Eidur reveals Jose's secrets

14 April 2012

In just three days working with less than half of his squad, Jose Mourinho has made quite an impression.

Chelsea's head coach has spent the last fortnight supervising improvements to the club's Harlington training ground, with a new fence and a line of fir trees the most obvious additions, but beyond such cosmetic tweaking an almighty wind of change is blowing through the club.

The relaxed, almost laissez-faire regime of Claudio Ranieri has been consigned to the past. Whereas the Italian put together his training sessions on a daily basis, his successor is far more rigorous, declaring that not a single second be wasted before the start of the season.

Mourinho's first act at the club was to write personalised letters to each of his players outlining their responsibilities, and on their first day back they were presented with a precise five-week timetable of training sessions. His players were impressed.

Taking a brief break between double training sessions yesterday, Eidur Gudjohnsen said: "It's early days but it's very exciting. I've been impressed with the organisation and everything is set out from the first minute. The new manager says training lasts for 90 minutes and the last stretch will take place in the 90th minute. That's how organised he is.

"Training is divided into different parts and each section doesn't last a second longer than it's meant to. There is not one minute of standing still."

Even in the first week of pre-season training, one senses that the bar has been lifted. Chelsea's European Cup-winning coach has raised his players' aspirations, with many appearing to be in awe of his supreme confidence and attention to detail.

Gudjohnsen said: "You have to be impressed. That's the sort of confidence a team must have because a major part of winning is spreading the belief into the team that we can win and develop into something amazing.

"You can see he's a winner. He wants every pass to be good, the little details which can win you games. He puts you under certain pressure to be on your toes all of the time. To think about your next pass or your next movement.

"He wants you to put everything you can into every session and every moment. Not until then will he be satisfied."

Gudjohnsen stands to benefit from this more intense regime more than most. The 25-year-old has often appeared to have more talent than he realises, possessing the touch, strength and awareness of a world-class striker, but lacking the conviction to turn such gifts into goals. A gentle kick up the backside could do the trick.

The Iceland striker struggled last season as he was not favoured by Ranieri, with Hernan Crespo and Adrian Mutu bought to replace him, but he clearly has the confidence of Mourinho and is determined to take advantage of his new-found security.

He said: "I had a phone call when the new manager took over and always knew I'd come back. I was in a similar position last year, one of the few remaining players at the club as others came in, but it doesn't matter who we sign. I've just got to get as fit as I can and earn my place."

Gudjohnsen believes that under Mourinho, Chelsea can challenge for the Premiership title. He added: "I've no doubt our squad is as good as Arsenal's. We have the squad who can win trophies and it's just a matter of time."

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Customisation And Personalisation

Eidur Gudjohnsen

Jose Mourinho

Eidur reveals Jose's secrets

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