Chelsea V Man Utd at Stamford Bridge : Match Preview

17 April 2015 14:31
Chelsea V Man Utd - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Mourinho: Abusers don't do success

Jose Mourinho believes Chelsea are the most abused team in the Barclays Premier League merely because of their success.

Research from anti-discrimination body Kick It Out showed the Blues were the Premier League club to receive the highest volume of discriminatory posts with 20,000, followed by Liverpool (19,000), Arsenal (12,000), Manchester United (11,000) and Manchester City (11,000).

Chelsea are seven points clear with seven games to play ahead of Saturday's match with Manchester United, who are eight points behind in third, having led from the opening round of fixtures.

"I think because we are boring," said Mourinho, when asked about the research on Friday. "Top of the league since day one. It's something in this country people don't like.

"I think everybody would love the Premier League to be like the Championship at the moment, with four teams separated by a couple of points.

"I know this is the ideal scenario in the Premier League. But since day one we are there and we are trying not to allow that to happen.

"We have big determination to be champions."

Mourinho refused to comment on figures from fair play delegates which reported the Blues were worst among the Premier League for respecting officials.

"You know, I prefer not to answer. Really," Mourinho added.

Chelsea could take a big step towards the title with victory over Louis van Gaal's side.

Mourinho said: "If we beat Man United we go 11 points (clear of United). But 'if' - and (I want) no 'ifs'.

"(Saturday night at) 7:30 we know the result and we know the distance between us and Man United. To be speaking about 'what if' is not something that helps.

"I want to win. It's the way I approach (the game)."

Loic Remy could recover from a calf problem which saw him miss the win at QPR to play against United, who Mourinho has long insisted are fighting for the title.

"He has chances to play," Mourinho said.

Costa is to return to training from his hamstring problem next week with the possibility he could feature at Arsenal on Sunday week (April 26).

"Our target was for Diego to play the last four matches and Arsenal is the sixth match from the end," Mourinho added.

"If he doesn't play Arsenal or Leicester (on April 29), it's not a problem.

"Things are going so well that at this moment we think he has a chance for the next weekend.

"He starts training with rest of the squad next week."

Louis van Gaal is considering playing Wayne Rooney as a holding midfielder against Chelsea after Manchester United were hit by an injury crisis.

United's chances of eating into the lead of the Barclays Premier League leaders took a blow after Van Gaal revealed on the eve of the trip to Stamford Bridge that a number of his first-team players were unavailable.

Defenders Marcos Rojo (adductor), Phil Jones (ankle) and Jonny Evans (suspension) are all out, but luckily for the Dutchman, he has the option of bringing in either Paddy McNair or Tyler Blackett to play alongside Chris Smalling.

He has no such luxury when it comes to replacements for the vacant holding midfield role.

Daley Blind has not recovered from a kick to the ankle by Vincent Kompany in last weekend's Manchester derby and Michael Carrick has not overcome the calf problem he sustained in the 4-2 win.

That means Rooney could have to drop back into the deep midfield position where he was controversially placed earlier this season.

"I don't have many choices," Van Gaal said.

"Blind and Carrick could play in the holding midfield position, and I don't have another option or I have to play Wayne Rooney again in that position."

Radamel Falcao is short of confidence so Robin van Persie may come into the team following his two-month ankle injury lay-off.


Source: PA