Champions League - Basel v Chelsea: Jose Mourinho warns only the brave survive Christmas

Jose Mourinho said he shaved his own head to save money (AFP/Getty Images)

The Chelsea manager, Jose Mourinho, has laid down a challenge to his club’s title rivals by insisting the busy fixture list leading up to the new year will be the survival of the fittest.

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With Chelsea on Champions League duty on Tuesday night, knowing a point in Basel will secure their place in the last 16 and a win ensures they finish top of the Group E, Mourinho had domestic matters on his mind.

The club, who currently trail Arsenal by four points in the title race, will play nine fixtures next month, although one of those could be a dead rubber against Steaua Bucharest if they earn the win they need in Switzerland. Mourinho is relishing the prospect following Chelsea’s return to winning ways against West Ham on Saturday, and he feels this will be a telling point in the campaign.

He said: “It’s a period I like. It’s a period where I think the squad can play a role, not just the team. It’s a period where I think only the braves can survive because it’s hard.

“We go into the Christmas period and the accumulation of matches is so high, we don’t do it as a normal thing, we do it as a special group with a special mentality, enjoying the situation and forgetting we don’t have a Christmas like the Spanish, Italian and German players. But we have the pleasure of playing a period that’s only for the braves.

“Nine matches, and one of them is the match against Steaua. That’s our motivation, to kill the situation in the group stage and give us a bit of space in December and ensure that, instead of having nine competitive matches, we only have eight.”

Chelsea’s confident demeanour is a far cry from 12 months ago when under Roberto Di Matteo they were struggling and ultimately failing to get out of the Champions League group phase for the first time in their history.

Midfielder John Obi Mikel believes Europe should also be on their guard over their return to form under Mourinho and added: “This time, it’s quite a different situation (to last year). Now we’re top of the group with two games left. The real Chelsea is back, you can say that. We’re playing with lots of confidence.”

Chelsea striker Fernando Torres is ready to start against the Swiss side, who beat Chelsea in the opening game of the group in September, following a knee injury, but David Luiz is out with a knee injury.

Mourinho also revealed the secret of his new short haircut. “I decided to do it. I asked Fernando to give me his machine and I did it myself in front of the mirror. It’s nice and cheap.

“Mrs Mourinho, I sent a picture before I arrived at home to see if I could go in... Yes, no problem.”