Chelsea Uncovered: When Mourinho sacking was decided and who Hiddink could land in January

OUR man with the inside track at Chelsea takes a look at what has gone wrong this season and what could happen in the New Year.

 

Chelsea have endured a nightmare season that nobody could have possibly envisaged

 

Season so far?

Quite frankly an unmitigated disaster of unimaginable proportions.

After winning the title by eight clear points last May, Chelsea‘s defence has been the worst of modern times. So much so that by December 17 Jose Mourinho had been sacked.

He had only signed a new four year contract in August. Mourinho's dream of the dynasty was over, with Chelsea having suffered an unprecedented nine defeats in 16 league games, and lying just a point off the relegation zone.

Once again the call went out to Guus Hiddink to help out – just as it had in 2009. Hard though Roman Abramovich had resisted the need to sack yet another manager, Mourinho’s departure amid a welter of recriminations with club doctor Eva Carneiro, his players and the FA, had become a matter of when and not if.

 

Highlight

Willian’s performances were the sole bright spark in a dismal first half of the season, particularly his free kicks. The Brazilian alone carried the team.

Lowlight

The home defeat by Bournemouth on December 5 was a real low point among many. Chelsea as ever started well and then faded and Glen Murray’s late winner was not a surprise. It was then that the hierarchy really began planning for life after Jose – though the doubts had been there for some time.

 

New Year hopes

Chelsea will hope a home third round tie against Scunthorpe can herald an FA Cup run (they won it in 2009 under Guus) to salvage something from the wreckage.

They won’t be banking on getting past Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last 16, but you never know. And a run in the league is mandatory – the top six is still within reach.

 

Transfer plans

 

Alex Teixeira should provide some extra firepower if he arrives for £30m from Shakhtar Donetsk, though the chances of landing Jamie Vardy are slim.

 

A centre back is also on the list and Chelsea will go for John Stones again, and well as Marquinhos of PSG. Long shot would be Marseille’s Nicolas N’Koulou, who has been watched. Jonathan Calleri of Boca Juniors is also a possibility up front.