Jose Mourinho’s anticipated return to Chelsea will begin on Sunday with a home fixture against newly promoted Hull. The self proclaimed “Special One” won every single domestic trophy on offer to a Premier League manager, and the fans and board expect nothing less in the second tenure.
With odds heavily stacked against Hull already, Steve Bruce’s side know they will have to do something phenomenal to deny Mourinho’s first victory back at the Bridge. Unbeaten at home in the first season, Mourinho’s style of play (in 04/05) was a tight defence, strong midfield and an attack that can be fed with easy through balls.
Whether Mourinho can transfer his rigorous, yet aesthetically pleasing style of football to a very different Chelsea side is a big question.
The strength of the defence is helpful, with Branislav Ivanovic beginning to adapt to a central defensive role as Cesar Azpilicueta is given the chance to play in the right.
The midfield is one of Europe’s finest with a fast and skilful Eden Hazard, sleek passer and terrific goalscorer Juan Mata and very fast and great assistant Oscar. The ‘three amigos’ performance last season was a pleasure to watch to the neutral crowd but as a Chelsea fan, watching the three play and exchange was absolutely tantalizing.
The depth of the midfield as well is terrific too; Victor Moses has come on a treat and developed into a talented first team player and backup for one of the three amigos. Fresh from a season loan spell is Belgian Kevin De Bryune, who has shown glimpses of absolute brilliance in pre season and can adopt to Ramires’ role in the midfield. Also fresh from loan is Michael Essien, who Mourinho briefly met in the closing fixtures at previous club Real Madrid, who is also well acquainted with the Chelsea squad and Mourinho’s sense of play.
The one concern for all of us Chelsea fans is the strength in depth of our attack. With a lot to prove once again this season is £50m striker Fernando Torres despite being the top scorer in all competitions will need to transfer his talent in all competitions into the Premier League as the key to a team winning a title would be a striker who can produce 20-30 or maybe more goals. If Torres fails again, Mourinho may lose patience and the dreaded transfer list could be heading towards the young Spaniard.
Fresh from a season with West Brom, Romelu Lukaku was West Brom’s top scorer and could spearhead the attacking line however there is one concern that concerns Lukaku; maybe he fitted in with Steve Clarke’s style and may not fit with Mourinho’s. The new acquisition of Andre Schurrle from German side Bayer Leverkusen offers more strength as he has shown ability to score and also shown ability to be a team player. But the question that ponders this Chelsea fan is this; What happens if we don’t get Rooney?
So, what happens if we do? Well, many tip Chelsea to rip roar and let no one get in their way with Rooney fighting to get into his national side and his reputation as a goalscorer will be retained as his movements and ability for long range assaults on goal and much more could be the last piece of the forever expanding Chelsea jigsaw puzzle.
If he doesn’t, can the Mourinho factor win the Premier League? With Mata, Hazard and Oscar on top form and a strong defence going strength to strength, this Chelsea fan believes recent successes can be emulated and surpassed.
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