Azpilicueta was already one of best players under Rafa, but I guess this is Mourinho's famous player development at work - just bench some of the key players then bring them back half a year later and WHOOOOSH - magic of the Special One has transformed them.
Not really what he was saying, to be fair. And let's no knock Jose for player development: we all know he's otherworldly good at it sometimes.
It doesn't always work though. There have been numerous games where opponents have refused to be drawn out of position or have had the defensive nous to play for a draw. These are the situations that most Chelsea fans want to see Mata played centrally in. No one is saying that we should compromise ourselves every game and let Mata float around doing whatever he wants, free of all responsibility. What we are saying is that there are games where he is clearly the solution to our problems and he simply isn't brought on or is used on the wing.
Then it seems to be there's a disproportionate outcry for someone who is, essentially, a bit-part specialist in this system.
Because they're playing in different positions. Mata has spent the vast majority of this season on the wing. We haven't really had a lot of examples of how Mata can play in the middle because he hasn't been given the chance. The fact that he is less effective on the wing in this system is hardly surprising, for the reasons I stated earlier. However, for some who is "hopeless" it's rather interesting to note that he's putting in more tackles a game than Hazard, and yet everyone is praising the latter for his dramatically improved defensive contribution.
But it was the case last season, when both were regular players in the centre.
The fact that he's putting in more tackles than Hazard isn't entirely surprising, given Hazard's original defensive contribution was practically **** all. But honestly, 1.2 tackles a game isn't indicative of a good defensive attacking midfielder. Oscar's 2.7 is, definitely, but they're all contributing factors to what is a bigger picture. Positioning, speed of press and positional awareness are all more important, and all pretty unmeasurable.
You're arguing against a strawman here. No one has, least of all me, has said: "**** tactics, let's just be dodgy in the centre of the park to make sure Mata gets to play well." What we have been saying is that when the situation is appropriate, Mata should be used. It's not a new problem: the reason that Mata has been so useful to us in the past 2 seasons is because we've been consistently bad at unpicking tight defences. Now when it happens, we basically rely on Hazard dribbling 5 players.
The reason why Mata was so useful in the past two seasons was because you gradually built your entire offence around him. He thrived. Fact is, if you're arguing for a more permanent role for Mata in the centre you kind of ARE asking Mourinho to say "**** tactics" because you're breaking a critical part of his system.
There's a time and a place for everything. There have been plenty of games when we've been crying out for Mata and he just hasn't been brought on for reasons that baffle everyone. You seem to think that we're ignorant fans who don't understand why our midfield lacks presence, despite the fact that this thread has spent at least 50% of the last 2 years crying out for a decent central midfielder and some solidity. We're not idiots. We of all people understand pragmatism- the CL victory and the original Jose reign showed us that- but pragmatism is by it's very nature the practice of doing what is best in the actual circumstances. That isn't what Jose is doing, if anything it's the opposite: he seems so wedded to this defensive ten idea that he refuses to drop it even when it's costing us.
Right, now if you're arguing for Mata to be played in games where you need to break down the opposition then yeah, I can get behind that, given the right circumstances. But if people are asking for that, why is there such a massive outcry when that's essentially the role he's being used in? His last five games were Southampton away (makes sense given they'd be playing for a draw), Swansea at home (likewise), Palace at home (yeah, definitely), Stoke away (again) and Sunderland away (the most relevant of all five). I'll agree he could've been used more and Jose's perhaps being a little too negative on his return to the Prem - which in itself is quite interesting - but he is being used as the catalyst to break down teams.
Where have I said you don't understand your midfield? I was clarifying, not calling you all idiots. I wouldn't be having this conversation right now if I thought you were all idiots!
but pragmatism is by it's very nature the practice of doing what is best in the actual circumstances. That isn't what Jose is doing, if anything it's the opposite: he seems so wedded to this defensive ten idea that he refuses to drop it even when it's costing us.
Very good point. It's Jose's biggest problem at the moment, finding that balance, and I suspect it's something to do with the striker problem. If he had Drogba here right now, you'd be winning games like you used to, because he would put every other chance away. Chelsea do create good chances, so the functional style works, but there's just nobody to put them away consistently. I mean ****, it speaks volumes your top three scorers are midfielders! To sum up, I don't think the problem here is the style, it's the personnel up front. Of course, then you can criticise Jose for not adapting to fit his team, which is a very valid point.
Even if we ignore Mata, never letting Oscar off the leash has considerably blunted his attacking ability: he's actually been fairly poor creatively all season. If it was Rafa doing this, people would be going absolutely apeshit and calling him inflexible and idealistic but because it's Jose it's all part of some masterplan, and the game that we've won with lucky decisions and moments of brilliance from Hazard are casually ignored.
I'm not sure what that says more about. Do Chelsea fans unconditionally hero-worship Mourinho, or were they just ridiculously unfair to Rafa? I think a little of both. In regards to Oscar, his stats are nearly identical to last season's, so I'm not certain this season is an anomaly, more an indication of the relative weaknesses in his game.