Hair we go again
Mourinho starts mind game with dig at Conte’s hairline
LONDON: Jose Mourinho is refusing to sell Marouane Fellaini – even though Nemanja Matic is set to join Manchester United.
And the Special One also made a cheeky dig at Chelsea boss Antonio Conte’s hairline.
Matic is on the verge of completing a £ 40mil ( RM224mil) move from Chelsea to Old Trafford but Mourinho has told Turkish giants Galatasaray that Belgian midfielder Fellaini is too important to be offloaded.
Mourinho, speaking after a 3-0 win over Norwegian side Valerenga, said: “It is easier for Galatasaray to get me than Marouane. Forget it. He’s very important for me.”
Pictures appeared yesterday of Matic, who played under Mourinho at Stamford Bridge, wearing a United training top with the number 31. That shirt has been left vacant by Bastian Schweinsteiger.
Asked about Matic, the United boss said: “I am waiting for news. I know that he wants that very, very much.
“When a player wants very, very much, the chance is bigger.
“I think we have a chance but in football until it’s official I saw so many things happen that I refuse to say more than I am telling you now.”
Quizzed about the picture featuring Matic, Mourinho added: “I don’t know because I was not there. Number 31 is a free number. We have a few free and 31 is one of them.”
Fellaini scored the opener for United in Oslo with Romelu Lukaku grabbing the second. Substitute Scott McTominay added the third.
Conte, who had a successful hair transplant in a Canadian clinic, said he is determined to avoid a “Mourinho season”.
The Chelsea boss said: “We know it will be difficult next season. We want to try to avoid a Mourinho season.
“Two years ago the team ended the league in 10th place and we want to try to avoid this.”
And Mourinho was not impressed by Conte’s comments and ruffled his hair as he responded.
The United boss said: “I don’t know.
“I could answer in many different ways but I’m not willing to lose my hair to speak about Antonio Conte.” — The Sun, London