Jose concedes frustration

Mourinho laments international break

By Alex Dunn   Last updated: 3rd September 2007

Jose Mourinho Chelsea

Mourinho: Give me a (international) break

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Jose Mourinho admits the international break is an interruption he could do without at such a pivotal stage of the season.

Forthcoming international commitments mean large numbers of Chelsea's ranks will jet off across the globe to represent their respective countries.

Mourinho's mood, compounded by Sunday's surprise defeat to Aston Villa, appears to be somewhat downbeat at present.

"I have to speak to the players after 10 days," he said. "Some players will arrive back on Thursday week and some on Friday week and then we have to play Blackburn on Saturday.

"I will now be working with half a dozen players and the kids from the reserves, enjoying my work every day - but not with the objective of preparing a team for the next game."

Frank assessment

Mourinho, who earlier in the day confirmed his belief that Frank Lampard will miss both of England's Euro 2008 qualifiers, admits the player's injury severely disrupted his preparations for the weekend.

He added: "Lampard pulled out after training on Friday when doing individual work. It meant all the work we did in the week, you have to forget.

"You then have to try and build a team on Saturday to try and play such a difficult game (on Sunday)."