Recreate Mourinho's legendary Chelsea 2004/05 tactics in Football Manager 2024. Learn the strategy that revolutionized Premier League football.
Mastering the Tactical Revolution: Mourinho's Chelsea 04/05 in FM24
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Premium: Extra Benefits In 2004, José Mourinho left Champions League winners FC Porto to join English outfit Chelsea. In his first two seasons, Mourinho completely flipped the tactical landscape in the English game and it took three seasons for any other manager to crack the tactical code, as Chelsea stormed to success in both of his first two seasons. However, it’s José' first season at the club that’s most fondly remembered, as the club conceded only 15 goals in 38 games, and won 29 games out of 38. In this article, I’ll be going through my recreation of his Chelsea team’s tactics from that incredible 04/05 season, and showcasing my results with said tactic on Football Manager 2024. Firstly, let’s have a look at what made this Chelsea team so superior to others in that season.
Breaking the English Tactical Mould
Before José Mourinho’s arrival at Stamford Bridge, English football was enamoured and loyal to the 4-4-2 formation, with the vast majority of teams, in 03/04, opting for that formation. This is because the 4-4-2 shape was very structurally solid when defending, and because when you attack within the shape, you can seamlessly transition to other shapes. This was most successfully seen with Arsène Wenger’s Arsenal in 03/04, as a front two of Henry and Bergkamp could easily transition into a shape with a no.10 and no.9 role, like you’d see in a 4-2-3-1 shape nowadays. However, when José arrived, he went down a different route, opting for the 4-3-3 formation. What this meant was that Chelsea immediately had a numerical advantage in central areas, without losing coverage on the flanks. This was incredibly confusing for the opposition’s defenders and midfielders, as they simply didn’t know who to pick up as ‘their man’ and where to pick them up from. This also caused a major headache to managers in the league, as they couldn’t figure out how to stop the overload in the centre. This proverbial breaking of the mould is actually a reason why European football is so besotted with tactics nowadays; however, Jose’s tactical acumen is usually overlooked due to the misconception that he is/was a ‘defensive’ and ‘counter-attacking’ manager.
Premier League’s Sternest Defence
As aforementioned, the 04/05 Chelsea team conceded just 15 (FIFTEEN) goals in 38 games, a record that is still standing incredibly strong. Chelsea achieved this thanks to Mourinho’s impenetrable defensive set-up, where he’d encourage his team to sit in an incredibly tight and aggressive mid-block. From within this mid-block, Mourinho asked for his side to force the opposition’s play wide. From here, he’d ask his team to invite the crosses into the penalty area, as he trusted his defence and ‘keeper to neutralize any threat. From this mid-block, once Chelsea won the ball back, they would spring deadly counter-attacks, led by Drogba, who’d hold up the play before laying the ball off to a midfielder/winger. To form this (almost) immovable object, Mourinho would have his team transition from a 4-3-3 to a 4-5-1 shape, closing off all options in the centre.
The ‘Joker’ - Frank Lampard
Under José Mourinho, Frank Lampard evolved into one of the best midfielders the world has seen, as he dominated the league from a central midfield role. From central midfield, Lampard registered 30 (THIRTY) goal contributions in 38 Premier League games in 04/05. But why do I call him the ‘Joker’ of this system? Frank Lampard, despite playing as a midfielder in this system, was primarily utilized as a secondary goal threat, as he’d regularly link up with Didier Drogba to provide Chelsea’s main attacking threat. This was yet another incredibly modern and confusing trick that Mourinho had up his sleeve, as in the classic 4-4-2 systems in the Premier League, the strikers were the primary goalscoring threat, whilst it was actually the wingers who would provide the secondary threat. Therefore, Premier League defenders had absolutely no clue how to deal with the issues posed to them by Lampard from midfield, and this would usually see Lampard arriving into the penalty area late and unmarked to score.
Let’s Break Down the Tactic
In possession
Chelsea were a good mix of direct and safe when in possession, as they’d
look to pick the right times to go direct. Otherwise, they’d look to build
up play with short passes to feet. However, unlike most teams nowadays who
look to combine shorter passes with patience when building up, this Chelsea
team wanted to be efficient, looking to keep the ball moving all the time.
To recreate these things, I applied the team instructions pictured in the
photo above.
In transition
When Chelsea would lose the ball, they’d let the context of the match
determine whether they counter-pressed in an attempt to win the ball back or
not. However, when they did win back the ball, almost always they’d look to
hit teams on the counter-attack. When building up from goal-kicks, Petr Čech
would usually roll the ball out to the centre-backs and would stay away from
joining in the build-up, as he was very limited in his technical ability.
However, if the opposition were pressing very high and going man-to-man,
Čech would launch a rocket of a long ball up to Drogba to control and hold
up. This was a very effective way for Chelsea to get up the pitch, as few
defenders would beat Drogba in these scenarios. To recreate these things, I
applied the team instructions pictured in the photo above.
Out of Possession
When Chelsea didn’t have the ball, they’d usually sit off in a mid-block. On
FM, I applied the ‘Mid-Block’ instruction, however, I didn’t feel it was
being executed in a realistic manner in game, especially from opposition
goal-kicks.*
Therefore, I opted for the ‘High Press’ instruction with no change to the ‘Trigger Press’ instruction (middle bar). In game, I felt this combination was the most realistic. Chelsea would combine this mid-block with a high defensive line, which teams would really struggle to exploit in games. As aforementioned, Mourinho wanted his team to force the opposition’s play out wide, where they’d be less threatening. And, as also mentioned before, he’d ask his team to invite crosses from wide areas, as he trusted his defence to deal with the danger.
Therefore, I opted for the ‘High Press’ instruction with no change to the ‘Trigger Press’ instruction (middle bar). In game, I felt this combination was the most realistic. Chelsea would combine this mid-block with a high defensive line, which teams would really struggle to exploit in games. As aforementioned, Mourinho wanted his team to force the opposition’s play out wide, where they’d be less threatening. And, as also mentioned before, he’d ask his team to invite crosses from wide areas, as he trusted his defence to deal with the danger.
Finally, Mourinho’s team were very frustrating to play against, as he set-up
a very aggressive unit, who’d go through brick walls for their manager and
would do whatever it took to prevent the opposition from scoring. This would
see this Chelsea team engage in the ‘dark arts’ of football, usually using
cynical fouls to disrupt opposition build-up. To recreate these things, I
applied the team instructions pictured in the photo above.
Čech was predominantly a 'keeper who'd focus entirely on shot-stopping. Therefore, you will usually see people use the ‘Goalkeeper’ role. However, Čech was also very important for stopping crosses and neutralising that danger, as he’d usually come off his line to collect these crosses from the opposition. For me, this is a key differentiator between the choice of the ‘Goalkeeper’ role and the ‘Sweeper Keeper’ role in this instance, as the ‘Goalkeeper’ role rarely comes off his line to collect crosses in the FM24 match engine. Therefore, I chose this role and duty. No additional player instructions.
The right-back in this system was the more attacking-minded of the two full-backs, despite both being asked to get forward at times. The right-back, unlike the left-back, would also be asked to overlap the right-winger, so the right-winger (usually Robben) could cut inside. Finally, when the right-back had the ball, he’d be asked to carry the ball forward – another modern adaptation of the role, presented by Mourinho. To replicate these things, I applied the following player instructions, as seen below:
Player Instructions
Sweeper Keeper – Defend:
Čech was predominantly a 'keeper who'd focus entirely on shot-stopping. Therefore, you will usually see people use the ‘Goalkeeper’ role. However, Čech was also very important for stopping crosses and neutralising that danger, as he’d usually come off his line to collect these crosses from the opposition. For me, this is a key differentiator between the choice of the ‘Goalkeeper’ role and the ‘Sweeper Keeper’ role in this instance, as the ‘Goalkeeper’ role rarely comes off his line to collect crosses in the FM24 match engine. Therefore, I chose this role and duty. No additional player instructions.
Full-Back – Attack:
The right-back in this system was the more attacking-minded of the two full-backs, despite both being asked to get forward at times. The right-back, unlike the left-back, would also be asked to overlap the right-winger, so the right-winger (usually Robben) could cut inside. Finally, when the right-back had the ball, he’d be asked to carry the ball forward – another modern adaptation of the role, presented by Mourinho. To replicate these things, I applied the following player instructions, as seen below:
(DCR & DCL) Ball-Playing Defender – Defend:
Both centre-backs in this system, Terry and Carvalho, were incredibly adept with the ball at their feet, and were probably the Premier League’s first edition of the modern ‘Ball-Playing Centre-Backs'. Therefore, it was only right I selected this role for both positions, with no additional player instructions applied to either position.
Full-Back – Support:
The left-back in this system was quite similar to the right-back in his on-and-off-the-ball movements. However, he just had less attacking licence/responsibility. Despite this, the left-back would regularly get forward, however, just not at the consistency of his full-back partner. Like the right-back, the left-back would be allowed to carry the ball forward at times, in an attempt to progress play from wide. To replicate these things, I applied the following player instructions, as seen below:
Anchor – Defend:
Makélélé in this position was Chelsea’s first point of central play, as he’d usually become available to receive a pass from the centre-backs, as the other two midfielders in this system would be marked by the opposition’s two midfielders. When he would receive the ball, however, he wouldn’t be the most progressive with the ball, as he’d usually recycle possession, or play the ball into one of his midfield partners. Out of possession, however, is where Makéléle thrived, as he was particularly impressive at breaking up play, and placing himself in a perfect position to prevent counter-attacks from the opposition. This would see him rarely venture into attacking areas. Therefore, I felt the ‘Anchor’ role was perfect. No additional instructions.
Box-to-Box Midfielder – Support:
This position was usually occupied by, what I call, a utility player. An overall solid player, who could help out with anything, in any position, in any phase of play. This was particularly seen with Eidur Gudjohnsen, who was typically a striker, being utilised in this role and position. In fact, Eidur Gudjohnsen played the second most games for Chelsea that season, showing his incredible availability and versatility. From this position, this player could drop deep to form a double-pivot with Makéléle, or hold a higher position to support attacks; Quite literally operating as a box-to-box midfielder. Therefore, I believe this role is perfect. No additional player instructions.
Central Midfielder – Attack:
As mentioned before, Lampard was incredible under Mourinho in 04/05. And that was down to him being used as a secondary goal threat, arriving late into the opponent’s penalty area to score crucial goals for Chelsea. However, Lampard would also be given licence to put his phenomenal ball-striking to test, and would be encouraged to take shots from distance. Finally, Lampard would also look to move wider to link-up with the left-winger and left-back, creating a triangle on the flank to allow Chelsea to retain and control possession. Therefore, when gathering all this information, I felt this role and these player instructions were perfect!
Inverted Winger – Support:
The wingers in this system were both given licence to roam from their positions to try and affect play elsewhere. However, despite this similarity, they had slightly different responsibilities in attack. On the right flank, the winger would repeatedly look to beat his man, before cutting inside and taking speculative long-shots. Thankfully, for Chelsea, they had Arjen Robben, who ended up being quite good at this skill, so much so that it ended up becoming a key facet of his overall game. Both wingers would also look to mainly hug the touchline like traditional wingers. Finally, on the right-side, the winger would often look to camp just slightly at the edge of the penalty area, where he could look to utilize his ball-striking ability from range. To replicate these things, I applied the following player instructions, as seen below:
Inverted Winger – Attack:
As mentioned beforehand, the left-winger was slightly different in his movement, as he’d look to actually arrive into the box, usually at the back-post, to score. Also, he wouldn’t look to shoot from speculative distances like the right-winger (Robben) would. Therefore, it’s the same player instructions as the MR, just without ‘Shoot More Often’ selected, as seen below:
Target Forward – Attack:
Drogba was a key player in this system, as his monstrous strength combined with an elite ability of holding up play was crucial to a lot of Chelsea’s attacks. Drogba would usually look to move into channels and onto one of the opposing centre-backs, before looking to bully and push the opposition's defensive line back. This would free up space for Lampard to exploit in between the defensive line and midfield. When he received the ball with his back to goal, Drogba would look to flick the ball onto Lampard, who could then face goal and progress the attack. This would see Drogba looking to provide chances more often than shooting himself. This saw Drogba rack up 9 assists in all competitions. To replicate these things, I applied the following player instructions, as seen below:
Position Swap
Finally, Mourinho also introduced player swapping to the Premier League, as he would constantly rotate his wingers. To replicate this, I applied the ‘Swap Positions With...’ instruction to the ‘Midfielder (Right)’ and ‘Midfielder (Left)’.
Individual Player Instructions
To help replicate the effect of this in-game, I applied the following roles and player instructions to my left and right wingers:
(MR) Winger – Support:
%20Winger%20%E2%80%93%20Support%20Chelsea%202004%20Tactic%20in%20FM24.png "(MR) Winger – Support Chelsea 2004 Tactic in FM24")
(ML) Winger – Attack:
%20Winger%20%E2%80%93%20Attack%20Chelsea%202004%20Tactic%20in%20FM24.png "(ML) Winger – Attack Chelsea 2004 Tactic in FM24")
At the end, your tactic screen and roles should look something like this, once you’ve swapped the positions of the left-winger and right-winger:
Results
I’ll be posting some of my individual match results on my Twitter/X profile, @AshtonGgmu.
However, let’s have a look at the competition results I managed to achieve with this tactic with Chelsea on FM24!
Premier League:
In the Premier League, we were phenomenal as we won the league by 10 points, finishing on 99 points! We ended up winning 32 games out of a possible 38, drawing 3 and losing 3. We also scored 93 goals, whilst only conceding 16 – almost beating the record set by José Mourinho himself! Finally, we ended up keeping a whopping 23 clean sheets in the league!
Domestic Competitions:
We were quite poor overall in domestic competitions, as we were knocked out of both the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup, at the Quarter-Final and Fourth Round stage respectively, by Premier League opposition.
Europa Conference League:
This was not the case, however, in the Europa Conference League, as we stormed the competition to win it with relative comfort, beating Besiktas 3-1 in the final. On the way to the final, we ended up beating LASK, Trabzonspor and Real Betis 1-5, 0-6 and 6-2 respectively.
Conclusion
In 2004, José Mourinho arrived at England, took over Chelsea, and immediately took the Premier League by storm. He implemented foreign tactical trends and utilized modern tactical facets of play, and no-one had a clue how to beat it. For two seasons, his Chelsea team were near enough unstoppable and will always be remembered as one of the best sides in Premier League history. In this article, I have successfully recreated the fantastic tactics, used by Mourinho in this time, on Football Manager 2024, and have displayed my results with Chelsea in-game. If you want to try out this tactic, make sure to use the download link attached to this article and follow FM Blog and myself on Twitter/X for more updates and tactics. I hope you have enjoyed this article, and I wish you much success with this tactic on your saves! Thanks for reading!
