Mourinho thinks that some of Chelsea’s more fringe players could be getting frustrated – but he doesn’t care.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho thinks that some of his less used players could be unhappy with their squad situation at Stamford Bridge, but the Portuguese doesn’t care and isn’t afraid of upsetting some of the club’s stars by leaving them out of the team, according to reports from the Daily Star.
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With those players favoured in the eleven starting positions by Mourinho unsurprisingly having kept their places for much of the season with the club flying high in the Premier League and having navigated the early rounds of the Champions League and League Cup, some other senior squad members have seen less football than they would perhaps have expected.
The likes of Petr Cech, John Obi Mikel and Filipe Luis could be considered in this bracket, with all three having been restricted largely to appearances in cup competitions, but Mourinho has suggested that any disgruntled stars will have to like it or lump it:
“It’s my decision and the players may not be happy with the decision, or not agree with the decision, but they know my decision is not to favour somebody or to punish somebody.”
“It’s what I think is best for the team at a certain moment. This is the way I do it.”
Mourinho did indicate that he thinks some players at the club could be frustrated and unhappy by their lack of playing opportunities, but he doesn’t seem particularly concerned by the fact and also praised his squad for maintaining their professionalism throughout the season so far:
“I don’t have a secret of keeping them happy. I don’t know. I think they are unhappy and frustrated.”
“But the reality is that, to be professional and work at a high level, you don’t need to be happy.”
“All of them are professionals. The team is more important than themselves.”