“Chelsea Are A Small Team Who Play More Like Stoke City” – Manuel Pellegrini Claims

Manuel Pellegrini described Chelsea as a “small team” and compared their style with Stoke City during a tetchy end to their 1-1 draw at Manchester City that had José Mourinho once again getting his rival’s name wrong and accusing “Mr Pellegrini” of double standards.

Mourinho was annoyed when he found out Pellegrini had questioned Chelsea’s tactics after City recovered from 1-0
down to rescue a point with Frank Lampard’s first goal in their colours, against the club he served for 13 years.

Pellegrini had said he could not take any satisfaction from a game of so few chances and made it clear he blamed Chelsea, adding:

“We played during 90 minutes against a small team trying to defend, trying to keep 10 players in front of their goal and [against] a team that wanted to win from the beginning.

“It was very similar to the Stoke team, with a big team playing against a small team with very good players, trying to defend, trying to keep the score [nil-nil].
They had nine players in front of their box. I said last week that it will be very difficult for us to defend the title because every team will play the way
Chelsea did. I repeat that I think they had no intention to win the game.

They came just to draw and they scored on the counterattack against 10 players.” Pablo Zabaleta was sent off midway through the second half, with André Schürrle opening the scoring for Chelsea five minutes later and Pellegrini said it was a match he could not
enjoy.

“No pleasure. It was not a pleasure to draw. Losing with one man less, we continued attacking and they continued
defending. We understand what is football. We try for the game, for the people. I cannot be happy with a draw today because, I repeat, it was totally different between the two teams.

Trying to play as a big team that, for me, is the most important thing.”

That drew a spiky response from Mourinho, using a name for Pellegrini that he first brought out when their relationship started to deteriorate as rival managers in Spain.

“Pellegrino? Many times he says he never speaks about me and my team but he keeps doing the same thing. I am the one that does as he says [not talk about the opposition]. I don’t comment on his words. Don’t ask me about his words, I am not interested in that.”

Mourinho returned to his point when he was asked about Lampard’s contribution. “I don’t speak about players from other teams, I am sorry. He is a Man City player and I don’t speak about other teams’ players.

Mr Pellegrino, instead of speaking about other teams’ players, should speak about Frank Lampard. I am Chelsea manager and I speak about my players.”

Lampard, a second-half substitute, had refused to celebrate his goal out of respect for his former club. “It’s a really difficult one. I’d be unprofessional if I didn’t come on and do my job but it’s a tough one for me.

I had 13 amazing years with the Chelsea fans, so I am mixed with it. I am pleased the team I play for got a draw but I am a little lost for words. I didn’t expect to come on and score like that. I came on and the Chelsea fans were singing, and that was emotional.

Then I am playing for this club, who have taken me in brilliantly as well, so I am really stuck in the middle.”