Summary from the Special One

That’s all from Mourinho for today.

He’s now moving on to the written section of today’s press conference.

Let’s have a quick recap of what we’ve learnt from Jose this lunchtime…

  • Radamel Falcao is likely to miss a few more weeks of action
  • Branislav Ivanovic is back in the squad
  • Mourinho won’t appeal his stadium ban
  • The Special One will travel with the squad to Stoke and he’ll be responsible for substitutions
  • Chelsea have been working on different scenarios to help the coaching team
  • Willian’s form has been a major positive for the Blues boss
John Terry of Chelsea warms up with his team mates
(Image: Clive Rose/Getty Images)
  • Share

Wonderful Willian

Willian was the man of the match in the victory over Dynamo Kiev.

There were times this season when Mourinho had his reservations about the player.

But the Special One says that is all behind him now.

Mourinho: “He’s playing very well and in this moment he’s playing with other players who are playing very well.

“There was a time in the season when I felt he was a bit isolated but at this moment I see him in the middle of the positive context.

“When you are the match winner, with a very special shot, the boy is magnificent.”

Chelsea's Brazilian midfielder Willian celebrates after scoring from a free kick
(Image: GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)
  • Share

No Stoke revenge mission

Mourinho: “Why revenge?

“Good fans, good referee. It was a good show for everyone. One team scored a penalty and the other team missed.

“One team went home very happy and the other not so happy. Everything went very normal.”

Mark Hughes manager of Stoke City
(Image: 2015 Getty Images)
  • Share

Dangerous precedent?

Has this stadium ban opened up a can of worms? The Special One certainly thinks so.

According to the Chelsea boss, we could be seeing a few more gaffers prevented from attending games after this episode.

Mourinho: “The punishment opens a range of options that in the future we’re going to have lots of managers with stadium bans.

“It should be related to something really serious in terms of aggressivity. This stadium ban is connected to words.”

Jose Mourinho during a press conference
(Image: Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)
  • Share

Dream scenarios

Jose won’t be on the bench at Stoke but he has been working through every possibility with his staff in advance of the game.

Mourinho: “The game is unpredictable.

“The most incredible scenarios that you can imagine. Let’s go to extremes. Half-time winning or losing 4-0. Between this you have thousands of options.

“They are prepared. They are protected by the fact that it is my responsibility.

“One thing is not to be on the bench. I left the bench at West Ham but nobody told me to leave the stadium.

“I’m stopped from being at something I like so much.”

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho chats to the media
(Image: Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)
  • Share

No appeal against ban

Mourinho has confirmed he has not appealed his stadium ban.

That means he won’t be able to enter the Britannia Stadium on Saturday.

He confirms he will be in charge of substitutions though via pre-planned scenarios.

Mourinho: “They know what they have to do. I choose the team, I predict the different aspects of the game and the different directions that the game can follow.

“I try to prepare them better than ever - players and assistants. Some [coaches] sit on the bench for 90 minutes, others try to interact a bit more. This is what we have.

“I know the situation where I am and I have to adapt. No chance to think about any strategy.”

Under-fire Mourinho is to be the subject of an individual legal claim from former Chelsea team doctor Eva Carneiro. His side remain 15th in the table
  • Share

Team news - Ivanovic is back

First up, we’ve got some team news for you...

Radamel Falcao is injured and will be out for a few weeks.

Thibaut Courtois is still out but there are no more problems.

Branislav is fine and available to play.

Radamel Falcao
(Image: Getty)
  • Share

Here's Jose!

Jose Mourinho has arrived for today’s press conference.

We’ll be bringing you all the latest team news and gossip from the Special One as soon as we get it.

There’s no need to refresh your page, new entries will drip feed into this blog.

Here we go then...

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho during the press conference
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho during the press conference (Image: Action Images via Reuters / Tony O'Brien)
  • Share

Midweek relief

Chelsea boosted their chances of making the Champions League knockout stages with a nervy victory over Dynamo Kiev on Wednesday night - and boy did they need it!

The Blues moved into second place in Group G with a much-needed victory to ease the pressure on under-fire manager Jose Mourinho.

Willian came to the rescue with a stunning free-kick after Kiev had looked to have earned a share of the spoils at Stamford Bridge after Aleksandar Dragovic had scored at both ends for the visitors.

There haven’t been many celebration pictures for Chelsea fans to enjoy lately so I’m sure you won’t mind checking out these again!

And have a quick read of the five things we learnt from the Kiev win as we await the arrival of Jose.

  • Share

Should Diego Costa keep his place?

Ray Wilkins thinks Jose Mourinho needs to drop Diego Costa for this weekend’s crunch clash with Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium.

Costa has failed to hit the heights of last season so far, spending more time in the headlines for a lack of discipline than his goalscoring, and he drew another blank in the midweek win over Dynamo Kiev.

That made it five games without the Spanish international finding the net and four of those performances have resulted in the Blues failing to secure victories.

Wilkins told talkSPORT: “He’s not a goal threat at the moment.

“Jose got the hump with him [against Kiev] because there was a ball played in from the right side and he didn’t get across the near post and he went berserk at him because he is not working hard enough to get into scoring positions.

Read more from Wilkins here and find out who he thinks should replace Costa in the starting XI at Stoke.

Chelsea's Brazilian-born Spanish striker Diego Costa
(Image: GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images)
  • Share

Spirit of the Special One

Jose Mourinho says he will be with his players in spirit at Stoke on Saturday as Chelsea continue their fight to keep their manager in the job.

The Special One will serve a one-match stadium ban when the Blues head to the Britannia in a bid to get their Premier League form back on track.

The Portuguese will to watch on TV with millions of other viewers as his own fate hangs in the balance.

Mourinho: “I think they know I am with them.

“I think they know I am going to prepare the team until the moment they go to the game. They know that during the game the action of a manager is not so crucial.

“I think the fact they also know the reason I’m not on the bench is important.”

Jose Mourinho the manager of Chelsea looks on
(Image: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
  • Share

Welcome to today's coverage

Good afternoon folks and welcome to LIVE coverage of today’s Chelsea press conference.

Jose Mourinho is due to meet with the media at approximately 12.45pm this lunchtime ahead of tomorrow evening’s trip to Stoke City.

The Blues gained a much-needed Champions League victory over Dynamo Kiev in midweek but the pressure is still on as the Premier League champions prepare for battle with the Potters.

Mourinho is forbidden from entering the Britannia Stadium on Saturday as part of his punishment following comments he made in the wake of last month’s loss to Southampton.

However, he is free to complete his press conference obligations today and we are anticipating his arrival within the hour at the club’s Cobham training ground.

Stay tuned for everything the Portuguese tactician has to stay right here.

(Image: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
  • Share