Chelsea Manager, Jose Mourinho admits there is a downward blip in “confidence” around his Chelsea camp following their worst start to a season in 28 years.
The Premier League champions have just one win from their opening 5 games; a dismal run which the Portuguese described as “so bad.”
“When you are used to winning all the time, then when you don’t it is a strange feeling. Some people deal well with it, others not as good,” the 53-year-old said in his preview for Wednesday’s Uefa Champions League opening group game at home to Maccabi Tel-Aviv.
Mourinho says it is “normal his team are frustrated and unhappy at the moment,” but affirms “we know what we are – champions of England.
“The fans sing that… nobody can steal what we are or our trophies or our history, you can try but you can’t do that. We are champions of England.”
The clash between the one-time European champions and the Israeli giants will mark their first meeting. The Blues coach, who also reiterated that he remains the “special and happy one” admits Maccabi are capable of beating Chelsea but stresses that his team must be favourites.
“They are good enough to beat us. But we also know we are a better team, we have to prove that in the game,” Mourinho said.
“I respect them. I watched them play in many matches, I did my study, I know their team, I also had information that in the last week they have trained with a different system and will probably play five defenders.
“Watford did that last season with the same manager, so we are prepare for both – for them playing their normal way and also ready if they come with five defenders. We know what to do. We trust ourselves and we think we can win the game, but respect is a good saying in football.”
Midfielders Oscar and Ramires trained with the squad on Tuesday morning. Mourinho confirmed he will tweak his side against Maccabi to allow others get playing time – especially with a crucial London derby against Arsenal coming up in the weekend.
New signing Baba Rahman and Oscar will play, according to the two-time Champions League-winning coach, but Radamel Falcao misses out.
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