Blues Brazilian midfielder Ramires has stopped talking or texting his fellow countryman ahead of this afternoon’s Capital One Cup final at Wembley.
The 27-year-old is expected to start for Chelsea after the Blues lost Nemanja Matic to suspension, while Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino is expected to give the nod to Paulinho for Spurs.
Ramires said: “Paulinho and me are very good friends off the pitch and I’ve played against him several times before but we will have to see if we are both going to be playing in this final.
“Obviously I’m going to do everything in my power to help Chelsea and I know he’s going to do everything he can to help Spurs. That’s football.
“It’s simply rivalry. Sometimes you play against your mates and It will be really interesting if we are both selected.
We are very, very close friends. Not only us but also our families. My wife is good friends with his wife and they spend a lot of time together off the pitch.
“We both know it’s a big, big game but on the pitch there are no friends.
“Then life goes on and my friendship with Paulinho will go on as well I’m sure.
“But there will be no text or call between us before Sunday. There is already enough stuff going around.
“I know he’s not going to text or call me either and I definitely prefer it that way.”
