José Mourinho is never one to shy away from making bold decisions and speaking his mind, and the halftime incident during the match against Norwich certainly shows his usual no-nonsense approach. The fact that he took aim at Nemanja Matic and Mohamed Salah, two of his winter signings, is particularly telling.
For Matic, a €25 million price tag comes with big expectations, and Mourinho’s comments about his value reflect the pressure on the Serbian midfielder to perform at a higher level. Mourinho’s blunt questioning of Matic’s worth could be a way to push him to meet those expectations or a message that he isn’t living up to the investment yet.
As for Salah, who has struggled to make an impact since his move from Basel, Mourinho’s words suggest that he sees untapped potential in the Egyptian forward but is frustrated with his lack of consistency. Telling Salah to prove himself during the next preseason is a clear challenge, pushing him to show that he belongs at Chelsea.
The atmosphere in the locker room after the game clearly reflects the high standards Mourinho holds his players to, especially when results aren’t coming in. A goalless draw against Norwich would have been a tough pill for him to swallow, and it’s clear he used that frustration to send a message to those he feels need to step up.
