Reckless Mourinho Is Bad for Chelsea

Whenever I engage in banter about football with someone who is a non-Chelsea fan, the topic of Jose Mourinho inevitably comes up and there is invariably a reaction of either extreme loathe or amusement. Usually the former.

Mourinho has always been a polarizing character, and he plays up to that title exactly. A character. A public image used as a device for various means.

To deflect blame from his players. To underhandedly compliment other managers, or blatantly insult them. To set himself apart as special by conducting interviews with a unique way of speaking with redacted facts. Always keeping his cards close to his chest, an enigmatic football-minded millionaire that has kept the world entertained and football journalists aggravated for over ten years.

His title of the “special” one is so deeply engrained that people have forgotten it was a error in translation when he first arrived in England. But the name has become a self-fulfilling prophecy. A winner of every title worth naming, and admired by players the world over.

Except, perhaps, Olly Murs.

The special qualities shine through his win percentages. Through his CV of management of some of Europe’s biggest clubs. Through the glowing reverence of his players. But being special has a caveat, and that is in the form of having a big target on your back.

After the 1-3 loss to Southampton, Mourinho lost his usual cool in front of the camera and came right out to accuse the referees of refusing to give calls that benefit Chelsea.

2015 has lodged a thorn in Mourinho’s side with the idea of a “campaign” against the Blues. There is evidence to support both sides, but I come down on the side of doubt. I think the Premier League has different standards of defining legal football play, and different referees are all over the spectrum in terms of leniency.

He’s been handed a suspended touchline ban and a hefty fine, something he has been very wary of putting himself in danger of until Saturday. He was so careful not to incriminate himself even after more heinous events occurred and he was asked his opinion post-match only to dead-end the interviewer.

When Nemanja Matic nearly had his leg snapped by Ashley Barnes when Burnley came to the Bridge, Mourinho gave one of the most sadly cryptic post match interviews. When Matic reacted to the challenge and was sent off, that was the biggest talking point, even more interesting than the 1-1 draw that transpired. Jose was asked about the sending off, the result, Matic’s attitude, and he gave one simple answer. He named four specific “moments” in the game, by the specific minute, and told the reporter to write the story himself.

He was adamant not to elaborate. He said that if he were to talk about the incident he would have to use words that would get him in trouble, and he was determined not to be incriminated. He has learned the rules of the game, and how the field is tilted against him when it comes to the FA, so he behaves accordingly. Usually.

Has the pressure reached critical levels in him to the point of him losing his always even composure? There have been losses before this one against the Saints, and nothing particularly stood out in terms of injustices against Chelsea, but Jose clearly felt differently.

For all intents and purposes, Jose snapped in the way only Jose can. To expand on that image recall Nigel Pearson’s “ostrich” rant. So it could’ve been worse.

So, whether there is a campaign against Chelsea or not there is certainly an uneasy cold war between Jose Mourinho and every Football Association charged with having to deal with his misdemeanors.

The loss of composure is especially bizarre to me because it happened in public. Usually public Mourinho and private Mourinho are two very different entities. But the cracks are showing through and I suspect some correlations between this outburst and his mistakes concerning the squad as of late.

Branislav Ivanovic is injured (cheer or cry as you see fit) leaving a hole on the right hand side of defense and there are several logical solutions we could see in the next few weeks. Baba Rahman finally being played on the left, and Azpilicueta back on the right. Ramires as a wingback could be an interesting solution. Youth players, of course could be given a run out. But rumors are swirling that he is going to deploy a centrally minded Kurt Zouma on the right.

As much as I love Zou, and his display of versatility as a central defensive midfielder in the Capital One Cup Final against Tottenham, I am again being driven up the wall by these decisions.

Rumors are rumors, and Aston Villa on Saturday will answer the question of who will fill in.

The worry is that all signs are pointed to the stone Mourinho developing cracks in the foundation and should he crumble, tragic consequences lay in wait.