Chelsea FC’s Jose Mourinho: My Bench, My Rules
Chelsea FC face Manchester City on Sunday, and Jose Mourinho sat down with the press for his pre-match press conference
Jose Mourinho spoke to the media ahead of Sunday’s massive fixture at The Etihad between Manchester City and Chelsea FC. The boss, ever the center of controversy, addressed his relationship with the medical staff at the club amongst other game matters.
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Eva Carneiro, a club doctor who has been present on the bench since the days of Andre Villas-Boas, will no longer be with the team on match days. Mourinho was unhappy with the way that Carneiro and Jon Fearn entered the pitch to treat Eden Hazard in injury time against Swansea City. It momentarily left the Blues with just 8 outfield players in a critical part of the match due to Premier League rules. This ban is not permanent, but The Special One must set an example.
"Jon Fearn and Dr Carneiro will not be on the bench, but it doesn’t mean Sunday is the rest of our season or the rest of our careers. They will not be on the bench on Sunday, that’s clear, that’s my decision, that’s my responsibility, but that doesn’t mean they cannot be in the future."
However, Mourinho was also keen to praise his medical professionals as a staff:
"First of all I want to say I have a fantastic medical department with a top leader, Dr Paco Biosca, and with more than a dozen professionals between doctors, physios, masseurs and specialists in different areas. I have a very good relationship with them. As they tell me all the time they were never praised so much as they were by me in the last couple of years."
There you have it. Everything is fine. After banishing a long-time pitchside physician in Carneiro for what he considers a lack of football knowledge, he has taken steps to reassure the staff as a whole. The department must feel comfortable and respected in their positions, something that probably hasn’t been the case in the last week.
The incident may cause Carneiro to leave Chelsea FC for a new club, but perhaps it is now water under the Stamford Bridge.
Mourinho was also asked about Chelsea FC’s lack of transfer activity, an issue that has been consistently brought up given the lack of arrivals this summer.
"First of all the transfer window isn’t closed, it’s open until 31 August. Secondly, you don’t always have to be a champion in the market. And thirdly, we do things when we think we have to do them, when we think we can do them, and when we think it’s the right moment to do them. Sometimes you have to think further ahead than the moment and many times we don’t explain anything publicly because we work inside."
Will Baba Rahman, John Stones, or Pedro make their way to West London? Perhaps one of those three will move to Chelsea, but the club certainly is in no hurry to force a deal. Having said that, many would agree that Chelsea are weak at left back and require defensive midfield depth, and now is the time to add to their ranks. Bringing in Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa last year was pivotal to the club’s success.
With regard to the actual clash, it may be the 2nd game of the season, but whenever City and Chelsea face off it is a polarizing event. Mourinho, though, was quick to deflect the importance of this game when it is still only August.
"I cannot say it’s crucial, it’s decisive, or it’s very, very important, but it is two title contenders, and three points. If you can get three and your opponent zero it is important but for sure I am not going to say the game decides anything for the winner or anything for the loser."
Certainly starting the season with 1 point from 2 matches is something that the Blues would like to avoid, but there are still 10 months of Premier League football left. Whether it’s August or April, Chelsea FC will be all-in to try and get one over on their title rivals.
All quotes are taken from chelseafc.com
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