Mourinho reveals the fitness levels of his captain and Cech.
Ahead of the Champions League semi-final second-leg between Chelsea and Atletico Madrid, Jose Mourinho has given fitness updates on Petr Cech and John Terry.
The duo were both forced off with injuries in the first-leg at the Vicente Calderon Stadium a little over a week ago and the initial prognosis for both cases was not good.
However, both Cech and Terry – along with other previously injured stars Eden Hazard and Samuel Eto’o – were seen training with the squad on Tuesday ahead of the game with Atletico.
This led to speculation about who would be fit enough to play against the Spanish league leaders and Mourinho has now revealed exactly who will and won’t start.
“Obviously his condition doesn’t allow him [Cech] to play but everybody is ready,” the 51-year-old told the club’s website.
“That’s the message we wanted to give.
“Even the players not in good condition want to play. The message from Petr and from the group was exactly that.”
“My captain is playing at the same level he was playing at when I left Chelsea in 2007. It’s as simple as that. Six or seven years later he’s playing again at his best level. It’s fair to say that.
“I think he deserves more than what the Champions League has given to him up to now. He lost a few semi-finals in special circumstances. He lost a final in special circumstances. He won a final in special circumstances because he couldn’t play. The Champions League owes him something.
“He starts tomorrow, of course.”
Mourinho also revealed that Hazard is fit to start the match, whilst Eto’o could in contention for a place upfront.
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