Mourinho gives his verdict on Fabregas’ displays

The 28-year-old forward, who recently made his England debut, has been in superb form this season with 14 goals in all competitions.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho during the press conference.

Leicester play against Chelsea in Gameweek 16 on Monday.

In a season full of shock results for Mourinho’s men, last weekend’s 1-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge to Bournemouth was arguably the most surprising scoreline of their campaign. “Ranieri? He has just won manager of the month, although I think he should have won more than that (once)”.

The Coventry City winger said in an interview with Sky Sports that Chelsea FC have the quality to recover from their nightmare start – to the extent that they can defend their title this season. You can’t rule them out as champions… that team could beat everyone from now until the end of the season.

Louis van Gaal’s United have been criticised by a number of their illustrious former players for their tactics, but a win on the south coast could go some way to proving their title credentials. “I think Ranieri is showing he has that nice feeling for the club, but I also believe in what he says”.

“The bad results are not normal, but the situation of any manager keeping his job and having the chance to improve and to have the chance to finish his work, that’s normal”, Mourinho said.

Jose Mourinho has not given up on Chelsea finishing in the Premier League top four and qualifying for next season’s Champions League despite the club’s struggles. “While mathematically it’s possible we have to try”. They are doing magnificently well.

Last Saturday’s win at Swansea saw the club rise to the Premier League’s summit.

“I’m so sorry that I can’t play, that I can’t be on the pitch to take some responsibilities. I am very proud, my players are playing well and a lot of fans look on us as a team who play well”. Vardy has been named the Premier League’s player of the month for the second month in succession.

Mourinho said he expected Vardy’s record, which he earned with a goal against Manchester United in late November, to last.