Chronicle Editor
London – Jose Mourinho insists his loyalties are completely with Tottenham as the former Chelsea boss prepares for an emotional clash with his old club.
Mourinho once claimed he could never manage Tottenham due to his two successful spells with their London rivals Chelsea.
But the Portuguese coach accepted Tottenham’s offer to replace Mauricio Pochettino in November and tomorrow he will come face to face with Chelsea for the first time since taking charge in north London.
While Mourinho earned his place in Chelsea folklore for the six trophies he won at Stamford Bridge, which include three Premier League titles, he made it clear he no longer concerns himself with the Blues because his allegiance is with Tottenham.
“For me, it’s a game. I am 100 percent Tottenham, 100 per cent my club always, all my career,” Mourinho told reporters yesterday.
“No space at all for my previous clubs. I gave everything to all of them. Everything. I kept nothing.
“I gave everything but they are my previous clubs. I give everything to my club – my club is Tottenham.
“It’s so easy for me to play that game. Difficult because of Chelsea’s quality but not difficult from an emotional point of view.”
Mourinho will remember that some Chelsea fans gave him a hard time when he returned to the Bridge as Manchester United boss, chanting “you’re not special anymore” in reference to his self-styled ‘special one’ nickname.
He is likely to endure more taunts from Chelsea supporters at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this weekend, adding another layer of intrigue to an already explosive fixture.
Tottenham are in good form in the early days of Mourinho’s reign and another win over Chelsea, who have struggled in recent weeks, would take them above the Blues in the top four despite trailing their rivals by 12 points when Pochettino was dismissed.
Mourinho will come up against a familiar face in the opposition dugout in the shape of Frank Lampard, one of the key players his two reigns at Chelsea.
The former Real Madrid boss revealed there will be a big hug waiting for Lampard, but he will not be inviting him for a post-match drink.
“I don’t think so because our stadium is built in the way that our office is completely on the inside our private headquarters,” Mourinho said.
“Until now I didn’t invite any managers to go there and I don’t think I’ll do that with Frank.
“But like I used to say, a big hug before the game and another after the game, that’s for sure independent of results and who is happy.
“I think our feelings will be forever. I’ll always be grateful to him for what he gave me as a player.
“Nothing is going to change that. I love the guy, I will always love the guy. I hope he loses on Sunday.”
How will Ole Gunnar Solskjaer approach Sunday’s match away at lowly Watford?
United have notched up some memorable results against the top clubs this season, beating Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester City and drawing against Liverpool.
But they have slipped up against the weaker sides, but totalled just one point from the four matches against Southampton, West Ham, Newcastle and Bournemouth.
United are unbeaten in their past six Premier League games but stumbled to a draw against Everton last week, losing some of their recent momentum.
Solskjaer’s team have been at their best this season when conceding possession and using the searing pace of Marcus Rashford, Daniel James and the others on the break.
United enjoyed just 28 percent possession during their recent 2-1 win against Manchester City but when they are expected to dominate they struggle to unlock defences, as happened against Everton.
Solskjaer must find a way to inject more creativity into his midfield if he is to continue his drive towards the top four.
Fixtures
Today: West Ham United v Liverpool (London Stadium 02:00), Everton v Arsenal (Goodison Park 14:30), Norwich City v Wolverhampton Wanderers (Carrow Road 17:00), Newcastle United v Crystal Palace (St. James’ Park 17:00), Brighton & Hove Albion v Sheffield United (The American Express Community Stadium 17:00), Aston Villa v Southampton (Villa Park 17:00), AFC Bournemouth v Burnley (Vitality Stadium 17:00), Manchester City v Leicester City (Etihad Stadium 19:30).
Tomorrow: Watford v Manchester United (Vicarage Road 16:00), Tottenham Hotspur v Chelsea (Tottenham Hotspur Stadium 18:30).
Thursday: Tottenham Hotspur v Brighton & Hove Albion (Tottenham Hotspur Stadium 14:30), Sheffield United v Watford (Bramall Lane 17:00), Everton v Burnley (Goodison Park 17:00), Crystal Palace v West Ham United (Selhurst Park 17:00), Chelsea v Southampton (Stamford Bridge 17:00), Aston Villa v Norwich City (Villa Park 17:00),
AFC Bournemouth v Arsenal (Vitality Stadium 17:00), Manchester United v Newcastle United (Old Trafford 19:30), Leicester City v Liverpool (King Power Stadium 22:00).— AFP.
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