Jose Mourinho insists he has been
left with no choice but to send out an under-strength
Chelsea team in Tuesday’s League Cup fourth round
clash at Arsenal.
Mourinho is fuming that League Cup fixture planners
decided to schedule Chelsea’s trip to the Emirates
Stadium just 48 hours after his side’s 2-1 win over
Manchester City in the Premier League.
The Blues boss claims Arsenal have been given an
unfair advantage because they played at Crystal
Palace on Saturday lunchtime, giving them extra
time to recover before the London derby.
Mourinho’s complaints ignore the fact that Gunners
manager Arsene Wenger routinely fields shadow
squads made up of fringe players and youngsters in
the League Cup, but that didn’t stop the Portuguese
coach letting rip when asked if he would field a strong
team for the last 16 tie.
“We are going to give the game that the people that
put the game on Tuesday want. If they want a big
game, we cannot give the big game,” Mourinho said.
“If they want the players that were playing today
(Sunday), we cannot give them that. If they want
Arsenal to win a trophy, that’s a help.
“If they want a big game between two big teams in
London, they should put the game on Wednesday and
not on Tuesday, because I am not going to do that.”
Mourinho claimed that, out of respect for Chelsea’s
fans, he would stop short of sending out a starting
line-up made up entirely of youth team players.
But he has no intention of putting his key stars under
what he believes is unfair duress.
“It’s not the plan because we have to respect also our
fans. We discussed that in the club. We have to
protect our players,” he said.
“We cannot put our players in two matches in the
space of three days. Arsenal played Saturday at 12:30,
so two and a half days to rest and to prepare. So I
hope they all enjoy.”
With both sides set to field weakened teams, the edge
has been taken off what could have been an
fascinating clash between the top two teams in the
current Premier League standings.
Even so, there could still be a few sparks flying on the
touchline as Mourinho and Wenger renew hostilities
for first time since the Chelsea chief returned to
England after spells at Real Madrid and Inter Milan.
Mourinho infuriated Wenger during his first stint at
Chelsea by describing his rival as a “Viewer” who was
obsessed by the Blues.
And, asked about their relationship on Sunday,
Mourinho was unable to resist another mischievous
jab at the Frenchman.
“We have no problems, no. Unless you tell me that he
had an influence on this (the timing of matches). If
you tell me that…”
Wenger was keener to keep the focus on the pitch and
he called on his players to show they believe they are
capable of finally winning silverware this season after
an eight-year trophy drought.
“There are people who do not believe that we have a
chance, but the only thing we can do is win our
games,” Wenger said.
“The only thing which is important is every win
makes you a bit stronger and strengthens the belief.”
Elsewhere in the fourth round, Manchester United
will look to maintain the momentum of their come-
from-behind 3-2 win over Stoke on Saturday when
they face Norwich at Old Trafford.
Tottenham meet Hull for the second time in four days
looking for a repeat of their 1-0 win over Steve
Bruce’s side in the Premier League on Sunday.
Newcastle, beaten by hated neighbours Sunderland,
and Manchester City, defeated by title rivals Chelsea,
will both be desperate to get back on track at St
James’ Park.
Fourth round fixtures (all 1945GMT)
Tuesday
Arsenal v Chelsea, Birmingham v Stoke, Burnley v
West Ham, Leicester v Fulham, Manchester United v
Norwich
Wednesday
Newcastle v Manchester City, Tottenham v Hull
Note: Sunderland v Southampton tie moved to
November 6

OP is this sport section?

And what is it now,blind u