Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho believes that his side hold an edge over its rivals as the season draws to a close. The Blues manager hailed his teama s performance against Stoke City on Saturday as his side moved seven points clear at the top of the league.
Playing at home, Chelsea defeated a spirited Potters side by two goals to one displaying some steely resolve through the game. With eight games to play, Chelsea seem to be in a commanding position and the Portuguese has acknowledged the same.
a We have strong mentalities. We try to cope with the difficult moments we have during the whole season.
a We are ready for everything and we believe that the most difficult job is the job of the others that come from behind. Because the others, if they draw one game, they are in trouble. They have to win every game so ita s more difficult for them than for us.
a April is a moment of stability and obviously I keep faith in the people that I trust from the beginning of the season.a
Mourinho then talked about his playmaker in midfield a Cesc Fabregas who took the league by storm at the start of the season, accumulating 15 assists in his first 21 league appearances. The Spanish midfielder who moved from Barcelona over the summer, has been criticized after suffering a dip in form over the past couple of months.
In his last 13 games in all competitions, Fabregas, the former Arsenal captain, has only assisted one goal. Yet, according to Mourinho, the midfielder has played quite well.
a When some people write that Fabregas has dropped his level because the number of assists are not the same, the number of assists are probably not the same because the player that he assists doesna t score.
a I think hea s playing wonderfully well for us. Ia ve never had doubts about his importance for us in the team”.
Fabregasa midfield partner Nemanja Matic, too, hasna t been playing quite as well as he was at the start of the season. While he admits that the Serb hasna t been up to his usual standards, Mourinho says thata s down to injuries and suspensions.
a As for Matic, he was suspended, and after the suspension he was injured celebrating in the Capital One Cup final. So he went back and he was not in the best condition”, the Portuguese added.
a He was out for two or three weeks so it takes time but I always think stability is very important in a team, and ita s not in April you are going to make important changes.a
While they are in an advantageous position, Chelsea are still to play Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool before the end of the season.