Well, it was another gruelling semi-final for Jose Mourinho as he made his Chelsea team defend for their lives and frustrate Atletico Madrid to a 0-0 draw at the Vicente Calderon. In the process, he saw Petr Cech getting injured and out for the season while even captain John Terry, who was incredible that night, suffer a potentially season ending injury. Mourinho even saw veteran Frank Lampard and defensive midfielder John Obi Mikel get yellow cards which suspends them from the second leg at Stamford Bridge.
Thus on the wake of the Liverpool game, which is on Sunday, Mourinho was asked whether he’d like to rest some of his key players in order to keep them fresh for the UCL second leg and play a second string team on Sunday, considering that the Blues have very slim chances of the title whereas the Champions League Final beckons them.
The loss to Sunderland at home broke Jose Mourinho’s incredible home record as well as the Chelsea’s title hopes, which means that a win against Liverpool will still not be sufficient for them to mount a late challenge for the race, as they would still be dependent on the Reds and Manchester City dropping points.
This is what Jose Mourinho had to say:
“I can’t decide by myself,” Mourinho said. I think that’s a decision I have to listen the club. I’m just a piece, I’m just the manager and no more than that.
“I have to listen to the club. I think the fact that the match is on Sunday I think puts the problem not in my hands. We represent English football and we are the only English team that is in European competition. Spain has four and gave them all the conditions to try to have success.”
“I know what I would do, but I’m not the club. I have to speak with the club. I would play with the players that are not going to play Wednesday.”
Manchester City are still dependent on Liverpool losing one match and who apart from Chelsea can be tipped to do exactly that? Thus, Manuel Pellegrini may feel hard done by his old nemesis if Chelsea play with youngsters and cup-tied players and eventually lose the game while potentially surrendering the title to Liverpool and deciding the Premier League.
But it is only fair for Chelsea to choose whatever team they want. When we consider that they are the only English team that is still playing in European Competitions at this stage, yet again, Mourinho is not obliged to choose his team that will benefit some other Premier League team from the outside.
We also have to see that the Blues have a good quality squad. They have some highly rated youngsters as well. So whichever team they choose, may not be “weak” in a sense that they would be incompetent with Liverpool. Chelsea’s second string squad will have players with the likes of Nemanja Matic, Frank Lampard, John Obi Mikel, Ashley Cole, Mohamed Salah and Demba Ba in the team, which by no means is a team that is incompetent. Eden Hazard may make a come-back from injury. The defenders may be given a rest or maybe Gary Cahill and David Luiz may start the match to have some game time together, which may also be unlikely considering the fact that both will have to be really fresh for the game against Atletico, because they will have to face strong counters from the visiting team.
It is perfectly fair for Mourinho to choose a team that he feels is best for the Club’s prospects. With an injury marred squad at the business end of the season, this is the best he can do while still having a competent squad.