Jose Mourinho: Manchester United aims dig at critics by claiming Chelsea are happy to win with defensive football
Former Blues boss reckons old side will be very hard to stop in race for title because they don't care how they get three points
JOSE MOURINHO claims Chelsea will be hard to catch in the title race – because they are so defensive.
The Special One’s former side are six points clear of second-place Liverpool and a full 13 ahead of Manchester United.
Despite recording some impressive results during an 11-game winning run – including a 4-0 victory over the Red Devils at Stamford Bridge – Chelsea have edged their last three matches 1-0.
Antonio Conte has shown he’s an astute reader of the game with a number of tactical switches depending on the opposition.
But Mourinho feels the Italian has simply shut up shop in a bid to secure three points at every opportunity.
The Portuguese tactician has constantly praised his own United side for their attacking intent, and recently claimed it was unfair there were clubs playing less-attractive football but getting more points.
Referring to Conte’s pragmatic style as Chelsea’s ‘philosophy’ – arguably created by Mourinho during his first west London spell – the United gaffer claimed there will be little chance of slip-ups from the Blues in the second half of the season.
He told Sky Sports: “You have to be honest and say that is very difficult [winning the title]. It’s not just the difference in points, it’s also the Chelsea philosophy of playing.
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“They score one goal and they win. They defend a lot. They defend well. They are winning and, in the last 20 minutes, they bring defenders in.
“They don’t care what people say, what people think. They just want to win. And, because of that, I don’t see them losing many points.”