemed almost the most ludicrous decision of all. The 21-year-old Belgium international had amassed an impressive 17 goals in the season before during his loan spell at West Bromwich Albion, and coming back into a side screaming for a target man in the Didier Drogba mould who could bag 20 goals a season he seemed a certainty to stay a blue. Why loan him out?
I think it was during the UEFA Super Cup loss to Bayern Munich on penalties which convinced Jose’ that Lukaku wasn’t quite mature enough to play for Chelsea yet.
However, he has obviously identified him as a talent for the future, and despite not playing for Chelsea this season, his contributions at Everton have been vital in taking points away from Chelsea’s title rivals (and Chelsea too, at Goodison Park)
Drawing with Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham and beating Manchester United, Everton have done Chelsea a lot of favours this season. Jose was right.
And now finally, Juan Mata. At the start of the season, I thought Mata would again be the linchpin to Chelsea’s midfield.
His creativity, passing range and finishing ability all vital to the success of the club, but Jose’ saw differently.
He saw a Spanish player, long celebrated for his presence in the final third of the field but who wouldn’t put in a defensive shift.
A player with a great work ethic in attack, but someone vulnerable in defence. If there’s one thing we have learnt over the last few weeks about this Chelsea side, it’s that all 11 players must defend and unfortunately that is not what Mata’d to Juan. Jose was right.
The sale of Mata to Manchester United, in my opinion, is one of the smartest pieces of business in recent memory for so many reasons.
Firstly, financially they make a tidy profit (around 15 million pounds) on the Spanish international which gives them a bit of breathing room with regards to UEFA’s financial fair play policy.
Secondly, selling to a rival club might seem counterproductive however Manchester united can hardly be considered a rival at this stage of the season.
Manchester United have already played Chelsea twice, and with upcoming fixtures against Arsenal and Manchester City, strengthening United can only serve to potentially help Chelsea.
Mata’s move and the signing of Nemanja Matic from Benfica makes it obvious that Ramires will now be deployed in a more offensive role behind the striker.
This season Ramires has been frustrated at having to sit deep with John Obi Mikel or Frank Lampard and guard the back four, but this move paves the way for his more attacking traits to be utilised.
And finally, my favourite potential reason for the sale of Mata to Manchester United, is it creates good relations with them.
Which means, in the summer, when Wayne Rooney wants out of Old Trafford and Jose comes knocking, Man United will be more inclined to sell him to Chelsea than perhaps last transfer window.
Only time will tell if Jose is proven to be right on the sale of Mata, but if past evidence of perceived doubts is anything to go by, he will be right yet again. In Jose we trust!
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
The real concern comes down to football's growing trend of big corporations taking up slices of the world game at the expense of smaller teams.
Kai Havertz has scored twice against his former team and Ben White also got a brace as Arsenal brushed aside a dismal Chelsea side…
Frankly, it was a bad look for Hayes. She appears like a grumpy and frustrated manager as her tenure at Chelsea is coming to an end.
Earlier in the season, Liverpool winning this fixture would be close to a foregone conclusion - but Chelsea have players who can win trophies.
Sam Kerr is reported to have agreed to a new deal to extend her medal-strewn stay at English champions Chelsea on the day her…
Nathan Ake's 88th-minute tap-in has helped Manchester City end their Tottenham Hotspur Stadium hoodoo and progress into the FA Cup fifth round after a…
