Monday gossip, the mourinyho edition

It's matchday! But tonight, it's not just any match... Jose Mourinho's Chelsea visit the Etihad in another hotly-anticipated top-of-the-table clash. So what are the media saying ahead of the game? We'll start with London24.com's claims that Mourinho has once again made an attempt to fan the flames - as if the encounter needed any added heat!

According to the website, the Chelsea boss has high praise for City but has also insisted that his side will go into the game looking for a win, avoiding the deployment of defensive tactics. A risky move, I would say!

Writes Tom Moore: "Despite suggestions that Mourinho would copy West Ham manager Sam Allardyce's '19th century tactics' when the Hammers held Chelsea to a 0-0 draw, the Portuguese coach insisted he would attack.

"Mourinho is not losing sleep over the threat the 2012 Premier League winners pose and is more focused on building a Chelsea side. And he gave a clue as to how his team would line up at the Etihad tonight."

According to the website, Mourinho declared: "I don't think a lot about them to be fair. I'm not going to build my team because they're very good at this and that.

"Chelsea is going in one direction. Of course little details. We want to go in a certain direction. Are we going to play with one striker? Yes. We are not going to play without a striker.

"Are we going to play with three central defenders because they have two fantastic strikers? We're going to play with two. We think more than us than them."

Moore continues: "That did not stop him from describing City as a complete side, naming half the team when asked who their best player was.

"He [Mourinho] said: 'I didn't follow so much but it looks like the two midfield players are always playing and playing well so Toure and Fernandinho. I think the third striker is very very good. I think Dzeko, every time he plays, does very very well. The wingers are good. The full backs are good. They are complete."

Complete? Well, thanks Jose! Of course, that's a huge compliment from 'the Special One' but come on, we're not daft. We know your tricks!

And it seems the Manchester Evening News do too. They claim that attempting to play mind games with Manuel Pellegrini is pointless as the Chilean prefers for his players to do his talking for him - on the pitch.

In light of recent comments made by Mourinho and Arsene Wenger, Peter Spencer suggests: "The whingeing and whining about City has reached ridiculous levels and it is no coincidence it is coming at a time when the Blues are favourites for three domestics trophies... and perfectly capable of making it an unprecedented quad.

"First up is Arsene Wenger the Arsenal boss whose team top the table and are probably the biggest rivals to City winning the Premier League for the second time in three years.

"He thinks City lack consistency away from home. Well they DID and anyway their home form which is superb more than makes up for any deficiencies on the road.

"Then there is Jose Mourinho, the smart Alec boss at tonight's opponents Chelsea. He's had something of an Indian sign over his opposite number at City, Manuel Pellegrini.

"But he knows City's swashbucklers have captivated the nation with an average of almost three goals a game... and even though he criticised West Ham boss Sam Allardyce for playing 19th century football we await with interest whether Jose goes all boring tonight and as he would say, parks the bus."

Someone once told me that he who shouts loudest can only hear his own voice. I think that seems pretty accurate in this case. Perhaps our opposing managers should take a leaf out of Mr Pellegrini's book and let the football do the talking.

Let's be honest, if the Blues do come away from the Etihad with three points tonight, there'll be a couple of fellows in the football industry that will be wishing they'd have kept their mouths shut!

We'll know later tonight who has won the battle of the mind games. And I know who I'd put my money on...

That's all for today folks! We'll be back at the same time tomorrow to round-up the morning's post-match media stories.

<hr>City take on Sunderland in the Premier League on Wednesday 12 February in what will be a dress rehearsal for the Capital One Cup Final in March.

Can the Blues avenge the Stadium of Light defeat earlier this season? A night match under the lights at the Etihad and a preview of the forthcoming final - demand is expected to be high as Manuel Pellegrini's side attempt to continue their incredible run.

Don't miss out - ticket details can be found here...