Mourinho was back speaking to the media today, after Holland was sent to speak to them in our last two games.
Jose started off by confirming some injury news.
‘Azpilicueta is out but it is less than we thought it would be. He was intelligent to understand a big injury was coming [against Newcastle] and he stopped. I think next week he will train with the team.’
‘Courtois is fit. I’m not saying heÂ’s 100% but not many players are 100% to play football during a season. There is always a pain here, a pain there, an ankle swelling or something like that. He had a problem with his finger against Tottenham but if we need him to play he is ready to play.’
‘I have the two best goalkeepers in the Premier League. I decide with the keepers the same way I decide with the outfield players. My decision against Newcastle was very simple. Who is a better goalkeeper: a 100% Petr Cech or an 85% fit Thibaut Courtois? It was easy for me to make a decision.’
Mourinho was then asked if he was worried about tomorrow’s game due to our recent away form.
‘No,’ he responded. ‘We have been top of the league since day one and there because we deserve to be there.
‘There are lots of difficult matches and you can’t win every match. It’s been a difficult period for us – Newcastle, Stoke, Southampton, Tottenham away, and now Swansea. We knew it would be very difficult to keep a run of consecutive victories but I think we showed clearly we didn’t have a psychological problem with the fact the distance to Man City and Man United was reduced.
‘We made mistakes defensively against Tottenham and after that we beat Newcastle 2-0 – another clean sheet and back to normality which is to be a balanced team and not make many mistakes defensively. I have fantastic defenders. The team defends very, very well.
‘What we as a team have done is enough for us to be top of the league on 16 January. It was good enough to reach our objectives and to be alive in the three knock-out competitions.
‘We have young players and a young team. We have a lot of space to improve, not just this season but next season and the season after, but we have always been in control of our emotions and we are ready for the second part of the season.’
Mourinho was then asked about whether there would be any action from Chelsea in the January transfer window. He replied by saying he would be happy if nobody came in and if nobody left in the transfer window.
Finally he was then asked to give his verdict on Swansea.
‘I know they have a very good team, and very good teams don’t depend on one player.’
‘They depend more on their organisation, their philosophy, and the way they think and play football. Swansea are a good example of that. The work in the club has been magnificent.
‘I’m one of the guys that left the country with Swansea in the Championship and I returned to the country with Swansea playing in the Europa League, being in the top 10, and reaching Wembley in the cups.
‘Garry Monk received a good team with good players and good organisation, but to keep that stability and that quality for about a year since he left the player role to become a manager is brilliant.’
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