Every month, Jose Mourinho answers questions posed to him by Chelsea fans on the official Chelsea FC magazine. This month: he reflects on the importance of Cesar Azpilicueta's team ethic, why he loves last-minute winners and what motivates the motivator himself.
Q: After starting the season on the bench, Cesar Azpilicueta has become a regular starter in recent months. What has impressed you most about him? Del Williamson (via email)
A: Cesar is an example of a player who works hard, every day, and who gives everything for the team. He trains hard, he proves himself in every game and he plays where the team needs him. He has the mentality that the team comes first, and this is very, very important because it pushes the rest of his team-mates to do the same. It is this kind of player who makes a squad strong and I think you can see from his performance this season that Azpi is this kind of player.
Q: For a supporter, it always feels that bit more special when we win with a last-minute goal, as we did against Everton last month. Is it the same for you in the dugout? Paul Hughes (via email)
A: It's a good feeling, of course, but when this happens, I am also pleased with the desire of my players to play until the final whistle with the determination to score and to win. We have been on the other side of this, when you concede a late goal, but for sure we have the positive outcome more often because we have a squad who hates to lose, who hates not to win, and who gives everything to end every game with a positive feeling. They want to feel the emotion of winning every time they go to play and that is what pleases me most about games like the Everton one.
Q: To what extent do the players participate in tactical decisions and what is the importance of incorporating players' tactical suggestions into the overall plan to face an opponent? Chris Wales (via email)
A: The players don't participate in the decision-making but it is important for them to communicate in the tactical work we do as a group before we face any opponent.
Read Jose Mourinho answering more questions from fans in this month's Chelsea magazine, available to download now at www.chelsea.com/mobile
Read also:
Exclusive interview with Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic
An introduction to new Chelsea winger Mohamed Salah
Check out last month's Ask Jose here
