The feel-good factor is back at Chelsea

Plenty has been said about Chelsea over the last few seasons. As one would know being a Chelsea fan, the press are always quick to cast doubts over team spirit and the togetherness of the squad. Whether it’s certain players or the manager, they are ready to publish headlines that threaten the harmony of our squad.

Last season, with Rafa Benitez taking over, it was clear that it caused a division in the squad and on the terraces and I still believe 100% that Roman Abramovich was shocked with the reaction as he never thought it would be as bad as that.

We all read reports week in, week out of negativity and problems with Chelsea. If anything, the reaction played right into the hands of the press and they had took aim every week.

No one expected the Rafa rant at Middlesborough and once again at the that time, it was music to the press but it sparked something in all of us. Yes, at the time I wanted him sacked but once we moved past that, it seemed to bring the squad together and the fans too.

Chelsea’s third place finish and Europa League win was hard fought and well earned and gave us a good feeling back in the dressing room and on the terraces once again. However, the appointment of Jose Mourinho for a second spell as manager has taken that feeling to a different level once again.

It’s almost as if Chelsea have a psychological advantage over everyone else already as the “Happy One” is back. Mourinho himself has stated recently that he is a better manager now than he was when he was first appointed and that excites me as a Chelsea fan.

I was counting down the days until pre-season started to see Mourinho take training sessions with the players and as each session passes, you can see the manager, staff and the players with smiles on their faces, really enjoying each session and looking forward to the season ahead.

Mourinho at Chelsea

Without question, the Chelsea squad at times seemed to have divisions and didn’t seem to be as a collective until after Rafa’s rant at Middlesborough. Under Mourinho if you remember, he created this “us against the world” mentality with his players and everyone bought into it.

In the past few days, we have heard from Branislav Ivanovic and Ramires talking about how impressed with training under Mourinho they have been and how much they enjoy it.

Now, Eden Hazard has spoken about Mourinho and you really do get the impression that the feel good factor is well and truly back at the club.

Eden Hazard is quoted as saying:

“He comes across as very calm when he speaks to us, He’s a good person. He loves his players and is someone who can make the difference, for sure. We have a real chance this year. But, with a top manager in place, our chances are even greater.

With Mourinho, we know what he is and what he brings: with him in charge, we win matches and win trophies. I’ve found him a very good person. He laughs and jokes with us a lot out on the training pitch, and that’s good to see in a coach. He’s calm, yes. I’m sure he can lose his cool as well, obviously, but he’s very clear explaining what he wants so we understand his instructions, and we learn.

It’s important he’s here. He’ll do everything to put things in place, creating the environment for us to do well, but it’ll be up to us to deliver the trophies. There’ll be big rivals out there, Manchester United, City, Tottenham, Arsenal … but we have a real chance. He’s spoken to us all, as a group and individually, and told us what he expects of us. He told me to be ambitious with my game, to keep trying things, and that this could be a special year. I hope this all ends up being productive.”

After reading his quote, you really get the impression that the players feel like they have had a lift with Mourinho coming in. It’s the missing link we have had in the Premier League for the last few seasons and in the early stages it’s good to hear that each player has been spoken to by the manager and they know what is expected of them all as individuals and as a collective group.

We just need the players who took part in the Confederations Cup back, to join in, speak with the manager and get involved now as we work towards our first game against Hull next month.

The early signs are good. The feel good factor is back at Chelsea!

Carefree & KTBFFH!