Group over individuals! Jose Mourinho on modern-day football

JOSE MOURINHO says focusing on team ethic, instead of individual performance, leads to success in modern football.

QPR v Chelsea - Premier League Preview

The Chelsea manager revealed his thoughts when discussing the Ballon d'Or award as he closes in on a third Premier League title with the Stamford Bridge club.

Chelsea sit seven points clear at the top of the Premier League, with eight games to go and one in hand over title challengers Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City.

Chelsea striker Diego Costa sits joint-top of the league scoring charts with 19 goals to his name, while the Blues themselves average 2.1 goals per game - more than any other team.

And the boss believes praise should fall on entire squads, not individuals, when success in football is achieved.

Jose Mourinho at Chelsea trainingGETTY

Jose Mourinho' Chelsea sit seven points clear atop the Premier League table

"In this moment football is losing a little bit the concept of the team to focus more on the individual," Mourinho told the Telegraph.

"We are always looking at the individual performance, the individual stat, the player that runs more.

“Because you run 11km in a game and I run nine you did a better job than I did? Maybe not! Maybe my 9km were more important than your 11."

Would you like to receive news notifications from Daily Express?