Mourinho claims Newcastle, others try harder against Chelsea
Jose Mourinho has risked riling Newcastle United ahead of Saturday’s Premier League fixture by claiming that they and other teams try harder against Chelsea than against anyone else.
The league leaders have won only two of their last nine games against Newcastle, and Mourinho himself has never won a Premier League game at St James’ Park. But he said yesterday: “Let’s try. It’s difficult, a difficult stadium to play at.” He added: “There are a few stadiums in this country where, clearly, when they see the Chelsea shirts, they play the game of their lives. When they play against other teams they look like they’re playing friendlies.
“It’s a normal challenge, the same as another match. A difficult opponent and stadium, and one of the opponents we really feel that Chelsea is special for them, because they don’t play every game the same way. It’s not only them. There are other clubs who have different ways of playing.
“With my players, I try to make them have always the same focus, ambition and commitment whoever they play against. But clearly there are some opponents in the Premier League with whom Chelsea are special for them, so we know this is going to be a tough match.”
Classic mind games. And naturally, it is tempting to pass this off as so much typical Mourinho bluster, especially when you consider that Newcastle have beaten Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester City so far this season, which is not bad for a team not trying its hardest.
When it was pointed out that perhaps Newcastle was just an inconsistent side, Mourinho replied: “Not against us.” ( For reference, Newcastle’s last six results against Chelsea are: lost 3- 0, won 2- 0, lost 2- 0, won 3- 2, won 2- 0, and lost 3- 0.)
But why would clubs in one of the world’s most competitive leagues raise their efforts against Chelsea? “Maybe this is because Chelsea, in the last decade, became a strong team that everybody wants to beat,” Mourinho said. “Watch matches on TV and make your own analysis. Or disagree with me. It makes us feel how big we are. For me, it’s not a problem.”
Newcastle, ninth in the Premier League, will resent the insinuation that they are selective with their efforts, but perhaps Mourinho’s words were aimed more at his title rivals. There are echoes here, after all, of Sir Alex Ferguson’s suggestion that teams tried harder against Manchester United.