Mourinho feels frustrated
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has the frustrations of the international break adding to the injury concerns from the defeat at Aston Villa.
Frank Lampard was ruled out of the clash with a thigh problem and he is still rated doubtful for England’s Euro 2008 double-header against Israel and Russia.
“I think he is definitely out of both games. I don’t know, but I don’t think so,” said Mourinho in the London Evening Standard.
Striker Didier Drogba was forced off with a knee problem but at least there are 12 days before the club’s next clash, with Blackburn coming to Stamford Bridge.
The break for international football, however, means other irritations for Mourinho.
“I have to speak to the players after 10 days,” he said. “Some players will arrive back on Thursday week and some on Friday week and then we have to play Blackburn on Saturday.
“I will now be working with half a dozen players and the kids from the reserves, enjoying my work every day – but not with the objective of preparing a team for the next game.”
Mourinho admits the late withdrawal of Lampard disrupted plans for the Villa clash.
He said: “Lampard pulled out after training on Friday when doing individual work. It meant all the work we did in the week, you have to forget.
“You then have to try and build a team on Saturday to try and play such a difficult game (on Sunday).”
