Never underestimate the influence of Jose Mourinho!

I keep saying it but you can never ever underestimate the influence of Mourinho! Whether it's in the dressing room, on the training ground, during games in that technical area or in his press conferences, there is a reason why he is the best in the world!

I was watching SkySports Monday Night Football last night and the post match analysis and for me Gary Neville got it spot on. When asked about the manager he said:

"He does not mind us praising him does Jose Mourinho. He loves the attention of big matches. You saw him tonight and he was like the conductor of the orchestra. He walks out at the start of the match and sits on the bench before his team have even come out. He comes alive on big match days and that is what the best managers do. He is the best in the world at the moment at affecting big matches, absolutely brilliant." 

Neville went on to speak about how over these past few weeks, we are beginning to see Mourinho mould this team into his team, the way he wants the game played and all that is missing is that dynamic world class striker up top.

Many a Chelsea fan saw the situation with Juan Mata at the club and didn't or couldn't understand it. Plenty of us were calling for Mata to be brought back into the side, urging Mourinho to try and fit him into the shape of his team.

Now, you look at the team performance last night after Jose sold Mata and De Bruyne and you can only feel that he is justified in doing so.

Mourinho's bold selection leaving Oscar out was a master stoke as it allowed Ramires to push on alongside Eto'o, Hazard and Willian. All four players attacked City time and time again knowing they had the security of Matic and Luiz.

Chelsea under Mourinho from the start of the season have now gone from being perceived as a good team with flair players to slowly but surely becoming a better balanced and dangerous team that gives their all for each other and the manager.

Of course there has been disappointments along the way with two defeats and some points dropped including the result against West Ham last week. However, the main thing is how you react to those disappointments and so far, Chelsea and Mourinho have been spot on!

In my view, there was a huge difference between Chelsea and City last night and as I said in my match report, I know City fans will be on at us saying that Aguero, Nasri and Fernandinho were missing and it would have been a different game. In response I would again make it plain and simple that they all played against us at Stamford Bridge and we beat them then.

Last night however it was obvious that one man had the answers when the other didn't. One man had set his side up to do exactly what he stated they would do and the other couldn't get to grips with us.

Jose stated that he had set his team up to defend without the ball and attack City when we had it in our possession. Chelsea did exactly that.

You look at the Chelsea team now under the influence of Mourinho and you see options everywhere. Players that can play different roles and the framework of the team that is flexible and can be changed from one formation to another in an instant.

Jose keeps talking about next season but if we continue to evolve under his stewardship the way we have been doing, I see no reason why we cannot challenge this season.

Last night was a real statement from Chelsea and from the manager. The team everyone keeps talking about as potential champions and being the best team in the country have been beaten twice, Chelsea have taken four points off of United and three points off Liverpool so far with Arsenal and Tottenham yet to come to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea are right in the mix this season and once again I would like to remind you that you can NEVER underestimate the influence of Mourinho!

Carefree & KTBFFH!