War of Words started: This is what Mourinho thinks about Chelsea’s next season
Jul 25, 2016 at 6:07 PM
Jose Mourinho believes Chelsea have a ‘much easier’ schedule than Manchester United next season.
United will have to compete in the Europa League on Thursday evenings next season after narrowly missing out on the top four under Louis van Gaal last term, while Chelsea missed out on European qualification altogether.
That means except domestic cup weeks, Antonio Conte’s boys will generally have around a week to prepare between Premier League fixtures, while Mourinho’s schedule will be heavily disrupted by the Europa League group stage matches.
And the Portuguese boss has suggested that this relatively easy fixture gives Chelsea a massive advantage in the title race next season.
“The Premier League doesn’t do you any favours,” Mourinho told The Sun.
“We will be playing [in the Europa League] on Thursday, but I don’t think they will then make us play on a Monday, they will make us play on Sunday and probably at 12 o’clock.
“So we are in the worst possible situation. It is the worst [if you want to fight] for the Premier League.
“It is much easier to be a Champions League team. And obviously it is much easier to be what Liverpool were two years ago and what Chelsea are next season [with no European football].
“One complete week to work every week, that is a dream. That is a dream for a manager who wants to improve his team.”
Meanwhile, latest reports claim the Portuguese boss is ready to shake up the squad as he attempts to accommodate his new signings and, potentially, Paul Pogba.
The the at-risk players have been divided into three categories.
There are three stars who will apparently be sold, four whose futures are currently uncertain and a further five who will find themselves out of the first team picture this season.
Players who fall into this final category could be sent out on loan, be sold or simply have to put up with warming the bench.