LONDON — The English clubs’ malaise in the Champions League continues, and everyone is looking for excuses and scapegoats.
When Chelsea lost to F.C. Porto and Arsenal to Olympiakos on Tuesday — making it five defeats in the first six group games for Premier League teams — the critics rebuked the coaches.
In the case of Chelsea, people are blaming Manager José Mourinho for the way age and uncertainty are catching up with his captain, John Terry, and because the team has not acquired a replacement. In fact, Mourinho tried — and tried again — to buy the Everton central defender John Stones, going so far that his efforts almost constituted a breach of league rules.