Chelsea FC v Newcastle Preview And Press Conference

Press Conference

Exactly on time at 2pm Jose entered the media room at Cobham with his serious “let’s get down to business” look and surprisingly the first question was about tomorrow’s team news.

No new injuries. Willian, everyone is fine.

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Jose then stated he didn’t know who he would play up front, Loic Remy or Radamel Falcao, it depended upon the opposition team news, or specifically who would be fit for Newcastle in the centre back position.

When asked if it would be a test of the strength in depth that Jose claimed to have, the Chelsea boss reiterated that it was not a test because of the quality of all 3 strikers.

He then went on to say that it wasn’t relevant that Remy used to play for Newcastle United, the determination to play is the same for him whether it was Newcastle or Walsall.

And then came the FA and the Diego Costa questions.

No comment to the “is it frustrating that the FA haven’t provided the written reasons for denying Costa’s appeal”.

When asked if Costa would have to change his style of play to avoid further situations, Jose refused to answer because he didn’t want to get suspended himself.

"I can’t answer. No. Because if I answer I’ll be suspended. I don’t want to touch the theme and everything that surrounds that situation because I want to be on the bench."

Jose then launched into an attack on an unnamed manager (Arsene Wenger) and his ability to do whatever he wants without sanctions.

"The one who can speak about the referees before the game, after the game, can push people in the technical area, can moan, can cry in the morning in the afternoon, nothing happens."

Indeed Jose suggested there was a rule book which allowed such things for certain managers, but not himself. He went on to say “I am the least in that rule book” clearly meaning he can’t do or say the same without getting into trouble!

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The Portuguese also said that every manager is under pressure when asked about Steve McClaren, Newcastle United’s boss, except one (again a dig at Arsene Wenger) and that he has sympathy for all of them.

Although he refused to talk about retrospective action, he did elaborate on retaliation. Jose said what I wanted to hear, and that was about Matic’s retaliation last year.

"One of the things that was clear in football was that, when a player reacts to something that happened before – like Matic reacting last season (against Burnley) after a criminal tackle – retaliation was always punished in football. Now we know it isn’t always."

Oh boy, the FA have really opened up a can of worms when they overturned Gabriel’s red card!

Then it was time for a couple of football related questions again, and Jose said he felt the team were working well and getting there in fitness terms after the short and late pre-season.

The final football question was about Kurt Zouma and whether he is now a permanent fixture in the Chelsea team. Jose responded by saying his best position is centre back, but the Frenchman can also play in central midfield and in either full-back role. This cleverly avoided a follow-up question regarding the youngster replacing John Terry. Nice swerve Jose!

All quotes taken from The Telegraph.

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