José Mourinho yesterday moved to heap pressure on Howard Webb, the referee for Chelsea’s visit to Manchester United on Sunday, by proclaiming that he expects all his big decisions in the match between the top teams in the Barclays Premiership to be correct.
Although his description of Webb as a “solid referee” was complimentary, the Chelsea manager’s intention was undoubtedly more sinister, praising his strength of character in the hope that he will not be intimidated by the Old Trafford crowd this weekend.
Interestingly, Sir Alex Ferguson, the United manager, takes the opposing view, having criticised the South Yorkshire official as “weak” after a Premiership match against Birmingham City last season.
Having done his best to ensure that Graham Poll, who was granted his request for a “few days off”, was not given the match of the season so far, Mourinho’s attempt to influence Webb comes as little surprise. The Portuguese has made a habit of demanding strong referees before big games and is careful to save his criticism for after the contest. “Every time I see Mr Webb he looks like a very solid referee,” Mourinho said. “
He is the type of referee that the big decisions of the game, normally the ones that decide the game, are the right ones.
Advertisement
“I don’t choose referees. I accept the referee the committee sends. I always wish them well before the game starts. After the game, sometimes I’m disappointed, but before the game I always trust them.”
Quite how Ferguson, who has already expressed hope that Sunday’s game is not decided by a “referee’s decision”, will have greeted the news of Webb’s appointment is another matter. The United manager was dismayed that Webb did not blow for a foul in the lead-up to Birmingham’s first goal in the 2-2 draw last December after a strong tackle by Nicky Butt on Cristiano Ronaldo and accused the referee of being too easily influenced by the home supporters. “Every time he [Ronaldo] gets the ball he gets booed and the referee listens to the crowd,” Ferguson said.
While it has often appeared that Mourinho would rather lavish praise on Poll, or even Arsène Wenger, than Joe Cole, the manager has finally given the England midfield player the opportunity to earn some warm words. Cole will start Chelsea’s Champions League match against Werder Bremen this evening, a rare club outing for a man who is established as a first-choice selection at international level.
Mourinho’s relationship with Cole is a complex one, somewhat akin to that of a stern schoolmaster and a gifted, if wayward, pupil. For all his admiration of Cole’s talent, the Portuguese believes that his natural exuberance needs to be kept in check, urging him to take greater care in possession and accept more defensive responsibility.
Rather than seek to inspire a match-winning performance then, Mourinho played down its significance, in doing so revealing his conviction that Cole is occasionally guilty of trying too hard. “The opportunity is not to impress me or to make me think he’s a very good player,” Mourinho said.
Advertisement
“It’s a good opportunity for him to play a high-level game and give a good contribution to Chelsea. To start a game is easier than to come in for the second half and he knows since yesterday that he is going to play. It’s good for him mentally and he has a lot to give us.
“Last season he was crucial for our Premiership title. It’s important for our squad to have everybody available. Joe’s addition at his maximum level is very important for us.”
GROUP A
Werder Bremen (4-4-2): T Wiese — C Fritz, P Mertesacker, Naldo, P Womé — T Borowski, T Frings, Diego, D Jensen — M Klose, A Hunt.
Chelsea (4-1-3-2): C Cudicini — Gérémi, K Boulahrouz, J Terry, A Cole — C Makelele — M Essien, M Ballack, J Cole — A Shevchenko, D Drogba.
Advertisement
Referee L Michels (Slovakia).
Fixtures: Tonight Werder Bremen v Chelsea; Levski Sofia v Barcelona. Dec 5 Chelsea v Levski Sofia; Barcelona v Werder Bremen.