Jose Mourinho has expressed his anger over the effects that the mid-week international break has on his players. The Premier League leaders host Tottenham on Saturday but Mourinho claims that national duties have affected his pre-match preparations.
Eden Hazard is likely to feature for the Blues as he has managed to shake off an ankle injury sustained whilst representing Belgium, but David Luiz will miss the London clash after suffering a knock during Brazil’s 5-0 victory over South Africa.
With veteran defender Ashley Cole also picking up an injury during training, Mourinho is left with fewer options in terms of a starting line-up and, with an important game at the week-end, is faced with a more difficult task.
“Hazard is good (but) we have some other problems,” he said. “Ashley Cole got an injury in training yesterday (Thursday) and is out of the game.
“We want always to respect the desire and pride of players.
“They go to their national teams and come back with problems. David is one of these examples, he missed some important matches for us, goes to the national team and comes back injured.
“It was just a week so I just wait for them a few days. After a game on Wednesday, with some going to other continents, we cannot train properly.”
Mourinho however still has an impressive record against Spurs (who have not won at Stamford Bridge since 1990), but the Portuguese insists their 26 game unbeaten run at home will play insignificant to the clash on Saturday.
“(The record is) merely a coincidence because Tottenham is a good team,” he added. “They are always a difficult opponent. I don’t remember having an easy match against Tottenham.
“The biggest threat for that top four position is Tottenham as they are fifth. If you get a result against them, getting (into) the top four is going in a very good direction.
“They were a good team with (former boss) Andre (Villas-Boas) and they are a good team with the new manager.”
By Phil Wellbrook
