English Premier League champions Chelsea were caught off guard and humbled as title challengers Manchester City produced a three-nil victory at the Etihad.

Many eyebrows were raised when Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho hauled off his club captain John Terry at half-time. Eye-borws were raised further when it emerged that the substitution wasn’t due to injury but was made for tactical reasons.

The Portuguese ‘Special One’ was quick to explain that while Terry wasn’t happy to be subbed but still managed to take the decision professionally:

“I brought my captain off and he was on the bench and still captain on the bench because the armband is just an armband.”

“I can tell you he was not dancing in the dressing room and I can also tell you he was not having a bad reaction.”

It is true to say that Chelsea’s defence struggled to cope with Man City’s pacey attack but it could be argued that Gary Cahill had actually suffered more than Terry did in the first-half. It did seem that bringing on the faster Kurt Zouma was inevitable.

But for Jose, bringing off his captain would have made a much bigger statement than just taking off Cahill.

Well actually, it would have made two different statements. One to owner Roman Abramovich and the other to his own group of players.

For Roman, it was a clear message that another centre-back is needed at the Bridge.

The Premier League champs have been linked all summer with a move for Everton’s John Stones but as yet the Toffees have refused any advances from the London side. Maybe Mourinho is telling the Chelsea hierarchy to push on and bring in a new central defender as his current partnership isn’t functioning properly and that John Terry won’t be around forever.

I’d be surprised if the Blues don’t launch yet another substantial bid for England international Stones within the next five days!

The directive towards his own squad is quite stark. Basically Jose is telling everyone that no one is safe and they need to pull their socks up!

Last season, John Terry was probably the best centre-back in the league. But along with the rest of Chelsea’s defence he has struggled to return to form in time for the start of this campaign.

Another strong message to his own players was made by Mourinho today as it was announced that his club had captured young Ghanian international Abdul Baba Rahman. The twenty-one year old attacking left-back has signed from Bundesliga side FC Augsburg.

I’d be very surprised if Jose isn’t looking at playing Baba Rahman at left-back and moving Cesar Azpilicueta back over to his natural right-back slot. That would then give Serbian international Branislav Ivanovic a rest.

Ivanovic was terrific last term and has been a warrior for Chelsea throughout his career at Stamford Bridge. But he has been roasted in his opening two games this season and his confidence looks shot.

To sub Terry and then drop Ivanovic will show the Chelsea pool that Mourinho isn’t scared to show his ruthless side. They should know that already, after all most managers wouldn’t relegate their own medical team as Jose did last week.

So I wouldn’t take the John Terry substitution at face value. I believe it’s a long-term strategy to improve his squad and to keep them all on their toes!

Posted on August 17th, 2015 by scott
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