Jose Mourinho: Biggest Villain in World Football for April
In the most predictable of fashions, Jose Mourinho has all but secured Chelsea Football Club this season's Premier League crown.
Starting with blistering form, the Blues amassed 46 points and 41 goals after the first 19 games of the 2014/15 campaign, but Mourinho has reverted to type and begun pragmatically grinding out results in the season's second half.
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This comes as no shock, considering the conservative reputation the Portuguese holds, but it appears playing defensive football has achieved Mourinho criminal status in the minds of many onlookers.
Despite opulent, attacking football in the opening months (posting 3-1, 6-3, 4-2 and 3-0 victories in the first six matchdays), short memories and general ire have unfairly tainted the Blues' season, and in turn their manager.
These complaints of Chelsea's negative, "anti-football" in the latter stages culminated in April.
With one match yet to play, the Blues have navigated four massive games in their quest for a domestic double, taking 10 points from this month's quartet of completed fixtures—three wins have come by one-goal margins.
Dispatching Stoke City 2-1 and needing a late Cesc Fabregas winner at Queens Park Rangers, Chelsea were less than convincing to open the month, but gritty wins are required for title-contending teams.
Mourinho exemplified this sentiment in the third game of April vs. Manchester United.
Louis van Gaal's side were allowed to play as the traditional home team at Stamford Bridge. Able to maintain 70 percent possession, one might have expected United to easily control the fixture, but the Red Devils struggled breaking Chelsea's defensive block.
Though having 40 percent less possession, Mourinho matched Van Gaal's two shots on target, and Eden Hazard's 38th-minute goal was enough to secure a crucial trio of points.
Outside west London, many were critical of the Blues performance—labelling Mourinho a drab individual whose squad warrants more attractive football than the brand on show. In response, the Portuguese verbally pointed to the scoreboard and transitioned to London rivals Arsenal the following weekend.
While "boring, boring Chelsea" reverberated around the Emirates Stadium, the Blues' goalless draw with Arsene Wenger's club saw them maintain their 10-point lead atop the Premier League standings.
After a week's worth of criticism, the ever-ready Mourinho was prepared to answer questions about his team's stern defensive performance. Responding to Arsenal's chant, the Portuguese told reporters, as noted by the Daily Mirror's John Cross:
"You know, boring I think is ten years without a title. That's very boring.
You support the club and you're waiting, waiting, waiting for so many years without a Premier League title, so that's very boring. But maybe they aren't singing to us?
"
Not forgetting the possession "controversy" a week prior—in giving his post-game thoughts—Mourinho told his interviewer, via BBC Sport:
"Maybe [other managers] are in front of me in the times?
Because maybe they know already that, in 10 years' time, the goals disappear from [football] and the game becomes just a green rectangle...and you win matches with ball possession?
"
Clearly proud of his team's solidarity, resilience and determination, Mourinho seems to enjoy winning in an "ugly" fashion should the situation arise, but he may be irritated some fail to appreciate his squad's qualities.
Why a manager would neglect his team's strength and risk losing goes beyond logical thinking, but it seems to be "worthy" or "deserving" champions, one must simultaneously entertain: a ludicrous notion.
To be "worthy" or "deserving" champions, one must have the most points come season's end—it is rather simple.
Luckily for Blues supporters, Mourinho shares this viewpoint; his only concern is the table, where Chelsea currently hold a double-digit advantage.
In the court of public opinion, Mourinho is infamous; the 52-year-old manager is brash, unapologetic and attempts to suck the fun out of all things entertaining, making him a largely villainous character.
West London, however, judges the man differently, not as villainous—but heroic.
*Stats via WhoScored.com; transfer fees via Soccerbase.com where not noted.
