What changes might Mourinho make to turn it around at Chelsea?

 1. Show some contrition in the changing room

From everything we’ve seen, heard and read, it seems pretty clear that Mourinho is struggling to retain the

support of the dressing room – whether it be because of his treatment of Dr. Eva Carneiro, his tactics on the pitch, or his man-management off it (or a combination of all three).

This has become something of a theme with Mourinho, who left Real Madrid amid rumours that his megalomaniacal tendencies had alienated half the squad.

If a similar situation is occurring at Stamford Bridge, it is arguably an even less sustainable state of affairs than the poor results. Mourinho needs to win back some sort of support or affection for him to have any long-term future at the helm - and a clear-the-air session prior to kick-off might be the best way to do it.

It’s risky – what if senior players, when invited to give their own perspective, give him both barrels? – but perhaps necessary. A measure of contrition, an acknowledgement that there are certain things he may have got wrong, could go a long way in winning back the dressing room.

Then again, that has never really been Mourinho’s style.

Eden Hazard and Nemanja Matic celebrate against Crystal Palace - Eurosport

2. Give Eden Hazard freedom to play

It should seem pretty clear that Hazard is overdue a decent rest, but Mourinho’s situation is so perilous that he cannot afford to bench the reigning Premier League player of the year for a game that could decide his ongoing job status.

Getting the Belgian back to something approaching top form has to be a key priority for the coach, but the path to that is never entirely clear. Perhaps giving him special dispensation to relax on his defensive duties for one game (even with the dangerous Andriy Yarmolenko perhaps needing extra attention down his flank) might unlock the forward's flagging creativity, giving the Blues a burst of attacking intent they so desperately need.

It is a risk, but this remains a home game Chelsea need to win. Sometimes such risks have to be taken.

3. Restore Nemanja Matic to his key role

Football historians of the future will perhaps look back with wonderment at John Obi Mikel’s Chelsea career, at a loss to adequately explain how exactly he managed to stay as long (and play as much) as he did for the Blues. The Nigerian is a willing worker but a spectacularly limited holding midfielder, and surely the time has come to restore Nemanja Matic to prominence.

One of the best ‘destroying’ midfielders in Europe last season, the Serbian needs to be made the lynchpin of the side once again.

Cesc Fabregas looks on despondently during Chelsea's game at West Ham - Reuters

4. Leave out Cesc Fabregas again

He’s not been good for a while and, while dropping him amidst ongoing speculation that the midfielder is the ring-leader of an insurrection at the club would only create fuel for that particular fire, perhaps the team needs a different impetus at the moment.

Ramires, one of the few players doing himself credit in the current run, seems firing and in form after signing his new contract – so he could be an obvious candidate to start alongside Matic in a central position. Drag Oscar a bit deeper and a three-man midfield of Matic-Ramires-Oscar might just have the contribution of attributes to steer them through the next few games … if not necessarily be a viable long-term solution.

Plus, if it turns out Cesc is actually the one dividing players on their manager, then his brief exile would serve has a handy warning to others - laying down the law without making a huge point of it.

5. Play a wildcard to inject new enthusiasm

It seems like the team lacks a little energy, a little spark at the moment – so why not shake things up a bit? Perhaps it is time to give Kenedy his first start, or throw down the gauntlet to underused summer signing Baba Rahman to shackle Andriy Yarmolenko - in the process allowing Cesar Azpilicueta a rare appearance in what was once his more natural position down the right.

Of course there is a risk if the selection backfires and Chelsea struggle, but the energy and eagerness to perform could be exactly what a side low on confidence and inspiration could need.

 

Chelsea’s Premier League fixture against Liverpool on Saturday was more than just a match - it was a referendum on Jose Mourinho’s reign. - AFP

6. Harness the power of the crowd

The fans have yet to fully get on Mourinho’s back despite the savage start to the campaign, although the concern about results is continuing to grow on the terraces. The Portuguese needs to harness the power of the supporters who continue to wish him well, use that to make a point to both his players and a board who are considering his status.

Getting plastic flags put out on every seat might be going a bit far, but finding a way to rally the crowd during the game - perhaps a message in the programme, or a gesture once out on the pitch? - might give the players the boost they need to get the win.

The conclusion

Of course, ultimately there will be no magic cure for the current malaise – if it was as simple as ‘pick this player, drop that player, say this in the dressing room’ then there would be many more managers out there of Mourinho’s track record and reputation.

It would seem Mourinho’s key issue is winning back the commitment and support of his players, something that will likely take weeks but something he can start doing right away with some well-chosen, self-aware comments in the dressing room.

Beyond that he surely needs to restore his faith in the players that were so important for him last season, while perhaps freshening things up slightly – giving a squad low on confidence an injection of fresh blood that might shake off the sour mood.

Dynamo Kiev are a good side, but they are not a great one. It is a game Chelsea need to win and they should win, and reminding the players of that might snap them back to attention.