Footballers playing in Britain deserve respect because of the hectic
festive fixture programme, according to Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.
Beginning
with Monday night's 2-0 victory over Stoke, the Blues will play five
matches in less than two weeks. Boxing Day sees the visit of West Ham
while further Premier League matches against Southampton and Tottenham
follow before an FA Cup third-round clash against Watford.
"It's
very difficult," said Mourinho. "I have lots of respect for the players
in this country. It doesn't matter -- English or not English. The moment
you are a football player in this country, I respect you a lot.
"At this moment the German guys are on the beach, the Spanish guys
are in the Maldives getting sun -- everybody else is doing that.
"But
in this country you play on the 22nd, you play on Boxing Day, you play
on the 28th, you play on New Year's Day. There is no Christmas -- just
football, and I think (the players) deserve respect.
"The
supporters all around the country give them that respect because every
stadium is sold-out. And I think the way to do it is with the kind of
professionalism my players have shown."
Chelsea's victory over Stoke, avenging their defeat at the Britannia
Stadium last season, ensured they held on to top spot in the table for
Christmas.
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