José Mourinho says Chris Smalling won’t be back before at least three weeks and insists he hasn’t spoken about his contract extension with Roma owners.
The Special one held a press conference on the eve of a home Serie A game against Udinese.
Lorenzo Pellegrini will return to action after several weeks on the sidelines. The Italian is a key player for Mourinho who, however, won’t underestimate Udinese.
“The quality of collecttive ball possession will be important and we must pay attention to their counter-attacks,” the Portuguese coach said as quoted by VoceGialloross.
“If we lose the ball in dangerous areas, we will be more vulnerable. Our team has improved under this aspect. We keep the ball possession more. Lorenzo is always an important player to us, but if we play deep and gift them the ball, they have the quality to hurt us. They are also dangerous on set pieces and with shoots from outside the box. I don’t look at the table to determine the difficulty of a game. To me, this will be a very difficult match.
“We know Udinese as a team. They have lost some key players but for them, it’s not a problem to sell a striker like Beto,” Mou continued.
“They have signed other experienced players, they have solid full-backs and they have kept Pereyra. Udinese are always Udinese even if they enjoy making money in the summer.”
Pellegrini may be back, but several Giallorossi players remain out of action, mainly Smalling who has only made three appearances this season.
“There are players who have never missed a game, they are always the same. Cristante, Mancini, Bove and Rui for example. Others belong to the other group. Smalling, Renato, Lorenzo and sometimes Dybala and Spinazzola,” said Mou.
“Players are professional and they do anything to feel well. My staff and I are working on many different aspects. As for Smalling, the injury is there. There are regular people who can bear the pain, but Smalling doesn’t know how to play suffering. He holds back a little. But his injury is difficult and give me great frustration because we need him in that position. We must be patient, I can’t blame anyone. We’ll see when he returns. He never left the medical department last week. This one was the first one with no pain. I don’t expect him in the next two or three weeks. We’ll see and hope.”
Mourinho’s contract expires in June 2024 and fans fear the Special One won’t be offered a new deal by club owners. Reporters asked the coach when was the last time he spoke to the Friedkins and if they have discussed a potential new deal.
“I work every day with the team. They are a bit like a family. With the owners, it’s a different situation,” Mourinho replied.
“I am here and the owners are elsewhere. I am paid to not create problems for the owners, so they have to trust what I do. The last time I spoke to them was yesterday, but we didn’t speak about the contract.”
The Giallorossi sit 7th in the Serie A table with five wins in 12 matches so Mourinho was asked if the team should give more on the pitch.
“I don’t agree that we have to give more,” he argued.
“We have had negative results, but we never lacked commitment and respect for our people. Usually we give something more at home but we don’t have the same mentality away.”
Lastly, Mourinho revealed Renato Sanches won’t be available against Udinese due to a minor physical issue.
“I have project, but it’s difficult when there is no consistency. We are stronger in transitions with Renato, but with Paredes wel keep the possession more. Renato is not injured, but has had a little problem. He returned to training yesterday but he hasn’t worked consistently. He is not injured, but he won’t be called up tomorrow.”