Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho gave a warning to his players yesterday after Andre Schurrle returned from International duty with Germany injured.
The Portuguese manager has warned the players that they could risk their place in the team if they should become distracted by next summer’s World Cup in Brazil.
Schurrle scored four goals for Germany during the international break but is injured for today’s home game against Cardiff City due to an injured leg.
Mourinho said: “He has the kind of problem that happens a lot in World Cup years, which is a player with a little problem wants to play in the national team and comes back injured to the club.
“That’s normal. I accept that.
“He won’t play, and if someone comes in and plays well, he has to accept he might not be able to play the next match.
“What do you want me to do?
“I play someone else and he scores three goals, what do you want me to do? That’s life.”
Mourinho added: “The most important thing is Chelsea. The second thing is the players.
“The third thing is the national team.
That has to be my ranking. But all three can work together.
“I don’t say that to the players because they also think about the national teams and Brazil.
“If I was a player I’d think the same way. If you can go, then go.
“It’s important for their careers, for their self-esteem, for their families.
“But when they come here, they have to change the sheet and think about Chelsea.
“Me, during my work, I have to think about Chelsea but I also have to think about them and their national teams.
“When a player is not selected for the national team he is sad and can’t perform the same way for Chelsea.”
