MANCHESTER — Following Monday evening’s 0-0 draw Manchester United at Old Trafford, eccentric Portuguese boss José Mourinho was bombarded with questions about the Blues stance on Wayne Rooney.
And after answering multiple questions about Rooney’s performance, the likelihood of him moving to Chelsea and the transfer saga so far, Mourinho stopped journalist and changed the topic.
“Let me speak about my kids. I played here with four kids under 22 in attack,” Mourinho said. “For some of them, the first time they play at Old Trafford. They play against the champions, they play against Ferdinand, against Vidic, against Evra. My kids behave very, very well.”
Those fours “kids” Mourinho refers to were Kevin De Bruyne, Andre Schurrle, Oscar and Eden Hazard who all started in Mourinho’s bizarre decision to play without a recognized striker in an almost 4-2-4 formation.
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22-year-old German attacker Schurrle started in the central role, but that rotated between Schurrle, De Bruyne and Hazard as Chelsea’s slick passing style prevailed but it failed to create any real chances to get behind United.
Something Mourinho admitted.
“They couldn’t produce enough to win the game. We didn’t have as many situations to win as we were expecting to. We missed some easy passes to go from the defensive situation to the scoring possibility. But the boys were fantastic, the kids were fantastic.”
When the Chelsea teamsheet was released around the press box at Old Trafford an hour or so before the game, plenty of raised eyebrows could be spotted. Fernando Torres and Romelu Lukaku on the bench, Demba Ba not even in the squad and left in London. What is the “Special One” playing at?
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Many may argue that he is playing a game, a subtle reminder to Chelsea’s owner Roman Abramovich that he wants a new striker to spearhead the title challenge in his second spell in charge at Stamford Bridge. First time round he had Didier Drogba, but now he feels he doesn’t have someone of a similar stature who can score the goals and become a figurehead in his attacking vision for Chelsea’s future.
So instead Mourinho decided to “park the bus” as they say, to thwart United and give his Chelsea side no real attacking intent. And it worked for what he wanted. The Portuguese boss wanted at least a point and that’s what he got. A few Oscar shots aside, Chelsea rarely threatened United’s goal. But the go away happy and content from a battle with United.
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Mourinho also had special praise for the old guard in John Terry and Frank Lampard who put in disciplined displays to help stop United’s attack at the home of the reigning champions.
“Neither of us had too many great chances to win the game,” Chelsea captain John Terry said. “I think both teams looked solid. It’s obviously a great point for us away from home, it’s obviously a tough place to come. It’s out of the way and we move on now.”
Mourinho was also pleased with the result and delighted his “kids” got the chance to learn a valuable lesson.
Now it’s back to the training ground, but will Mourinho have a new star pupil when the transfer window slams shuts on September 2? For now, the kids are alright. Unbeaten in three, top of the league and the toughest away game of the year done and dusted.
“When you try to educate these kids and make them a competitive man and play in a team that wants to win the title, you need to play the match where you play amazing football but also where you play tactically well. I praise my people, they had a good start to the season. Two wins at home, one point at the champions. I praise my people.”
