By Omobolaji Oyegunle, London Jose Mourinho has insisted that Chelsea will not be involved in a relegation battle this season, but conceded that securing Champions League football for next season may now be out of the club’s grasp following their loss to Bournemouth on Saturday.
The champions suffered their eighth Premier League defeat of the campaign when substitute Glenn Murray headed in the winning goal in the 82nd minute to hand the Cherries a famous win at Stamford Bridge – and punish the Blues for their failure to convert their earlier chances.
While Eddie Howe’s side lifted themselves out of the drop zone with the victory, the loss left Chelsea just three points above the relegation spots in 14th place and 14 points off fourth place.
But despite their precarious position in the Premier League standings, Mourinho insisted his team will not end up trying to fight for survival this term, although he did admit he is worried that Chelsea may also not finish in the top four.
“I am concerned of course. There is no chance that Chelsea will be fighting relegation,” Mourinho said.
“That is not the problem. It is that our objective is to finish top four. Before this game it was realistic to think that our quality would take us out of this position, but maybe now we have to think about top six.
“If our players are not able to give the maximum every day that is a problem. If you analyse match after match there are a few layers where it is difficult to be consistent. You think there is evolution, but maybe it is just one moment in which they are good.”
Chelsea now host Porto in the Champions League on Wednesday, with the Blues aware that a loss will see them dumped out of the competition while a draw or a win will see them through to the knockout rounds.
