Highlights from Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho's press conference

02 October 2015 02:01

Jose Mourinho discussed being under pressure, rumours of dissent within his Chelsea squad - and did not talk about Dr Eva Carneiro.

Here we present the highlights of the Portuguese's media conference on Friday.

On being under pressure and Chelsea's start to the season:

"I like to be under pressure when I'm top of the league and the second (team) is one point behind. It's the pressure I like. I don't like the position we are in, but I cope well with it. I define (this) as the worst period of my career, with the worst results in my career. I get it as a fantastic experience - an experience that I don't want to repeat. I want to finish tomorrow and starting winning matches again."

Three times Mourinho refused to comment on the controversy over Dr Eva Carneiro's demotion:

1 - What do you make of the FA's decision to clear you?

"For the past two months I didn't open my mouth and I'm going to keep it like this. One day I will speak and I will choose a day."

2 - Were you concerned that, after the FA cleared you, chairman Greg Dyke commented?

"That's the same answer. I'm quiet about it for a long time. I read and I listen and I watch and I'm quiet."

3 - Do you think if you said something it might go away?

"I'm telling you, we can be here all day. My time to speak will arrive when I decide."

On whether captain John Terry will be selected to start against Southampton on Saturday:

"I don't tell the team. Maybe you have some sources that can give you some tips. We trained tactically yesterday and today. So I'm sure some of you have some rats that can tell you what is going on."

On media comments on the players being frustrated by his methods:

"It looks like you (the media) are a bit of a prima donna that to be criticising the group becomes a drama. In here, we speak openly. We criticise people without any kind of problems and no prima donnas crying. Everybody wants to do well, everybody accepts the criticism. When you make a mistake you have to speak about it. You know what I call that, in football? Coaching. If the coach cannot coach, go to a newspaper where nobody criticises anybody."

On the performances of Branislav Ivanovic, who has kept his place despite a series of poor displays:

"Ivanovic likes to speak with me and likes to speak with me about his mistakes. And he's not crying, he's not a prima donna. I'm critical with him and I speak with him about what he has to try to improve. I have no doubts that he is my best right-back. And I have no doubts that he has to improve in some aspects of his game this season."

On bringing in experienced goalkeeper cover after Thibaut Courtois was ruled out until December following knee surgery:

"We have at this moment Marco Amelia working with us. It must be a goalkeeper without a club, without a contract. Marco could be a good possibility for us and let's see in the next couple of days what we decide, together with him."

On whether Chelsea can perform at the same level as last season:

"I think we can win every game. I told you that before Arsenal, I told you that before Newcastle, I told you that before Porto. We won, we drew, we lost. But it's my feeling. We are capable as a team to win against anyone."

Source: PA