The League Cup has usually served as the start of something for Jose Mourinho and Chelsea but this time, following the defeat to Stoke City on penalties, it could be closing in on the end. There cannot be many more chances left for the Portuguese manager at Stamford Bridge. As Goal revealed on Monday, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich plans to review the former Real Madrid coach’s position at the club during the international break in two weeks time, and while patience is running thin after two defeats in the space of four days, it is unlikely that the club will move before mid-November.
The 2-1 defeat to West Ham on Saturday demonstrated the air of desperation permeating the club, as Nemanja Matic was sent off, acting as the catalyst for a complete emotional collapse, with Cesc Fabregas and John Terry booked for dissent and Mourinho ultimately sent to the stands for an incident at half-time.
Tuesday night’s defeat, in the difficult conditions of Stoke’s Britannia Stadium, was less despondent and more controlled. There were few histrionics, few outbursts at the referee or stinging challenges, but the club still ultimately sunk to another defeat as Eden Hazard, usually reliable from the penalty spot, missed the final spot-kick of the shoot-out. Chelsea appear broken and Mourinho doesn’t seem to know how to fix it.
Sitting 11 points behind Premier League leaders Manchester City, it looks an almost impossible challenge for Chelsea to retain their Premier League crown but now, following Hazard’s missed penalty, the Blues have also failed to regain the League Cup trophy, won against city rivals Tottenham last season.
That trophy was the 21st of Mourinho’s career, adding his 22nd with the Premier League title, but the Portuguese boss has never looked further from adding to his tally. After that win, captain John Terry, who scored in the final, said: "It is the start of something. We've got a great squad, with some great young players, and hungry and experienced players too. It's a great mix.”
Now, with the league almost a distant memory and the League Cup gone for the season, the perception is that the squad is ageing and imbalanced and there should have been more additions in the summer. What worked last season is now failing and Mourinho is at the centre of that. It is perhaps ironic that Hazard, the player that failed to convert the decisive spot-kick, has seen a usually good relationship with the Portuguese manager fracture over recent weeks, with the Belgian left out of the 2-0 win over Aston Villa and criticised for his defensive efforts.
As well as playing host to some sort of bust-up, Mourinho’s sides have been known for beginning a winning cycle with the League Cup, as they did in 2004-05 and 2014-15, but they have also been known for grinding out dogged results in robust fixtures at challenging away grounds. The cliche in English football suggests that a wet weekday away to Stoke can be one of the biggest tests of an aspirational side, with Chelsea usually rising to that challenge.
But, despite an improved performance since the weekend, this season is different for Chelsea and Mourinho may be quickly running out of time as the defeats begin add up.
The next game against Liverpool may be his last. The board and Abramovic may not accept anything short of a victory for Chelsea. Fingers crossed.
Credit -goal.com
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