Chelsea to sign John Stones? Jose Mourinho isn't saying...
Saturday 1 August 2015 10:32, UK
Sky Sports News HQ reporter Andy Burton reflects on a first meeting of the season with Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho – and claims an honourable draw...
When Jose Mourinho wants to play his cards close to his chest, he’s pretty good at it.
You never quite know what you’re going to get from him in news conferences. He keeps us on our toes - and me and my Sky Sports News HQ colleagues more than most. This is because the Sky Sports News HQ reporter gets the honour of going first.
After a couple of relatively unsuccessful attempts to get him to talk about Diego Costa’s fitness (he is available for selection this weekend despite a hamstring concern earlier in the week), the subject turned to Everton’s John Stones.
Chelsea’s chase for him is a story I have reported on since breaking the news of their initial bid two weeks ago. I was hoping for developments on Friday afternoon but Jose had other ideas...
Andy Burton: Can I ask you what the latest is on your pursuit of John Stones please?
Jose Mourinho: No (with a shake of the head)
AB: Would you confirm that a bid was turned down this week?
JM: No (he’s now not only shaking his head but he’s pursed his lips too. This isn’t going to get any easier…)
AB (knowing that if he answers ‘no’ it might turn into a story): Do you expect to go in for him again?
JM: No.
AB (thinking, ah-ha! Got him!): No?
JM: (he shakes his head, but doesn’t say ‘no’ again because he’s now clicked that another ‘no’ means I’ve got him! Advantage me!)
AB: No? That’s over is it, that transfer, you don’t want him anymore?
JM (knowing he can’t say no again): I don’t speak about players from other clubs, and especially now that competitions start. It starts for us and Arsenal now and next week it starts for everyone. It’s enough for me.
Well at least it was an answer… of sorts! Knowing I wasn’t getting any more out of him, I moved on. He’s always thinking two moves ahead, and we have to try and keep up.
Jose is always in total control of his press conferences. He is brilliant in front of the camera and I’m a big fan, not just of Jose the manager, but the person too. I think he likes me, and likes our exchanges, but I’m never quite sure.
Yet on Friday, some might have said he looked dour. Moody even. He wasn’t. He was just controlling the agenda.
You sense he doesn’t want to annoy anyone at Everton, or inflame the situation over Stones any more than it already has been. The clubs have enjoyed good relations recently, and have traded players such as Samuel Eto’o and Christian Atsu in recent times. People at the Chelsea end of this deal would like cordial relations to continue, from what I gather.
So on we went to other subjects such as his incredible record against Arsene Wenger (he’s never lost a game against the Arsenal manager, although acknowledged that could change this weekend at Wembley).
A question on Eden Hazard was also easier to answer. Jose acknowledged I was right in my assertion that any comparison between Hazard and Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi is purely subjective, and he expects the Belgian to be better this season than he was last – a frightening thought for defenders up and down the country.
Jose at least admitted he wanted a left-back – and when I asked him about Baba Rahman of Augsburg, there was a glint in his eye.
"He’s an Augsburg player, so I don’t speak," he said, through a growing smile, behind which he was clearly chuckling that I’d given him such an easy free hit.
He had got me back. 1-1 it finished.
To be honest, I’ll take a draw with Jose any day. Maybe Arsene Wenger will too, this Sunday at Wembley.
