Mourinho cautious of a drop into Europa League

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has claimed that a drop into the Europa League would be a very hard defeat for his team. A win for Chelsea against Schalke today, automatically qualifies them to the knockout stage before their last group game against Sporting CP.

Mourinho also revealed that a drop into Europa League will destroy the team’s evolution plan. The Chelsea manager believes that staying and playing “in the best competitions against the best teams” will help make his sideÂ’s evolution a success.

Jose Mourinho criticized the Europa League, when Rafael Benitez helped Chelsea win it in 2013 season. Chelsea plays against Schalke 04 at the Veltins-Arena as their former coach Roberto Di Matteo leads the Germans. Chelsea faces their former coach for the first time since he won the Champions League for them in 2012.

Jose Mourinho told reporters during a press conference ahead of their game against Schalke 04.

“Maybe we drop into Europa League. If we lose two matches we go into the Europa League. It makes no sense to talk about quarter-finals or anything else.”

“The reality is we need points. I think this team is one state of its evolution where to go into the Europa League would be very bad. A team gets better and the evolution is faster when you play in the best competition against the best teams.

The Chelsea boss further stressed that a win against Schalke will relieve them of pressure in the final day of group matches too

“We have so many matches in December that if we can avoid a crucial match against Sporting to decide Champions League qualification and that pressure, it would be very good for us.”

Chelsea News