Jose Mourinho believes both his own side and today’s opponents, West Ham United, have made great strides since we played out a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge last January. The Blues top the Barclays Premier League table having been beaten just once, while the visitors have exceeded many pre-season expectations and currently lie fourth. Mourinho feels both teams have impressed since the start of the season in August. ‘I think Chelsea deserve to be top of the league,’ said the Blues boss ahead of todays game. ‘After us, for West Ham to be fourth, for a team that everybody was expecting to be fighting for survival, I think is a fantastic achievement. Really, very good.’ Last season’s corresponding fixture saw the Blues frustrated as West Ham, who were struggling at the lower end of the table, defended in large numbers. Mourinho understands why Sam Allardyce set his side up in such a way a year ago but, given current form, expects a contrasting encounter this time around. ‘Both teams are different from last season,’ said the Portuguese. ‘We are a better team, we have more creativity, more goals, more attacking dynamic. ‘West Ham are also a better team. They are not just a team who don’t want to concede, they also try to score goals, so the game will be very difficult. Both teams have the capacity now to produce a completely different game. ‘Last season, they were in big trouble. When you are fighting against relegation you have to do everything to get a point. It was a turning point for them as it gave them the confidence they needed. ‘They stayed in the division but this season is different. The way they play every game they are a more complete team, more difficult, a different team with better players and also Big Sam is showing now he’s not what people sometimes say. ‘They say he’s a defensive coach, he only knows how to play physically, direct, long balls, but he is giving a different impression of himself which can make the game more difficult for us, but at the same time more attractive for everyone.’ The two developed their relationship managing opposing teams in last summer’s Soccer Aid charity match at Old Trafford, and Mourinho believes Allardyces reputation will only be enhanced by the way his side have been performing of late. ‘He’s got a big history in the Premier League,’ said the Blues boss. ‘But now this season he’s giving not just the image of the competitive coach who plays in a certain way, he’s playing in a different way. That is what he deserves. ‘He’s had a fantastic career in the Premier League - so many games. He deserves my respect. Last season I had a couple of words about the way they started wasting time after two minutes which I don’t like but I respect him as a coach, a person, and he has had a beautiful career. ‘We exchange lots of messages. Me, him and Peter Reid, we had a week together for the Robbie Williams Soccer Aid match, having lunch, having dinner. You get a different type of relationship and know the person much, much better which you can’t do when you only see each other for one minute before and after a game. ‘I like him very, very much and I’m very happy that everything is going well for them. If they finish in the top four then Big Sam will be manager of the season, West Ham will be team of the season because it would be an amazing achievement if you compare West Ham’s investment with the other teams around them. But why not?’
Posted on: Fri, 26 Dec 2014 12:21:59 +0000
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