Chelsea vs Sunderland: The First One Without JoMo 2.0

Man Love

And here we are again ….

Obviously it’s impossible to say we didn’t see this coming - the end of JoMo 2.0. Of course, the chancers who were constantly speculating week in and week out claiming that *this* game or *that* game was definitely going to be Jose Mourinho’s final one helped - or hurt depending on how you look at it. Either way, we all knew our time together was coming to a dramatic and disappointing end.

At whatever point this season you accepted it had become a matter of when and not if, Chelsea’s conscious uncoupling with Jose Mourinho felt horrendous. I cannot confirm nor deny some of us cried like babies and skipped their company Christmas dos. It was like Michael Emenalo and co. had ruined Christmas — and then some.
And with that feeling of ill-will towards the players the club each other the entire effing universe, Saturday was set up for a toxic atmosphere. We're talking Rafa Benitez levels of toxicity. It was also primed for poorly made signs. Obviously poorly is in no way sufficient enough of a descriptive to encapsulate the collection of A4 signs, pillowcases, spelling errors, and cut and paste jobs that were on glorious display for the world to see. You. Are. Welcome. World.

With fans who lack the capacity to spell Hazard, it shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone that they also weren’t able to suss out the actual players who have behaved unprofessionally versus those that happen to be in a poor patch of form. I will forgive them Diego Costa - but Cesc Fàbregas and Branislav Ivanovic? Have a word with yourselves. Ivanovic has quite literally bled for the club on multiple occasions. OK, yes, he had a bit of a time of it at the start of the season. However since his return from injury, he’s been by and large back to his old self. And even if he hadn’t been - you can’t argue his loyalty.

While Cesc Fàbregas had the misfortune of once playing for a rival, he also chose to leave them AND chose not to return when presented with the opportunity. In fact, he actually chose Chelsea. His choice of bigger and bluer was largely down to a phone call from - - - Jose Mourinho. He enjoyed his spell with JoMo 2.0 so much that he encouraged Pedro to defect from Barca and join Chelsea too. By the end of Mourinho's tenure, Fàbregas was one of the few players left in his corner. Being played out of position and slightly out of form hasn’t helped his case. But the accusations were always grossly unfounded. His reaction to the few goals Chelsea have managed to score this season should have been enough for people to see through it. His disappointment at every loss also should have been a clue. Some of you need to really let the Arsenal thing go. And realise we wouldn't have won the title last season without him. The Telegraph did release an article to that effect yesterday — but conveniently a day late. He was resoundingly booed for being a a traitor and ringleader - but was actually a cheerleader all along.

No booing or crap signs from these two

Let’s be honest about Saturday’s performance - it was against Sunderland. It tells you as much about motivation and tactical nous as a win over Aston Villa - which Chelsea also managed. So the notions that Chelsea were free-flowing and looked like a 'weight had been lifted' are by and large bollocks. With one Brazilian exception — Oscar. Oscar made 80 passes on Saturday. 80. How many does he normally make? This season - it’s been less than 40 a game. The nerve of him to score a half-assed penalty and give it large with the badge after is nauseating. I wish Juve the best of luck with him.

Speaking of unnecessarily dramatic reactions - Fabio Borini anyone? He celebrated his goal like an injury time winner and it was brilliant. Not sliding into the corner flag with the mascot brilliant, but still very amusing. That being said, the way Chelsea have been going this season, to get a goal back with nearly 40 minutes to go could have led to a positive result for the NE side.

While Steve Holland will join the likes of Ray Wilkins and his 100% Chelsea win ratio - duck, duck Guus and the legend that is Didier Drogba were Roman’s special guests. While Hiddink could help the sensitive players feel warm and fuzzy, I can’t say I’m brimming with confidence after his time with the Netherlands and Turkey. Chelsea could probably manage to lose 5 of 10 games all on their own. It'll be interesting to see if Hiddink can 'steady the ship' or whatever other tired metaphor you'd like to use here.

As for that other smart looking chap who was surveying the game from the lofty heights of Roman's box - he’s the one that could be the one to have a real impact. Players don’t just lose the ability to play in a matter of weeks. At least that's what I've been telling myself every single week as I stare down the barrel of another terrible result. Mystified. Sorry -- having a moment here. Even if some of the squad returned to pre-season as fat bastards - and yes I mean you Diego Costa, there should have been a turning point long before Christmas. Didier Drogba could be the man to remind them that they were champions only a few months ago. And re-instill the sense of belief that has been sorely lacking for much of this diabolical season.

Happy Christmas you lot!!*

jb xx

*not you Oscar or Emenalo. You two can piss off