We Ain't Got No History - 2015-16 Premier League, Match 16: Leicester City 2-1 ChelseaChampions of Europe!https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52884/21_SBN_002_We_Aint_Got_No_History_Favicon_32x32..png2015-12-17T10:56:59+00:00http://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/rss/stream/99037332015-12-17T10:56:59+00:002015-12-17T10:56:59+00:00Times: Another Chelsea dressing room leak story
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<figcaption>Michael Regan/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Cesc Fàbregas was recently cleared several times over of being the leader of the so-called "mutiny" against Mourinho, that supposed uprising of Player Power, of which nothing came, that the papers were running with not that long ago. Yet it is his name again that is central to Matt Hughes's "exclusive" in The Times about a supposed dressing room leak. And we all know how much Jose supposedly dislikes dressing room leaks!</p>
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<p>The Times has been told that the Chelsea manager deliberately used the word "betrayal" in three post-match interviews to convey his feeling of being undermined from within his dressing room, as a result of his belief that Porto gained knowledge of his starting line-up before last week's Champions League tie at Stamford Bridge.</p>
<p>Mourinho had sprung a surprise by dropping Cesc Fàbregas to the bench, but was astonished to discover through a contact from his time at the club that Porto were aware of his plans before kick-off. Mourinho goes to great lengths to keep his team selection and tactics a secret —€” instructing players not to tell family members or their agents whether they will start in the next game —€” and so concluded that the leak must have come from within. Although Mourinho has yet to find the alleged culprit, there is no suggestion that Fàbregas was involved...</p>
<p style="text-align: right;">-source: <a href="http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/football/article4643160.ece">Times</a></p>
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<p>Wonder who leaked the story about a leak to Hughes? Leak-ception! Then again, given the tone of the rest of the piece, which even positions Mourinho's and Cheslea's annual hospital visit as something not normal for when there's such crises going on at the club, I'm not sure we need to put too much stock into these rumors.</p>
<p>Mourinho's recent unhappiness may or may not have something to do with some minor lineup leak — even my semi-educated guess didn't think Fabregas would start in the pivot with Matic (though I did think Cesc would still be there instead of Oscar) — but it most definitely has something to do with our terrible play in our last two Premier League matches. I would assume that's what occupies Mourinho's mind 99.8% of the time.</p>
<p>Not to mention, <a href="http://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2015/12/14/10139254/chelsea-fc-jose-mourinho-post-match-interview-leicester-city-premier-league">the actual "betrayal" quote</a> was quite specifically about our level of play in Leicester and not following what was talked about in training beforehand, not squad selection in Portugal.</p>
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<p>"...[Vardy & Mahrez goals] very difficult to accept because I feel that my work was betrayed, if these are the right words."</p>
<p style="text-align: right;">-Jose Mourinho</p>
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https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2015/12/17/10384344/chelsea-dressing-room-leak-times-exclusiveDavid Pasztor2015-12-16T16:59:11+00:002015-12-16T16:59:11+00:00Matic: Don't know why Chelsea are so inconsistent
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<figcaption>Bat-tic | Clive Rose/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>For just the second time all season, José Mourinho opted to make no changes to the starting line-up in consecutive matches. The same eleven that won 2-0 against Porto in the Champions League started against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://fosseposse.sbnation.com/">Leicester City</a> in the Premier League. And yet, Chelsea went from one of the best performances of the season to one of the worst. The Blues came out of King Power Stadium with a 2-1 defeat, continuing the pattern of maddening inconsistency and even more maddening results.</p>
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<p>"I cannot explain why consistency has been so difficult to achieve. I don't know what happened to us [against Leicester]. In the game against Porto, a very good team, we played very well, we scored two goals and created chances, but we were like another team on the pitch against Leicester."</p>
<p>"We have to say congratulations to them, they fought for every ball, and they were very good. They had confidence and it is easier to play when you are first in the table and you are at home."</p>
<p>"We didn't start badly, we controlled the ball, but after the second goal it was very difficult for us to recover and we didn't use the chances we had. It is one more game that was not good for us. We are sad because of the defeat but we have to keep going, to try to win some games and to recover from this situation which is not easy for us. We have to try to be better than we were."</p>
<p style="text-align: right;">-Nemanja Matic; Source: <a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2015/12/matic--recovery-mission.html?" target="_blank">Chelsea FC</a></p>
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<p>Inconsistent and ineffective, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea's</a> league form has been nothing short of terrible. The same is not true in the Champions League, where we won four of six in the group stage and advanced to the knockout rounds as a top seed. There in the Round of 16, we will be facing very familiar foes in PSG.</p>
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<p>"It's going to be a great experience for us, two great games, very hard I have to say, but in these kinds of games you don't have favourites - anyone can go through. I am sure that it's going to be interesting and I hope we can do something."</p>
<p style="text-align: right;">-Nemanja Matic; Source: <a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2015/12/matic--recovery-mission.html?" target="_blank">Chelsea FC</a></p>
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<p>Inconsistent or not, anything can happen in a knockout competition. So at least we've got a bit of hope there.</p>
https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2015/12/16/10287792/chelsea-fc-nemanja-matic-leicester-city-interviewFellipe Miranda2015-12-16T10:42:10+00:002015-12-16T10:42:10+00:00Scans show Hazard hip injury not too serious
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<p><span>Eden Hazard's</span> injury from a <span>Jamie Vardy</span> tackle on Monday is apparently some sort of hip injury, which is the bodypart that Hazard was clutching at straight away as he cut a figure of pure agony on the turf. He was substituted not long after of course, though that seems to be have led to <a href="http://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2015/12/14/10136428/eden-hazard-injury-update-mourinho-reaction">a bit of confusion</a>.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Eden Hazard had scans on his hip injury yesterday, but it doesn't seem too serious. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CFC?src=hash">#CFC</a></p>
— Kristof Terreur (@HLNinEngeland) <a href="https://twitter.com/HLNinEngeland/status/677041208380801024">December 16, 2015</a>
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<p>Fortunately, it would appear that it's not serious. (Or "important" as Mourinho was expecting.) Call it a hip bruise. A hip contusion. A hip confusion?</p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/HLNinEngeland">@HLNinEngeland</a> A hip confusion more like, amirite?</p>
— Cian Carroll (@CianByName) <a href="https://twitter.com/CianByName/status/677048217918431232">December 16, 2015</a>
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<p>Without any midweek commitments, Hazard has a couple extra days to recover, smooth over any misunderstandings that may be lingering (from the injury-substitution sequence), and get ready for the next crucial, must-win match on Saturday agains <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/">Sunderland</a> at the Bridge.</p>
https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2015/12/16/10287572/eden-hazard-injury-update-scansDavid Pasztor2015-12-16T10:22:00+00:002015-12-16T10:22:00+00:00Leicester City vs. Chelsea: Player Ratings
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<figcaption>Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<b>1. LOÏC RÉMY </b>- FC</td>
<td style="width: 50px; height: 50px; vertical-align: middle; font-size: 30px; text-align: center; color: white; background-color: black;"><i>6.4</i></td>
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<span class="statwords">Minutes played</span><span><b>26</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Touches</span><span><b>16</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Passes</span><span><b>8/9</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Shots</span><span><b>1*/2</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Take-ons</span><span><b>2/2</b></span>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Rémy's finishing wasn't critical either — recall that bizarre incident when he chose to try to cut inside his man instead of having a go at goal first time — but it was better than Costa's or just about anybody else's (I'm looking at you, Bane) on the team.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">Was that enough to earn him a starting spot? Mourinho himself also touched on Rémy's more central movements being more helpful than Costa's drifting to the wings. So... maybe?</div>
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<b>2. PEDRO </b>- AM</td>
<td style="width: 50px; height: 50px; vertical-align: middle; font-size: 30px; text-align: center; color: white; background-color: black;"><i>5.5</i></td>
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<span class="statwords">Minutes played</span><span><b>30</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Touches</span><span><b>57</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Passes</span><span><b>26/37</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Take-ons</span><span><b>2/3</b></span>
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<div class="dots"><span class="statwords">Blocks+INTs</span></div>
<div class="dots"><span><b>6</b></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Pedro, part of the masses of early substitutions, got the assist on our only goal: a sumptuous cross from the left, perfectly aimed right onto Rémy's forehead. The striker literally couldn't miss.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">The former Barcelona man has not lived up at all to the promise of his debut or to his pedigree in general.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">Maybe that'll change, starting now?</div>
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<b>3. THIBAUT COURTOIS </b>- GK</td>
<td style="width: 50px; height: 50px; vertical-align: middle; font-size: 30px; text-align: center; color: white; background-color: black;"><i>5.1</i></td>
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<span class="statwords">Minutes played</span><span><b>90</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Touches</span><span><b>52</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Distribution</span><span><b>14/27</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Clearances </span><span><b>3/5</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Fouls drawn</span><span><b>4</b></span>
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<span class="statwords">Tackles</span><span><b>4</b></span>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">Courtois beat out Fàbregas by just a few hundredths for a spot on the lowest rung of the podium.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">Unfortunately for Courtois, he seems to be still rediscovering himself after so many games out. Last weekend, he flapped at a corner to create a goal-scoring opportunity from which Bournemtouh scored; this weekend, he seemed to have some serious issues in the sweeper-keeper role.</div>
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<p><i>STARTERS:</i><br>Courtois (<b>5.1</b>), Azpilicueta (<b>3.9</b>), Terry (<b>3.8</b>), Zouma (<b>4.5</b>), Ivanović (<b>4.0</b>), Matić (<b>4.2</b>), Ramires (<b>4.1</b>), Hazard (<b>3.7</b>), Oscar (<b>3.5</b>), Willian (<b>5.0</b>), Costa (<b>3.3</b>)</p>
<p><i>SUBS:</i><br>Fàbregas (<b>5.1</b>), Pedro (<b>5.5</b>), Rémy (<b>6.4</b>)</p>
<p><i>OVERALL:<br></i> <a href="https://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/5337195/Untitled.0.png"> <figure class="e-image">
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https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2015/12/16/10287510/leicester-city-chelsea-player-ratings-man-of-the-matchDavid Pasztor2015-12-15T19:45:13+00:002015-12-15T19:45:13+00:00Fàbregas: We still can save the season
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<figcaption>Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Cesc Fàbregas was absent from the starting line-up yesterday as José Mourinho chose the same lineup that defeated Porto in the Champions League. Entering the game in the second half and given lots of space to work, the Spanish midfielder created a lot of chances from the get-go, but none of them resulted in a goal to help Chelsea salvage their defeat against <a href="https://fosseposse.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Leicester City</a>.</p>
<p>Today, the Blues player did a Q&A at Sky Sports' <a target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/SkySports/">Facebook page</a> along with former <a href="https://theshortfuse.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Arsenal</a> player Thierry Henry. In the event, he commented on <a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chelsea's</a> loss to Leicester and how Mahrez's goal stole the team's chances of turning things around in the match.</p>
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<p>"We experienced it last year as well when we had to go there and win and at half-time we were losing 1-0 and it was more or less the same kind of game, in the second-half we really pushed our level and won but yesterday we didn't."</p>
<p>"The manager said he tried to work us up and straight away they scored so whatever he said it really went to waste so after that with the confidence they have it would always be difficult."</p>
<p>"We had our chances, but to win games in the Premier League we were talking the other day that right now all teams are fast, strong and fit. Physically I've never experienced anything like this in Spain or at Arsenal like it is now. Quality wise there are five, six teams superior to them. But they are doing very, very well."</p>
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<p>Mourinho heavily criticized the squad in his post-match interviews, pointing out that the players should be more humble in the face of their opponents. Fàbregas agrees that the squad needs to take the responsibility up to change their behaviour going forward.</p>
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<p>"We all have to take our responsibility, if you are a big player and are paid like a big player you have to perform and behave like a big player."</p>
<p>"We all have bad games, but the attitude always has to be spot on and we have to be at the top of our games even when it's not and not the behaviour that we are seeing right now from every Chelsea player."</p>
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<p>Chelsea's chances of defending their league title are practically gone at this point, but Fàbregas believes the current season can still be saved if the club go back to their winning ways; starting at their next Premier League game against <a href="https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Sunderland</a> next weekend.</p>
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<p>"Confidence is important but only until a certain point. As a player you have pride, we cannot win the Premier League but we all have to do better. Right now is not the time to think about where we finish. I don't think about anything I just think I want to beat Sunderland. We have to start winning."</p>
<p>"We can [save the season], 100% there is enough time to achieve it. But we have to start from now. Tomorrow waking up, train hard get to Saturday and beat Sunderland, then beat Watford next. It's all up to us."</p>
<p style="text-align: right;">-Cesc Fàbregas; Source: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.skysports.com/football/live-blog/12309/10100939/thierry-henry-and-cesc-fabregas-qa-recap?">Sky Sports</a></p>
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https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2015/12/15/10225804/chelsea-fc-cesc-fabregas-leicester-city-interviewFellipe Miranda2015-12-15T14:24:12+00:002015-12-15T14:24:12+00:00Mourinho: Players should be more humble
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<figcaption>Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Having recorded their 9th loss in the Premier League yesterday against <a href="https://fosseposse.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Leicester City</a>, <a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chelsea</a> have left many of their supporters frustrated with both the performance and the result, especially given their previous performance against Porto in the Champions League. That poor showing could puts manager Jose Mourinho right back in the hot seat, something he was obviously asked about following the loss:</p>
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<p>"The only thing I can say is that I want to be [here]. I have no doubts and I think you know me well enough, three years this time, plus three years another time, that I am not afraid of a big challenge, and in this moment this is a real big challenge. I want to stay, I hope Mr Abramovich and the board want me to stay."</p>
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<p>Most Chelsea fans might see a way out of this bad form in the winter transfer market, where the club could look to make key adjustments to certain areas of the squad. Mourinho thinks otherwise though, claiming it's up to our current squad members to pick up the slack, humbling themselves to the level of players as hard-working as Leicester's.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"My board, my club I don't think it's right that I go to them and say these players are not good, we need to spend £50m or £100m or whatever, I don't think it's fair. We have these players and it's with these players we have to go [forward]."</p>
<p>"The players that are not performing well, they must feel attacked in their pride and their self-esteem and they have to do everything to get results in a humble way."</p>
<p>"I don't think in this moment they can feel they are top players or they can feel they are superstars. They have to look at the Leicester boys and to feel these are the stars, these are the top players."</p>
<p>"They have to look to <a href="https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Sunderland</a> and Watford and say: ‘We are at the same level. I am not the superstar, I am not the player of the season, I am not the world champion, I am not the Premier League champion. At this moment, I am at your level.'"</p>
<p style="text-align: right;">-José Mourinho; Source: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/dec/15/jose-mourinho-chelsea-players-betrayed-leicester">The Guardian</a></p>
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<p>We might argue in most forums over Mourinho's tactics, line-ups and squad management skills but it's quite clear that some - or most - of our players are underperforming. Whether or not the squad and the manager will have the strength to work things out not only this season remains to be seen.</p>
https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2015/12/15/10189548/chelsea-fc-jose-mourinho-leicester-city-post-match-interviewFellipe Miranda2015-12-15T10:00:57+00:002015-12-15T10:00:57+00:00Lampard & Carragher talk Mourinho on MNF
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<p>This week's Gary Neville replacement in the Sky Sports Monday Night Football studio was none other than Frank Lampard, Chelsea legend, Manchester City legend, one-time Mourinho zealot. But not even Chelsea's all-time leading goalscorer could quite completely believe what he was witnessing on the pitch and in the interview nook as Chelsea lost for the 9th time this Premier League season already.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"He's tried being strong with them, quite a lot of times earlier in the season. He's tried to be positive, saying after Tottenham that it was their best performance of the season."</p>
<p>"I'm not sure what he's saying there. He's not happy with them and I don't think he sees a way out. I think it was quite crucial when he asked whether they over-performed last year or are they just bad players? He wasn't quite sure. He's questioning them about how they can turn this around."</p>
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<p>Obviously, Lampard isn't on the inside anymore and he can only go on his own personal experiences. He sees an angry Mourinho, but one who's also unsure of just what (else) he can do to get the player performing to last season's levels once again.</p>
<blockquote><p>"I don't know whether he's lost them (the players) but something has to change right now, whether it's the attitude or the performance."</p></blockquote>
<p>Carragher adds his voice to Lampard's in that an even bigger conundrum faces Chelsea at this point. Any other year, Mourinho's would have been sacked three times over by now. But he hasn't been, because it's not any other year and he's not any other manager. We had this ideal and idea of stability and long-term success with the best manager we've ever had. What's to be gained by firing him now? Probably nothing. Might as well wait until the end of the season.</p>
<p>Would be nicer if we got at least mid-table though...</p>
https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2015/12/15/10186594/frank-lampard-jamie-carragher-mourinho-post-match-comments-monday-night-footballDavid Pasztor2015-12-15T08:29:21+00:002015-12-15T08:29:21+00:00Lukaku: It really hurts to see Chelsea like this
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<figcaption>Richard Heathcote/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p><span>Romelu Lukaku's</span> never been one known for verbal restraint, so when the one-time <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a> Great Kraken Hope was asked about the situation going on at this favorite club — or at least favorite club a long long time ago, in a galaxy far far away — the 22-year-old once again gave a direct answer. Perhaps surprisingly, given all that's gone down between him, Chelsea, and Mourinho, it was one of (seemingly genuine) sadness and support.</p>
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<p>"It really hurts to see Chelsea at this moment. I was always a fan of the club and you don't want to see this as a former player. But I have faith in Mourinho that he will turn the situation around."</p>
<p>"The 2-0 win over Porto was very important, also for the dressing room. I don't think Mourinho is doing anything different than before. He still prepares his players in the best way, and his training sessions are very good."</p>
<p style="text-align: right;">-Romelu Lukaku; source: <a href="http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2015/12/14/18324072/lukaku-it-hurts-to-see-chelsea-like-this-but-mourinho-will">Goal</a></p>
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<p>One can only guess at the pains Lukaku was feeling as clock struck <strike>midnight</strike> full time at the KP Stadium on Monday and Chelsea were left reeling after yet another loss.</p>
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<p>"Everyone has these moments I guess. This is the first time Mourinho is confronted with these kind of problems."</p>
<p>"How many coaches can say that? Not a lot, certainly not a lot. People should respect that. And everything Mourinho is experiencing now, is making him a better manager."</p>
<p style="text-align: right;">-Romelu Lukaku; source: <a href="http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2015/12/14/18324072/lukaku-it-hurts-to-see-chelsea-like-this-but-mourinho-will">Goal</a></p>
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<p>While that may be true, these are experiences I certainly could do without. One can only hope we reap the benefits of all these hard <strike>life</strike> football lessons in the near future.</p>
https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2015/12/15/10179174/romelu-lukaku-chelsea-mourinhoDavid Pasztor