FINAL WHISTLE VERDICT: WE DID EVERYTHING SAYS JOSE MOURINHO

Jose Mourinho praised the attitude of his players after John Terry's 93rd-minute goal secured a precious three points in a tight, absorbing encounter against Everton at Stamford Bridge.


The captain, who returned to the side having missed the last three games, scored the decisive goal when he arrived at the far post to steer a Frank Lampardfree-kick beyond Tim Howard, sending the home supporters into a frenzy. There was little to choose between the sides for much of the game and Everton, who went into the contest looking for their first Premier League win in SW6 since 1994, will perhaps feel they deserved a point. The victory, and the manner in which it was secured, was the perfect response to last week's disappointing FA Cup exit at Manchester City, leaving Mourinho to reflect on a job well done. On the performance 'It was a very difficult match, in periods one team was dominant and the other had to play very well defensively to cope with that,' said the Portuguese. 'We had a very good start, in the first 20 minutes we were in control and had a few good chances and positions to shoot. For the rest of the first half Everton were in control. 'They are very comfortable on the ball, pass the ball very well and even though they don't create a lot of chances the quality of their possession is second to nobody in the Premier League. 'At half time, at 0-0, normally my change would be a different one but I felt I needed to control the game because my team is not a team that scores a lot of goals, so if they scored before us I don't think we're a team who would have been able to score two goals and win the game. 'I preferred to put Ramireson as it gave more consistency to our midfield. They were again in control for some parts of the second half but for the last 20 minutes we were strong. We created, pressed and dominated. 'The reality is that the boys chased it, I feel sorry for Everton because maybe a point would have been fair, but we were the team that were really trying to win, which is our responsibility. A point for them is a good point, a point for us is not good, so I think in the end maybe we deserved it. 'I never thought we would score so late, I had a hope we could score before that but that's when you want it, in the last minute.' On the significance of the victory 'If today we have only one point, if the teams behind us win we lose that position. The difference is very small; you win the game you keep your position, you don't win the game you lose your position. If we'd only got a draw later today we could be third, that's the reality of the competition. 'Every victory keeps us there, every defeat or draw we lose our position. The feeling when you lose points in the last minute, like we did at West Brom, is obviously a bad feeling. When you win in the last minute it's the opposite, so this is basically compensation for the points we lost at West Brom. 'To be where we are, with some limitations we have in the team, having only worked together for a few months, I think we are doing well.' The manager was delighted with the desire shown by his players 'We just want to try to keep our position and not give it up for free to our opponents, we have to fight, we have to play. 'It's a good feeling to win in the end but the best feeling is that the players did everything. We have some limitations, that's obvious, but the team wanted to win. If you score that's fantastic but even if we hadn't scored I would have a positive feeling. 'When you see a performance, for example, like Azpilicueta's, the only thing he didn't do was put the ball in his arm and run into the goal like a rugby player. His performance was representative of the desire shown by all the players and that's important.' Mourinho said Oscarwas withdrawn due to injury and provided an update on other absentees 'Today he was saying he could cope with the pain, it's not a dangerous one, just a painful one. He said he could cope with the situation, clearly he couldn't. 'We have three days so let's see. With Mikeland David Luiz, I don't know if they can recover. It's important we have at least one of them because we don't have Matic for the Champions League. ' Ramireshad a similar situation to Oscar, I tried to protect him and not play him but the game demanded I play him. Clearly, though, he could cope with the situation.' Everton manager Roberto Martinez, despite the result, was delighted with the performance of his side. 'Today was a big moment for us to understand where we are as a team,' he said. 'We were magnificent and that's exactly what we needed. 'Tim Howard had a period of 5-10 minutes where he made some good saves but I couldn't see Chelsea scoring in open play. 'We defended really well but for the goal, John Terrywas brave and threw himself at it and got the goal.'

Mourinho relieved by Terry’s Chelsea return

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has admitted that his side have missed captain John Terry during the centre-back’s recent three-game absence due to injury. Mourinho confirmed on Friday that the defender will return for the Premier League meeting with Everton on Saturday after being sidelined with a gluteal muscle problem. During Terry’s spell out, Chelsea have won just once, beating Newcastle United at home before drawing at struggling West Bromwich Albion and exiting the FA Cup at Manchester City in their last outing. In those three games Mourinho’s side let in three goals, compared to the two goals conceded in Terry’s last eight appearances before his injury. Revealing that Terry will come back into the team in place of David Luiz, who has a muscle strain, Mourinho said: “John is fit and he plays. I miss him. He’s a stable player. He doesn’t make a lot of mistakes. “He has this basic level of performance that gives stability to the team. Especially a team with a lot of young people in other areas. That stability is giving us a good position. “It is important. Because now we don’t have David. If we don’t have David and John, the situation is more difficult.” Mourinho believes that although the captaincy of a team is usually seen as a merely symbolic role, Terry’s on-field leadership makes a real difference to Chelsea. “The captain’s armband doesn’t mean so much,” he said. “It means a voice on the pitch. I can’t control that. “I don’t arrive at the players when they’re defending a goal far away from my position. The distances. The line where you start pressing the opponent. “To have on the pitch some player with this kind of voice that can transmit what I need (is beneficial).” - Courtois going nowhere - Mourinho hopes that Luiz will be fit to return to face Galatasaray in the Champions League next week, particularly as January signings Nemanja Matic and Mohamed Salah are cup-tied in Europe. “It’s something in the muscle he’s feeling. He’s not ready for this game,” Mourinho said. “We’re going to see if he’s ready for the next one. The next is Champions League and he has to play in Champions League as Matic and Salah can’t play Champions League. “We need him, if possible, to be ready for Galatasaray.” Victory over Everton will maintain Chelsea’s standing at the top of the Premier League table, although Mourinho still refuses to install his side as title favourites. “The view is the same and the view is that we can win the next match. It is a very difficult match and we can win that,” he said. “The table is there. You can look at the table and see how it is. We are top of the league, but can be second if Manchester City win their game in hand. “If we win tomorrow (Saturday), we keep the same position: top of the league depending on Manchester City’s results. We’re going to try to do that. “If we can, it’s a good weekend for us. If we lose points at home, it’s never good.” Mourinho also dismissed suggestions that goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is set to leave Chelsea at the end of the season. The Belgium international is in his third season on loan at Atletico Madrid, who are keen to extend his stay, while media reports in Spain suggest Courtois is also a target for Real Madrid. But Mourinho said: “We won’t struggle to keep him. He has two more years of contract.” Courtois is due back at Stamford Bridge in June to challenge Petr Cech for the number one spot, but Mourinho conceded that he can offer the 21-year-old no guarantees that he will play. “I don’t need to give assurances to any player,” he said. “A player that has a contract with Chelsea, has a contract with Chelsea.” (AFP).

Torres Might Help Chelsea Land Costa

There have been many rumors regarding Chelsea’s next star striker. After Falcao and Rooney, Diego Costa seems to have made it to the top of the Blues’ transfer wish-list.


Atletico’s player who has had an incredible season has become Mourinho’s preferred option for filling in the huge gap the London side has failed to fill for a while now. Torres, Demba Ba or Eto’o no longer seemingly consistently have what it takes to actually help the team as a proper striker should. According to Metro, Torres may be the key to Chelsea’s future success though. After several seasons in which he never managed to find the form he once showcased while playing for Liverpool, the Spaniard could help the Blues create an efficient and deadly offense. Including him in a deal with Atletico could facilitate Costa’s London transfer. Torres performed for the Spanish side between 2001 and 2006 and was one of the best players to come out of Atletico’s academy. He made 214 appearances and scored 82 goals. If rumors are true, Chelsea’s current striker may knock as much as £15million off of Costa’s current price. Things between the Blues and Atletico are already going pretty well with Courtois being sent on loan to Madrid for the past three years or so. Turning down a former captain and star like Torres seems pretty impossible. The only thing left to figure out is how much Chelsea are willing to pay in order to bring in Costa. If the figures are true, £20million would be right up their ball park. They would recover some of the money spent on Torres, bring in an incredible player and also be able to secure his salary out of the money saved after the Spaniard leaves.

Courtois set for Chelsea talks

Thibaut Courtois will hold talks over his future with Chelsea next month, according to the on-loan Atletico Madrid keeper's father.


Courtois, who joined the Blues on a five-year contract in 2011, has spent the past two seasons on loan at Atletico and has impressed in Spain, helping his side challenge for the La Liga title this season. The 21-year-old has previously said he would be open to a permanent move to Atletico but it is thought he is being lined up as the long-term successor to Petr Cech at Stamford Bridge. His father, Thierry Courtois, says there is a meeting scheduled with Blues officials for March where his son's future will be discussed. "We have a meeting with Chelsea and we will be talking about everything with them," he told the Daily Express. "It is too early to make a definite decision yet. We have to negotiate with Chelsea. "Thibaut has been doing very well with Atletico but there are still three months of the season to go, and a lot can happen in that time." Reports have claimed Chelsea may be willing to sell Courtois if they can persuade Atletico to do a deal for star striker Diego Costa in the summer.

Mourinho set for shock reunion at Chelsea?

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho could set up a reunion with Inter Milan veteran Cristian Chivu. The 33-year-old is out of contract at the end of this season and will not be extending his seven-year stay at the San Siro, where he lifted the European Cup under the guidance of Mourinho in 2010. Blues captain John Terry is yet to pen a fresh deal and might be on his way out of Stamford Bridge in a matter of months, leaving the title hopefuls in need of cover at the heart of their defence. French youngster Kurt Zouma arrives on a permanent basis in June from St Etienne, but is untried in the Premier League, while Brazilian David Luiz is wanted by European heavyweights Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, and could also depart.

Chelsea duo set for permanent Stamford Bridge exits?

Chelsea fans here in the Football Transfer Tavern are looking up with interest at the latest news coming from Metro. The publication seem to be under the impression that Blues manager Jose Mourinho has claimed he may have to make some sacrifices to comply with Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations. The reports claim that high profile loan duo Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois could be sold permanently to comply with the regulations. As our landlord quips on his way over to the pool table with a tray loaded full of snacks, Mourinho has been at his very best when it comes to mind games of late and has made it very clear that Manchester City are not complying with the rules of FFP. He also made the point that his Chelsea side were looking to comply with the rules - for once - and said that it could well be a sacrifice he is willing to make. He noted: "Chelsea adapted well to the situation. When you see De Bruyne, who played three or four matches, give us a big profit, there are other players who maybe don’t play a single match for Chelsea and we will look to sell them at a profit. "We have had to organise ourselves in a different way. Before me, Chelsea did fantastic work in this level: Lukaku, De Bruyne, Courtois, young [Thorgan] Hazard and [Lucas] Piazon." As our punters note, the two stars of the loan world this season have indeed been Lukaku and Courtois, and selling them would be a huge mistake, especially when the likes of David Luiz are on the fringes of the first team and still at the club.

Twitter reaction to Mourinho’s controversial Wenger outburst

Chelsea 's Jose Mourinho’s dig at Arsenalmanager Arsene Wengerhas caused hysteria on social networking site Twitter, and has resulted in a number of comments from some of football's high profile figures. As we enter the final stretch in yet another fascinating Premier Leagueseason, the title-race is arguably the most wide-open ever. With 12 games remaining, and just seven points separating the top five, the famed mind-games are starting to appear. Chelsea’s Friday morning press conference exploded when Jose Mourinho dished the dirt of counterpart Arsene Wenger. The Portuguese boss was irked by Wenger’s earlier comments that fellow Premier League managers were playing down their chances of landing the title because of ‘a fear for failing'. Mourinho responded in turnby describing Wenger as a ‘specialist in failure’, saying: 'He's a specialist in failure. If I do that in Chelsea, eight years, I leave and don't come back'. Mourinho’s comments immediately caused a shock amongst viewers, before a range of football’s leading figures leapt to Wenger’s defence on Twitter: Think Mourinho is out of order, and wrong with Wenger comments. He's won trophies galore all over the world, playing delightful football.— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) febrero 14, 2014 Mourinho on Wenger: "He's a specialist in failure." What happened to the nice, new, paternalistic Jose?— Oliver Holt (@OllieHolt22) febrero 14, 2014 I would have a lifetime of Arsene Wenger and no trophies over five minutes and a treble with Jose Mourinho.— DailyCannon (@DailyCannon) febrero 14, 2014 Valentine’s Day Massacring: Mourinho calls Wenger “a specialist in failure”. Tacky from Mourinho. LMA need to negotiate a truce— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) febrero 14, 2014 Mourinho on Wenger: "He is a specialist in failure, I'm not" You maybe a successful manager, Jose! But that's a pathetic statement— Jan Aage Fjortoft (@JanAageFjortoft) febrero 14, 2014 Jose Mourinho has described Arsene Wenger as a "specialist in failure." Lack of respect. Shame http://t.co /5d6b3njbw 8— Ouriel Daskal (@Soccerissue) febrero 14, 2014 That was mind games taken too far Mr Jose Mourinho there's something called Mutual respect dude. I think he went too personal on this one.— Elijah Ochimana (@Eenojo) febrero 14, 2014 Getting to the business end! Jose lobbing grenades out !! Anyone going to take him on?— Gary Neville (@GNev2) febrero 14, 2014 The comments from one angle can be seen is distasteful, lacking in respect and utterly classless, yet from another angle they can be perceived as the cold, hard truth. Wenger has yet to win a trophy since Arsenal's FA Cup penalty shootout victory over Manchester United in 2005, whereas Mourinho has won a host of silverware in Europe’s top leagues – including the Serie A Scudetto and a La Liga championship in 2012. Arguably Arsenal’s biggest critic Piers Morgan – who claims to be a die-hard Gunner – was one of the first to agree with Mourinho’s statements, and he was quickly followed by a number of fellow Arsenal supporters admitting that The Special One might just have a case: Arsenal fans can continue feigning outrage at Mourinho. But Wenger started it, he finished it - and he's 100% right. Trophies = success.— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) febrero 14, 2014 Mourinho's words were harsh? Quite right. But they were the truth! End of discussion.— WiZaCarCFC (@WiZaCarCFC) febrero 14, 2014 Mourinho has a point, but with Chelsea you get fired even if you've won a trophy.— Paul (@Evanescence7041) febrero 14, 2014 Well as crappy as it is to admit it, Mourinho has a point to be honest— Mosito Ramaili (@Mosito_Ramaili) febrero 14, 2014 Mourinho went in hard on wenger with that statement. Painful thing is though its very harsh and disrespectful, he has a POINT!!— J.Smith Production™ (@jsmithmuzik) febrero 14, 2014 I always back Arsenal, always. I love them more than life itself but Mourinho has a point, you can't go straight to the aid of wenger— L'A GANG (@GloManGidss) febrero 14, 2014 Mourinho has laid into poor Arsene and unfortunately he has a point. Only one way to come back Arsene, WIN SOMETHING!— Mutule (@2le_kronikos) febrero 14, 2014 Mourinho: "8 years without piece of silverware... That's a failure". He is right.— Spencer Morgan (@spencermorgan93) febrero 14, 2014 It remains to be seen whether the comments any significant impact on the destination of this season’s Premier League title, but we can all safely say that the war of words between the top managers will continue to make the headlines between now and the end of the season. Is Jose Mourinho correct in labelling Arsene Wenger a ‘specialist in failure ?

Wenger is 'specialist in failure' - Mou

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is a "specialist in failure", according to his Chelsea counterpart Jose Mourinho as the Premier League title-chasing coaches exchanged jibes on Friday.


The Chelsea coach hit back at Wenger, who had earlier said that the title was Chelsea's to lose and that Mourinho had ruled his side out of the race because of a fear of failing. Mourinho, who claimed last week that everything he says and does is "mind games", returned fire by referring toArsenal's lack of silverware since they won the FA Cup in 2005. "He is a specialist in failure, I'm not," Mourinho told a news conference. "If supposedly he (Arsene Wenger) is right and I am afraid of failure it is because I don't fail many times. "He is specialist because eight years without silverware is very long. If I do that with Chelsea, I leave and I don't come back." The remarks recalled Mourinho's famous outburst against Wenger in 2005 when he labelled the Arsenalmanager a "voyeur", after becoming annoyed at comments from the Frenchman about his Chelsea team. Chelsea, who face Manchester City in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Saturday, are top of the Premier League, a point clear of Arsenal in second. Mourinho, who often provokes and antagonises other managers with barbed comments, turned his guns on Wenger after last week aiming volleys at Manchester City and their manager Manuel Pellegrini. After each manager labelled the other team as being title favourites by virtue of how much they had spent in the transfer market, Mourinho hinted City were not operating within the same Uefa Financial Fair Play guidelines. He then turned his attentions to City's Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure, who aimed an off-the-ball kick atNorwich striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel in their 0-0 stalemate last weekend but escaped any FA punishment. Chilean coach Pellegrini has been reluctant to involve himself in a verbal spat and said this week that mental strength will decide who wins the Premier League and not mind games. "I don't like this history of records between managers because it is between teams," said Mourinho, who will be without injured defenders Gary Cahill and John Terry for the trip to the Etihad. "If he (Pellegrini) doesn't like to speak about me perfect, I hope it stays that way." Heavyweights City and Chelsea meet at the Etihad Stadium for their second clash in quick succession, after theLondon club won 1-0 to complete a league double over their title rivals 12 days ago. "It is not easy to play consecutive matches against the same team. You try to read the previous game and try to improve. Sometimes you can be influenced by the direction the game takes," Mourinho added. "We know they are strong. Our priority is always the next match."

Chelsea's David Luiz Barcelona transfer set to be summer saga for the second year running

Chelsea defender David Luiz is top of Barcelona's wanted list again as they prepare for the summer transfer window.


Barca's coach Tata Martino and sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta have drawn up their hit-list of targets and Luiz is on their agenda as they look to bring in a centre-half and a goalkeeper. The Spanish champions were keen on Brazil international Luiz last summerbut the Blues'returning manager Jose Mourinho refused to sell and the frizzy-haired fan favourite has played regularly under the Special One this season. Barcelona believe the 26-year-old is perfect for their squad next season and are likely to try again to test Chelsea's resolve, but fear former employee Mourinho may not want to do business with them. In addition, their valuation may only be around £22million, which is unlikely to be enough to tempt the Londoners to do business. Borussia Moenchengladbach and Germany keeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen is wanted by the Catalansto replace the outgoing Victor Valdes.

Lukaku wants Chelsea return

Romelu Lukaku wants to return to Chelsea next season to play in the Champions League but says his future depends on what manager Jose Mourinho thinks about his ability, the striker said in an interview published on Tuesday.


The Belgian international striker is on loan at Everton this season but says it is high time he played in continental competition. "I'm turning 21, I've been a professional for five years already. It is time," he said in Tuesday's edition of the Belgian daily Het Laatste Nieuws. "It is high time that I play in the Champions League. It is the next step I need in my development. Full stop. "Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney were experienced already at that level when they were just 23-24 years old. I want to play Champions League football now. I must now show I'm ready for it. "I still have two years on my contract and I know Chelsea follow my development. In the end it depends on what the manager thinks about me." Mourinho had previously said Lukaku would need to publicly explain why Chelsea did not keep him but instead sent him on loan for a second successive season, after playing at West Bromwich Albion in the last campaign. Asked to provide the explanation, the striker told the newspaper: "After the season I had at West Brom (17 goals in 35 appearances), it was important that as a young player I kept developing. That means to play. "To me there is difference between playing in 20 or 45 matches a season and scoring 10 or 20 goals. Mourinho eventually understood that. "If I can be better than I was last season, what is then holding me back? Then it will be time to play Champions League football, which is what I want to do." Lukaku said taking the opportunity of impressing at the World Cup in Brazil would depend on going into the tournament with a "positive spirit". "You must not go there to play for yourself, to try and force a transfer but to work for the team. The World Cup is our opportunity to show the world we have good players and a good team," he said. But he also feared that Belgium might not make the impact many feel they are capable of. "A semi-final might be a bit far. To get to the quarter-finals would be really nice. It is more realistic to speak about reaching the semi-finals or the final of the 2016 European Championship," Lukaku said. Lukaku, undergoing rehabilitation in Belgium for an ankle injury, said he expected to return to action on March 1 when Everton host West Ham United. "I don't think I'll have much trouble getting back to my level of play," he said.

In-form Hazard commits to Chelsea

Eden Hazard has committed his future to Chelsea and sees it as the perfect club to help him fulfill his potential. The Belgium winger is one of the English Premier League's best players, and his hat-trick against Newcastle last weekend took his league tally to 12 goals. He was linked with a potential move to big-spending Paris Saint-Germain during last month's transfer window, but has no intention of going anywhere.


In an interview on Tuesday with sports daily L'Equipe, the 23-year-old Hazard says "it's never been a question of me leaving Chelsea. I feel good in this club and I still have plenty of things to do." He is confident that playing "alongside seasoned pros like (Frank) Lampard, (John) Terry, (Peter) Cech, (Samuel) Eto'o" will help him reach those goals.

Arsenal and Chelsea in tug-of-war for Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng

Doubts persist over captain John Terry’s future at Stamford Bridge, with the towering centre-half’s contract expiring at the end of the current campaign, while Brazilian David Luiz is the subject of interest from Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund.


Former Manchester Citydefender Boateng has impressed at the heart of the European Cup holders’ backline but could feel he has unfinished business in England after an injury-ravaged stint at the Etihad Stadium. French teenager Kurt Zouma officially joins up with Jose Mourinho’s squad this summer but at 19, could be too young to step straight into Terry’s shoes, whereas Boateng, six years older then Zouma, has vast experience already. Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is also an admirer of the player and will see the player in the flesh this month when the Gunners face the Bavarian giants in the Champions League knock-out stages. Wenger is said to view him as a replacement for club captain Thomas Vermaelen, who is set to leave North London in June.

Chelsea linked with move for unsettled Dutchman

Chelsea are reportedly lining up a move for unsettled Belgian ace Toby Alderweireld Alderweireld only joined Atletico Madrid last summer, but the immovable presence of Diego Godin and Joao Miranda at the heart of the La Liga leader’s defence means he isn’t getting a game. That has led to suggestions he could move on soon. ( TalkSport)

PSG ready to table World Record bid for Chelsea superstar

Thiago Silva, skipper of French giants PSG, has stated that he would welcome the arrival of Chelsea star winger Eden Hazard to the Parc Des Princes. The Brazilian defender also revealed that PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi is open about the players he would like bring to Paris and is in constant touch with the squad about transfers. Silva, 29, was quoted in the Daily Expressas saying, “I would welcome [Hazard] with open arms, like we did with all our recruits. We need players like him to achieve our project and win everything. He is so strong tactically and technically. All the great players are welcome in Paris.” Hazard has been linked with a big money to Paris of late and reports suggest that the Ligue-1 giants are willing to shell out a world record fee for the 23-year old winger. A move away from Stamford Bridge is hard to envisage though at the moment as Hazard seems to be in a happy place with Chelsea. Also, rumours suggest that Chelsea are willing to offer the star winger a new contract at the club, which could make him one of the top earners in the Premier League. Hazard has been a revelation for Chelsea this season, having scored 12 league goals in 25 games for the Blues and therefore a move away from West London is the farthest thing on the mind of the former Lille man, who is vital to Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho’s future plans. While a world record bid could stir things up at the Bridge, it is hard to see Jose Mourinho sanctioning the sale of his prized asset as he sets about building a team that could dominate world football over the next decade.

Chelsea’s £30 million rated target wants stunning £300,000-a-week to sign up

Manchester United star and Chelsea target Wayne Rooney has still refused to commit his future to red devils The club are willing to sign him on a new four-and-a-half-year deal with wages pushing £300,000 a week. But Rooney is still keeping his options open knowing that come the summer with only a year left on his deal he will be in a huge bargaining position with clubs such as Chelsea and PSG keen to sign him. (Daily Mail) It will be interesting to see what happens as he could still make a shock move to Chelsea

Mourinho hints at Cole exit

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho believes that out-of-favour defender Ashley Cole could be snapped up by an MLS team in the summer.


Cole has struggled to earn a regular starting spot at Stamford Bridge since the return of Mourinho for his second stint in charge last summer. Mourinho has opted to utilise Cesar Azpilicueta at left-back but has always insisted that Cole still has a role to play with the club he joined from Arsenal in 2006. However, the Portuguese has now revealed that he feels the England international could have his head turned at the end of the term by former team-mate Thierry Henry who is currently enjoying his football in the MLS with New York Red Bulls. Mourinho said: "Maybe Thierry is doing with the Red Bulls the same as David [Beckham] did with Miami. "Yes [Cole] has [a future at Chelsea], but maybe Thierry has a better proposal."

Leboeuf: Mourinho was right to sell Mata

Former Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf believes Jose Mourinho was right to sell Juan Mata, revealing that he was not "a big fan" of the Spaniard. The Spain international was a popular figure with Blues supporters during his near three-year stint at Stamford Bridge, but failed to nail down a regular first-team following the return of 'The Special One' last summer.


Mata duly completed a switch to reigning Premier League champions Manchester United in a €45 million deal during the January transfer window and while Mourinho's decision to part company with such an asset may have raised eyebrows among some supporters, Leboeuf believes it was the right call. "I've never been a big fan of Juan Mata," the Frenchman toldPerform. "I think he's a fantastic player [but] I think he doesn't suit English football. "I guess Chelsea tried to find the new [Gianfranco] Zola. But Zola was much more powerful than Mata, and Mata is a little bit light. "I think Mourinho realised that and that is why he bought Willian, because he has a little bit of Zola, not as big as Zola but strong, skilful and works really hard for the team and can defend. "With [Eden] Hazard, Oscar and Willian, it is an armada. You don't know where to look, because you know you are going to struggle at some point."

Everyone at Chelsea was waiting for me to leave, says Rafael Benitez

Napoli boss Rafael Benitez didn’t enjoy a great time during his time at Chelsea, where he served as an interim-manager of the London club last season. It was obvious. Fans were quick to understand Rafa’s tactical acumen, but he was never going to be favourite among the fans, because of his previous successful association with Liverpool. Recently there are reports in Italian media that Benitez has been targeted by Qatar’s Football Association. After a great start to the Serie A season, there has been a slight reversal in fortune for Napoli and the Partenopei reached low ebb after their shock 3-0 defeat at the hands of Atalanta last weekend. Benitez is seen as a manager who has a long term future at Napoli but reports emerged that he could be offered a job of leading Qatar’s national team to World Cup 2022. It was reported that Benitez could be offered a bumper lucrative offer that could see him earn around £10m per year. When asked about the rumour, the Spaniard laughed it off and insisted he is just staying focused on the job. “£10m per year? Well, my suitcase is already packed then” he joked. “I am one hundred percent focused on what I do. I demonstrated in London, where everyone just waiting for me to leave but I stayed focused and won the Europa League.” Napoli are 3rd in the league table and are 15 points behind league leaders Juventus. Their hope of a potential title challenge is all but gone and must focus on securing Champions League qualification.

Chelsea boss clears up transfer rumour involving PSG Forward Edinson Cavani

After a week of speculation, Finally the question was asked to Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho in a press conference today:


Are Chelsea are trying to sign Edinson Cavani from Paris St-Germain? To which the Portuguese football manager for Chelsea FC replied: "No. In this moment we are trying to sign nobody. I have no idea. He just arrived in the club six months ago. Maybe he's so happy he doesn't want to leave and maybe the club is happy and they don't want him to leave." Mourinho also revealed that striker Fernando Torres would not play this weekend, but could be available for the midweek trip to West Brom: “He is almost there but not there. If it was the last game of the season I’d say ‘let’s go and do it’ but there’s no point to risk him now. It’s not the moment to lose players; it’s the moment to try to have them all. Tuesday is a better possibility. We have just a couple of little things, not really injuries, that we have to assess and decide what we’re going to do.” It seems once and for all the rumours and speculations surrounding Cavani can be laid to rest

Chelsea Fullback Ashley Cole to earn new

Chelsea fullback Ashley Cole is set to be offered a new contract at the club, following months of speculation.


Cole had been linked with a move away from West London, after dropping down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge. Both Arsenal, and several American MLS Clubs had attracted interest in the experienced full back, who were keen to snap him up once his contract had expired. The defender had previously lost his place to Spaniard Cesar Azpilicueta, after Jose Mourinho had dropped several big name players, after returning fot his second stint. But it now appears that Cole has won Mourinho over, and is set to gain a new one year deal. Mourinho hinted in a pre-match interview before the Newcastle game ? Mourinho said: 'He still has a future here and we want to renew his contract - but ask Thierry maybe he has a better idea.' Cole has been a stand out performer during his eight years at the Bridge, and it looks like final few players of 'the old guard' look all set to earn new deals at the club. The Portuguese manager has also started playing mind games, stating that Manchester City are the favourites. ‘I'm not saying we're not going to win. I'm saying we are candidates, we're outsiders,’ Mourinho said. ‘We are not a squad like Man City's with every player in the best moment of their careers of the age of stability between 25 and their 30s, all of them working together for a long time, a manager (Manuel Pellegrini) that arrived and the team was there ready for him. ‘We are different. We are beginning. Of course we dream to win the Premier League and if we have the chance to win we're not going to say we don't want to but we don't have the same responsibilities.’ The Special One also confirmed Mohammad Salah would make his debut in Saturday's fixture. He is almost there but not there,’ Mourinho said. ‘If it was the last game of the season I'd say “let's go and do it” but there's no point to risk him now. ‘It's not the moment to lose players, it's the moment to try to have them all. Tuesday at West Brom is a better possibility.’ Mourinho continued his mischief-making by taunting Saturday's opponents over their failure to recruit a replacement for influential midfielder Yohan Cabaye who left the club in January to join Paris St Germain. ‘Cabaye is one of the best midfielders we had in the Premier League and they did not replace him,’ Mourinho said. ‘But they have a good team and they know they can beat us. Alan Pardew is a good coach and I think it's a difficult game.’