Erick Rickie Osoro

Driven by ruthless ambition.

[Erick Rickie Osoro @RickieOsoro]

Henderson is ahead of the others

[fan @HardChelseaPics]

Palmer pushing Xabi towards the fans, the vibes are truly immaculate man

[fan @HardChelseaPics]

Palmer pushing Xabi towards the fans, the vibes are truly immaculate man

[Bruno football @BrunofootballHQ]

JOSÉ MOURINHO: “I had captains who were not leaders. I had one at Porto, Jorge Costa.

One day, we were losing 2–0 against Belenenses at half-time. I was furious as I walked towards the dressing room.

Just before I entered, Jorge Costa told me, ‘Wait outside for two minutes, please.’

He went inside, closed the door and did the dirty work for me. Then he opened the door and said, ‘Coach us.’

He had done everything I would have done in that dressing room.

We won 3–2. Jorge was a centre-back who had hardly ever scored goals in his life, but that day, he scored two.

Captain and leader are very different things. You can’t buy leaders. You can’t manufacture leaders. And when you have them, your team is one step ahead.”

That story explains why the captain's armband doesn't automatically make someone a leader.

Jorge Costa didn't wait for Mourinho to enter the dressing room and deliver a speech. He recognised what the team needed, took responsibility and helped change the atmosphere.

Then he went back onto the pitch and helped turn a 2–0 deficit into a 3–2 victory.

Who is the best example of a true leader you've seen in football?

[Chino @ChinoUTD]

🚨 Jose Mourinho on Xabi Alonso’s work at Chelsea after their 2–0 victory over Everton:

“People will look at the score and say Chelsea won comfortably. But you must understand the opponent before you appreciate the result.

Everton came into this game unbeaten in the Premier League. They’d already shown against Manchester United that even when you think you have them beaten, they can come back.

They make you work. They make you uncomfortable. And if you become impatient, they are very happy to let you make the mistake.

So for me, the interesting thing was not simply that Chelsea scored twice. It was how little Everton were allowed to turn the match into the kind of game they wanted.

I know Xabi. I worked with him at Real Madrid. He was one of those players who could make you feel he had already watched the match before everybody else arrived.

Sometimes I would be explaining something, and he would be looking at me very seriously.

I’d say, ‘Xabi, do you disagree?’

He’d say, ‘No, mister. I was thinking about what happens if they change.’

And I’d think, good. At least somebody is worrying about the second problem before we’ve finished discussing the first.

You see a little of that in his Chelsea team.

They don’t all run towards the ball. They understand where the next pass should go. When one player moves, another is already covering the space he’s left. That’s not an accident. That’s training.

And look at the selection. He has talented players, big names, players who all want to start. That can become a problem for a manager very quickly.

But he’s picking a team, not collecting famous names.

Neto starts and scores twice. Henderson gives them control. The attacking players have freedom, but there is structure behind them. When Chelsea lose possession, they don’t suddenly look like 11 strangers who’ve met for the first time.

That’s what I mean when I say you can see the players believe in the manager.

Belief isn’t just celebrating with him when you score. It’s a forward tracking back in the 75th minute because he trusts that the work matters. It’s a midfielder staying in position when he would rather join the attack.

I remember at Madrid, Xabi could spend an entire match telling people where to stand. I used to think, one day he’ll be doing this from the touchline and nobody will be able to escape him.

Now he’s doing it at Chelsea.

And what impressed me was the patience. At half-time it was 0–0. A less secure team might have started forcing things. Chelsea came out, found the opening almost immediately, and then managed the game.

That tells me the players weren’t panicking. They trusted what they’d prepared.

Of course, it’s one match. Xabi knows better than anyone that winning a game doesn’t make you a genius, and losing the next one doesn’t mean you’ve forgotten football.

But Chelsea supporters should enjoy what they’re seeing.

You can buy good players. Chelsea have done that many times.

Making those players look like they belong to the same team? That is the manager’s work. And Xabi is doing it very well.”

[Chelsea Dodgers @TheBlueDodger]

OHHH XABI ALONSO 🎶🔥 #CFC

[Erick Rickie Osoro @RickieOsoro]

@Olaunji12 @NizaarKinsella By now you have the reason

[Pys @CFCPys]

🚨 BREAKING: Chelsea have recorded their first clean sheet in the Premier League in 9 months. #CFC.

[Erick Rickie Osoro @RickieOsoro]

@ajmaxwell5 Show us again how Xabi made a mistake in starting with Hato

[GIDEON MUFC @GBUnitedx]

🚨🚨 BREAKING – Sky Sports

Manchester United’s board will NOT wait until next week! ✋🔥

The decision has reportedly been made to SACK Michael Carrick! ❌🤯

An official announcement is expected within hours, and an agreement with his replacement has already been reached. ✅👀

[Erick Rickie Osoro @RickieOsoro]

@Newsheriff_ Pedro João, Morgan Rodgers and Cole Palmer knows no low block!

[Erick Rickie Osoro @RickieOsoro]

https://t.co/pZ6U2gNpxz is good

[OPUK™ @JakindaKE]

Finally we made it to Friday, let the weekend begin.

[OPUK™ @JakindaKE]

Finally we made it to Friday, let the weekend begin.

[Erick Rickie Osoro @RickieOsoro]

@Blue_Footy He should start

[Erick Rickie Osoro @RickieOsoro]

@ajmaxwell5 He's it fourth choice defender currently.He has no place in the starting XI.
Let the new boys who are currently playing well be given the nod

[Erick Rickie Osoro @RickieOsoro]

@AokoOtieno_ @DCI_Kenya Now walk naked as you promised

[Erick Rickie Osoro @RickieOsoro]

@Blue_Footy He's focusing on his beauty !

[Erick Rickie Osoro @RickieOsoro]

@justcfc Palestra will come in second half .He is not fully recovered and shouldn't be rushed

[UEFA Champions League @ChampionsLeague]

Sabah securing their first-ever #UCL win 🩷

[Vince™ @Blue_Footy]

Of course he is speaking from his heart and he is right, but that should be discussed internally rather than with the press.

Saying things like this creates more tension around the club and makes their season a bit more complicated.

If anything, this is a confirmation that all is not well in that dressing room and the players have lost confidence in their ability to win games.

A very long season awaits Manchester United.

[Erick Rickie Osoro @RickieOsoro]

@edwinsifuna @MigunaMiguna Sifuna has been on your side in all his https://t.co/Bc1fNPCh31 on his side this time round!