Jose Mourinho suggested that Chelsea might have given up on the Premier League title after the Portuguese revealed that he is considering fielding a weakened starting lineup forSunday’s clash with Liverpool at Anfield ahead of the return leg of Chelsea’s UEFA Champions League semifinal series with Atletico Madrid next Wednesday. Chelsea battled to a 0-0 draw inthe first leg of the series in Madrid on Tuesday night.
After the game, the Mourinho said he would prefer to field a weakened team against Liverpool but he must first speak with the Chelseahierarchy about doing what’s best for the club. “I can’t decide by myself,” he said. “I think that’s a decision I have to listen the club. I’m just a piece, I’m just the manager and no more thanthat. I have to listen to the club. I think the fact that the match is on Sunday I think puts the problem not in my hands.”
He added: “We represent English football and we are the onlyEnglish team that is in European competition. Spain has four and gave them all the conditions to try to have success. I know what I would do, but I’m not the club. I have to speak with the club. Iwould play with the players that are not going to play Wednesday.”
Chelsea’s draw at the Vicente Calderon came at a heavy price, as the Blues lost goalkeeper Petr Cech for therest of the season in addition to captain John Terry for the return leg at Stamford Bridge. Frank Lampard and John Obi Mikel will also be missing through suspension.