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Mourinho: Chelsea in a 'position of privilege'

Cape Town - Jose Mourinho says Chelsea have a huge advantage over Manchester United as a result of their non-involvement in European competition this season.

While the Red Devils have Europa League commitments to go with their league and local cup campaigns, the Blues have enjoyed extra time to train and rest after finishing tenth last season and thereby missing out on European competition by some margin.

And ahead of their FA Cup quarter-final clash at Stamford Bridge on Monday night, Mourinho says Chelsea are in "position of privilege" as Antonio Conte looks to win the Premier League in his first season with the club.

Mourinho, whose side traveled to Russia to face Rostov on Thursday, said: "The most difficult thing to have is time to work, and they have time to work.

"I know that he said a couple of days ago or a couple of weeks ago that it's not his fault that they are not in the European competitions.

"It's my fault and the players' fault, but the reality is that he got in his hands a situation where they have time to work, time to rest, time to relax, time to disconnect, time to travel, time to have holidays, time to go to America and enjoy America for a couple of days.

"They have time for all of these things, so they are in a position of privilege - the same privilege that Liverpool had a couple of years ago and they almost won the Premier League - but I don't want to say that they don't deserve credit for it."

Chelsea, who are currently 10 points clear at the top of the standings, defeated United 4-0 on Mourinho's return to Stamford Bridge, and the Portuguese isn't expecting much better this time around.

He added: "So for me it's just a game that comes in the wrong moment for us, because the Europa League is a competition that can give us a Champions League spot. The FA Cup isn't so the Europa League is more important than the FA Cup for us."

Kick off is at 21:45.

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