The misplaced logic behind Jose Mourinho’s negative approach at Chelsea

Jose Mourinho’s decisions, while based on logic, are made with a glass half empty mentality, his lack of faith in Tottenham’s current squad palpably obvious. 

The gaffer is a pragmatist. He believes in order, discipline and structure. But his pessimistic outlook clouds his ability to believe in what is actually possible. So many times before we’ve seen Mourinho set his team up not to lose by forming a seemingly impenetrable wall of defenders.

It was clear from the outset. Mourinho was looking for a draw at Stamford Bridge. It was his best case scenario. Sure, Spurs could have luckily snuck one on the counter to achieve, based on how the match transpired, the most unlikely of victories.

Mourinho reinforced his back line, offering Jan Vertonghen the start. He condensed the space between Vertonghen and his defensive colleagues in an attempt to disguise Jan’s clear lack of speed. Ben Davies and Japhet Tanganga were employed to barricade Spurs’ rearguard, thereby quelling Chelsea’s attacking threat. Logical, but shortsighted and, frankly, uninspiring.

He left Serge Aurier on the bench. After Aurier’s tragic display against Chelsea’s Marcos Alonso in the first match between the sides at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, it looked like another logical decision from Mourinho. But Alonso again ran rampant again, this time dominating Tanganga. You can see a trend developing, making it clear it’s Jose’s park-the-bus philosophy that is to blame, not the individual performances of our wing backs, who are being set up to fail.

You can also see the logic behind Mourinho’s decision to bench Dele Alli. His poor performance against Leipzig was compounded by his petulance after being pulled off. But Dele has historically enjoyed some of the best performances of his career against the Blues. He needed a chance to redeem himself against a side he usually excels against. While logical, Mourinho yet again didn’t believe in Dele’s ability to overcome adversity.

That propensity to lack belief in his top assets is as disconcerting as it is a characteristic belying of a great leader. Hopefully his decision won’t cause an irreparable rift between player and manager. As Spurs need Dele now more than ever before.

Mourinho makes all of his decisions based on logic, a logic that is misplaced and out of alignment with reality and his players needs. Sometimes you have to show unparalleled faith in the senior players who have to select from. Otherwise losing in a depressing manner to your bitter London rivals should be the least of your concerns.