John Terry could miss trip to in-form Tottenham, says Mourinho

Mourinho said: “I don’t know”.

Chelsea captain John Terry is expected to miss Sunday’s Barclays Premier League clash at Tottenham, with Jose Mourinho blaming a “dangerous” pitch for his ankle problem.

For Eriksen, though it will be the fourth such derby experience, having come out of a recent Euro 2016 playoff heartbreak against neighbours Sweden at the worldwide arena.

It says plenty about the clubs’ respective seasons that they stand 10 points apart going into the meeting at White Hart Lane. I could understand. It has been like that some games for me.

While the Chelsea manager is sometimes reluctant to talk about opponents before a game, he was happy to discuss Spurs yesterday, detailing why he thinks they are a genuine threat and why everything is set up for them to be one. “If they tell players or managers that they are fighting for the title I will not laugh”.

“We bashed them last season at our place 5-3 in a great game and I’m confident about this one, with them in a little bit of disarray – but beware the wounded animal”.

Refusing to comment on the sending-off, Jokanovic said: ”It was very complicated for us to play 11 versus 11 against Chelsea and to play one man down made things even more complicated”.

The full extent of the injuries is likely to be determined by scans, while Mourinho will have work to do to inspire Diego Costa back to form after the pair’s half-time bust up in Haifa.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side equalled a club record when they beat neighbours West Ham 4-1 last weekend, extending their unbeaten run in the Premiership to 12 games since losing to Manchester United on the opening day.

When the fixture list comes out every season, the first two gamees I look for involve our north London rivals Arsenal and Chelsea – the big ones.

I think it will be fast and furious with a point a good return for the Blues.

Porto’s home loss to Dynamo Kiev means progression from Group G is by no means certain for Chelsea, who host Mourinho’s former side on December 9.

Chelsea started out both halves somewhat poorly but managed to find their rhythm with time. “To be more competitive we’ll need to do more”. “No pressure on them, like it is in the other four or five top teams to reach important positions”.

The 34-year-old Terry is expected to undergo a fitness test before the game at White Hart Lane, a match that could prove pivotal in Chelsea’s hard season.