Michael Emenalo Defends Chelsea Players After Jose Mourinho's Exit

Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo has defended the team's players by claiming they were playing exactly as instructed by former manager Jose Mourinho.

According to the MailOnline's Kieran Gill, Emenalo went on Chelsea TV following Mourinho's dismissal on Thursday and was asked if the players had played a part in his sacking. He said:

"

The same people need to remember this is essentially the same group of players who won the league and the League Cup last season. They did it in style. They did it by showing commitment, and sweat and blood, and tears and blood for the club when needed. They played to instruction. They adhered to everything that the manager asked them to do. It's very easy to make that kind of inference but it's not one that the club accepts.

"

He added, without referring to the Portuguese by name: "While there is huge sentiment for the individual who has done so much for the club, the fact of the matter remains that Chelsea football club is in trouble. The results are not good. There obviously seemed to be a palpable discord between manager and players, and we feel it was time to act."

Mourinho leaves the club floundering in 16th place, just one point above the relegation zone.

Rui Vieira/Associated Press

Football writer Miguel Delaney was highly critical of Mourinho's management of the team during their 2-1 defeat to Leicester City on Monday:

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Mourinho can bang on about circumstances but look at that rubbish. 2-0 down and ponderous passing, no movement. Just bad.

— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) December 14, 2015"

Indeed, after winning the title fairly comfortably last season, the Blues' downturn in form has been shocking, particularly because—as Emenalo noted—their squad is virtually the same except for the additions of Pedro, Radamel Falcao, Asmir Begovic and Baba Rahman.

Despite keeping hold of all of their top performers from last year, the Blues have already lost triple the amount of Premier League games they did in the entirety of last season, per Squawka Football:

Mourinho must indeed take plenty of responsibility—his team have been a far cry both from the one that carved teams open in the first half of last season and the one that bullied and fought their way to wins in the second half.

The only player to have bullied and fought this season is Diego Costa, but he's done little else.

Eden Hazard has looked a shadow of his former self, per Squawka Football:

Of course, such a drastic drop-off in form from virtually all of his players isn't entirely his fault.

However, Mourinho's failure to motivate his underperforming stars and inspire a turnaround is.

Mourinho's seemingly poor man-management in this campaign is likely a contributing factor in that, so with there being little sign of long-term improvement, his sacking is understandable.

Emenalo has now placed the onus on the players to come out fighting and prove their critics wrong:

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Obviously we know now that the players have a responsibility to go out and prove everyone wrong and show a certain level of commitment to the decision that has been made tonight. To try to get the club up the league table. That's what they have to do. That's what they're supposed to do. I believe that's what they've been trying to do.

"

His comments are hardly surprising: They couldn't have sacked Mourinho and then blamed the players for the situation. Despite Gill's note that the 52-year-old could receive a £10 million payout for his dismissal, the manager is always more expendable than a squad of players.

The top four may well be out reach for Chelsea now, but if the next manager can get the squad performing to their true capabilities, the current incumbents of the Champions League places might just feel a little nervous if they start to drop points.