Jose Mourinho has revealed his big love of Boxing Day football – even if it means the strain of three games in six days for his Chelsea side.
The Blues play host to Swansea City just three days after a visit to Arsenal and three ahead of another crunch game against Liverpool.
But don't expect the boss to complain, because it is one English tradition he adores.
“I feel always very proud of working on Boxing Day and giving the people what they want,” Mourinho said, adding jauntily: “It's difficult to play Thursday-Sunday, but it's for men or for tough women.
“I love it. I don't play, of course, so for the players it's more difficult than for me, but for me it's also not so easy because I'm also a bit tired, but I think it's a fantastic occasion.
“My wife and my kids they are fantastic. They understand completely that I love to do it.
“They are in England and not with their Portuguese family. They are here with me, obviously. They miss their family but they know I have to do it and I'm very happy to do it.”
The Portuguese added: “For the players it's difficult, but I think if they go with the right approach, obviously they can do it.
“It's a little bit more difficult because we played Monday and our opponent played [Sunday] so they have one more day to rest – and one more day is a lot.
“But I hope Stamford Bridge is there for us, with noise to push the boys to three points.”
The Blues go into the game well placed – just two points behind joint leaders Liverpool and Arsenal and in a far better state than this time last year, according to Mourinho.
“In the last Boxing Day, Chelsea were 11 points behind the leader and we were out of the title race, but we are there – two points behind both leaders, so we have reasons to keep going,” he said.
“The first objective is top four and Champions League, and the best way is to be close in the battle for the title. So let's enjoy the moment.
"It's important for us to win with two other title contenders [Man City and Liverpool] meeting and losing points.”
