Petr Cech insists Chelsea will not be affected by Jose Mourinho's
mind games ahead of their Champions League clash against Inter
Milan.
Mourinho faces his former club for the first time in the
opening leg of the last-16 tie at the San Siro stadium and has
already been ramping up the stakes with a series of interviews.
The Portuguese, who dubbed himself the "Special One" at
Stamford Bridge, claims he knows all the strengths and weaknesses
of the current Chelsea side because he signed most of them while in
charge of the Blues.
But Cech is not surprised by Mourinho's comments and does not
believe his team-mates will be fooled by his mind games.
"When Jose says these things, he always has a reason," said
Cech.
"He wants to prepare for Wednesday's game in his way and give
his team the advantage.
"Yes, he knows the players here and what we can do. But we
also know him and the way he likes his team to play.
"But it is just words. All we are worried about is what
happens on the pitch. Talking is talking, but let's see who is the
best at playing.
"Of course it is exciting to face Jose again and for the
Chelsea supporters it is going to be a special occasion.
"We know what a great past he had at this club and I always
had a good working relationship with Jose.
"I had a brilliant time with him and his coaching staff and
it is always sad when a successful manager has to leave.
"But life goes on and he is now successful with Inter Milan
and we have also been successful at Chelsea.
"I have not spoken to Jose since he left. It will be nice to
see him again and shake his hand. But we cannot think about the
past, only the future.
"And the future for Chelsea is to beat Inter Milan and go
through to the quarter-finals."
Meanwhile, Chelsea are remaining silent on reports that the
club's England left-back Ashley Cole will face further disciplinary
action following more weekend revelations about his private life.
All the players and staff were warned to be on their best
behaviour following a meeting with Chelsea's chief executive Ron
Gourlay last Wednesday.
But Chelsea were refusing to comment on whether Cole would
face a dressing down by the board.
"Disciplinary issues are an internal matter and will be dealt
with internally," said a spokesman on Monday.
