Abramovich trusts me, say Mourinho

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says he is confident he retains the trust of owner Roman Abramovich.The Premier League champions are three points above the relegation zone after losing seven of their opening 12 Premier League matches.

But Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo had told the Daily Telegraph that Abramovich supports Mourinho.
“Nobody gives a four-year contract to a manager if they don’t trust the person,” Mourinho said.

“Nobody gives new contracts to players, as we have in the last couple of months, if we don’t trust the players.

“There is trust and there are reasons for that trust. The power is with the board and they have shown to me and the players that they trust us.
“It’s time for us to give a positive answer. I think we are doing this but not in the results.”

Chelsea host Norwich on Saturday seeking to end a run of three successive league defeats, but Emenalo – who is close to
Abramovich – said in an interview published on Friday that Mourinho retained the club’s support.

Emenalo said: “Right now, the statement from the owner and from the board comes from a belief that we are in a position to trust a group of players who have delivered in the last couple of seasons.

“We are in a position to see that there is light at the end of the tunnel, and therein lies our confidence that we can get out of the situation.”
Mourinho added that he sees no need to carry out significant squad strengthening to January, adding that he expects striker Radamel Falcao to return from a muscle problem with the next two weeks and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to be fit some time next month, having been out since September with a knee injury.

The Chelsea manager said: “I am happy with my players. I trust the players. I don’t need to clean the dressing room – I heard that was written somewhere – and I don’t need to ask the club to spend money in January.

“We put ourselves in a great situation by being champions, we have to be again together to put it in the right place.”