In-depth: Can Jose Mourinho survive Chelsea's latest shambolic defeat?
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Updated 15/12/2015 at 12:05 GMT
Fallen champions Chelsea suffered a ninth defeat in 16 Premier League games at Leicester with the pressure growing on Jose Mourinho's position. After suggesting he was "betrayed" by his players, where does such an evening leave the manager?
Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri celebrates at the end of the match as Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho looks dejected.
Image credit: Reuters
Yet another Chelsea defeat
A 2-1 defeat away to the Premier League leaders does not sound so bad in isolation – but this was Chelsea’s ninth defeat in 15 matches. With nearly half the season gone, the champions are in an unthinkable position, 20 points off the top and only one point above the relegation zone.
And Mourinho wasn’t happy?
Far from it, launching into a stinging attack on his players in his post-match interview claiming:
- Players failed to heed his instructions: "I feel my work was betrayed."
- Last season Mourinho’s phenomenal work” enabled his players to play above their true level.
- Diego Costa is in trouble” and is not getting into scoring positions.
- He also took a shot at Leicester’s ball-boys, whom he called "a disgrace” for their perceived timewasting.
Did he have a point?
In the precise context of his comments, yes – he said he prepared his players to deal with Jamie Vardy’s movement and Riyad Mahrez’s propensity to cut inside onto his left foot, but they failed to execute his plan. But in the context of Chelsea’s woeful season, it is hard not to see the comment as a wider expression of anger. Jamie Carragher said there is a "massive disconnect" between the manager and his players, and it is hard to see how a public condemnation will help bridge the gap.
What are the media saying?
The Daily Mail’s Neil Ashton summed it up nicely, writing: "Chelsea are a shambles. What a remarkable evening for Leicester, returning to the top of the table by playing fast and loose in front of their own fans. Jose Mourinho’s team are another story.”
Chelsea icon Frank Lampard, making an eventful debut on Sky's Monday Night football, said:
We've been here before with Chelsea when managers change midway through the season. I don't know how many times you can do that. We had some good results from doing it before but we had a different set of players at that point. What can they gain by getting rid of him now? They are probably not going to make the top four anyway or the top six. They're not going to get relegated I think if we are honest so I'm sure there's a view from Roman Abramovich to say, 'Hang on, let's see what happens at the end of the season.
Are Chelsea in a relegation battle?
Absolutely. That's not to say they won't survive, but when you are one point above the bottom three after 15 games, it has to go down as more than a blip.
Mourinho said: "I accept we are in the relegation zone but I don't accept we are in a relegation battle." He was wrong on both counts.
Will Mourinho go?
It doesn't sound like it - Mourinho has been adamant that if Chelsea want him gone, they will have to sack him, and he reaffirmed his desire to continue last night:
You know me well enough that I am not afraid of a big challenge. In this moment it is a real big challenge. I want to stay. I hope Mr Abramovich and the board want me to stay.
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