That run was broken in last weekend’s 3-0 defeat of Swansea City, in which Riyad Mahrez scored a hat-trick, and the Algeria winger believes the pressure on Monday will rest on Chelsea’s shoulders.
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Mourinho believes Ranieri, who he has criticised in the past for his lack of silverware, deserves all the credit and has changed his mind about their ability to win the trophy.
“It would be something magnificent, it would be something to impress the football world, but sometimes these things can happen and why not happen with them?” They are used to doing this as they are the champions. If Leicester are where they are its because the manager and players are doing magnificent. That for me is very good. He should win manager of the half-term.
And Mourinho was also full of praise for his Leicester opposite number Claudio Ranieri, adding: “If you can give an award for the first six months of competition, everyone is miles away from him”.
“I respect them a lot because I watched the match last night”.
“One thing is to be top of the league in September after a handsome start, another thing is to be top of the league in December”.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says he is starting to think it is possible that Leicester can win the Premier League title this season.
Mourinho said: “That is nice from him”.
“Before we lost the last three points against Bournemouth (last week), I was convinced of fourth, of a great December for us”.
Fortunately for Mourinho – who succeeded Ranieri as Chelsea manager when he first took charge of the club in 2004 – the latest emerging crisis was stalled by the mid-week Champions League defeat of FC Porto, which ensured that Chelsea advanced to the last 16 as winners of their group.
Many have been quick to write off the Foxes’ chances this season, yet with no club really grasping the opportunity to pull away at the top, the title is seemingly up for grabs this season.
Chelsea midfielder Oscar believes his side must win “two or three” more games in order to turn the club’s fortunes around this season.
“Who knows? We could get a run of four or five consecutive victories and because none of the top clubs are doing that, maybe we can close the distance and dream of a great finish and to finish fourth”.
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“While mathematically it’s possible we have to try”.
