[ad_1]
It couldn’t, could it? He could, you know.
If anyone can steal another Premier League title without anyone watching, it is José Mourinho.
No one knows the joint better: the design, the alarms, and when the guards take a nap. He also knows the type of gang you need to carry out such a heist.
He’s been there and done it three times now, in two spells at Chelsea, and his name is being whispered more and more as a possible contender in this strangest season.
A week ago, it looked like Liverpool and Manchester City had recovered from their respective wobbles and restored sanity to the title race.
They fought for a draw that didn’t really hinder either, and if the game sold out as entertainment it showed, in the first half hour at least, that they are a class or two above the rest.
But the cruel annihilation of the Reds defense continues. Trent Alexander-Arnold will be out for a month with a calf injury and now, almost sadistic at the time, Joe Gomez could miss most of the season with a damaged knee. This could change things.
City have already established themselves as a bookmaker favorite, but have their own injury problems.
And his inability to find the net or even the top team, after doing it for fun for the past three seasons, raises the tantalizing prospect of the title going to someone else.
It has already been described as the most open season for years, but now the chances of “another Leicester” are being seriously discussed, especially by Leicesters themselves, who happen to be the best.
Chelsea are the other more obvious candidates with some of their big signings making their presence felt, but if neither Manchester United nor Arsenal are looking at it, that leaves Spurs.
Surreptitiously creeping into second place despite the most demanding itinerary of all (they had done a Marco Polo and vice versa before it started), they are starting to look at the business.
The prospect of another trophy may be enough to keep Gareth Bale off the golf course.
But that the EPL suddenly seems open sesame is due to the incredible bad luck of the champions. Losing an international center-back can be a disgrace, but three in a row?
The triple blow from long-lasting injuries to Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho and now Gomez is as devastating as it is staggering.
There will no doubt be conspiracy theories, but it leaves Liverpool’s defense, once impregnable, more like a bouncy castle than a fortress.
The point man will now be Joel Matip, who, like Gomez, is familiar with medical personnel and has just returned from a long absence.
The tall Cameroonian is underrated and has a cool presence at the rear, but his injury history suggests he’s not the rock Klopp will need as the relentless schedule picks up next month and winter begins.
No major club in remembrance has suffered so many injuries to key men in the same position, one after the other, in such rapid succession.
And even with the resources of a multi-million dollar club, it will be difficult to cover Jurgen Klopp until the January transfer window at least. It will be like wallpapering the Grand Canyon.
All this and Pep Guardiola still without knowing his best XI will not have escaped the attention of the Tottenham coach.
If this is going to be a ‘Leicester season’, who better to take advantage of than the old fox in the new Lane.
Last weekend, a last minute Harry Kane goal at West Brom kept the Spurs in the mix.
After an opening day loss to Everton, no one liked the Spurs’ chances. And the once Special looked like the man from yesterday.
But the cunning is still there, as is the ability to spot a player. His signings, while modest aside from Bale’s return, have worked.
Pierre-Emile Hojberg and Matt Docherty may not have made headlines at their previous clubs, but their bravery and intelligence make them vital pieces of the Spurs.
And Sergio Reguilon, talented and attacking mentality, is making Manchester United realize what they missed on the left back.
Son Heung-Min has flourished as a scorer under Mourinho’s tutelage and the cunning old boss is even listening to Tanguy Ndombele who, last season, he publicly embarrassed, as well as Giovani Lo Celso.
He tried hard love with Dele Alli, but it only worked for a couple of games.
But far exceeding the few failures has been the masterstroke of making Harry Kane No. 10 without losing any goals. Now it’s like two players.
Bale hasn’t clicked yet, but he has opened his account and has stayed in shape. He also appears to be ‘willing to do it’ after being treated like a leper by Zinedine Zidane.
Even at 31, the quality is there and if he improves his game, he could lead a charge for the title in the spring. Bale, Kane and Son are a forward trio with whom dreams can be made.
No one knows if it extends to the first title since 1961, but Mourinho will be aware that it is far from impossible.
The opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.
