No complacency from Mourinho’s happy camp

CHELSEA assistant coach Steve Clarke believes Jose Mourinho is among the best managers he has ever worked with.

Which is some tribute considering that the Blues coach has worked under former Chelsea manager Ruud Gullit and ex-Newcastle and England boss Sir Bobby Robson, who was replaced by Graeme Souness on Tyneside earlier this season.

But Clarke has seen enough after just five months alongside Mourinho to realise the man who took Porto to the Champions League title last season is a little bit special.

Clarke said: "I've worked with Ruud Gullit and Sir Bobby Robson and could not be disrespectful to either of them. They are top quality managers and people.

"But I think in the short time I have been with Jose, I have been very, very impressed. I am not just saying it because I am his sidekick but I can see why he has had the success he has had.

"He's a good man to work for. He is honest and he expects high standards from everybody, including his own staff and the players.

"When you approach every day like that, you know where you stand. I know what he expects from me. He is very meticulous in his approach to matches and training.

"Every game is important to win and Jose drums that into me every day and in every training session. So far it has been a pleasure working with him."

But it is Mourinho's skill at keeping the feel-good factor among the players when they are not involved that has been most impressive. There has not been a whisper of discontent from anyone all season, despite the intense competition for places.

"It hasn't happened and there's lots of reasons why it hasn't," Clarke said. "But if you are winning every week no matter who the manager picks, then everybody has to realise and believe they can all be part of a winning squad.

"We are chasing four trophies so everyone in the squad has to believe they can play a part in that trophy chase.

"They believe him when he asks them to do something in training or in a match. They believe it will work because he has the record to back it up. I think that is a great thing.

As Mourinho's men prepare to face Newcastle, Clarke also warned Arsenal and Manchester United that they can forget about Chelsea becoming complacent.

He added: "I think a win would put a little bit more pressure on Arsenal. We are at the top, we've been there four weeks now and we want to stay there. There will be no complacency from us. If you want to be a top team, you cannot afford to be complacent at any time."

Mourinho will recall his most trusted players to face Newcastle with goalkeeper Petr Cech to return in place of Carlo Cudicini and Paulo Ferreira back for Glen Johnson at right-back.

Frank Lampard, who scored the late winner at Fulham in the Carling Cup quarter-final after coming on as a substitute, will be included in the starting line-up but Mourinho has yet to decide on whether to start with Didier Drogba or Eidur Gudjohnsen in attack.

For Newcastle, Craig Bellamy will get another chance to play in his favoured central role alongside Patrick Kluivert at Stamford Bridge with skipper Alan Shearer having just failed in his bid to return early from a thigh strain.

However, it may be the men at the other end of the pitch who will have to excel if the Magpies are to return from the home of the current Barclays Premiership leaders with anything to show for their efforts.

Central defender Titus Bramble has had his critics during his time at St James' Park but Souness has been fulsome in his praise of the 23-year-old since his return from injury.

He has gone as far as to suggest that, if he was to produce the sort of form he has in his last two games on a consistent basis, he would be playing for England.

"It's always good to hear that coming from the manager," said Bramble. "Every young player's dream is to play for their country and I'm no different.

"You can always improve on all aspects of your game, so I'm learning all the time from the coaching staff and the players around me."

The Magpies head south without Shearer or £2.5million summer signing Nicky Butt, who is out for up to six weeks with tendinitis in his hamstring, and with Irish international defenders Stephen Carr and Andy O'Brien also still on the sidelines. Souness is at least able to recall Robbie Elliott and Ronny Johnsen after injury, while 18-year-old full-back Steven Taylor remains in the squad after an encouraging display in the 1-1 draw with Everton last weekend.

It is not a problem opposite number Mourinho is ever likely to encounter, but the Scot is adamant that he will not be casting an envious glance at the home dug-out.

"I wake up every morning and think 'I'm manager of Newcastle United how lucky am I?'," he said.