Jose’s losing his magic touch as Sarri thrills Chelsea

CHELSEA v MAN UTD

SO MUCH talk will inevitably focus on Jose Mourinho, comparing the inspirational figure who brought so much success to Chelsea with the beleaguered soul attempting to turn things around at Manchester United.

What has changed in the interim? Why is Mourinho so different? Why can’t he carry players with him, infuse them with desire and belief, in the way he so stunningly managed at Stamford Bridge?

I don’t suppose anyone can come up with the correct answers for those particular questions, apart from concluding that the Portuguese coach has lost his magic.

That said, one theory is that the modern-day player doesn’t respond to Mourinho’s hard-line methods. They can’t be pushed all the time, expected to constantly follow orders to the letter.

These are very powerful people with ideas of their own who demand a bit of leeway on the football pitch. Egos and bank balances are bigger than ever, making it very hard to keep everyone in line.

If that’s right, you do have to wonder how Maurizio Sarri has gone about his business at Chelsea where the twin tenets of discipline and organisation are clearly alive and well. How on earth has the Italian knocked this team so quickly into shape to get it to perform at such a high level?

Of course, Sarri will insist there is still much to do before the side functions exactly how he wants.

Managers like him are rarely satisfied, even when sitting joint-top of the table. Even so, you’ve got to admire his work so far on several fronts. Few thought, for instance, that David Luiz would thrive in Sarri’s newly assembled back four. Too erratic. Goes walkabout. Takes too many chances in dangerous areas. The Brazilian, however, has been brilliant so far, his decision-making and positioning difficult to fault.

Just ahead, a brand new midfield has swiftly been built in which N’Golo Kante’s role has surprisingly changed.

Who would have thought the little Frenchman would be released from his central holding role to storm forward more freely from the right side?

In addition, Ross Barkley now promises to finally fulfil his potential as an exciting playmaker for club and country.

As for Eden Hazard, well, he couldn’t look more impressive. The only reservation is whether the team depends too much on the brilliant Belgian.

In truth, all this contrasts sharply with United’s situation, which sees none of the players showing their best. Optimists hope the thrilling fightback against Newcastle will trigger a turnaround in fortunes to rival Mark Robins’ goal in an FA Cup tie at Nottingham Forest in 1990, which many believe saved Sir Alex Ferguson’s job.

That seems unlikely. Mourinho’s best days lie in the past. Sarri must hope his are yet to come. Eden Hazard has scored 10 goals

in 14 matches for club and country this season and he is 4/1 to score the first goal at Stamford Bridge

tomorrow