Sunday 3 May 2015 15:56, UK
As Chelsea celebrate their Premier League title success following Sunday's 1-0 win over Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge, Adam Bate argues that Blues boss Jose Mourinho deserves praise not criticism for the seeming inevitability of Chelsea’s triumph...
While Manuel Pellegrini’s side danced on the pitch, wrapped themselves in flags and drank in the adulation of the Manchester City supporters last May, it didn't take the bookmakers long to deliver their own verdict. in June, Chelsea were installed as favourites to win this season’s Premier League.
Of course, it was a reflection of the quality of the squad at Stamford Bridge. It was based on the assumption that a striker would be arriving to address the issues in front of goal and an acknowledgement that Roman Abramovich would be strengthening elsewhere too.
But this was a team that hadn’t finished in the top two in each of the previous three seasons. Moreover, the sales of David Luiz, Romelu Lukaku and Andre Schurrle eventually led to Chelsea turning a transfer profit in 2014/15 – unlike any of the seven previous Premier League champions.
Clearly, the chief reason for optimism was the presence of Jose Mourinho. Any suggestion of inevitability to Chelsea’s success reflects his abilities. As a result, it seems particularly unfair that the relative ease with which that’s been achieved should be used to downplay the accomplishment.
Put simply, Mourinho hasn’t won it because he’s got the best team. Chelsea are the best team because of Mourinho.
Dominant
His Chelsea were dominant from the outset. The elevation in quality was apparent on the opening weekend against Burnley when Cesc Fabregas’s gorgeous cushioned assist found Schurrle and it was hammered home by Diego Costa’s seven goals in his first four Premier League appearances.
By the first week of December they were six points clear of defending champions Manchester City, still unbeaten in all competitions, having scored more and conceded fewer than their nearest rivals.
There has been a perception ever since that this scintillating form has not been carried into 2015 but this drop off has not translated into points. In fact, as the final whistle blew at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, it meant Chelsea had briefly extended their lead by 16 points since New Year’s Day and are the only Premier League team not to lose since that stage.
The 1-0 win over Crystal Palace means that they’ve won 11, drawn four and lost no Premier League matches since the first day of the year. So much for the struggle. Mourinho finds a way.
Of course, setting standards and maintaining them has been Mourinho’s business throughout his career. Indeed, he has won more league titles in the past dozen seasons than any club in Europe’s major leagues let alone any other manager.
“He just demands that from everyone on a daily basis,” said Chelsea captain John Terry in March. “He's doing everything right at the moment. We're top of the league and everyone's hungry.”
Mourinho has created the environment to succeed, shown a willingness to embrace the challenge of Financial Fair Play by manoeuvring intelligently in the transfer market and adapted his tactics to suit the form and fitness of his players throughout the campaign. Most of all, he’s managed to make it all seem as though it couldn’t have happened any other way.
Don’t be fooled. There was a gulf between Chelsea and the rest this season every bit as wide as the 13-point margin at the top of the Premier League table would suggest. But nowhere has that gulf been more pronounced than in the dugout. Inevitable? Only because of Mourinho.
