Chelsea have been marred with disciplinary problems over the last few years and as a result have provided rival fans with ammunition to use against them. Returning manager Jose Mourinho has warned this must end if the players wish to appear in the first team during his tenure.
In the six years since Mourinho was last at Stamford Bridge, various Chelsea players have endured disciplinary lapses both on and off the pitch. Certain players have faced accusations of having affairs and their performances were directly affected by the negative attention in the media.
Ashley Cole was in danger of facing criminal prosecution a few seasons ago when it emerged that not only had he brought an air rifle to the Chelsea training ground, but then proceeded to shoot one of the club’s youngsters with it. On that occasion the club’s hierarchy managed to agree compensation with the victim and Cole was spared from criminal charges.
John Terry was accused of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand in a game against Queen’s Park Rangers in 2011 for which he eventually served a four match ban, and was also banned from the 2012 Champions League final after he kicked Alexis Sanchez in an unprovoked incident in the Blues’ semi-final against Barcelona.
Last season, Eden Hazard served a three match ban after he kicked a ball boy while trying to get the ball back in a game against Swansea at the Liberty Stadium.
While being successful on the European stage, critics believe it is Chelsea’s lack of discipline which has prevented them from winning the Premier League in the last few years, and Mourinho believes that good discipline breeds success.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Mourinho said he will tell the players what he expects of them. “’If you are a top professional, if you are not a selfish person, if you put the club in front of yourself and if you are here to work 100 per cent for me, for your fellow players and for the club, then we will have a wonderful relationship,” he said.
It is exactly this requirement which is believed to be the reason behind Iker Casillas’ demotion from the starting spot in goal at Real Madrid during Mourinho’s last season there. While the manager always claimed it was a “football decision” that Casillas was no longer his first choice, journalists in Spain believed that it was due to the Spaniard’s perceived lack of discipline.
Mourinho also added in his interview, “If you are selfish, if you think about yourself and you don’t care about the club, don’t care about the image, if you don’t care about the fans then we are in big trouble.”
Of course, Mourinho will also have to practice what he preaches and avoid the incidents which he was known for at Madrid, such as poking then Barcelona assistant manager Tito Vilanova in the eye, and being repeatedly sent to the stands for abusing the referee.
Mourinho’s approach to discipline is one that is needed at Stamford Bridge, but he will also have to take a look at improving his own record if he wants Chelsea to be as successful as they were in his last period there.
