to “enjoy the moment” and make sure they
overtake at least one of their Premier League title
rivals in Thursday’s traditional Boxing Day fixtures.
Swansea City are the visitors to Stamford Bridge on
a day that also sees leaders Liverpool travel to
Manchester City, who are in third place.
Just two points separate the top five, with Arsenal
second, Chelsea fourth and Everton fifth.
“The best way to get the first objective, which is top
four and Champions League (qualification), is to be
close in the title race, so let’s enjoy the moment,”
Mourinho said.
“I know Swansea are a good team with good
players and a certain style of play, but we are two
points behind and two title contenders are playing
each other. It is important for us to win.”
Chelsea drew 0-0 at Arsenal on Monday, the day
after Swansea had been beaten 2-1 at home by
Everton.
“It is a bit more difficult for us because we played
on Monday and our opponents played on Sunday, so
they had one more day to rest — and one more day
is a lot,” Mourinho added.
“But I hope Stamford Bridge is there for us. When I
say Stamford Bridge I mean Stamford Bridge with
noise, because last Boxing Day Chelsea were 11
points behind the leaders — Chelsea were out of the
title race — and we are there now.
“We are two points behind both leaders, so we have
reasons to keep going.”
Mourinho has not tasted a traditional English festive
period of hectic fixture scheduling since 2006,
having enjoyed winter breaks in Italy and Spain
since then while in charge of Inter Milan and Real
Madrid.
“I love it,” he said. “I don’t play, of course, so for the
players it is more difficult than it is for me, but I
always feel very proud to be working on Boxing Day
and giving the people what they want.
“My wife and my kids, they are fantastic. They
understand completely that I love to do it. They are
in England, they are not with the Portuguese family.
“They miss their family, but they know that I have to
do it and I am very happy to do it.”
Swansea’s hopes of recording a first victory in six
Premier League games have been hit by the loss of
forward Michu for six weeks.
The Spain international requires surgery on an ankle
problem and the blow comes shortly after winger
Nathan Dyer suffered a serious ankle injury at
Norwich City.
“It’s not good news,” said manager Michael
Laudrup.
“Unfortunately he will need an operation. It can be
done in the next week and he should be back
playing in around a month and a half.”
The growing injury problems mean Laudrup is
reconsidering his approach to the January transfer
window.
“What has happened in the last couple of weeks
has changed things,” the Dane admitted.
“We will probably do something now in January and
try to add something that we don’t have in certain
positions. The numbers are a bit down and that is
risky for the last four months of the season.”
Ben Davies, the Swansea left-back, has been
rewarded for his impressive form with a contract
extension that will keep him at the club until 2017.
The 20-year-old said: “It wasn’t a difficult decision
and it’s always great to sign a new deal and commit
my future to the club.
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