Jose Mourinho’s champion-like attitude shone through in today’s press conference, as he prompted Chelsea fans – and one journalist in particular – to ‘be optimistic’.
The Blues’ boss was quick to dismiss talk of Wednesday’s game, stating he would only talk about next season’s Champions League if the competition was to be mentioned at all.
I had a meeting with the players. [after Wednesday’s game]. Everybody spoke; we were discussing, it was very interactive. We have 11 games left. We want to be champions, of course to win the Premier League but also to be top seed next year.
When asked about surrounding the referee, Jose said the players pay the fine, not the club.
If they surround the referee, we are charged; but we do not pay the fine, the players pay.
Moving onto Sunday’s game against Southampton, Mourinho was asked whether Chelsea could cope with the pressure in the final run of fixtures.
‘Of course it is my responsibility [to coach the players on dealing with pressure]. We have to be optimistic. We cannot promise that we will win every game, or even become champions, but we are optimistic.’
Jose also stated that defending set-pieces was an area the team needed to work on, as three of our most recently conceded goals have come from corners.
I like my players and I trust my players. We win together and we lose together. Our situation is good, it’s better than everyone else’s! Everyone else would love to be in our position. Yesterday we closed the Champions League chapter.
[On pundit responses to surrounding the referee] ‘I think memories are getting shorter. Jamie Carragher and Souness are certainly having these problems. In two years of retirement, Jamie has forgotten everything he did as a player.’
Concluding on Sunday’s upcoming fixture, Mourinho reported there were no new injuries.
Everybody wants to play. No players are doing what some journalists do; they write bullsh*t and then don’t turn up to the next press conference. That is not like my players.
Chelsea hope to retain their five-point lead at the top of the table on Sunday, as Mourinho reiterates his desire to win, in what was a fierce press conference on Friday afternoon.
