Jose: Blues Have Privilege Of Time  (Sky Sports)

Jose Mourinho says Antonio Conte and Chelsea are in a "position of privilege" due to a lack of European competition this season.

The Blues endured a disastrous Premier League title defence last term which ultimately cost Mourinho, the most successful manager in the club's history, his job at Stamford Bridge for the second time.

Conte's Chelsea side are 10 points clear at the top of the Premier League this time around but, ahead of Manchester United's visit to west London on Monday in the FA Cup quarter-finals, Mourinho has again highlighted how failing to qualify for Europe has aided their charge.

By contrast, last week United made a 3,750-mile round trip to face Russian side Rostov in the Europa League.

"The most difficult thing to have is time to work, and they have time to work," Mourinho said when asked how hard it is to win the league in your first season. "I know that he said a couple of days ago or a couple of weeks ago that it's not his fault that they are not in the European competitions.

"It's my fault and the players' fault, but the reality is that he got in his hands a situation where they have time to work, time to rest, time to relax, time to disconnect, time to travel, time to have holidays, time to go to America and enjoy America for a couple of days.

"They have time for all of these things, so they are in a position of privilege - the same privilege that Liverpool had a couple of years ago and they almost won the Premier League - but I don't want to say that they don't deserve credit for it.

"They choose a certain style of play that I think is very adapted to the qualities of these players. They defend a lot and well, and they counter-attack and kill opponents on the counter attack similar to my Chelsea.

"But the difference is they play with five at the back and I played four at the back, but the same criteria: a very strong team to defend and a team that kills on the counter attack, and they are doing very, very well and that is why they are going to be champions easily."


Chelsea underlined their title credentials by condemning United to a 4-0 defeat as Mourinho made a humiliating Stamford Bridge return in October. The Portuguese has the chance to exact revenge in the FA Cup quarter-final, but insists beating his former club does not provide any added motivation.

"I am not asking for any credit, I am not asking for that," he said of his spells at Chelsea. "I am focused on Man United and I know the work I did there, I know what I did but I am the kind of guy that I move and have no regrets and I am not looking for bad feelings at all.

"I have some friends there, who before the game great, after the game great, during the game it's just another game for me. Am I sadder to lose against Chelsea than against another team? No. Am I happier to win against Chelsea than another team? No.

"So for me it's just a game that comes in the wrong moment for us, because the Europa League is a competition that can give us a Champions League spot. The FA Cup isn't so the Europa League is more important than the FA Cup for us."

While a league-high 10 draws has derailed United's Premier League title challenge, Mourinho is seeing progress as his side have gone unbeaten in the league since the loss at Chelsea and have won the EFL Cup.

"I know we have to improve," he added. "I know that we need to improve the squad for next season but this season we have a trophy in the box and we are going to fight for every match. I enjoy the boys."