Tag Archives: Jose Mourinho

Chelsea Boss Keen On Swift Progress In The Champions League

October 2, 2014 Spoughts Leave a comment

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is keen that his side take maximum points from their two games against Maribor, with the hope that a pair of results against them will see them hit 10 points in the competition and secure early passage into the knockout stages of the Champions League, as reported by the Daily Mirror.

This would allow them to progress with two games left to play.

The Blues beat Sporting Lisbon in their second group game on Tuesday, winning 1-0 against the Portuguese side.

FABREGAS AND MIDFIELD BATTLE: PREVIEW OF CHELSEA VS. ARSENAL

Mourinho was not happy with the side’s success at converting the opportunities that were granted to them, but firmly believes that they can confirm their progress after their two games against the Slovenian side.

He said: “We missed a lot of chances, I know, but we got three points and in the group it is about points.

“Now we are in control of our destiny. Next we play two games against Maribor. If we manage six points, that would be 10 and job done, so we have just to focus on beating Maribor.

“With chances we had, it could have finished 4-0 or 5-0 but when we couldn’t transform our dominance into goals, we had to make sure we closed the door on them and that’s what we did.’’

Chelsea face Arsenal at the weekend, entering the London derby with an undefeated record in all competitions thus far this season.

They were boosted by Diego Costa completing 90 minutes against Sporting in mid week.

Chelsea, Manchester City, News

Chelsea Boss Says Love Story For Veteran At Club Is Over

September 22, 2014 Spoughts Leave a comment

Having seen his team concede an equaliser against Manchester City on Sunday in the Premier League, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has said that the love affair between his club and Frank Lampard is now over, as reported by the Daily Star.

Lampard faced off against Chelsea for the first time since 2001, having played for the Blues for over ten years. His spell at the Stamford Bridge club has encompassed a great amount of success, and has included the time since Roman Abramovich bought the club, who has brought with him significant investment.

However, Mourinho has now suggested that the love story between the club and player is now over, with Lampard having moved to a direct rival of Chelsea’s by joining City.

He said: “Frank Lampard is a Man City player, I don’t believe in stories of passion and heart, maybe I am too pragmatic in football.

“When he decided to go to a direct competitor to Chelsea then love stories are over. He did his job as a professional.

“He got a good reception and this is England and this is Chelsea. Chelsea people never forget what Chelsea people do at the club.

“It happened to me when I was manager of Inter. It is Chelsea’s culture and beauty.”

His move to City comes as a result of him signing for New York City FC this summer, who are Man City’s sister club. With New York not playing any fixtures until next calendar year, Lampard has moved back to the Premier League to join a rival of Chelsea’s.

Chelsea, Manchester City, News

City Boss Rages Against Chelsea’s “Small Team” Tactics

September 22, 2014 Spoughts Leave a comment

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has panned the tactics of Chelsea in visiting the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, saying that Jose Mourinho’s troops played the game like a “small team” in his post match press conference.

City have dropped four points at home against Stoke and the Stamford Bridge club in the last few fixtures, and both displays were characterised by counter attacking tactics and staunch defending from the away sides.

This has seemingly not been to the pleasure of Pellegrini, who raged against the tactics employed by Mourinho, saying that they befitted a team who were not of Chelsea’s class.

He told the press: “We had one big team playing as a big team, and one big team playing as a small team, like Stoke.”

City and Chelsea ultimately drew 1-1, with Frank Lampard bagging a late equaliser for the Manchester club. The former Chelsea man refused to celebrate after scoring for the club where he spent a long spell.

This cancelled out a strike from Andre Schurrle, who scored after a fantastic counter attac.