Chelsea FC boss Jose Mourinho has admitted that three points are needed tonight if the Blues are to finish above Leicester City.
Speaking in the tunnel right before kick-off, Mourinho was asked by Sky Sports reporter Patrick Davidson whether a victory was needed should Chelsea want to finish above the Foxes.
“Yeah, I think so,” was the manager’s firm and short response to the question.
This neatly sums up the Blues’ current situation as the game inches closer. Leicester were leading the Premier League coming into the weekend and will open up a two-point gap at the top should they earn three points tonight. Chelsea, meanwhile, are just one point above the relegation zone and a victory will lift them no higher than 14th spot.
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A win is essential tonight if Chelsea are to finish in the top six, let alone the top four (a prospect that the boss has rightly described as a ‘dream’). Whether a loss will mean that they won’t surpass the Foxes remains to be seen; Claudio Ranieri’s men could easily succumb to a collapse.
However, the statement by the boss underlines the importance of this Monday night clash. Mourinho was also asked if he was treating this game as an away game against a traditional top four club. He sternly dismissed the sentiment, instead reiterating that given the club’s current position, every game is incredibly crucial.
Chelsea may not be worried about relegation, but having been drawn against Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the Champions League Round of 16 just this morning, the potential of playing in Europe’s premier competition next season is rapidly diminishing.
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The good news, as has been widely discussed, is that a string of wins could easily propel the Blues up the table. The competitiveness of the Premier League is at an all-time high and thus consecutive victories would make a world of difference.
Mourinho has named a starting line-up unchanged from the one that cruised past Porto on Wednesday evening. Chelsea desperately need to harness any momentum and confidence that oozed from that display if they are to defeat this Leicester side.
The defence is inevitably going to come under serious pressure from the likes of Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez and John Terry will need to be at the top of his game to prevent the nippy Leicester forwards from getting in behind them.
The Blues will also need to be clinical up front (I’m looking at you, Diego Costa).
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Mourinho has emphasised the importance of taking three points from this contest so don’t expect Chelsea to sit back for the draw. How does that saying go?
To be the best, you have to beat the best.