Crisis, Mata and 'The Project'

Five games in to the Premier League season and Chelsea sit fourth with 10 points. Not bad for a team who, according to some, were in crisis after consecutive defeats to Everton and Basel.

In the Premier League, Chelsea have been far from scintillating. After a nothing-short-of sublime opening half against Hull, performances began to dip and the main problems for Mourinho and his squad began to make themselves known. A loss at Goodison Park (by no means an easy place to go) followed by a toothless and disappointing performance as Basel took all three points at Stamford Bridge piled pressure on the self-proclaimed 'Happy One' - some journalists even asking the question "Are Chelsea in Crisis?"

The short answer: no. The long answer: The Project. 

It's been a while since we've heard of 'The Project'. In fact, not since Andre Villas-Boas' tenure did we hear about the Project that the club were now ploughing their wealth of resources into. In reality this project is the same as it was back in 2011 - only the man at the helm has changed. Mourinho (and the club, it should be said) wants to change the way Chelsea play. As he said in his post-Fulham interview with Sky the Club's philosophy has to change, and this is no easy feat. It will take time to achieve what Mourinho envisages, but we have seen glimpses - the aforementioned first-half vs Hull and the second half performance against Fulham are both signs of things to come.

So, what can we expect? 

Mourinho outlined what he wanted from this new-look Chelsea side. Quick, incisive passing in the final third and a game playing to the strengths on the abundance of technical talent that Chelsea currently possesses. Willian, Oscar, Hazard, De Bruyne and Mata are all fairly similar players, and it's with this in mind that Mourinho wants to base his attacking strategies. This is the part of the game that we, as fans, can see the deficit in - games against Basel and Everton highlight this. But, as mentioned before, we had a glimpse; Torres vs Bayern was a clinical end to high-tempo build up.

The defensive vision is a "high defensive block" and good pressure, winning the ball high up the pitch and starving the opposition of any room to work in. But as we saw vs Fulham and Darren Bent 1-on-1 with Petr Cech, it hasn't quite clicked yet. However, one of the most important parts of Mourinho's defensive game is work rate, and this is where Mata unfortunately fits into this piece. 

Mourinho didn't beat around the bush when he stated what he wanted from his wingers in terms of defence. He wants them tracking the opposition fullback, and providing cover for our own. It seems as though it is the defensive contribution that has left Mata out on the sidelines thus far. It appears as though he also sees Mata as a winger, rather than a number ten, having publicly stated that Oscar has his trust in that role. Whether that is right or not is another matter, but as things stand that's the way it lies. 

I, like so many other fans don't want to see our two-time Player of the Season out of the team. He's a fan's favourite, a thoroughly nice guy and fantastic footballer, but don't listen to the media stories of unrest and the imminent departure of our number 10. Mourinho also said on Saturday that he wants Oscar and Mata in the same team - it's not either/or. He also said that Mata has to adapt and the problem is not nature, but nurture: the way in which he has grown up playing football meant his defensive game didn't need developing. The next few months will really tell all about Mata and his future. The best outcome? The intense competition inspires Mata to improve his weaknesses and take him to another level of performance. That's what Mourinho wants; for Mata to say that the decision to drop him was wrong, and he is key in the present and future of this young team.

As for now, we have to be patient and believe in that the incredible potential that this team has can be reached. Fans have to play a part as well - boos as were heard at the end of the mid-week defeat to Basel have no purpose for a team who rely on confidence, and it's testing times that fans have to make their support heard.

I'd love to hear your views. Leave a comment or tweet me at @CrunchingCelery

FINDING THE BALANCE

In 2007 Jose Mourinho spoke out about the lack of Youth players and adequate reserves. After a shock draw at Wycombe in the league cup he said: “We have not the quality of player ready to play for Chelsea…I don’t have a second squad to go through and pick players”.

            This message was in the process of being answered; if we compare and contrast situations then and now the change is quite remarkable. The scenario we now find ourselves in is almost completely the opposite. Chelsea now have a very significant group of talented youth and reserve players – so much so that (as has been widely reported) a very capable XI could be fielded just from those on loan. A problem, but nonetheless a problem more desirable than in 2007.

            This ‘problem’ comes at a time when the spine of our first team over the past eight years is slowly being phased out. Drogba has moved on to pastures new, while Terry and Lampard have found playing time harder to come by. Cole and Cech are approaching periods in their career where plans need to be made for ‘the morning after’. It seems a perfect match then; as the ‘Old Guard’ are slowly phased out a new cohort of talented young players can attempt to fill the significant void. No easy feat mind, but if a balance is found the transitional years that every club is afraid of may not seem so daunting, and life after Terry, Cech, Lampard and co may not seem so intimidating after all.

            Firstly, lets look at Cech and the goalkeeping position that he has nailed down since his arrival in 2006. Another season of consistent, quality performances have shown us all how capable he still is. But in Thibaut Courtois, the 20 year-old Belgian currently on loan at Atletico Madrid, Chelsea for the first time in many years are beginning to have a selection issue. At this key time in Coutrois’ career it is vital that he gets regular game time – something he achieves at Atletico as undisputed number one. If he returned to Chelsea, would this be the case? Cech’s high quality performances would suggest not. Perhaps the transition can be postponed for another season.  

            Next on the agenda is the defense. Defensive stalwarts Terry and Cole are entering the last years of their contracts, but Chelsea have already made plans for their replacements. Cole’s understudy Ryan Bertrand seems a fit; learning from the best in the world over the past few years. In addition, young Patrick Van Aanholt (who spent the season at Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem) provides competition for the role. Turning to centre backs, Van Aanholt’s partner at the back Tomas Kalas is also on loan from Chelsea, and the young Czech may in future seasons be able to push at the boundaries of the first team. However, it could be argued that the first team squad already has replacements ready; David Luiz, Gary Cahill and Branislav Ivanovic are all ready to provide several years of service. Perhaps with Terry’s injury hit season we have already seen the first stage of transition? Only the new season will tell.

            It is perhaps in midfield that Chelsea boast their largest pool of talent. In terms of defensive midfielders, we have Nathaniel Chalobah (who enjoyed a very successful season at Zola’s Watford) and Nathan Ake – a player who will be known to many fans after his six first team appearances this season. In terms of attacking midfielders we have yet more and seem set for the future with out current crop; Lucas Piazon and Kevin De Bruyne among the most promising attacking talent in Europe adding to Mata, Oscar, Hazard and Moses who have performed so well over the past season. The hardest decision to make here however is finding the right time to introduce them. Players such as Frank Lampard and Michael Essien (who returns to Chelsea after a loan spell at Real Madrid) will need replacements, but they still have a lot to offer - their experience is vital and no substitution can be found for that. In the same way, young players need playing time. They need to play at a level where they can develop week in, week out without the pressures of competing with world-class players for a spot on the team sheet.  If young players were left to sit on the bench for a season, this sort of stagnation will not have any positive effects.

This is the key part of finding the balance. A balance needs to be found where the introduction of young players to the first team can be achieved without hampering their development, and without blocking the contributions of experienced team members who have a lot to give. In addition, with particular attention to our current attacking midfield crop, a balance needs to be found between playing our best (Mata and Hazard) while nurturing future prospects and having players capable of effective squad rotation.

            Finally, we have the attack. One year on from Drogba’s departure it could be argued that his place is still up for grabs. Yet again, Chelsea have plans. Pretty big plans. In fact, the plan comes by way of the physical phenom of Romelu Lukaku, who spent last season at West Brom giving Premier league defenses a torrid time. Lukaku is only 20, but it seems as if he has something to give. His pace, build and finishing combine to create a striker with devastating potential. Yet again, Chelsea will need to decide over the summer what they want to do with him, but there will be no shortage of clubs queuing to secure him in a loan deal.

In conclusion, the next season or two are the transitional years that the club has been anticipating for many years. With a large band of talented youngsters all vying for places in the first team, the club will hope that the inevitable losses of key players over the last few years is smoothed over somewhat. But, as the title of this piece eludes to, a balance needs to be found – if it is successful, the foundations are laid for a very promising future with continued successes.