Jose Mourinho’s title-winning Chelsea may not be loved, but they are respected

Like every Jose Mourinho team, this Chelsea side have had an outstanding home record. They have had a fortress and a siege mentality, writes Richard Jolly.

Chelsea are playing and winning just the way manager Jose Mourinho, left, wants them to. Mike Hewitt / Getty Images

The fixture list indicates Chelsea’s title-winning campaign began at Turf Moor on August 18. Diego Costa scored 17 minutes into his Chelsea career.

The other debutant, Cesc Fabregas, baffled the Burnley defence with a delicious pass to set up Andre Schurrle’s goal.

Their opponents were promoted paupers, but it amounted to statement of intent nonetheless.

In reality, it started far before that. Fabregas and Costa are proof, long-planned signings who helped remedy shortcomings in the side.

Mourinho recognised Chelsea lacked creativity in the centre of midfield and a potent striker.

He quickly set about addressing both issues. Fabregas was signed on June 12, while they matched Costa’s buyout clause on July 1.

Mourinho had already brought back Thibaut Courtois from his loan at Atletico Madrid.

Other sides were in a state of flux when the season kicked off. Chelsea were not.

Read more:

Moreover, the third crucial acquisition of the Mourinho era came before then. When Nemanja Matic returned to Stamford Bridge in January 2014, a building block was put in place.

Of the four key midfielders and forwards – Matic, Fabregas, Costa and Eden Hazard – three are the Portuguese’s recruits.

The fourth, the newly crowned PFA Player of the Year, has improved dramatically under Mourinho’s tutelage.

They have been radically restructured since his return.

“What the manager has done in the last two years is remarkable,” captain John Terry said on Wednesday.

A beneficiary of the regime change in 2013, Terry is not an impartial observer, but he is still evidence of Mourinho’s prowess. A reserve under Rafa Benitez is a cornerstone of the team again.

Branislav Ivanovic has been moved back to right-back, Cesar Azpilicueta converted to left-back.

These are Mourinho’s actions and this, without doubt, is a Mourinho team.

It resembles his title-winning sides of 2005 and 2006. Hazard sprinkles flair as Arjen Robben used to and, like Didier Drogba was, Costa is a ruthless irritant of a striker, waging war on his opponents.

Chelsea have a hugely influential holding midfielder, although Nemanja Matic is a far more sizeable figure than Claude Makelele, and an efficient attacking sidekick.

Frank Lampard used to be the division’s top-scoring midfielder; now Fabregas creates more goals than anyone else.

The current Chelsea’s defensive record is not quite as good, but the back four is constructed on similar principles, based around redoubtable characters.

There is the same will to win, the same refusal to countenance defeat.

They have only been beaten twice in the league, neither by top-five sides, which is testament to their big-game pedigree and mentality.

When required, they have specialised in stopping opponents, rather than seeking to dominate themselves.

They can play without the ball. Sometimes they prefer to. They have had the pressure of leading the league after every game.

They have relished it.

It is a very Mourinho-esque approach. He prefers to be the front-runner, to be able to demoralise opponents simply by looking at the league table.

They are 13 points clear, and this has been a very Mourinho-esque triumph.

Chelsea have style, but they possess substance in greater qualities. They have attacking ability but are defined by their defence.

They have skill, but their size is more evident.

They are resolute, resourceful winners. From the first, they have had the consistency all of their rivals have lacked.

Like every Mourinho team, they have had an outstanding home record. They have had a fortress and a siege mentality.

They may be respected more than they are loved, but the results speak for themselves. Chelsea are champions.

It is probably the least surprising conclusion to a title race since Mourinho last won the Premier League in 2006.

And that, you suspect, is the way he likes it.

Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE