Jose Mourinho: No Christmas, just Football... I think the players deserve RESPECT

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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Merry Christmas

May the lovely season of Christmas bring you blessings in abundance. May you receive more gifts that you asked for. 

 

Merry Christmas to you.

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Jose Mourinho dismisses speculation of Chelsea signing Lionel Messi

Jose Mourinho has again dismissed any suggestion Chelsea could sign Lionel Messi, telling BT Sport that financial fair play rules mean the Blues cannot sign a "super amazing player."

Argentine channel DirecTV had reported last month that Mourinho had approved a deal to sign Messi, which the Daily Express claimed would be worth 200 million pounds, but the Blues boss told a news conference the stories were "obviously" not true.

Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas has said in recent days that he would love to see his former Barcelona teammate at Stamford Bridge, telling Radio Marca: "I wish! Why not? I'd love that to happen. I'd be all for it. As a Barca man, I believe that Messi deserves to retire at Barca for all that he has given the club.

"He is a legend that has changed Barca history but, as his teammate and friend, without doubt I'd love to have Leo by my side. This season Barca are Messi and 10 others. Messi has saved his team on many occasions."

Mourinho, though, maintains there is no prospect of Chelsea making such a signing under the financial restrictions now imposed by UEFA.

"No, we have no chance of that," he told presenter Clare Balding for an interview to be broadcast on BT on Christmas Day.

"Because there is at this moment the financial fair play and with the financial fair play we have to follow certain rules, certain numbers, and we obviously have no conditions to buy, as you were saying, a 'super amazing player' obviously paid with super amazing numbers that Chelsea in this moment we cannot do."

Asked how much Barca would require to sell the player, he replied: "I don't even know because I don't think they ask because I don't think they want to sell, so it's even more difficult for everyone."

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Mathew Knowles sells Beyonce's old memorabilia on his front yard

Mathew Knowles appears to be struggling to make ends.

The 63-year-old former manager held a yard sale to unload his oldest daughter Beyonce's old tour souvenirs and Destiny's Child band memorabilia over the weekend, according to a Tuesday report from TMZ.

The site speculated the father-of-four needs the money to pay for the two young love children he allegedly has fathered.

He sold several posters, DVDs, tour T-shirts and various other mementos from Beyonce's early singing years from when she was in the successful band Destiny's Child as well as items from her first few years as a solo artist.

As of Monday, Mathew was still selling bins of old things including 'a giant Beyonce poster for $200, old tour books for $20 and various pieces of House of Dereon clothing,' the site claimed.

House Of Dereon is a clothing brand founded by Beyonce and her mother Tina Knowles, who was married to Mathew for 31 years before divorcing.

Also in the bargain bins were his other famous daughter Solange's album, which sold for much less at $1.96.

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Van Gaal believes in Wayne Rooney's ability to play in midfield

Rooney played as a deep-lying midfielder against Aston Villa as Manchester United extended their unbeaten run to seven games at Villa Park.

The United captain has scored or assisted 94 goals in his last 100 league games at Old Trafford and he continues to be an influential figure at the club.

When United were chasing the game at Villa Park, they switched to a 3-4-3 system with Wayne Rooney in midfield and the change helped them force an equaliser.

"Against Aston Villa, he (Rooney) was more of a defensive midfielder," said van Gaal. "He has the ability to run from box to box - that is also a little bit that he has to feel in the match, to read in the match that he can do that.

"That is a matter of time and I believe that he can do that."

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