McClaren heaps praise on Blues’ boss Mourinho

MIDDLESBROUGH boss Steve McClaren has applauded Chelsea counterpart Jose Mourinho for confounding the critics during his first few months in charge.

The former Porto coach arrived at Stamford Bridge to be deluged with cash by Roman Abramovich but facing the task of moulding an expensively-assembled squad into a lean, mean fighting machine, a task which many suggested could not be achieved.

However, as Boro head for Stamford Bridge today the Blues enjoy a five-point lead over reigning champions Arsenal at the top of the Premiership table and are on course to land the title the Russian and the Portuguese manager crave at the first attempt.

“I do look and he has spent a lot of money, but I do know in sport, you can assemble talent, you can spend a lot of money, but it doesn’t guarantee you winning anything,” said McClaren, who repeatedly tasted glory with Manchester United.

“I have been impressed by the way he has got them playing together, the whole squad. They have got a great spirit and a great togetherness and that ultimately is what wins medals, that togetherness.

“You have got to have talent, yes, but you have got to have team spirit and you have got to have everybody working for each other, and that sometimes can be the hardest when you spent that amount of money on the top players.

“But he has done that, he has got them together and working as a team and as a squad, and that is why they are top of the league and favourites.”

For all that Mourinho and predecessor Claudio Ranieri have been able to attract some of the world’s top footballers to west London, it is two Englishman - Frank Lampard and John Terry - who have helped to provide the backbone in a side which boasts rich talent throughout.

“For me, they are Chelsea through and through,” said McClaren.

“You talk about the heartbeat of a club and the core of a club, and they are the two. They were last season and they have really matured and developed again.

“I worked very closely with John in Euro 2004 in Portugal and he really impressed me, not just his ability and the way he defends but his character and the person he is. He is the most improved player over recent years.”

Meanwhile, super-confident Mourinho is not fazed by much these days with Chelsea racing along - but the return of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink to Stamford Bridge has him worried.

Twelve wins in the last 15 league matches has done little to dent the Chelsea coach’s confidence but he is worried about the Hasselbaink factor as Middlesbrough attempt to end the Londoners’ unbeaten home league record.

Hasselbaink left Stamford Bridge for the Riverside last summer, one of the players cut as the Blues made a number of big-money signings.

The Dutchman, Boro’s top scorer with nine goals this season, is a favourite with both sets of supporters and Mourinho is wary of his return.

Mourinho said: “We have had two tough away games and managed to win them both. But it will only be nice to be back at the Bridge if we win against Middlesbrough.

“They are also a difficult side with excellent players and again a very good manager in Steve McClaren. They also have excellent attacking players, and one of them is Jimmy.

“I can imagine Jimmy with his great spirit wanting to score against us when he comes back to Chelsea, which is still his home. He will make it very difficult for us.”

But Mourinho knows that if his Chelsea side can contain Hasselbaink and secure a fifth successive league victory, the championship crown will be one mighty step nearer.

He sees only Arsenal and Manchester United as genuine rivals now.

He said: “We have survived a crucial period, so far.

“We approached Christmas knowing there were four difficult matches, two of them away at Portsmouth and Liverpool which were very demanding.”

Chelsea could be boosted by the return of flu victim Alexei Smertin although Geremi remains doubtful.