The English Premier League 2013/2014 is underway, yet, some clubs are yet to take off. Many football followers expected Mourinho to be flying high with his Chelsea side by now. But instead, he is yet to even take off. Chelsea and football fans all over the world have not stopped wondering why Jose Mourinho resorted to making Juan Mata a fringe player so far. Mata, voted Chelsea's best player of the last two seasons have been confined to the bench by Jose. And have showered high praises on Eden Hazrard. Mourinho, a man who seem to love controversy said that "Mata needs to step up in his defensive duties". What an excuse to bench a man who is known for tearing defence lines open with his passes and runs! What more, Jose released Romelu Lukaku on loan to Everton allegedly after his penalty miss against Bayern Munich in the European Super Cup and opted to bring in a Samuel Eto'o. Well, we have all seen how Eto'o have fitted in at Stamford Bridge and how Lukaku is on a beautiful stroll at Everton. Known for courting controversies, it is yet to be seen how Mourinho ends the season; if he will be sacked half way through or finish on a high.
David Moyes, referred to by Manchester United fans as the 'chosen one', owing to the fact that he was chosen by the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson as his successor, is yet to come to terms that he is in one of the biggest clubs in the world. United fans are worried that Shinji Kagawa may not be favoured by Moyes as he continously keep him on the fringes and prefer the so far very ineffective Ashley Young. Also, his constant use of Rio Ferdinand against pacey opposition worries United fans, evidenced in the games against City and Westbromwich Albion where they both lost as Rio Ferdinand ran like an animated fossil in a bid to catch up with the tempo of the game. In the views of every United fan, the club had a horrible transfer business run. Making an impossible move for Barcelona's Cesc Fabregas was seen as the circus of the year. A move no one expected to be a success. Ilkay Gundogan and Lars Bender, proven box to box midfielders were there and Moyes kept up with his wild goose chase. So far, United is paying dearly for the circus. Fellaini, United's only signing is yet to gel with the team.
The two managers have been getting it wrong. Everyone expected Moyes to make mistakes, yes. But not to commit one murder after the other. Mourinho? He spoke a lot so people expected better from him . It however seem the Chelsea supremo is gradually getting it right again. Mikel Obi, highly talented Nigerian midfielder is beginning to get games and has proved every doubter wrong. I dare say that Jose Mourinho took a cue from how Nigerian national team coach, Stephen Keshi used Mikel to direct affairs during the last AFCON and Confeds. Mourinho must find a way to accomodate Mata in his team. He could be that spark that has been missing in the team.
We still have a long way to go in the league, but what Managers do now will determine their standing by May, next year.
