CHELSEA MANAGER Jose Mourinho has taken another swipe at Arsene Wenger, taunting the Frenchman’s winless run against him and implying that he has a greater rivalry with Tony Pulis.
Arsenal manager Wenger has failed to beat Mourinho in 13 previous meetings, and will face off against his arch-nemesis once again on Sunday in the Community Shield.
But ahead of the clash at Wembley, Mourinho has again mocked the Frenchman’s record, citing Pulis as his most dangerous rival and insisting that he would have found a solution to end Arsenal’s winless streak by now.
“I think I lost twice against Tony Pulis,” said Mourinho. “I lost against Crystal Palace and against West Brom. One game each.”
On the subject of the Gunners’ poor form against Chelsea, Mourinho expanded: “I think I would ask myself why. I would to try to answer but not because of a mental block but because I would want to try to find solutions to help my team to do it.
“This yes, try to find different way, try to find the reasons why it goes all the time against my team, but just that.
“I don’t think about what happened before, I just think about the game. So, for me, six, seven, eight or nine matches without losing makes no difference and I don’t think affects this game.
“And the next one for me there is no relation between one game and what happened before.”
Despite his repeated digs at Wenger, Mourinho insists that the Gunners are title challengers this season, and says that the Community Shield is more than just a friendly.
“I always think Arsenal are title challengers. They have a very good squad, so in this second period in England, immediately when I arrived two years ago, I look at them as a very good squad, with very good players,” he stated.
“So I think it’s more of the same. They are a top squad. I think they are still the same. Which means strong. A very good team.
“But it’s not a friendly. It’s not the same to win in the Summer Cup in Canada or in Singapore or wherever, it’s not the same as to win the Community Shield. But I don’t think it has a relation to the rest of the season.”
It’s fair enough. Class act as he is, he’s getting on and going against arguably the most physical nation in rugby. Don’t want to be carrying around injured men because he would be targeted almost every game. Only way I could have forseen him going is playing out/managing the last 20 of a game.
@Ultan Corcoran: Yeah you’re right, and even someone who would be a test bench player has to be up to starting. With Johnny I can see whenever he came on (start or after 55 mins) some monstrous SA back rower or lock trying to ‘test his durability’. Plus I expect the training games to be pretty full on as well as everyone tries to stake their claims. Lions tours are always tough so this might actually extend his career too. Along with giving him an extra chip on the shoulder to add to his motivation next season.
@Paddy Kennedy: Stating facts on everything man, nearly every Saffa forward would be out to paste him from the get go. Think every tour is different and being SA this time around, thats why the bruisers are being called up rather than the less physical lads. A shame but definitely could elongate his careers in both Blue and Green.
@Ultan Corcoran: every forward wants to paste the 10. Sexton is one of the strongest defenders playing 10 arround. He’s not fit so doesn’t go and that’s fair enough but there’s far flakier 10′s about
@Chris Mc: nothing to do with flakieness it’s about durability why risk having your starting 10 injured 15 min into game 1 and having to re make a game plan plan the rest of the series and bring in a extra player.
Think you might see him called up yet. If there are injuries at fly-half, you’d certainly expect Sexton to get the nod over Ford say. Other than that, he’s not played much since the 6N so it’s arguably the right call by the selectors.
@Carmine Lorenzo: If they’re worried about his durability today, that’s not gonna change in 4 weeks’ time. Ford goes before Sexton based on the comments of Jenkins. No doubt.
@Ricky Wright: I’d be surprised if Gatland picked Ford even as a replacement due to his lack of physicality.
@Ricky Wright: I get what you’re saying, but if the test week is approaching with a few of the club games out of the way, I could see them opting for Sexton ahead of Ford for example if there were injuries. If this squad was picked at the end of the 6N, there’s no doubt in my mind that they’d have selected him.
@Carmine Lorenzo: Agreed. I think he travels if the squad was picked the night after we beat England. But if the squad was picked in January, maybe he wouldn’t have. For Sexton, he needs game time to prove he’s fit, not on form. He’s not gonna get that. I thought they’d bring him and use him sparingly until the first test. Easier to do with a shorter schedule.
Tom Brady, I’ll just leave that there.
@Aidan Kearney: i dont follow NFL, but how many times has Brady gone off injured this season?
@Gar: he hurt his knee in 2008 missed a season I think. Missed 4 games in 2016 because he let some air out of a football
@Aidan Kearney: god forbib someone should have an ambition.
@Aidan Kearney: if sexton was made of the same stuff as Brady he might of been on plane , Brady has rarely been injured
@Aidan Kearney: good lad I’m sure we would be embarrassed with your sporting or rugby cv
@Aidan Kearney: Larry Bird!
Who’s got next in naming old US athletes in sports that have nothing to do with rugby?
@Aidan Kearney: ha…if brady had got the same treatment as sexton, he’d have retired at 24…
‘roughing the passer’ ill just jeave that there
Wow 4 nations and they get to pick 3 no.10′s….. they mustn’t listen to Newstalk radio or to iiam toland. That’s some reflection of how those outside Ireland see sexton.
@Kevin O’brien: are opinions outside of Ireland more valid than those in Ireland
Off the ball are at it right now. It’s so funny to listen to them moan. They are the Johnny Sexton fan club. It’s so funny to hear them make up excuses.
There’s a lot of training and warmups before the tests .Not wishing any injuries on any player but there will be a few for sure.
Plays against LaRog and goes. Shame for him, would have been a nice cherry on top of the twilight of his career, always more that go out so hope for a few yet. Some mad selections in there, Saffies will steam roll it.