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Blues blind faith could spell domestic disaster for Mourinho

| 20.11.2015
SPORTSBOOK ODDS

Lee Gormley | November 20, 2015

Mourinho has faith in Blues strugglers

Chelsea’s disastrous start to the defence of their Premier League crown has been one of the most eye-catching downfalls in European football so far this season, and Jose Mourinho’s naivety in January could spell a Premier League nightmare.

The reigning top-flight champions go into their encounter with Norwich City already a mammoth 11 points adrift of fourth-placed Manchester United, following seven defeats in 12 games so far during an ungraceful domestic decline.

Soccer - Jose Mourinho File Photo

Despite sitting dauntingly in 16th position, a place below their next opponents Norwich, Mourinho claims he doesn’t need to strengthen in the January transfer window, but such blind faith in his misfiring Blues ranks could ultimately lead to his demise.

Mourinho naivety could cost Chelsea

It’s worth noting that no side ever in the Premier League era has had as few as 11 points at this stage of the campaign and gone on to reach a Champions League spot, but Mourinho’s defiant Chelsea are 7/2 with Coral to somehow buck that trend this season.

“I am happy with my players,” stated the under pressure Portuguese coach. “I trust the players. I don’t need to clean the dressing room as I heard was written somewhere. And I don’t need to ask the club to spend money in January.

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“We put ourselves in a great situation together by being champions, we put ourselves together in this situation in the Premier League, we have to be again together to put it in the right place.

“There is trust and there are reasons for that trust, but obviously the power is in the hands of the owner and the board, and I think in the same way they show us that they trust us it is time also for us to give a positive answer.”

Blues stars stuttering

The Stamford Bridge outfit have witnessed many of last season’s key performers faltering haplessly so far during this torrid term in London, including previous title-winning stars Eden Hazard, Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas.

Injuries have also hurt Mourinho’s team, with Thibaut Courtois a high-profile absentee this campaign, but such a drastic fall from grace cannot be pinned mainly on the Belgium international stopper’s absence.

Soccer - Barclays Premier League - Chelsea v Southampton - Stamford Bridge

Courtois recently returned to training, giving the Blues a boost going into the winter period, though he is expected back between the Stamford Bridge sticks in December and will play no part against the Canaries.

Blues forwards Costa and loanee Radamel Falcao have endured baron spells in front of goal, while Hazard has been unable to emulate his dazzling showings of last term, which led Mourinho to compare him with Real Madrid’s mercurial Cristiano Ronaldo.

Although, the Belgian attacker has looked completely out of sorts, as well as Spanish playmaker Fabregas and, with Mourinho outlining his lack of January business intent, the Londoners may see their domestic nightmare become a very real Premier League catastrophe.

Chelsea confident in Canaries clash

In spite of the fact so many of his stalwarts from last term’s success are struggling helplessly for form, Mourinho is still confident of a strong performance against Alex Neil’s Canaries during the weekend action, and is predicting an overturn of fortunes.

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“I think tomorrow [Saturday] we are going to play very well,” he said. “With all respect for the unpredictability of football and for our opponents, I think we are going to get a good result.

“The players are playing more than OK, individually and collectively, the results have to come and the next match is always the match I think it’s coming, so we are positive.”

The Blues go into their latest match-up incredibly just three points above the relegation zone, and are 15/2 to suffer an embarrassing eighth loss in this so far dismal attempt at defending their top-flight title.

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Author

Lee Gormley

Lee joined the Coral team in 2014 after studying at Leeds Trinity University, having moved across the water from Ireland, and has plenty of industry experience from his time with various news outlets in both England and Northern Ireland. After graduating with a BA Honours degree in Sports Journalism, he has since become an important member of the talented sports desk, passionately covering boxing, football and snooker, among many other sports. Lee is also a massive Manchester United and Republic of Ireland fan, but curbs any bias during his work, and outside of his job can be found regularly taking part in sport himself, such as boxing, GAA and football.