CHELSEA have been telling everyone that the world is against them for so long that it is turning into a self-fulfilling prophecy. Even John Terry, one of the more likeable souls at Stamford Bridge, was drawn into the cod psychology yesterday, borrowing from the Millwall songbook to blast out a heartfelt version of “No One Likes Us, We Don’t Care”.
For a club seeking to “turn the world blue”, in the charming words of Peter Kenyon, the chief executive, it seems an odd way to boost the brand, but there is method behind José Mourinho’s madness. With Barcelona due in West London in ten days’ time for a Champions League tie, the Portuguese has decided that it is time to open his bumper book of mind games, forging an “us against the world” attitude, as Terry admitted. For the silkily skilled Spanish side to be adopted as this nation’s favourites would suit Mourinho just fine.
“Our siege mentality helps us,” Terry said. “We go into every game thinking we’re going to win and that confidence has been instilled since the manager arrived. We go into every game knowing that we’re going to play good football, knowing the result’s going to come. We’ve got that confidence, not arrogance, to go out there and believe in ourselves.
“We’re slightly annoyed, but it does help. It gets you together as a team and as a unit. We’re lucky enough to have a great young squad. Everybody’s fully committed to each other, we love each other to bits on and off the pitch and that’s one of the reasons we’re doing so well.”
Mourinho’s shrewd man-management is even more important. For all of his mock-fury at Rafael Benítez’s attack on Arjen Robben, what most annoyed him was the sour taste of his own medicine, with the Spaniard using a classic diversionary tactic in the aftermath of a bitter defeat.
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“There are certain times when the manager deliberately takes the pressure off us and he does that very well,” Terry said. “That’s one of his very good strengths, taking pressure off the players, but at the same time he wants us to get the credit for doing so well.”
Although Chelsea benefit from their perceived unpopularity, there is also a genuine desire to be recognised for what they are — an outstanding football team. Even at an event designed to promote the club’s community work — the launch of a new Barclays Spaces for Sports site that they have helped to fund in Acton, West London — Terry was on the defensive, insisting that his team-mates deserve more recognition. Much like his manager, he wants it both ways. “I understand where the manager’s coming from when he says we don’t get enough credit,” Terry said. “Look at the position we are in the league, the Champions League and the FA Cup. We’re in a very strong position and there’s not really been a team like that over the last five or six years that’s done as well as we’ve done.
“It seems as if that’s been taken away a bit by little things that happen in games. That’s been the main focus, rather than Chelsea winning another game and being 15 points clear. I don’t think it’s fair criticism. You’re looking at small instances that happen in games over 90 minutes. We’re coming away from those games with good results, good performances from individuals and the team. But those little things are being highlighted a lot more than the result, which is the point the manager’s trying to prove.”
Mourinho is even more determined to prove his mastery over Frank Rijkaard, the Barcelona coach, to such an extent that he has banned his players from talking about the Spanish league leaders in public. Clearly excited by the prospect, though, Terry is in no doubt that the Champions League tie is the key to their hopes of winning the treble.
“If we get through the Barcelona game we could go on and win the lot,” Terry said. “We’ve come so close in the Champions League in the last few years, but last year we beat Barcelona, who are regarded as one of the best teams in the tournament, and didn’t go on to win it. If we do kill them off, it’s time to go that step further and go on and win it.
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“Doing the treble is something that we dream about. The league’s going very well, but in the Champions League we’ve got a tough draw against Barcelona. But as long as we’re in the hat, it’s a possibility.”