After Chelsea’s nil-nil tie against Arsenal this past weekend, the Blues have essentially secured the Premier League title. Jose Mourinho’s side need just six points in the last five games of the schedule to become EPL champions.
However, it hasn’t been Chelsea’s impressive march toward the title that fans and media have been talking about, its the style in which they’ve done it.
Enter the “Parking the bus” argument.
Since January 1st, the Blues have only given up 12 goals in Premier League matches, five of those coming from their 5-3 New Year’s Day loss at Tottenham.
It seems all too often that we talk about how Mourinho’s creative midfielders and powerful forwards get the job done for him. After all, he has Deigo Costa, Oscar, Cesc Fabregas, Eden Hazard and an army of other brilliant footballers at his disposal.
But, as the old adage goes; “Defense wins Championships.”
There is no debate that the current Chelsea side have one of the most impressive back four combinations in recent EPL history.
John Terry is a legend, Branislav Ivanovic has become one of the most feared right backs in the Premier League, Gary Cahill is a central partner-in-crime for Terry and Cesar Azpilicueta completes the brick wall-like backline.
Mourinho’s back four has consistently shutdown some of the most impressive attacking teams in the Premier League, dating back to at least a year ago.
This time last year, the Blues went to Anfield to play the then lead-leaguing Liverpol. After suffering a 2-0 loss at the hands of Chelsea, manager Brendan Rodgers described the Blues’ tactics as “parking two buses”. Rodgers’ frustration and struggle to get past the highly-disciplined Chelsea side has quickly become a trend around the Premier League.
Fast forward a year to this past Sunday when second-placed Arsenal hosted the Blues.
Playing away from home and needing to avoid a loss, Mourinho again deployed his stellar back four, but it was the rest of the formation that fueled the “parking the bus” speculation. Although listed as a 4-3-3, Chelsea played more like a 4-6-0, frustrating the typically “patient” Arsenal attack.
Looking back on the few goals that have been scored against Chelsea this year, most come on quick counter-attacks, set pieces and penalties.
During the current impressive defensive spell, Mourinho has easily taken away the counter-attack goals by essentially not launching an attack to counter. Chelsea has been content to keep 10 men behind the ball, wear down their opponent and then launch last minute attacks, often resulting in game-winning goals.
This past Sunday at The Emirates, Mourinho’s defensive strategy inspired the chant “Boring, Boring Chelsea,” from Arsenal supporters. The Gunner’s lack of ability to launch a swift attack made it easy for the Blues to keep numbers behind the ball and thwart just about any opportunity. After all, Arsenal tallied just one shot on goal.
Do Chelsea keep 10 men behind the ball? Yes.
Call it “parking the bus” or playing “overly defensive”, but there is one fact that can’t be disputed: It works.
What was Mourinho’s response to the “Boring, Boring Chelsea” chants?
“Boring? I think boring is 10 years without a title. That’s boring.”