London - After beating one promoted club in
Burnley, Chelsea must avoid the mistake of
under-estimating another in their home game
with Leicester City, manager Jose Mourinho
told a news conference on Friday.
Chelsea received widespread praise for their
performance in winning 3-1 at Burnley on
Monday, when Mourinho described Spanish
midfielder Cesc Fabregas as a "maestro"
after his first Premier League game for the
club.
But ahead of Saturday's visit from Leicester,
last season's Championship (second tier)
winners, the manager warned: "It's difficult.
They're champions, they come with a winning
mentality, high expectations and motivation
to play in the Premier League."
He said he was impressed with the Midlands
club's performance in their first game last
Saturday, when they drew 2-2 at home to
Everton, who finished fifth last season.
"They had a difficult start, but managed to
equalise and gave a good game to Everton. I
don't think it will be different (on Saturday)."
Asked about goalkeeper Petr Cech, who was
left out at Burnley, where Thibaut Courtois
made his debut, Mourinho said: "Petr's
behaviour (has been) fantastic and that's
important.
"Is he totally happy? I don't believe so. This
period is hard for them and for me because
it's a period with only one game per week.
"In September, with three games per week,
rotation and everybody playing, it's an easy
period for them and for me."
He refused to comment on his former Inter
Milan player Mario Balotelli, or the
controversy surrounding former Cardiff
manager Malky Mackay, but did have words
of support for Tony Pulis, who left Crystal
Palace last week, two days before the start of
the new season.
"I hope Pulis comes back to football quickly
because he did fantastic work and deserves
to be in the Premier League as soon as
possible," he said.
