T
he Premier League title race gives way to the FA Cup fourth round this weekend and there were still plenty of reporters at Friday afternoon’s media conference at Cobham. They heard the Chelsea manager look forward to the game against League One opposition.
he Premier League title race gives way to the FA Cup fourth round this weekend and there were still plenty of reporters at Friday afternoon’s media conference at Cobham. They heard the Chelsea manager look forward to the game against League One opposition.
Mourinho is resting some players, John Terry included, but is not drafting Academy players into his starting 11. Petr Cech will play and Andre Schurrle and Mohamed Salah will both be involved.
‘At this moment we have all the reasons to be smiling because we don’t have injuries,’ Mourinhoreported.
‘My team tomorrow will reflect the fact that if we lose the game, we are out [of the FA Cup] and if we draw we have to go to Bradford. We don’t want to be out and if possible, we don’t want a second match. My team will reflect our desire to go to the next round and the respect Bradford deserve from us. This season we have already played Championship and League One teams and I don’t remember an easy game.’
Both Schurrle and Salah have been subject to transfer speculation in the media this month but Mourinhoexplained there is no desire in the club for any player to leave or any new signing to be made. Only offers for players from other clubs that might come under consideration due to the requirements of Financial Fair Play could change that, as they have done in past transfer WINDOWS
. If a player is sold then a new one will arrive.
. If a player is sold then a new one will arrive. ‘Our desire is to keep the same squad which reflects we are happy with the players and the work we did in the summer to prepare for the season, and the trust we have in the group,’ Mourinho clarified.
‘I like Schurrle and Salah and I need and I trust them. I can’t select the same 18 players every game and I can only start 11. Salah is not playing a lot, Schurrle is more than him, but they been involved in every competition including the Champions League. I count on them and tomorrow both are selected to play.
‘The way Hazard and Willian are performing, with the stability of their performances in attack and defence and transition, unless I find a tactical system with three wingers it is difficult to be in front of them [for selection] because they are playing so well.’
Having made a scoring contribution as a substitute at Swansea, Schurrle missed the midweek game at Anfield due to a minor illness which has now passed. Didier Drogba was similarly absent for Swansea.
‘We have a way of dealing with these little health problems,’ the manager explained. ‘When somebody shows the first signs of something we say go home. We prefer to lose a player who is a little doubt than risk keeping him with the other players and then losing two, three or four as a consequence. Every little problem the player goes home and the DOCTORS take care of him at home.’
take care of him at home.’With John Terry not starting tomorrow, the path is open for Kurt Zouma to begin his third match of the month.
‘We are impressed,’ is Mourinho’s assessment of the 20-year-old.
‘We bought a talent but that talent was far from ready and at the beginning of the season people were thinking it would be better for him to go somewhere [on LOAN] and play, but we thought It was better for him to stay and learn here in this habitat where for sure he will be a player for many years. We are very happy with him.’
] and play, but we thought It was better for him to stay and learn here in this habitat where for sure he will be a player for many years. We are very happy with him.’ From Chelseafc.com
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