Chelsea’s already horrific season had another haunting defeat added to it, as they crashed out of the Capital One Cup on penalties against Stoke City on Tuesday. Former West Ham United and Charlton manager Alan Curbishley admits that Chelsea need to pull their socks up quickly, else they might find themselves in a huge crisis.
The Capital One Cup is the second piece of Silverware to slip through Mourinho’s hands this season, as defeat in the fourth round of the competition has mounted tremendous pressure on the Chelsea boss. Alan Curbishley is the latest expert to analyse Mourinho’s situation, and the English pundit has urged Chelsea to quickly get their act straight.
Mourinho’s off field antics need to stop
Jos Mourinho didn’t seem like he was focusing entirely on football at the start of the season, as the Portuguese was involved in an incident with Chelsea’s first team doctor. Curbishley believes the Chelsea boss needs to stop his off-field antics, as Chelsea find themselves in the bottom half of the table.
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“This is rapidly turning into a crisis because you don’t expect Chelsea to be where they are in the league, Curbishley told SkySports.
“Perhaps off the field is as damaging as what is going on on the field at the moment. It just seems that every day is bringing a new headline. We’re talking about Jose more than Chelsea.”
Forget winning the league, Chelsea first need to qualify for the Champions League
While not being able to defend their title would be disappointing, not making it into the top four would be catastrophic. With the way things are going for Chelsea, it wouldn’t be ridiculous to say that they first need to cement a place in the top four before thinking about the league title.
“Most people are coming to the conclusion this isn’t going to last too long and it’s going to change in the next couple of weeks. I think if it doesn’t change in the next couple of weeks and they don’t start picking up the results they need to get nearer the top, then it is a crisis.
“Chelsea – apart from needing to win the Premier League – need to qualify for the Champions League. The longer they’re in the position they’re in now, that’s giving hope to one or two clubs who think they can jump into that top four.”
Should the Blues get rid of Mourinho?
If there is a word other than ‘diplomatic’ and ‘pompous’ to describe Mourinho, it has to be ‘winner’. The 52-year old’s medal haul consists of 22 trophies in four different leagues, including two champions league titles.
Criticism isn’t new to Mourinho, but he has a habit of silencing his critics almost every time. However, at Chelsea this season, reproval seems to be getting the better of the ‘Special One’, and the vibes are anything but positive at Stamford Bridge. But sacking Mourinho will hardly solve any of Chelsea’s woes, as it would take any new manager at least one season to settle himself. On the other hand, Jos is someone who knows the club in and out, and the Chelsea fans believe that he remains the right man to rejuvinate Chelsea.