Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho acknowledges Sir Alex Ferguson's support... and hits out at 'fake friends'

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With people in high places rushing to Jose Mourinho's side, the Chelsea manager used Sir Alex Ferguson's kind words to highlight some of his 'fake friends' in football.

On Wednesday evening, when Chelsea face his former club Porto in a game they cannot afford to lose, he will discover whether the enemy is within.

'This is the difference between the friends and the fake friends,' said Mourinho. 'The ones who are not even fake friends are honest and show immediately their feelings towards you.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has hit out at 'the fake friends' in football ahead of his side's clash with Porto

During Tuesday's press conference, Mourinho used Sir Alex Ferguson's kind words to highlight his critics

'Sir Alex is my friend and obviously the words are very nice words. I believe he's not the kind of person who says things just because he likes somebody. During his whole career he has shown he's honest in his analysis and I thank him.'

So who are the imposters, the characters who lack sincerity when they come face-to-face with one of the most successful coaches in the modern game? Not us, say the players.

'Who says we don't have the same commitment?' asked Thibaut Courtois when he appeared at Chelsea's training ground on Tuesday lunchtime.

'Results don't say we are not committed to the manager. We were better than some teams, but lost.

'It's not that we are not playing with the same commitment as the manager. The results just haven't been there. We're still confident in the manager and we are trying to get out of this with him.'

The players fooled nobody on Saturday. Then, their lack of commitment and conviction to zap Eddie Howe's Bournemouth were the reasons why they lost to Glenn Murray's 82nd-minute header.

Former Manchester United manager Ferguson said sacking Mourinho would be 'foolish' by Chelsea

Ferguson (left) was speaking to Sir Michael Moritz TechCrunch Disrupt at the Olympic Park on Monday

If there is yet another setback on Wednesday evening, Mourinho's Chelsea could find themselves in the draw for the last 32 of the Europa League.

It was not that long ago when Mourinho claimed Chelsea were of such standing, such stature, that the club belonged in European football's elite competition. He may have to talk his way out of that one.

'In this moment, to win the Europa League might be an easier way to be in the Champions League next season than to finish in the top four,' added Mourinho.

'But there is another possibility: to win the Champions League. It's harder than winning the Europa League, but this is the competition we are in.

Bournemouth striker Glenn Murray's (far left) winner has left Chelsea 14th in the Premier League table

But Mourinho appeared to be in buoyant mood on Tuesday as he prepares his side for Champions League tie

Thibaut Courtois spoke to the media on Tuesday and insisted the players are committed to their manager

'If you are knocked out of the Champions League, you should go home and focus on domestic competitions.

'But, because the rules say the third team has the chance to go to the Europa League, it's a good way for those who are knocked out of the Champions League to win the competition and get back into the Champions League next season.

'But we don't want that. We want to play Champions League, play the best teams — Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern — all the big teams. And, for that, we need to win.'

It is not beyond Chelsea to beat Porto, but Mourinho's match-winning players — Eden Hazard, Diego Costa, Cesc Fabregas and Oscar — have failed him this season.

Mourinho seems convinced by the statistics, turning to the number crunchers to reassure him that goals are the only thing missing from his team. There is more to it than that, but Mourinho knows better than most what this Chelsea team is lacking.

'We create so many chances and we don't score goals,' he said. 'We have so many situations where we just need a tap-in and we're just not doing that.

'We're not scoring enough goals. I'm working with individuals and within groups, that's why I'm optimistic. The work is good, that's why I feel a contradiction between the quality of the work and what happens on the pitch.

Cesc Fabregas, Cesar Azpilicueta, Courtois and John Terry are all likely to feature against Porto this week

Courtois dances through the cones in training after making his long-awaited return from injury on Saturday

'If you analyse the numbers you get some good information. Match after match, we beat Chelsea records of high intensity work.

'In the last three matches we beat the records three times. We ran and worked more than ever, and at an intensity we'd never done before.

'Our levels of possession are much higher than before, too. Our chances are higher than ever. Our number of goals is lower than ever. So, football people like you are intelligent. You have the numbers, you read the numbers, you draw some conclusions. It means it's everyone's responsibility.'

Win this one and maybe they can still be friends forever. 

Chelsea manager Mourinho was able to work with a full squad in Champions League training on Tuesday

Mourinho welcomed back Radamel Falcao after John Terry and Ramires rejoined the group on Monday

Falcao (second left) follows Cesc Fabregas through a set of cones during a warm-up drill at Cobham