Jose Mourinho Very Happy Following Chelsea FC vs Maribor

Despite losing yet another striker in Loic Remy to injury following his opening goal against NK Maribor in the Champions League Group H match at Stamford Bridge last night, Chelsea FC manager Jose Mourinho is ‘very happy’ with the performance and the result.

‘We have seven points, we are very happy and top of the group. We played very well,’ explained the Blues coach to the official club website.

‘I told the players before the game that the best way to respect opponents who, in theory, are not as good as you are, and don’t have the same potential as you, is to play at your maximum level,’ something that the squad certainly bought into recording the club’s best ever result in the Champions League as they demolished a hapless Maribor team 6-0.

Contributions from Remy, followed up by a Didier Drogba penalty (his first goal back for Chelsea following his last pen to win the cup), an incredible 100yd dash from skipper John Terry, a couple from Eden Hazard and an unfortunate own goal from Viler rounded off a mesmerising display of quality football.

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The only downside to the evening was the enforced substitution of Loic Remy after injuring his groin following his opening goal. Asked about how serious the injury is and the ramifications, Mourinho said:

‘It’s a muscular injury, I don’t know the dimensions but I’m not worried, when one player is injured you play another one.’

It meant that Drogba had to play longer than originally planned in an effort to build up his fitness following the Ivorian striker’s own injury layoff.

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Drogba was joined upfront by 17 year old debutant Dominic Solanke, who along with Kurt Zouma and an inspired Nathan Ake offered a glimpse of the future, which based on last night’s efforts, looks pretty good.

‘It’s always better to play them when the situation is good. Kurt Zouma is ready to play any match but because I want to give stability to the team I’ve played Terry and Cahill since the first game. The same thing has happened to him that happened to Raphael Varane, I gave him his debut in the Champions League at the same age, Zouma is a player we trust a lot.

‘Nathan Ake is at another level, he’s almost there, and Solanke is at a level where we know he has the talent but he’s far away. For him it was a perfect situation; the legs were tired even before he came on, the heartbeat was there before the first run but it’s a night he will never forget. For sure, he’s going to play many Champions League matches because he will be a good player.’

It could have been much harder for Ake, replacing Cesc Fàbregas, but the youngster got stuck in straightaway, looking as though he’d played in the team all his life. Breaking up Maribor offensive efforts, and getting Chelsea back on track toward the opposition goal, quickly and accurately is what Ake did so well last night. And the ball he played to Eden Hazard could well of come directly off the boot of Cesc, a wonderfully flighted 30 yard ball over the top straight onto the Belgian’s toe, sublime!

According to Mourinho, the squad are confident, solid and balanced and pleased to see this team go again in the second half and want to continue to score goals, something that last season’s team were lacking.

‘Good results and confidence bring the best out of people. They are enjoying themselves. Tonight is a good example: with it being 3-0 at half-time there are many occasions when you stop and control the game, you are happy with the points. But, they kept playing their game and trying to score, they are in a good moment.’

In all it was an excellent display by a team that look to be in total harmony. They just need to replicate that energy and efficiency on Saturday…