Chelsea put the pressure on Manchester City to get a result against Arsenal after a sublime 5-0 victory over Swansea. Mourinho has allegedly ensured his players stay level headed, telling them this team will not be remembered unless they win trophies this season.
Which leaves the question to be asked, is this the best Chelsea side we have ever seen? Chelsea have only lost twice in the first 22 games of the season, which is already one more defeat than the side Mourinho managed back in his first season with the Blue’s in 2004. A record that sees them sit five points ahead of nearest rivals Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table.
The squad of 2004 is one side that many considered as up there with the bests. The side who won the Premier League and Carling Cup (now called the Capital One Cup) in Mourinho’s first season. Chelsea’s current side are showing many similarities to that side. Becoming hard to beat and defensively organised is something Jose Mourinho has prided himself on over the years. Back in 2004 Chelsea only conceded fifteen goals all season and scored 72 goals, finishing twelve points ahead of Arsenal, with a record of 95 points which still stands to this day.
The current squad have already conceded nineteen goals already this season, but you can still argue that the current Chelsea defence is one of our very best. On the other hand, the Blues have already scored 50 goals as we approach the end of January. A staggering accomplishment which shows the impact of new signing Diego Costa. The Spaniard has already beaten Chelsea’s top goal scoring record for the last four seasons who have never managed over fifteen respectively since Didier Drogba scored twenty nine goals in the 2009-2010 season.
A big comparison between the squad of 2004 and 2015 is the balance of the team. When Jose Mourinho returned for his second spell at Stamford Bridge, he inherited a side that was unbalanced. The array of attacking talent would far outshine the defensive stability of the team, often leaving us exposed. It was well documented that Mourinho demands a high rate from his players, some adapt and others don’t. This is something we have seen far too often with the sales of the likes Juan Mata and Kevin De Bruyne.
The likes of Nemanja Matic and John Obi Mikel have been given a very similar role to the one given to the likes of Claude Makelele and Tiago. Giving defensive protection to the back four and gives license to play to the attacking players. The high work rate that Mourinho has brought in to the likes of Eden Hazard and Willian resembles the likes of Damien Duff and Joe Cole who were ever present in the Chelsea side throughout the 2004 season. Alongside all of that energy you have the sensational creative ability of Cesc Fabregas, who can mirror the midfield role that was given to Frank Lampard who can both contribute with goals and assists alongside helping out the defence.
Chelsea are yet to win a trophy since winning the Europa League in 2012-2013 season. Many alongside Mourinho have called for this Chelsea side to win trophies or risk being remembered as the ones who narrowly missed out. Chelsea now prepare for a busy schedule over January and February which sees the blues compete in the FA Cup, the Capital One Cup and the Champions League. With the Mourinho’s men still competing on four fronts they have a great chance of securing silverware.
Since Roman Abramovich has been at Chelsea, he has always try to emulate the famous ‘tiki taka’ style of play. A style which were Barcelona famously demonstrated overt recent years. Based around attacking and possession based football. This current side looks the closest to we have ever got to that. I can see many signs of resemblance of Mourinho teams that have all done so well over the years, I do believe the current squad is one of Chelsea. If Chelsea were not to win any trophies this season, the squad would defiantly not receive the credit they deserve. On the flip side to this, if Chelsea do win silverware this season, they could be on the brink of greatness.
