Mourinho is crying foul over fixtures
JOSE MOURINHO has had a dig at the Premier League for giving Chelsea an “unfair advantage” in the busy Christmas period.
Chelsea have their three holiday games spaced out over 10 days because their clash with Spurs has been put back to January 4 to suit TV.
United and cross-town rivals City have to play three games in eight days, Liverpool three in seven days and Arsenal three in nine days.
United, City, Liverpool and Arsenal must play twice in 48 hours over the new year and Mourinho said: “The busy period is for some but not for everyone. It looks like they are chosen to give rest for some and create problems for others. But we are used to it because we are in the Europa League and that creates more difficulties – Southampton know that, Tottenham will know that. It’s difficult for others but for us it’s more of the same.”
His concern has been eased by the return of injured players Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Chris Smalling and Eric Bailly, while Luke Shaw is not far away. “In central defence we have all of them back – Smalling is back, Bailly is back, Blind is fine, Rojo fine – a position where it’s important to have stability in options.
“We were in a difficult spot a couple of months ago but now we are safe. We know Bailly is going to the African Cup. For the next three games we know what we have.”
Meanwhile, Mourinho has warned that Zlatan Ibrahimovic can get even better, saying: “Maybe some people could think ‘top scorer? Not at 35, because this is the Premier League, not La Liga’. But 35 for him is 25, La Liga the Premier League. He scores goals, plays well, and I’m happy because he will end his career on a high – not in America or China. He has one penalty – normally top scorers have lots.”
Midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin, a target for West Brom and Everton, he will not stand in his way if he wants to leave for first-team football.