Michael Duberry: Jose Mourinho has planned for Manchester United
Thursday 16 April 2015 12:57, UK
Ex-Chelsea defender Michael Duberry believes his former side have shown all the hallmarks of champions ahead of their clash with Manchester United this weekend.
Louis van Gaal’s side head to Stamford Bridge for Saturday’s Premier League clash, live on Sky Sports 1HD, in a rich vein of form after winning their last six matches.
But Duberry thinks Chelsea will put an end to United’s run, insisting he fully expects Jose Mourinho’s side to claim at least a point as they continue their quest to become champions.
“Chelsea, as strong as they are, have stuttered a little bit but they keep getting the job done and that’s what champions do,” Duberry told The Morning View on Sky Sports News HQ.
“We used to see Manchester United over the years not playing great but getting the job done. And we saw against QPR - Chelsea played poorly to be fair - but they got the job done, got the three points and now move on to the next one.
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“It’s going to be a tough game but I think the players have the characters to do it. I know Jose Mourinho has a plan and he will have been working the whole week. I believe he’s done his calculations and he’ll look to get a point and get the victory somewhere else.
“It’s not important to get the win and he won’t care what it looks like. It’s about at the end of the day lifting that trophy that’s what will look better.”
Chelsea, as strong as they are, have stuttered a little bit but they keep getting the job done and that’s what champions do.
Chelsea will once again be without Diego Costa who limped out of the recent 2-1 win over Stoke with his sixth hamstring injury of the season. That is a source of concern for Duberry, who was not impressed by Didier Drogba’s performance against QPR in the Spain international’s absence.
“As much as I love Didier Drogba he looked a shadow of his former self,” Duberry said. “He didn’t look strong and wasn’t bullying.
“Fair enough, he might not have the legs but his strength weren’t there. Sometimes when the ball went up to him the ball and he was called upon he just didn’t look the same.”
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Despite grinding out results Chelsea have lacked the fluency they demonstrated in early season performances.
“Part of me thinks it might be fatigue,” Duberry added.
“Out of all the top teams they are the ones who have not rotated a lot so it begs the question, are they getting fatigued?
“Even mentally sometimes as a player you can lose that yard in your head. You look at why Fabregas is not the same player he was at the start of the season. Is that fatigue?”
Watch Chelsea v Manchester United on Staurday at 4.45pm on Sky Sports 1 HD.
