Jose Mourinho Returns To Chelsea

As if games between Chelsea and Manchester United are not already big enough, this Sunday’s showdown features the return of one Jose Mourinho to the ground at which he was a managerial legend during two spells in charge.

Mark Worrall (Chelsea) and Musa Okwonga (Manchester United) preview the match.

Mark, what sort of reception will Mourinho get from the home fans?

MW: A couple of refrains of “Jose Mourinho, Jose Mourinho” at best which will soon be replaced with jocular jibes of “sit down Mourinho” if he engages in technical area histrionics with match officials, players, stewards and of course, Antonio Conte. While Mourinho’s status as a bonafide Chelsea legend remains intact because of the glory days he brought to the club, there are plenty among the match-going fraternity who were alienated by his demeanour in the last few months of his tenure as Blues boss and conspiracy theories still abound that he orchestrated his departure from Stamford Bridge so he could be in the frame for the United job.

Musa, Mourinho is used being hated at away grounds; how will he react?

MO: I think he will revel in it, even if not outwardly so. He’s openly courted tension throughout his career, so this will of course be nothing new. The occasion might be more poignant than normal for him, given that he achieved so much at Stamford Bridge, but he will draw his energy from any negativity that he gets from the crowd — he feeds on this kind of atmosphere like no other coach, with the possible exception of Diego Simeone.

How has your team’s league form been so far this season?

MW: There’s a reasonable case to argue that Chelsea’s form has been predictable. Defensive struggles at the outset of the campaign, a hangover from last season perpetrated by the same back line personnel, meant clean sheets were impossible to come by. Against feeble opposition — West Ham and Watford for example — the Blues were able to score more than they conceded, but they came up short against title challengers Liverpool and Arsenal. Conte’s switch to 3-4-3 in the midst and wake of the Gunners debacle has borne fruit with victory in consecutive shut outs against low-flying sides Hull and Leicester — but it remains to be seen if the Italian’s revised set-up can withstand a more rigorous examination of its newfound fortitude.

MO: Surprisingly inconsistent. When Jose Mourinho arrived, having had months to plan his arrival and transfer targets, almost everyone expected that the team would by now be playing with a settled, formidable line-up and a clear identity. Unfortunately, Manchester United so far have neither. They have struggled for fluidity and decisiveness in attack, and have looked short of ideas against the very top teams. The loss away to Watford and the draw at home to Stoke will cost them severely come the end of the season — these, in particular, were games where a team with title expectations should have done far better.

Based on the league overall so far, what’s a realistic target in terms of a final position?

MW: Manchester City came flying out of the traps and looked nailed on for the title until they came unstuck at White Hart Lane against Tottenham and failed to break down Everton at the Etihad. All three sides are jockeying for positions in the top four as are Arsenal, Liverpool, Man U and Chelsea of course. Clearly City aren’t invincible, while Arsenal, Liverpool and Spurs have all bottled it in recent campaigns. United cannot be underestimated, but then again, Mourinho doesn’t appear to know his best team. What is intriguing for Chelsea supporters is the fact that Conte seems to have settled on a game plan and a team to execute it. Suddenly, after a patchy start, there are grounds for optimism. A Champions League place suddenly looks a distinct possibility with third place a realistic target.

MO: Despite all of the money that they have spent, Manchester United currently look as though they will end up battling for fourth place. Tottenham, Manchester City and Arsenal look set to compete until May for the title, with Liverpool not too far behind them — the only significant question over the latter team being their defence. The other teams just seem to be much more cohesive units than the one which Mourinho has assembled. It is a concern that a team with so much attacking talent is still struggling to fire.

Which players have starred so far this season?

MW: The two players who disappointed most in terms of attitude and application last season and had the most to do to rekindle the trust of Chelsea supporters were Eden Hazard and Diego Costa. Under Conte, both men have stepped up to the plate and look back to their best. Hazard has rediscovered the footballer of the year form that eluded him for so long, while Costa not only heads the Premier League goalscoring table but has also learned to keep his combustible temper in check. Forgotten loan-man Victor Moses also deserves plaudits for his performances at wing-back in Conte’s revised system, while summer signing N’Golo Kante is living up to the hype and expectation that he is the new Claude Makelele.

MO: Eric Bailly has adapted with remarkable speed to the Premier League, with his positioning, speed, and distribution all being far better than many expected at this stage. He was meant to be a star in the near future, but he is already United’s best central defender. Juan Mata, whom many though Mourinho would sell this summer, has emerged as the team’s best number ten. Ander Herrera has risen up the leaderboard in recent weeks, especially after his outstanding performance against Liverpool at Anfield. Zlatan Ibrahimovic has started well, although he has faded of late, and a word must be spared for Marcus Rashford, who has taken to his new role with remarkable maturity.

And who have disappointed?

MW: Branislav Ivanovic’s reputation as a world-class defender crumbled last season and unlike Hazard and Costa there has been no renaissance under Conte. The Serbian international struggled in Chelsea’s opening fixtures, was eventually dropped and now looks to be out of the starting XI frame for Premier League games. Gary Cahill also had several shockers and would have found himself benched had it not been for the fact that John Terry had joined Kurt Zouma on the injured centre-backs list. Thibaut Courtois’ wavering commitment to the Chelsea cause continues to annoy the Stamford Bridge faithful. The Belgian should focus on keeping goal and learn to keep his mouth shut if he wants to feel the love of Blues supporters.

MO: Wayne Rooney continues to struggle, his considerable work ethic not enough to compensate for his declining physical powers. Mourinho’s desire to accommodate his club captain increasingly seems more political than tactical, and it has arguably hindered the inclusion of Henrik Mkhitaryan. Anthony Martial has not been at his best for much of the year, perhaps because he has been placed too wide to make a decisive impact, and Paul Pogba, despite one or two fine displays, is still looking to consistently find the form that attracted a world-record transfer fee this summer.

Finally, it’s prediction time!

MW: 1-1. Both managers will be desperate not to lose and their tactics are likely to reflect this desire making an intense draw a distinct possibility.

MO: 1-1. Mourinho’s team does not yet seem to have the ruthlessness in attack or control in midfield to punish his old club.