Jose Mourinho will communicate with Chelsea staff despite stadium ban, says Phil Thompson
Friday 6 November 2015 14:55, UK
Phil Thompson believes Jose Mourinho will find a way to communicate with his team during Chelsea trip to Stoke despite his stadium ban.
The Blues boss is not allowed to make contact with any of his players or staff at the Britannia Stadium after being charged "in relation to his language and/or behaviour towards the match officials in or around the dressing room area at half-time" during a 2-1 defeat at West Ham on October 24.
Mourinho has chosen not to appeal the ban, seeing him serve the ban for the Saturday Night Football clash, live on Sky Sports 1HD from 5pm.
Thommo told Sky Sports: "I think [he will] do his utmost to try and communicate in some way. There's all type of ways, with a whole army of staff.
"It's a hard one to police with the way communication is these days and, as you know, nobody can monitor what happens in the dressing room."
The Liverpool legend does, however, feel that it could well serve as a positive impact for the Blues amid intense speculation surrounding the manager's relationships with his players.
"Because of what's happening, with the allegations if you want, between players and Jose, it could well help release the tension and improve the atmosphere in the dressing room," Thommo added.
"I don't think it'll affect them too badly not having him there and it might actually help them in some ways as a one off.
"There's clearly been a strain between manager and players, the way Jose is over exaggerating his emotions on the touchline."
