Chelsea v Aston Villa: The pressure won’t get to me, vows Jose Mourinho

Selfie preservation: Mourinho feels he has the attributes to steer Chelsea out of trouble
John Walton/PA
Simon Johnson16 October 2015

Jose Mourinho today claimed he can handle the pressure of Chelsea’s worst start to a season for 37 years.

The Blues take on Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge tomorrow 16th in the table, having lost four of their first eight Premier League games.

Standard Sport revealed yesterday that Mourinho is facing a battle to stay in control of the dressing room with a significant number of players unhappy with his public criticisms of the squad.

Chelsea took the rare step of issuing a vote of confidence last week with his position at Stamford Bridge appearing to be in danger.

Mourinho has come under increasing criticism for Chelsea’s performances and his behaviour, but the 52-year-old is adamant the situation is not getting to him.

He told talkSPORT: “I am a bit disappointed [with the reaction to his struggles this season] but I’m a grown man to cope with it. I didn’t change my life, either professionally or socially.

“I do what I have to do, I don’t hide myself. I go to the rugby, I have dinner outside, I wake up every day at 7am to go to the training ground. My life didn’t change.

“Obviously, I haven’t lost so many times, maybe this period arrived too late in my career because it’s an amazing experience.

“I’ve never lost four matches in eight, I’ve never had such a bad start to the season. But I think the best thing to do is to believe in ourselves and I believe in myself more than any other person.”

Chelsea won the League comfortably under Mourinho last May but are already 10 points behind leaders Manchester City this term.

But Mourinho is not panicking and said: “There is no doubt the results are negative and there is no way to hide it. I’m not the kind of person to try and find words when the easiest word to say is that the results are bad.

“We have lost four matches in the Premier League, we concede goals, our fantastic record at home has become just one victory this season against Arsenal. So there is no way to hide the results.

“But we won the last title a few months ago not 30 years ago. So the manager is the same, the players are the same, so yes [the season can all change].”

Mourinho concedes that victory over fellow strugglers Aston Villa is vital to kick-start their campaign.

Villa are in the bottom three with just one win and manager Tim Sherwood is also facing an uncertain future.

“This is obviously an important game for us,” Mourinho said. “We lost our last game at home against Southampton. We are not afraid to be close to the relegation zone — we know that in December and January we will not be there — we will be closer to the top than the bottom. We know that for sure.

“But the reality is we need points, we need to win matches, the same as Aston Villa for different reasons.

“They are also in a position where they don’t want to be so I can imagine it’s big for both teams.”

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Chelsea will be without Branislav Ivanovic due to a hamstring problem, while Thibaut Courtois (knee) is still sidelined.

Meanwhile, Standard Sport understands Mourinho is highly unlikely to face further punishment from the FA despite labelling their decision to fine him “a disgrace”.

The Chelsea boss is furious at being told to pay £50,000, as well as being given a one-game stadium ban, which has been suspended for 12 months.

He was disciplined for claiming following the 3-1 loss to Southampton that referees were “afraid” to give Chelsea penalties.

Mourinho is upset that Arsene Wenger escaped sanction despite the Arsenal boss labelling referee Mike Dean “weak and naive” for not sending off Chelsea striker Diego Costa during a controversial clash with the Gunners last month.

But it is believed that, in Mourinho’s case, the FA took into account the fact he was fined £25,000 just nine months ago for suggesting there was a “campaign” against his side.

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