Jose Mourinho insists his
Chelsea side will not be mentally
affected by their defeat to
Newcastle on Saturday as they
prepare for Wednesday's
Champions League clash with
Sporting .
The Blues are already assured of top spot ahead of their
meeting with the Portuguese giants, but the former Real
Madrid boss hopes to maintain his side's unbeaten run in
Europe, having lost 2-1 in the Premier League at the weekend.
Mourinho revealed he will be handing a start to Diego Costa
despite lingering fitness concerns, a signal of his intent
ahead of Wednesday's game, but was keen to stress that his
side are not on the verge of a crisis after suffering their
first defeat of the campaign.
"From the mental point of view the defeat at Newcastle
doesn't have any effect on us. We are fine, we don't need a
reaction," the Portuguese coach told reporters.
"I repeat we couldn't be in a better situation. We have nothing
to change or be worried about.
"When you lose a game you want to win the next game.
Tomorrow is the next game and we want a good result."
Though Costa will start at Stamford Bridge, captain John
Terry, Eden Hazard and Willian will all sit out having been
given a rest following the defeat to Newcastle.
That means a number of youngsters may be given an
opportunity to impress, with Mourinho confirming 18-year-old
midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek will be handed his senior debut
at some stage on Wednesday.
And Mourinho admits that he is not scared of throwing his
academy players into big matches given their talent.
"Loftus-Cheek has been showing his quality and ambition every
time he has trained with the first-team.
"I am so happy to give the kids a chance. He is an English
player, 18, completely made in Chelsea. If he succeeds it's
good.
"At the moment the people in the academy are feeling like they
are working for something. Tomorrow is the academy's day."