After a narrow but controlled victory over Stoke City at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea now looked poised to go on and secure the Premier League title. The three points leaves Chelsea seven points clear of Arsenal with just seven games to go. Chelsea’s task has been made that little be easier after Manchester City’s shock defeat to Crystal Palace on Monday Night Football.
For many managers across the Premier League, this situation would seem very manageable, right? Take each game as it comes, perform at their best and hope for any possible slip ups from our closest rivals that are delaying the inevitable. Then again, nothing is ever quite that simple at Chelsea. Prior to winning the Capital One Cup this season, Jose Mourinho had not won any silverware since winning the La Liga and Spanish Super Cup with Real Madrid in 2012.
Mourinho endured his longest spell as a manger without winning a trophy, something many thought was unthinkable. Many managers may not have lasted quite as long in their respective jobs if they had achieved something of a similar nature. Mourinho is now back working with Roman Abramovich for his second tenure, an owner who has proven over the years that he does not wait around for anybody.
After he returned to Stamford Bridge in 2013 on a four year contract, Jose Mourinho was widely regarded as the future of Chelsea Football Club by fans and pundits alike. However, his homecoming season ended with no silverware to his name. As a result of this, Jose Mourinho would enter a third season with no trophies to show for it. With the 2014-15 season coming to close, Chelsea are in pole position to secure the Premier League title, in what should be routine fashion. Chelsea still have to play Manchester United and Arsenal but both at home. As well as that, Chelsea have to play two of the current bottom three in Queens Park Rangers and Leicester City.
The big games add value and importance to the remainder of this season, we will see how much this title really means to the team in the big games. One of the biggest stories of last season was Jose Mourinho’s persistence in claiming his team was not ready. He continued to compare his Chelsea side to a ‘little horse’ that needed milk and water throughout the season. This season is very much a different story, he has made no secret about his intentions to go out and win the Premier League. Through the additions of the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa, Mourinho has now built his Premier League squad up to strength of big horse and he must now win the Premier League.
In the previous 2013-14 season, Chelsea threw away a seven point lead in the latter stages of the season, handing the trophy to Manchester City. Should the same outcome repeat I fear Mourinho’s second spell at the club is at risk. If the past is anything to go by, Roman Abramovich does not wait around, regardless of their stature. Many have argued that you need stability to succeed and constant chopping and changing of managers will not bring success. Despite many calling for stability, managers have come and gone over the years and brought trophies at the same time.
The calls for stability were very much answered when Mourinho arrived back at Stamford Bridge. By giving ‘the special one’ a four year contract was a big sign. A clear act of trust from the board at Chelsea, Mourinho himself has also spoken of his intent to stay at the club for as long as possible. During an interview with BT Sport, he said: “I’m very, very happy. If somebody tells me I’m going to make ten years at Chelsea, I would say yes. I’m happy to be a part of this new Chelsea, and hopefully I can stay for many years.”
For many Chelsea fans, this would be the ideal situation. With the current Chelsea side still not believed to be the finished project. Alongside big money signings, Mourinho has also promised for more home grown players to be included within the first team. Another factor that just adds importance to winning the Premier League. I do not doubt for one moment that we won’t win the Premier League, last season we gave it away to a magnificent Manchester City team. They are shades of that team this season and we are much improved, but we cannot ignore the possible outcomes should we decide to throw it away again.
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