Chelsea FC vs Maccabi Tel Aviv preview - Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho does not think he has anything to prove

Posted Wednesday, September 16, 2015 by PA

Jose Mourinho says he has nothing to prove despite Chelsea's worst start to a season in nearly 30 years.

The Blues boss also bristled when it was suggested he had an issue at staying with clubs for the longer term, countering the suggestion his third season was when everything goes wrong.

"I have nothing to show, to anyone. Nothing," Mourinho said.

Speaking ahead of Wednesday night's Champions League opener with Maccabi Tel-Aviv, Mourinho reeled off his achievements in his third seasons with Chelsea and Real Madrid; he only had two terms at Porto and Inter Milan.

"My third season at Chelsea, the first time, I won the FA Cup and the Carling Cup and I played the Champions League semi-finals," he added.

"In Real Madrid, I won the Super Cup, I lost the cup final and went to the Champions League semi-finals.

"These are my third seasons, so click Google instead of asking stupid questions."

Mourinho, who is in the third season since his return in June 2013, last month signed a four-year contract extension after repeatedly stating his wish to manage Chelsea for some time.

Asked about building a dynasty, he added: "It's the first time I'm going to do that, so I don't have experience in that."

Mourinho has not experienced a start to a campaign like this one, either.

Had Newcastle beaten West Ham on Monday night, Mourinho would be presiding over a team in the relegation zone, having lifted the title in May.

He cannot put his finger on the seismic change which has overcome the side as they seek a first home win of the season and second victory in all in Wednesday's Group G contest. But he pointed to his side's calibre.

"When we say business as usual, it's true. With one difference: we are not happy," Mourinho said.

"We start so bad. (But) you have just to go back three months and three months ago we were the best team in the country, the best manager and the best players. We are not happy, but we know what we are.

"Nobody can steal what we are, nobody can steal our trophies, nobody can steal our history. We know what we are: champions of England."

Chelsea will be without striker Radamel Falcao due to a minor tendon problem, but playmaker Oscar is available again following a knee injury.

Mourinho plans to make changes, despite anticipating debate as some of his established stars, notably Branislav Ivanovic and Cesc Fabregas, have struggled to regain their form of last season.

"If I leave out John Terry, it's because I have a problem with John Terry," said Mourinho, who also used Cesar Azpilicueta and Fabregas as examples.

"I cannot be worried about what you say, what you write.

"Yes, I'm going to make a couple of changes, because I have to try a couple of different faces."

Mourinho is looking for a strong start to the Champions League in a week when Arsenal travel to Stamford Bridge.

He said: "Yes, (Maccabi Tel-Aviv) can beat us, but at the same time we also know we are a better team. We have just to prove that in the game. A very big result is three points."

Tal Ben Haim hopes Maccabi Tel Aviv can extend Chelsea's miserable start to the season when he plays against his former club on Wednesday night.

The Israel defender spent one season with the Premier League champions in 2007-08, a campaign which began under Mourinho before his swift exit in September 2007.

"Everyone is surprised," said the defender, when asked about Chelsea's worst start to a season in 29 years.

"I'm sure everyone's surprised and not happy. I'm sure they're going to get over that and start winning games very fast.

"(But) I hope that it's not going to be tomorrow."

Ben Haim, who will not celebrate if he scores against the Blues, worked with Mourinho for just a few months after his arrival in London.

"I learned a lot in four months under him," Ben Haim said. "I regret it was a very, very short period, because I'm sure I could have improved a lot if I continued to play under him. But it's part of football.

"I'm sure he's going to prepare the team very, very well.

"I know even when we played against weaker teams he always prepared us like we were going to play a Champions League final.

"I'm sure they're going to prepare and take us very seriously."

Chelsea would usually be expected to brush aside a team managed by their former midfielder Slavisa Jokanovic, but Maccabi Tel Aviv advanced to the group stages at the expense of Basle, the Swiss side who in 2013-14 twice beat the Blues.

Jokanovic guided Watford into the Premier League last term - he also led them out at Stamford Bridge in the FA Cup third-round loss in January - before moving to Tel Aviv, and knows there are differences between him and Mourinho.

"Probably he's driving a better car than what I have," said the Serbian, who hopes to restrict a defensive-minded Chelsea.

"We must respect this club, this team, this manager, one of the best in Europe. What is more important is we must respect ourselves, we must respect our team too, our supporters and try to offer our best in this moment.

"Against Crystal Palace and against Everton - they defend with 11 players.

"We're going to defend all together. Working all together, defend all together and be ready for what's in front of us."

Jokanovic says Chelsea's start to the season is "not my business" and expects a reaction, although he expressed hope Saturday's upcoming match with Arsenal could be on their minds.

"Probably they're going to be with extra concentration, extra motivation in this moment to try to fix some problems that they have," Jokanovic said.

"I prefer if it's possible they're thinking a little bit more about Arsenal than our game, but I don't believe (that)."