Chelsea FC manager Jos Mourinho declared he had no sympathy for Tottenham Hotspur ahead of Sunday’s clash, despite the North London side having to play 48 hours after the Blues in midweek
Although his side will get nearly 48 hours of rest more than their opponents on Sunday, Chelsea FC coach Jos Mourinho insists that his side will not have the upper hand, declaring that the situation is the same for all English clubs participating in European competition.
The Portuguese also admitted that captain John Terry could miss the trip to White Hart Lane, but reaffirmed his faith in centre-backs Gary Cahill and Kurt Zouma, whom he declared as being ‘ready’ to face Tottenham Hotspur.
Mourinho does not believe his side has an advantage
Tottenham Hotspur played Azerbaijan-based QarabaAY FK on Thursday in the UEFA Europa League, 48 hours after Chelsea FC’s 4-0 victory over Maccabi Tel-Aviv in Israel. Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino was less than happy with the 12pm kick-off time on Sunday, but Mourinho insisted his side would not have an advantage.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Mourinho said (via chelseafc.com): “We did play this week and when you play Saturday and then Thursday, you have a long time to recover from the previous match to the Thursday.
“When you play Saturday and then you play Tuesday, you are immediately in accumulation, you are already in overloaded, and then even if you have a longer period to rest before the next match you accumulate in the first two matches, so this story [the problems caused by Europa League Thursday games followed by a Sunday game] is a one that doesna t convince me.
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“You must have either a solution for everyone or not for anyone.”
Mourinho puts faith in Cahill and Zouma
Chelsea FC skipper John Terry left the field on a stretcher in the Blues’ 4-0 win over Maccabi on Tuesday, and could miss Sunday’s game against Tottenham. However, Mourinho insisted that he had ‘complete trust’ in Gary Cahill and Kurt Zouma, who are expected to start at the heart of the Blues’ defence.
“I have complete trust in Gary Cahill and Kurt Zouma,” Mourinho is quoted as saying by the official club website.”Which is why in an important match for us on Tuesday I left Kurt out after good performances he is having to show Gary that confidence. They are ready.
“I am not saying Papy Djilobodji is ready because he did not have chances to play and his is a different situation, but Zouma and Cahill are both ready and if John doesna t play, I go with them.”