Jose
Mourinho had his Chelsea stars training under the lights as they look to
maintain their unbeaten start to the season at Newcastle on Saturday.
The
novel approach could be seen by the Blues boss as a tactic to keep his
players on their toes as they've dispatched all that's before them after
14 Premier League games of the season so far.
Eden Hazard and Didier Drogba, fresh from their goalscoring exploits against Tottenham on Wednesday night, both took in the club's session at their Cobham base.
Chelsea's stars were put through their paces during a floodlit training session at their Cobham base on Friday
Eden Hazard (left) is expected to start for Chelsea ahead of their Premier League trip to Newcastle on Saturday
Chelsea striker Diego Costa (centre)
is also expected to start, after missing Wednesday's clash against
Tottenham due to suspension
The return of Costa means Didier Drogba is likely to return to the bench against Newcastle
In Costa's absence, the veteran striker found himself on the scoresheet in their 3-0 win against Sunderland
Despite his
strike against Spurs, Drogba is likely to lose who spot in the starting
line-up to Diego Costa - who is available for selection following his
one-match suspension.
Mourinho
will also be boosted by the news that Gary Cahill is fit to face the
Magpies despite picking up a head knock against Spurs, while the
Portuguese has a decision to make in midfield with Ramires and John
Mikel Obi competing to replace the suspended Nemanja Matic.
Ahead
of the trip to Tyneside, Mourinho has heightened the pre-match build-up
to the fixture by accusing their opponents of only playing to their
potential when they face his side.
The
Portuguese has never won at St James' Park and insists that Alan
Pardew's outfit are one of several teams which raise their game against
the Blues.
'It's
difficult, a difficult stadium to play at. There are a few stadiums in
this country where, clearly, when they see the Chelsea shirts, they play
the game of their lives,' he said at the Blues' pre-match press
conference on Friday.
'When
they play against other teams they look like they're playing
friendlies. Maybe this is because Chelsea, in the last decade, became a
strong team that everybody wants to beat.'
Brazil international Willian (front) keeps the ball away from Jon Obi Mikel during the Blues' training session
Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois (right) is put through his paces during Friday's training session
Mourinho also insists club records are the least of his concerns as he looks to guide his team to the Premier League title.
Chelsea's 3-0 win against Tottenham on Wednesday night saw the Stamford Bridge club equal a club record 23-game unbeaten run.
But
Mourinho refused to praise himself or his team for achieving the feat
while revealing the only record he's interested in is being the first
Blues boss to win the Premier League three times.
'I
don't care about it (unbeaten record). I'm not looking for records. I'm
looking for points, victories and hopefully at the end of the season
title,' he added.
'The only record I want is to win the Premier League three times in this club. That's the only thing that matter to me.'
Young defender Kurt Zouma (centre) gets closed down while on the ball during the session
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