The Portugese football federation are blaming Chelsea’s announcing Scolari’s hiring during the Euro 2008 as a key reason for their defeat against Germany. They have been critical of Chelsea for their inopportune timing. And in one sense, rightly so, it was a distraction to the team and a motivational dampener to the players. Chelsea’s act was self-centered and it just adds to its reputation as a club that believes money buys everything.
However, it was the players who failed to win the match. The defence was poor, especially against the German set pieces, so at some point they have to take responsibility for their basic failings.
