Mourinho: Chelsea are too big to pin their faith on youth, like opponents Southampton

Jose Mourinho insists he is under too much pressure — and that Chelsea are far too big a club — to follow Southampton’s lead by fast-tracking young English talent into the Premier League.

Mourinho’s side take on Southampton on Sunday and the south coast club will march into Stamford Bridge with a hatful of talented young stars for manager Mauricio Pochettino to choose from.

Academy graduate and Saints skipper Adam Lallana was rewarded with his first England caps this month, while teenagers Luke Shaw, James Ward-Prowse and Calum Chambers have been key figures in Southampton’s rise into the top six.

Under pressure? Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho will be expected to lead his side to the Premier League

In contrast, the only graduate of Chelsea’s academy likely to start is 32-year-old John Terry, though Mourinho is unapologetic.



The demands of the Champions League and the importance of making a significant impact on the Premier League restrict the opportunities for Mourinho to experiment, but in time he hopes to drip-feed more young talent into the senior side.
‘It’s a question of time and the smaller clubs, they have more time than the bigger teams,’ said the Stamford Bridge boss.

Up next: Southampton can overtake Chelsea, managed by Jose Mourinho (right), with victory on Sunday

‘It’s a different club [here] and a different job. I want to do it but it is just a question of time.
‘Hopefully — and I am not saying a lot of them, especially at the same time as that is impossible to do — but step by step we have some kids with talent to come.’
Mourinho, whose side were embarrassed by Basel in the Champions League in midweek, feels immune from pressure, despite working for one of the most ruthless owners in Roman Abramovich.

Multi-national: Expensive internationals like Michael Essien make up the bulk of Chelsea's sizeable squad

Southampton's talents: Rickie Lambert (centre) and Luke Shaw (right) are just two of those impressing

‘I am not worried,’ he said. ‘I am came here to do my best, knowing that this team and squad would not be ready to achieve what people probably think we have to achieve.
‘I was always told that my job this time would be a completely different job profile and I do my work the best way I can. 

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‘I have maturity so that when I have a bad result or a defeat, I do not feel fragility or pressure.
‘I know what I was told during the contacts with Chelsea before we decided to work together again, and I am the one who puts pressure on myself.’