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Chelsea are in meltdown mode
Jose Mourinho is going off script to try to get something -- anything -- out of his players.
Michael Regan/Getty Images
Jose Mourinho has run down his list of regular motivational tactics. Nothing’s working. So after Chelsea’s loss to Leicester on Monday, he decided to change course and start calling his players wussies who aren’t good enough. You probably won’t see a manager this critical of his players again this season.
Meanwhile, it’s all rosy on the Leicester side. Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez have combined for 26 goals, more than 81 whole clubs in the big five leagues. Unsurprisingly, that’s led Claudio Ranieri to say they’re not for sale for any price.
Goal of the day
Riyad Mahrez’s winner. (NBC)
In the news
Barcelona hope Neymar can train on Wednesday and be ready for the Club World Cup final. (AS)
Crazy stuff out of Bulgaria: one team quit a game and another is threatening to quit a league over officials favoring Levski Sofia. (BBC)
Sepp Blatter spent a lot of time on a letter to every federation proclaiming his innocence. (Guardian)
Justin Mapp is the first ever MLS free agent signing, moving to Sporting KC. (ESPN FC)
U.S. Soccer has released the nominees for Male Player of the Year. Get ready for the outrage when Fabian Johnson doesn’t win. (MLS)
Danny Welbeck had a rehab setback and won’t return in January. (Mirror)
Celta Vigo star Nolito is out for a month, which might hurt his transfer status. (Fox Soccer)
You should be reading
Nick Dorrington on Riechedly Bazoer, the next great Ajax product. (ESPN FC)
Tom Mason on how Jose Mourinho has made his own job difficult. (These Football Times)
Jonathan Wilson on Leicester center back Wes Morgan and his role in their transformation. (Guardian)
What happened on Monday
As we covered above, Chelsea lost. Here's a Chelsea fan writing about how everything is the worst. (We Ain't Got No History)
Lazio’s goalkeeper did his hamstring celebrating, his backup let in an awful goal, and they’re 12 points back of a Champions League place. (@WinamaxSport)
What to watch on Tuesday (click for listings, all times ET)
Copa del Rey: 4 matches (from 2 p.m.) -- No Madrid because they got kicked out, so watch Sevilla score a lot of goals.
DFB-Pokal: 4 matches (from 1 p.m.) -- Fabian Johnson and Gladbach take on Werder in the early slot, while Bayern faces Darmstadt at 2:30 p.m.
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