On the return of Courtois, who missed three months after undergoing surgery on his knee, Mourinho added: “Courtois is Courtois”.
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The past three months have likely been the hardest in Mourinho’s career to date, but the Chelsea manager remains confident form will pick up as his ranks return to full strength.
Mourinho said: “There has been no contact – the owner knows me very well, and he knows that I don’t want to move, that I want to stay at Chelsea”.
“That atmosphere we create before the game is a big influence on every big result we get”.
“Naturally it is a really good challenge for all of us”.
It was Kalinic latching onto a threaded pass in behind Inter’s back 4 that earned Miranda a red card, the Brazilian having to scythe the striker down to stop him scampering away for another goal.
Last season, it felt Hazard could do no wrong, as her scored 14 league goal and registered nine assists. It is fundamental to have him back.
“I remember one time the captain got everybody together in the dressing room and said: ‘Guys, now we are playing much better, let’s keep it up – don’t think about the table, think game by game and keep it going, and if we do that we will be back”. He was a very good player and a very good pundit.
Kurt Zouma reveals that Chelsea will not settle for anything less than a top-four place come the end of the season. Left out last week as Chelsea drew with Tottenham, there are question marks over his future in London.
Striker Diego Costa, an unused substitute in Sunday’s draw at Tottenham, was one of those pictured leaving a London nightclub. Always played. Was on the bench one match, which is more than natural. “I haven’t told them [Courtois and Asmir Begovic] who is starting, they must be the ones to know but he is selected in the group”. I wouldn’t pick him and I would prefer to see Hazard given another run up top which is where I would like to see him play. Diego didn’t play today but I know he’ll be ready for the next game.
Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe has refused to confirm whether Artur Boruc or Adam Federici will be fit to start in goal, but Ryan Allsop will make his first Premier League start if neither is.
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There was less positive news elsewhere on the injury front for Chelsea with John Terry, Ramires and Radamel Falcao all absent for the clash with a Bournemouth side sitting in the relegation zone.
