Shrewsbury vs Chelsea: Jose Mourinho claims Blues are 'in trouble' ahead of Capital One Cup match
The Premier League leaders take on the League Two side for a place in the Capital One Cup quarter-finals
Jose Mourinho has bemoaned a lack of playing resources at his disposal as he takes his Chelsea side to face Shrewsbury Town in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday night.
“We are in trouble,” Mourinho said of facing the League Two side, “because we have so many injured players. It is even more difficult for us to go. We have to go. We now have a difficult match. Because they are doing very well in their league and doing very well against superior teams in the Capital One Cup. It’s a big day for them. We know it will be difficult for us.”
Shrewsbury, fourth in League Two, have knocked out Blackpool, Leicester City and Norwich City to earn this fourth-round tie.
“Shrewsbury in the cup is not a friendly,” Mourinho added. “We have to play matches with respect and the best way to respect Shrewsbury is to go there with a good team, not to go there with a weak team and lose. It is to go there with a good team – if they win, they win, but they win against a good team.
“We are in a difficult situation but when you look at the players who didn’t play [on Sunday against Manchester United], Schürrle, Salah, Zouma, Ake, Mikel, these boys are obviously going to have to play.”
Chelsea injury list and suspensions
Show all 3Diego Costa will not be available but should be back in contention for Saturday’s home match against Queen’s Park Rangers.
The Chelsea captain, John Terry, claimed on Monday he and fellow defender Branislav Ivanovic had been “double headlocked at every corner” during the league leaders’ 1-1 draw at United.
Chelsea were denied victory by Robin van Persie’s late goal, which came after Ivanovic had been sent off. But Terry wrote on Instagram: “It shows how well we are playing when you come away from Old Trafford disappointed with 1 point. #JtandIVAgotdoubleheadlockedfromeverycorner.”
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