It has never been a secret that Abramovich aspires his team to play like Barcelona which is partly what led to Mourinho's sacking in the first place I think. But he soon found out that it is very difficult to achieve both playing beautiful and success.

In other news...

This is what 5 Live presenter Garry Richardson said:
Let me tell you what I know on the Chelsea story. My information comes from a Chelsea first team player.
'The information was actually passed to me by a football contact. I was told that Jose Mourinho's relationship with many of his players is at rock bottom.
'I was told they're fed up with the way he's been dealing with some of them. They're fed up with his outbursts. I was told that his relationship particularly with Eden Hazard was under immense strain.
Here's a staggering quote. One player said recently, "I'd rather lose than win for him". Now that last quote may well have been said in the heat of the moment, but it perhaps gives an insight into the mood of some of the players.'

As we know, typical tabloid stuff very likely to be bullshit but IF this is true though it speaks volume to how unprofessional "some" of these players are in making Jose the scapegoat. These so called "professionals" must be held accountable too if the manager is to get the boot.

Costa could face 4 games ban after skrtel clash
Everything goes against us

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Even worst now

Well it's mou fault they want to leave......

Look how well they turn out to be today.....

Man.. I see what lingering at the relegation zone have done to your reasoning.

First of all, i'm not a big fan of Mata but if Benitez can get the best out of him, why can't mourinho?

Yeah, is pretty much Mourinho's fault. Why?

Salah, Schurrle, Mata, Cuadrado, KDB. All good players but deem not good enough by Mourinho because they don't track back enough? Cuadrado was given half a season?

What happen to Pedro?

I'm a fan of mourinho because he can deliver. But seriously, his methods are questionable. First Madrid, now Chelsea?

Oh btw, i got a feeling that Hazard is going to be the next player to leave/forced out of Chelsea.

Just my two cents.

Nice reply. Like the fact that facts are shared unlike another thread here.

Anyway, im speaking about Mou's last season at Madrid. We all know how that turn out.

I think you are overrating Willian. Workhorse yes. Dynamo yes. Finesse, not really.

I understand your argument of playing as a unit. But surely, you can't just expect everyone to do that without any leeway being granted to certain player? It stifles a lot of things.

I never rated Pep, but now it seems that even he is adapting. Managers like LVG and Mou are just one dimensional albeit at different angle.

If you guys get Carlo, you guys are lucky. Imo, he is the best manager in the world.

Do share your feels

Carlo or Jose?

And he doesn't need to look very far from home for the perfect example of the strength and courage it takes to win a real battle for survival.

Mourinho's father, Jose Snr, underwent surgery on a brain haemorrhage in April with his son there at his bedside.

Since then, the 77-year-old has suffered two strokes. Thankfully, he is now on the mend and recovering at home in Lisbon.

But his story, while a reminder that there are more important things in life than football, is one that Mourinho can take strength from.

Opening up for the first time about what his family have been through, the Chelsea boss said: "My father is winning his fight, and he's winning in a very secure way.

"He went to levels where nobody would expect. I think he's a bit of a fighter. He went to levels where it was very doubtful and very difficult.

"But after a difficult period the recovery is good news. The evolution is amazing. Amazing. If there is any consequence of that, it's just positive. The family is happy with a fantastic recovery.

"I know what life is. And I know that, in the end, what matters is the family. And my family is top."

Mourinho's concern for his father is obvious, and touching. But he insists he has used it in a positive way during his own recent troubles, which pale by comparison.

He said: "The strength of a family is to allow you to focus on your job. Obviously your heart feels. But we did a normal life. We are a strong family."

Mourinho had been making regular trips back to Lisbon to be with his father and his situation is one the club have huge sympathy for.

It also helps to put everything that has gone wrong at Chelsea this season into some much-needed perspective.

But nobody should be in any doubt that, just like his dad, Mourinho has it what it takes to win his battle.

"I'm strong" he told us yesterday, with a smile.

He has needed to be this season as Chelsea have struggled, and his side face Liverpool today searching for only their second win in eight games.

Defeat could spell the end for him at Stamford Bridge. But when asked whether he understood it to be a must-win game, Mourinho replied: "In my career, every game is a must win."

Mourinho is still sweating on the fitness of Diego Costa, who suffered a rib injury in the Capital One Cup defeat at Stoke.

But the signs are the Spain striker will play. John Terry played through the pain of two cracked ribs back in 2012, and Chelsea insist Costa only has bruising to worry about.

Whatever happens, Mourinho will be there in the dug-out, doing his best to urge his team on, despite the misconduct charge hanging over him.

He faces disciplinary action after confronting referee Jon Moss at half time in last week's 2-1 defeat at West Ham, but the case will not be heard until next week.

If it all goes according to plan, more than one person in the Mourinho household can be forgiven a smile.

If Roman can give Mou one season to sort things out before we won the league, I don't see the problem in giving Mou another season to sort things out again.

But as the tabloid said... It is easier to change one person against changing the whole 11 players...

I wonder who is that player who would rather lose than win for Jose... Hopefully it's not one of the starting XI...

The problem with the team now is that we don't have a commanding leader... Terry lost his ways this season... his legs are gone... and so is Ivanovich whom happens to be our deputy captain...

And in the field, even though Terry is the captain, you dun see he pull out the guys when we gets a whipping.

Last season is different because back then we still have Drogba and Cech in the dressing room... Drogba's presence alone change the mood of the team... When he is in the pitch he changed the atmosphere of the field... we lack that kind of player now... whenever our player committed a silly foul or a mistakes, you'll see Drogba talking to them and consoling them... I dun see JT do that because all this years we have players that is doing that... and Cech too...

by losing Lamps, Drogba and Cech we lost the dressing room.... and that's where the problem starts... plus we also lost the fan favourite club doctor.... we are in deep mess now... but it is time us fans endure this... and back Mou for whatever happens...

For Mourinho is the best coach that manage Chelsea.

and talking about Mata, even though he's our best player back then but we never end up winning the league with Mata in our side... of course we won the Champions League.... but not the Premier League... something to ponder on...

wow. great healthy discussion. thumbs up for all of you.

Mou lost dy. Some of his sub this season really mindfuck.

Eg: sub Mikel and dave last time. Both doing well defensively. Sub him mighty falcao instead of remy.

Brace yourself people. Let's hope we can get a win in the Bridge again.

Mourinho: "What Chelsea fans did for me it's not normal. I don't know how to thank them." ‪#‎CFC‬ (BT Sport)
Mourinho: "I don't know whether they don't read newspapers, don't listen to tv pundits or commentators, or if they have big hearts" #CFC
Mourinho: "Or if they recognise I am a good professional and have brought great moments to the club." #CFC
Mourinho: "But it's not normal, such a support. Not just after a bad run but mentally... what people read, listen, see on TV" #CFC
Mourinho: The only thing I can say, until my last day here, be it 40 years, 10 years, 5 years. Until my last day I will give them everything