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Mourinho To Parade 'Kids' Against Liverpool

Published

10 years ago

April 24, 2014

Ahead Sunday’s crucial English Premier League, EPL, match between Chelsea and Liverpool, the Blues manager, Jose Mourinho, has been okayed by Chelsea’s board to pick a second-string team at Anfield.
According to the Portuguese coach, Chelsea’s league title chances are over after the 2-1 home defeat they suffered against Sunderland on Saturday and left them five points behind leaders Liverpool.
Mourinho said he would rather save his remaining fit, first-choice players for the Champions League semi-final second leg at home to Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.
And Chelsea’s football board members, Dave Barnard, Bruce Buck, Ron Gourlay, Marina Granovskaia and Eugene Tenenbaum, all support Mourinho’s decision after meeting on Wednesday to discuss the situation.
Mourinho lost goalkeeper Petr Cech and skipper John Terry to injuries in Tuesday’s first-leg draw at Atletico. It means third- choice keeper Henrique Hilario could start his first Chelsea game in
three years to protect 41-year-old keeper Mark Schwarzer. Chelsea will be without Cech until the start of next season.
There may also be chances for youngsters such as Tomas Kalas, Nathan Ake and Under 21 defender Andreas Christensen.Manchester City, who travel to Crystal Palace on Sunday, are six points behind Liverpool — but with a game in hand. They will monitor Chelsea’s team selection with interest.
But Mourinho can select any player in their 25-man squad list without fear of sanction; action would likely only be taken if a number of younger players from outside the list are selected.
The Premier League changed their rules over playing weakened sides in 2011 when Blackpool made representation to the other 19 clubs after they were fined for fielding an under-strength team at Aston
Villa.Rule L19 remains in the Premier League handbook, saying: “In every league match each participating club shall field a full-strength team.”
But this is open to interpretation because clubs must register a 25- man squad at the start of the season — and they can now also call on players from the Under 21 development squad.