Chelsea’s mini-revival ended on Saturday.
Newly-promoted Bournemouth left Stamford Bridge with all three points, after a sensational 1-0 win. It put an end to a run, where the Blues managed to stay unbeaten for a few games.
It has been an incredibly crazy start to this Premier League campaign.
Leicester City are sitting at the top, two points away from Arsenal in the second. The Gunners sometimes appear as if they are trying not to win the league again. Manchester City are dropping some points, while Manchester United are not scoring.
At least, three of the top four are not strange contenders. Chelsea, who stamped on everyone to win the crown in May, are steadily making their way to mediocrity. The Blues currently sit just three points above relegation places.
After the Bournemouth defeat, Daily Telegraph’s Jason Burt, claimed the club’s board was losing faith in the Portuguese and were debating on the likelihood of firing him before Wednesday.
Chelsea could be bundled out of the Champions League if they lose to Porto at home on Wednesday.
“Do they give him the Porto game or do they make a change now? That’s the ongoing debate at Chelsea,” Burt told the Sunday Supplement.
“The fact [Roman] Abramovich was at the game last night counts against Mourinho because the key now is the Champions League match which they can’t afford to lose. As the owner watching the game against Bournemouth you think can we guarantee they won’t lose to Porto? I don’t think they can.
“Either they do have faith in him, which is I think is eroding all the time, or they are not sure what to do in terms of a replacement. I think they are considering a number of candidates.”
It’s looking like 2007 all over.
The relationship between Mourinho and Abramovich broke down, at the start of the 2007/2008 season. The pair reportedly clashed over the club’s transfer policy, and after an indifferent start to the season, Mourinho left by mutual consent in September 2007.
This time around however, the Russia has chosen to put unprecedented faith in his manager.
On his return to the club in 2013, Mourinho stated that his success came “usually in the second season”. The facts back him. He has done so in his sophomore campaigns at Porto, Inter, Real Madrid and now in both stints at Chelsea.
His third seasons remain a myth.
Most observers argue that Mourinho’s team become tired of his antics and methods.
In fact, it seems Mourinho himself has run out of ideas and his magic has deserted him.
This week will be pivotal.
After the Porto game, Chelsea travel to high-flying Leicester City, managed by their former coach, Claudio Ranieri. Mourinho was brought in to replace the Italian in 2004.
Fast forward to 2015 and the tables have literally turned. Ranieri has worked miracles with the Foxes and they are top of the league.
If Mourinho is still in charge at the King Power Stadium, he might be tempted to ask Ranieri how to oversee a full-fledged revival.
Comments