What should be Jose Mourinho’s aim for next season after another trophy less season for him?

Jose Mourinho was brought back to Chelsea after a parade of managers failed to replicate the success that Stamford Bridge had become accustomed to during his first tenure. His second coming was heralded with great aplomb. His return, coupled with managerial changes at Manchester United and Manchester City, placed Chelsea as one of the favorites to reclaim the championship for the 2013-2014 season.
A problem that few pundits considered is that the team that Mourinho inherited was a team built to play a quick passing based, attacking brand of football. Designed with the individual talents of Hazard, Mata and Oscar all given the license to interchange positions, exchange quick passes and do whatever necessary in the attacking half to create chances for the 50million pound striker Fernando Torres. Mourinho on the other hand prefers to have players who track back, help in defence, can switch seamlessly from attack to defence, run tirelessly and above all ‘fit’ in his system. It’s not the most attractive style, but it guarantees success - the success that Roman Abrahamovic paid for but didn’t get this year.
If history has indicated anything, then we can be sure Jose Mourinho will not likely be afforded another trophy less season. The limited time coupled with Mourinho’s NEED to win, indicate that Mourinho will be aiming almost desperately for titles next season. A repeat of this season, will most certainly see Mourinho sacked – a second time from the same club.
This season, Mourinho made numerous changes to the playing personnel. Ashley Cole was disposed off his position at left back in the Chelsea line up by a Spanish right back. Mata was removed from the line up after 2 years as Chelsea’s player of the year. Luiz was exclusively used in midfield. All these changes worked well for Chelsea. They managed to 3rd place finish, reached the semi-finals of the Champions League, and had good runs in the domestic cup competitions as well.
Samuel Eto’o, Willian, Salah and Matic were added to the squad by Mourinho to stamp his mark on the team. Schurle was often played as a false striker in place of Torres, Eto’o and Ba to add the extra work man like effort up front. Despite the option of 4 very capable players to play striker, Chelsea only scored 68 goals in the league. To put that into perspective, Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge scored 52 league goals among themselves alone. The defence of Azpilicueta, Cahill, Terry and Ivanovic was successful in keeping attacks at bay this season especially with Matic in front of them in midfield. But without an attack that can in fact attack, Chelsea sadly will only manage a repeat of this season, next year at best.
Recent rumors suggest that Mourinho understands the need to add to his attack in the off season. Diego Costa, Edinson Cavani and Mario Mandzukic are just some of the names being tossed around in the media to lead their line next season. With Samuel Eto’o out of contract this summer and Torres and Ba unlikely to be retained, a new striker will be the starting point for taking this team ahead. A new starting left footed left back should also be high up on their shopping list this summer. Addition of another central midfielder would be welcome. Dependence on Lampard has reduced but he has not been replaced or substituted. A little more depth in that position would be needed especially considering the uncertainty surrounding the futures of John Obi Mikel and Ramires.
All of this understood, Mourinho must simply aim to score more goals next season. They didn’t finish third because they conceded too many goals, they finished third because they failed to score too few goals – especially in comparison to the fact that the 2 teams in front of them scored 100+ league goals each this season. He simply must aspire to attack more. With that in place, Chelsea could perhaps aim to go to the Vicente Calderon in the first leg of a Champions League semi final and attempt to score a decisive away goal.