Chelsea vs. Stoke. Jose Mourinho's Key Comments from Pre-Match Presser

Jose Mourinho has insisted there are four teams still in with a chance of winning this season’s Premier League title, as he addressed the media ahead of his team’s upcoming clash with Stoke City.

The Portuguese boss claimed that any of the sides currently occupying the top four spots—the Blues, Manchester City, Arsenal and Manchester United—can make a late charge for the championship, despite the fact the Stamford Bridge side are six points clear of their nearest challengers having played a game fewer.

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As noted by Miguel Delaney of ESPN FC, Mourinho claimed that the race is far from run, and it doesn’t matter when the Blues do secure eventual glory:

The former Porto boss didn’t even seem too concerned on getting tangible rewards for any eventual triumph, either:

Mourinho also provided fitness updates on a host of players, including top scorer Diego Costa. The striker missed Spain’s clashes with Ukraine and the Netherlands over the international break with a hamstring problem, prompting concerns of a potentially substantial spell on the sidelines for the player.

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But the Portuguese abated any of those fears, insisting that he could feature against the Potters this weekend, per the club’s official Twitter feed:

Mourinho expressed some concerns about the fitness of the club’s star performer this season, Eden Hazard.

The winger was involved in two draining games for Belgium during the international break, and the Chelsea boss admitted that while they are hopeful he will be at full tilt for the visit of Stoke, his preparation has been far from ideal:

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But as noted by Alex Richards of the Daily Mirror, Mourinho stated that Hazard will “obviously start” the match against the Potters. In the same piece, it’s noted that John Obi Mikel will miss out because he is “very tired.”

It can be tough getting back into a rhythm following an international break, but in terms of the overall condition of his squad, Mourinho wasn’t too concerned:

Chelsea did get some positive work done over the international hiatus, with the club announcing a new one-year deal for club captain John Terry. The Blues skipper has been in inspirational form so far this season and looks a player revitalised under the watch of the legendary boss.

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Mourinho revealed that a stay for Terry was never in doubt and the domestic break was a perfect opportunity to iron out the final details, per Richards’ piece:

"

It was no surprise to me. We all found the period without football as a good moment to sign it, to make it public.

Everyone knows two months before the end of the season that John is staying for one more season.

"

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Terry’s experience and defensive acumen will play a vital role for Chelsea in the final weeks of the season, starting with this weekend’s match against Mark Hughes’ men.

The Potters face the ominous task of becoming the first team to win at Stamford Bridge in the league this season, but despite that impeccable home record, Mourinho isn’t taking the opposition lightly:

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Mourinho wouldn’t be drawn on setting dates to win the title, and while his team are the overwhelming favourites for glory, there’s absolutely no way the Blues boss will be getting ahead of himself; he’s a manager who knows as well as any just how quickly things can turn around at this stage.

From Mourinho’s perspective, hopefully the international break will have given some of these Chelsea players—who have struggled to showcase their swagger in recent weeks—the chance to replenish, and they’ll return ready to tear up the domestic scene.

A performance bristling with panache this weekend against Stoke would be an excellent place to start.