Jose insists Matic substitution was not ‘humiliating’

Jose Mourinho is adamant his double substitution of Nemanja Matic in Chelsea’s 3-1 Premier League defeat to Southampton was not with a humiliating intent.

The London based side have been on an abysmal run of form leading to questions of whether Mourinho should be sacked as manager of Chelsea and his decisions on Saturday may have heightened doubts around Stamford Bridge.

Last season’s title winning manager refuted claims he humiliated one of the stars of the 2014/15 season as he introduced him at halftime and withdrew him 28 minutes after.

It was not humiliating,’ Mourinho said after Chelsea’s fourth Premier League defeat of the season – more than they suffered in the entire title-winning campaign in 2014-15. ‘It was not the case. I do not do that to anyone, in football and in life.

With the players, it is not easy. I like them, I trust them. I know they are good players but some of them are in a difficult moment – Matic is one of them. He is not playing well. He is not sharp defensively. He is making mistakes with the ball and not making the best decisions.

I brought him on because even though Ramires did a great job in the first half with [Sadio] Mane, with a yellow card and an inexperienced referee I was afraid of a second yellow card and I changed him for Matic.

Then when we concede a goal and I need to make a change. I want to play another striker, I have to take a player from the midfield. I kept Oscar because he is the one that creates more.

I kept [Cesc] Fabregas because he is the one – maybe because of his formation in a difficult place to play which is Barcelona – who copes better with the pressure. Even not playing well, his emotional stability is high.

So I decided to take off Matic but I like the player very much, I have a fantastic relationship with the boy. Humiliating him? For sure, I was not.

Jose Mourinho, Source: Daily Mail

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