Chelsea vs. Burnley: Key Jose Mourinho Takeaways from Pre-Match Presser

Jose Mourinho addressed the racism controversy currently surrounding Chelsea during his press conference prior to Saturday's tie with Burnley, saying the club is doing "everything" possible to overcome the incident.

Footage showing fans stopping a passenger getting on the Paris Metro while appearing to sing racist songs gained widespread coverage after Chelsea's 1-1 Champions League draw with Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, per BBC News.

Mourinho condemned those involved and spoke honestly about the situation, per Miguel Delaney of ESPN FC:

Chelsea's official Twitter account provided further detail:

The Blues seemingly face a simple task when Burnley visit. Chelsea are currently seven points clear of Manchester City in second and will be extremely confident of overcoming Sean Dyche's 19th-placed strugglers.

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Mourinho's men have dropped only two points at home all season—the 1-1 draw with City—while Burnley have just one win in 12 away trips since returning to the top flight.

Mourinho took a moment to discuss the contract status of John Terry as well, according to Simon Johnson of the London Evening Standard:

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“John accepted the club’s policy that we go year-after-year, with a smile. He accepted the challenge and he won it last year and he is winning the challenge and the right to get one more year this season too.

“That is what the club wants, that’s what John wants and that is going to happen.”

Mourinho admitted he went to Sloane Street to buy an expensive pen to give to Eden Hazard to sign his five-and-a-half year contract recently, but said that won’t be necessary this time.

“John has signed so many contracts he can just use one of the plastic pens around here!” he joked.

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The home side will be buoyed by the return of Diego Costa, who is set to make his Premier League return after serving his recent three-match ban. The Spanish striker is currently the division's top scorer with 17 goals and will be looking to add to the goal he scored against Burnley in August.

His output will be severely influenced by the performance of Eden Hazard, a player Mourinho believes needs greater protection from referees. Delaney and the club's feed provided the manager's thoughts on this matter:

Hazard loves to keep the ball close and is a rampant dribbler, completing an average of five successful dribbles per match across the Premier League and Champions League this season, recorded by WhoScored.com. His elusiveness and turn of pace ensures he is often brought to the ground, however, as highlighted by an average of 3.3 fouls suffered throughout each display.

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Like Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale before him, Hazard will need to learn to deal with the intense physicality of the Premier League. Forceful fouling is a sign of a player's class; many opponents have struggled to contain Hazard by legal means, so have resorted to excessive measures this season.

The Belgian is destined to play a key role when Burnley arrive. Mourinho will be hellbent on ensuring Hazard remains fit for the European second leg against PSG, a match in which only a victory or scoreless draw will see Chelsea progress.

With negative headlines currently surrounding the club, Saturday's return to Premier League action will provide Chelsea's players with an excellent opportunity to generate a positive response.