Stamford Bridge siege
Jose Mourinho has closed ranks, railed against the media, television pundits, rival managers, match officials, the Football Association, Chelsea’s own supporters and more, creating a siege mentality among the 18 or so men who matter most – his players.
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Mourinho, who cancelled his pre-match media conference after Diego Costa’s stamping charge and his own £25,000 fine for stating there was a “clear campaign” against Chelsea, reverted to the tried and trusted against Liverpool.
Training ahead of #CFCvMCFC… pic.twitter.com/hf7X1niZSi
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 30, 2015
He will hope they can complete a tumultuous eight days with a crucial win in the title race.
The damage done
Defeat to Bradford was followed by a victory over Liverpool which could take a heavy toll on the Blues.
Cesc Fabregas (hamstring), Filipe Luis (calf) and Branislav Ivanovic (foot) could miss out. Costa is out, banned for three matches for stamping on Liverpool’s Emre Can.
Fresher bodies could be brought in, but Chelsea would lose quality.
Missing Citizens
Yaya Toure’s continued presence at the African Nations Cup does not bode well for City, who last won a Premier League game in his absence last season.
Wilfried Bony is with Toure and the Ivory Coast in another blow. City also have injury concerns with Samir Nasri out.
Vincent Kompany and Sergio Aguero are also making slow returns from lay-offs.
To be Frank
Frank Lampard vowed never to play for another Premier League club after 13 years and a club record 211 goals at Chelsea, but makes his Stamford Bridge return in the light blue of City.
The 36-year-old may not have the all action box-to-box energy of his youth, but he uses his intelligence to be in the right place at the right time, as shown when he netted an 85th-minute equaliser against his former employers in September.
It will be intriguing to see the reception Lampard is afforded with many Blues fans believing he should be in New York.
Pellegrini’s nemisis
Just twice in 12 attempts has Pellegrini – whose name Mourinho mispronounces, whether intentionally or not, as ‘Pellegrino’ – got the better of the self-proclaimed Special One.
MANUEL ON TITLE RACE: “It’s not a final… remember, City won the title in 2011/12 after being eight points behind Manchester United.”
— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) January 30, 2015
That was with Malaga in December 2012 and in last season’s FA Cup. Chelsea won both Premier League encounters last term, but drew the corresponding fixture at City before being labelled a “small team” by Pellegrini, who preceded Mourinho as Real Madrid boss.
It is fair to say there is plenty of animosity between the pair.
