Chelsea FC manager Jose Mourinho has made something very clear. This trip to Chicago, to take on the MLS All-Stars at Toyota Park in Bridgeview on Saturday afternoon, is a business trip.
Mourinho said Friday that he thinks and hopes the MLS All-Stars will play well against Chelsea. He's not taking the friendly match lightly, either.
"I don't see American players and managers and teams playing a defensive game," Mourinho said. "They are full of show, they are for the spectacular. They want to play to measure their qualities against some of the best players and teams in the world."
Mourinho said he plans on playing a different formation for each half on Saturday, as he is looking to utilize both a 4-3-3 system, as he has for much of his first two years in charge at Chelsea, and a new-look 4-4-2 formation.
The Chelsea boss is interested in pairing different players together to see how they work together. He also places a high importance on personal responsibility when making those decisions about playing time.
"When I make my choices, it's about the daily work, their performances on the field," Mourinho said.
Mourinho leaves behind the business end of soccer when making decisions involving his team. In fact, it's all about team. He said that against the MLS All-Stars he "will play every player except the kids," but that the players who have been with the club since the start of their preseason work in California will likely play more than the ones who played in the World Cup and joined the club later.
"Nobody can make me change. My decisions will be for the team, not for the players," Mourinho said. "The moment I make my choices I forget their history, I forget how much they earn every month, I forget how much they cost the club."
Mourinho charmed the packed conference room when he addressed the media on Friday. His sense of humor was evident, saying in apparent seriousness that a win in the club's first match is compulsory. He then deadpanned that the second match was compulsory as well. Chelsea begin the buildup to the 2006/07 Premier League campaign with Saturday's game.
But Mourinho has been pleased by the way his club has been treated since their arrival in the Windy City. People have been asking the Chelsea contingent for photos, autographs, Chelsea shirts and soccer balls. There was a strong turnout to see Chelsea practice on Friday night. The match is sold out, and those there will get to see all the club's big stars in action.
"What surprised me quite a lot is the way people are chasing Chelsea," he said. "I see that the people notice (Chelsea), before I walk on the street no one knows me. Nobody knows the group unless the group is all together and full of blue to catch the eye."
Mourinho even joked about the warm reception he received in Chicago.
"Maybe in 10 years there will be a job for me here," he said with a smile.
Thomas Foote is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
