Showing posts with label Mourinho. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mourinho. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Paper News and Gossip: Mourinho Rues Missed Chance, Cristiano Ronaldo Struck

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was left to rue a missed opportunity as his team failed to claim victory at West Brom on Tuesday night.

The Blues were looking to go four points clear at the top of the Premier League, but a late equaliser denied them three points at The Hawthorns.

Real Madrid celebrated booking their passage to the Copa del Rey final, but the win at Atletico was marred by a missile striking Cristiano Ronaldo as he left the pitch.

But who else is making the headlines on Wednesday? Read on to find out more.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho admits a failure to kill off West Brom ended his team's hopes of extending their lead at the top of the Premier League to four points, reports James Nursey of the Daily Mirror.

The Blues were unable to add to Branislav Ivanovic's opener at The Hawthorns, and were punished by a late equaliser by Victor Anichebe.

Mourinho is quoted as saying:

For 60 minutes, there was only one team.

We couldn’t kill the game, especially in the first 15 minutes of the second half.

For the last 20 minutes, there was also only one team and that team fought a lot to get the goal and the point.

I think, in the end, they deserved it. We started being too deep and it was impossible for my defenders to get out.

We must have the personality to get out and don’t accept their pressure and don’t accept to play for so long in the last third.

Meanwhile, England manager Roy Hodgson will clarify the position regarding Chelsea defender John Terry and an international recall on Thursday, reports Shaun Custis of The Sun (subscription required).

Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard has dismissed reports that he could join Paris Saint-Germain in the summer, claims Nick Lustig of the Daily Star.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored two penalties to ease Real Madrid into the Copa del Rey final at the expense of neighbours Atletico.

But the Portugal international's night was marred when he was struck by a lighter thrown from the crowd at the Vicente Calderon Stadium, reports Pete Jenson of the Daily Mail.

As Ronaldo left the field at half-time, he was struck on the head by what appeared to be a cigarette lighter thrown from the crowd.

Real won 2-0 on Tuesday night to claim a 5-0 aggregate victory over Atletico.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admits Mesut Ozil is feeling the pressure of his £42.5 million price tag, reports Mark Irwin of The Sun (subscription required).

The Germany international was criticised for his below-par display in the defeat at Liverpool on Saturday, but the Gunners boss has backed the player to rediscover his form:

Of course he feels the pressure because he knows that when you are a big transfer then a lot is expected of you.

He needs support and understanding because he is still adapting to the  Premier League and he wants to do well.

He is not a guy who doesn’t care. His style and body language might suggest  that to be the case but, really, he is the opposite in character. When you look at his physical performances, there is no lack of effort there.

He thinks the Premier League is more physical than anything he has had to deal with before and he is working in the gym to deal with that.

But he also needs to improve his goalscoring. You want the guy who plays  behind the striker to score some goals and sometimes he is too obsessed with  making the perfect pass when he could take a shot.

The only way we can change that is by practising it and convincing him by  showing him situations where he can shoot more.

Meanwhile, Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris has laughed off suggestions he could join Arsenal, reports David Wright of the Daily Express.

Wenger is monitoring Wolfsburg midfielder Maximilian Arnold, according to John Cross of the Daily Mirror.

Manchester United manager David Moyes insists he will be in the job for the long haul, reports David McDonnell of the Daily Mirror.

The Old Trafford boss was in a "spiky" mood at his pre-match press conference ahead of the game at Arsenal on Wednesday, according to the article, but remains determined to turn around the club's fortunes after a disappointing season so far:

I was given a six-year contract because it was a long-term deal.

It was always going to take time. There is rebuilding going on year after year here, and we will continue to try to do that.

I just keep doing the job because I know that we’re doing the right job. We’ll do the same things, we’ll make sure things are right, prepare the players well and things will change I have no doubt.

The supporters have been fantastic. That’s why the right clubs, pick the right managers and the right managers pick the right clubs. You pick clubs where you know is the right place for you.

That’s why I always hoped and dreamed that Manchester United would come for me, and they did in the end.

Ian Ladyman of the Daily Mail says Moyes will be given until Christmas to turn around the club's fortunes.

Meanwhile, former United captain Roy Keane claims Sir Alex Ferguson is to blame for the current problems at the club, reports Richard Tanner of the Daily Express.

Sunderland manager Gus Poyet is delighted Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure will be available to face his team on Wednesday night, reports Jason Mellor of the Daily Mirror.

The Ivory Coast escaped a Football Association charge over an alleged kick at Norwich striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel during the 0-0 draw at Carrow Road at the weekend.

Cardiff striker Craig Bellamy was charged for a similar incident, but Poyet does not believe Toure would have deserved a suspension over the incident:

Did Yaya Toure kick the player? Yes. That’s not difficult to see. Are you telling me he didn’t mean it? He did. You don’t need a panel to see if he kicked the guy.

Is it enough for a suspension? No. It’s the same for Bellamy. Do we really want our players to play in ballet shoes?

If it’s something really bad, fair enough, because no-one wants that, but I want Toure to play against us. I’m a little old-fashioned in terms of looking back at things on video. What happened, happened.

The referee didn’t see it? Unlucky. These things happen in games. Where is it going to end?

Now if it had been something unbelievable, then yes, you have to take action. But a little reaction like that? No.

Meanwhile, City manager Manuel Pellegrini has refused to add fuel to the fire in a war of words with Mourinho, claims Neil Custis of The Sun (subscription required).

Everton striker Romelu Lukaku has hinted that only a top-four finish this season would tempt him to stay at the club, reports David Anderson of the Daily Mirror.

The Belgium international is on a season-long loan at Goodison Park from Chelsea, but has targeted the Champions League as the place he wants to be.

Lukaku is quoted as saying:

It’s time for me to play Champions League, and that’s what I want.

I don’t want to play my first games in the Champions League when I’m 23, I want it now. I have to show now that I’m ready. I want to be a top player and I also think I can shout that out.

I’ve scored a lot of goals, but I haven’t won many titles or cups yet. I want to win something.

Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal has disappointed Manchester United by committing himself to the Serie A champions until 2018, reports John Edwards of the Daily Mail.

The Chile international had been linked with a move to Old Trafford, but is now set to sign a new deal in Turin, claims the article.

Tottenham winger Erik Lamela has been ruled out of action for six weeks with a back injury, reports Matt Barlow of the Daily Mail.

United States international Fabian Johnson is a summer transfer target for Crystal Palace and Stoke City, according to Darren Witcoop of the Daily Mirror.

Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Paul Robinson could be a surprise inclusion in England's World Cup squad, claims John Cross of the Daily Mirror.

Schalke star Max Meyer is set to commit his future to the German club, reports Ben Jefferson of the Daily Express.

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Sunday, February 9, 2014

Jose Mourinho Is Right, Chelsea's Eden Hazard Is the World's Finest Youngster

The love-in continued at Chelsea on Saturday.

Chants of "Jose Mourinho, Jose Mourinho" echoed around Stamford Bridge as Chelsea leapfrogged Arsenal to take top spot in the Premier League with a 3-0 victory over Newcastle United.

There was even a moment during the first half when all Blues fans inside the stadium took to their feet to give a impromptu standing ovation for their manager.

"Stand up for the Special One," they sang. When Eden Hazard completed his hat-trick with a penalty on 63 minutes, there was an extra name added to their songs of praise. And rightly so.

The affection shown for Mourinho was rousing, a sign of the harmony the Portuguese has brought back to west London. Hazard's applause when he was substituted late on was no different.

Alastair Grant/Associated Press
After a terrific display against the Geordies, the Belgian reinforced his importance to this Chelsea team and the crowd showed that they are only too aware of the talent they have within their team.

So too is Mourinho.

"I have to say yes, but maybe not," was Mourinho's tongue-in-cheek response to Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker when he stated how impressive Hazard has been this season.

Scott Heavey/Getty Images
"This player didn't get one single award from the Barclays Premier League for Player of the Month. I see players getting that award month after month and this kid has empty pockets.

"He's the best young player in the world. Under 23, under 24, he is for sure the best in the world and if he continues in this direction, who knows where he can arrive?"

Hazard's confidence was already booming on the back of scoring his first hat-trick in English football. His manager's words will have put it up a notch or two.

Mourinho has been spouting plenty in recent weeks about Chelsea's title hopes, that his team is a little horse against two stallions in Manchester City and Arsenal.

He went one better after the Newcastle win, describing City as a Jaguar car that cannot have learner plates on its rear.

Clint Hughes/Associated Press
It's all fanciful, providing the media with nothing but humorous headlines. His views on Hazard are the real deal, however.

There isn't another player of his age in world football doing what the Belgian is at the moment.

Hazard is making a mockery of defences, taunting opponents. He was clinical against Newcastle and just five days previous he did the same to City at the Etihad Stadium.

Branislav Ivanovic was the hero of the hour with his goal in the 1-0 win last Monday, yet it was the performance of Hazard that stood out. His probing runs, vision, ability to hold off even the biggest of defenders and drive at the heart of defence.

He is putting teams on the back foot from the referee's first whistle and while Mourinho may be concerned with his lack of firepower where his strikers are concerned, he needn't when Hazard is in this type of form.

At 23 years old, the Belgian is now a senior player at Stamford Bridge. He is demanding possession, making things happen. And if he continues, he is going to deliver Chelsea the Premier League trophy—the very thing Mourinho reckons is beyond his reach.

Lille thought they were doing good business when they sold Hazard to Chelsea for £32 million in the summer of 2012. How they must be ruing that decision now.

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Thursday, February 6, 2014

Jose Mourinho Claims Chelsea Are 'Little Horse' in Premier League Title Race

Jose Mourinho has been underselling his side's title credentials all season long, and was at it again after defeating Manchester City 1-0 at the Etihad Stadium.

The victory leaves Chelsea still behind City and league leaders Arsenal, but only two points separate the top three after 24 matches.

Asked about Chelsea's title hopes after the victory, the Portuguese said in his press conference:

The next pre-season, me and my players will say openly that we are mature, solid from day one and are candidates for the league. This season is about evolution...
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