To start the 2013/14 season Chelsea signed one of their best ever managers in Jose Mourinho. This was seen as a perfect move by the club to restore faith in the players and the fans who had endured a terrible time with the interim manager, Benitez. This also proved that the club has no intentions on slowing down the success train that we have all been aboard for the past decade with Roman Abramovich.
Jose came back and called himself ‘the happy one’ at his first press conference. Deeming to change his perspective in the media he answered all their questions and didn’t provoke any unwanted attention for the club, something new for Jose.
In the off season the club also made several smart buys to strengthen the squad for the upcoming season. Going off last year’s fixtures the players were put through a lot of games so for the club to strengthen each position, it puts us in a stronger position to challenge for every cup we’re involved in.
This would also be deemed to be a Jose thing, strengthening all the positions by having two players to play in that position.
With a lot of excitement for the season to come it was kicked off against Hull City at the bridge. A 2-0 result for the blues, an efficient performance or what was widely regarded as a “Jose result”. With Cech, Terry, Cole and Lampard starting it was seen as finally our manager knows our best side and has an idea about what to do- something we didn’t see under Benitez.
Against Aston Villa Chelsea earned another victory, 2-1, this one a lot tougher than the Hull game. A good Villa side visited the bridge and brought along their A game. This was seen as a game last year we would’ve either dropped or drawn, this time we got all three points. It’s no secret Jose is worth 10-15 points a year as a manager as he has the experience needed for a big club like Chelsea. His substitutes and tactics are second to none and we see him having a good idea about the team.
Chelsea’s third game before the super cup break was up in Manchester against the mancs. The result was 0-0 and for some supporters it seemed like Chelsea went up and settled for the draw rather than trying for the win, not really trying to win. In this game our defence was superb. Terry and Cole were rocks down back not allowing an easy chance for the manc strikers.
It was another Jose type performance, with the battle against Munich and Pep coming up a draw against our biggest rivals for the league at their home was a success. Sure we would’ve liked Chelsea to get the wood on them early on in the season but this isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon. The league won’t be won in August. Who knows, with the interim manager we had last season we may have copped a battering and lost all morale and confidence against Munich. Jose has got this team ticking nice and early on and as the season gets better we will improve, another shot at United at home won’t finish with the same scoreline.
It’s great to see the ‘old guard’ playing again, starting, and doing so with commanding performances. There won’t be any favours made and so everyone who will want to play for the blues will need to prove why they should.
One thing that has most, if not all, Chelsea supporters confused is the lack of a number nine. In the United game we played with Schurrle as the false number nine. Many wondered why Lukaku wasn’t given a chance since he flustered United last season with a hat trick coming off the bench.
My opinion on it all, I’d love to see Lukaku given the chance but ideally I think he should be given an opportunity to play and not chucked in the deep end and expected to swim. There will be many times this season where he will be given a chance and I’m sure, especially going off last year, he will shine. Where do our goals come from this season then? I think our attacking midfield will have a lot to do with it. Players like Hazard, Lampard, Oscar, Schurrle, Mata, Van Ginkel, Moses etc will provide us with a terrific amount of opportunities and goals. Torres, the touchy subject, needs to score more. Last season he provided a fair bit for the team but this being another year at Chelsea, goals are expected. It is seen as “if Jose can’t fix him, no one can”. I don’t think it has anything to do with him being fixed, more so letting him play to his strengths.
I not only hope for his sake that he scores plenty but for the teams sake. It will be a long season with plenty of games to be played so he will need to prove his worth just like the others.
Under Jose anything is possible. The team will perform under him because he has proven himself around Europe. We’ll play a Munich side who we beat for European glory just over a year ago who are off to a flying start in the German league managed by a manager who Jose knows well.
By Anthony Galati-Rando
