Jose Mourinho admits Europa League win is Chelsea's best chance of Champions League spot

Focus: Jose Mourinho doesn't want his side to drop in the Europe League despite the better opportunity
(Clive Rose/Getty Images)
Vaishali Bhardwaj8 December 2015

Jose Mourinho has admitted that Chelsea's best chance of qualifying for the Champions League next season may be to win the Europa League this term, but insisted he is only focusing on his team doing well in Europe's premier competition.

The Blues currently languish in 14th place in the Premier League standings - two points off the relegation zone and 14 off fourth-placed Manchester United - after the champions suffered their eighth defeat of the season at home to Bournemouth at the weekend.

Mourinho's men now go into their Champions League game with Porto at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday knowing that a loss will see them knocked out of the tournament should Dynamo Kiev beat Maccabi Tel Aviv while a win or a draw will see them safely progress to the next round.

Mourinho conceded on Saturday that Chelsea may have to change their aims for the season and target the top six before adding on Tuesday that winning the Europa League this term is their best chance of securing a place in the Champions League next season.

But the Chelsea manager insisted he would rather his squad reign victorious in Europe's elite competition than try and negotiate a route to the Champions League via the Europa League.

"I know that in this moment, it looks that to win the Europa League would be an easier way to be in the Champions League next season than to finish in the top four," Mourinho said.

"But there is another possibility, which is to win the Champions League. Yes, it is harder than winning the Europa League, but this is the competition where we are.

"I was always against the teams that are knocked out of the Champions League going to the Europa League because I think there is such a difference in the level of competition.

Chelsea vs Bournemouth - player ratings

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But the Chelsea manager insisted he would rather his squad reign victorious in Europe's elite competition than try and negotiate a route to the Champions League via the Europa League.

"I know that in this moment, it looks that to win the Europa League would be an easier way to be in the Champions League next season than to finish in the top four," Mourinho said.

"But there is another possibility, which is to win the Champions League. Yes, it is harder than winning the Europa League, but this is the competition where we are.

"I was always against the teams that are knocked out of the Champions League going to the Europa League because I think there is such a difference in the level of competition.

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