According to sources, there has been widespread belief around both Mourinho and the club in the last week that he has got past the worst of the crisis and that “the storm is over” – as was reflected in the manager’s upbeat mood in his press conference before the Bournemouth game.
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Mourinho had only lost three home games at Stamford Bridge over his last three full season’s in charge of Chelsea, but has now lost four home matches this campaign.
The only surprise about Leicester’s success at the Liberty Stadium was Jamie Vardy was not on the scoresheet.
Although the possibility of sacking Mourinho has at least been discussed at the top level of the club a few times this season, Abramovich has remained strong in his belief that the Portuguese should be given time to turn things around, partially because the owner wants Chelsea to start doing things differently and partially because of the lack of options. Eden Hazard, Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas have been among the key underachievers but Mourinho says the club must dig themselves out of the hole they have created rather than relying on the market.
Indeed, no player in the top flight – even assist king Mesut Özil – created as many goalscoring opportunities as Willian, who laid on six chances for his teammates during Chelsea’s 1-0 defeat at home to newly-promoted Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge. We knew a year ago it was not easy there and now they have the confidence and are playing really well.
We have seen what happens to teams when they lose their star player, it takes a while to recover.
“The Premier League, for me, has been about picking up points where you can and we have done it in style”, Howe said. And it’s more about the players having to do better than the club to go to the market.
Howe admitted: “I did not expect to be so close to them but I think they are in a false position and I think they will climb the league. That’s why those moments are so special and to share them with the players that have given everything was a nice moment”.
Just like the rag-tag band of survivors led by Lincoln’s Rick Grimes in the TV show, Chelsea’s players keep panicking under pressure, making bad decisions that lead to disaster.
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Chelsea need a point against Porto, who beat them in Portugal in September, to secure their place in the last 16 of the Champions League.
