Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho believes that playing last night may be good for Tottenham Hotspur, ahead of Sunday's League Cup final, while also stressing his good relationship with his opposite number at White Hart Lane.

Mauricio Pochettino's men went down to a 2-0 defeat away at Fiorentina in the Europa League, which meant a 3-1 aggregate defeat and the north London side dropping out of European competition.




Chelsea have had more rest than Spurs, having not been in action in midweek, but Mourinho refuses to consider that to be an advantage for the Blues ahead of meeting Tottenham in the League Cup final on Sunday.

 


"I think playing yesterday was good for them because they played with the players that are not normally playing the final, so I think it was good for them", the Portuguese told a press conference.

Mourinho was also asked about his relationship with Pochettino and revealed that there is mutual respect between the pair. He said: "It's a relationship without problems.

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"I like the guy, I feel that he likes me.

"We can't say we are close friends because in football you don't normally have time to develop close relationships.

"But he's a guy I respect and I know and feel that he respects me to.

"We don't have problems and I think it's an easy job for the fourth official because in between both benches for sure; we will do our jobs."

Chelsea head into the match sitting on top of the Premier League table and with a five-point lead over Manchester City.

However, Spurs have beaten Chelsea in the Premier League this term, crushing the Blues 5-3 at White Hart Lane on New Year's Day.

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