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| Jose Mourinho refused to talk about John Stones in his press conference today |
QUITE why Jose Mourinho has such a special relationship with the press is sometimes difficult to understand.
When the enigmatic Chelsea manager entered the press room at Cobham this morning there was only one thing the waiting reporters wanted to know.
What is the latest on John Stones?
Stones, after all, has been the subject of four Chelsea bids and Mourinho's refusal to discuss the matter is a little difficult to stomach.
"I do not comment on players from other clubs", was his reply when asked if he would still be pursuing his interest despite Everton manager Roberto Martinez insisting Stones is not for sale.
Admirable you might think.
It's a shame, then, he wasn't more subtle when discussing the exact same subject with journalists during his side's pre-season tour of America.
"We made a bid because we like the player," he said at the time.
The way in which Chelsea have pursued the young England international so publicly has not only angered Martinez and prompted Stones to hand in a transfer request, but forced the 21-year-old out of his home through fear of lynching.
Mourinho's decision to take the high road now just doesn't sit right.
One reporter refuses to let him off the hook and watching the Chelsea boss squirm next to his press advisor is probably the highlight of an otherwise dull conference in the lead up to their latest Premier league clash with Crystal Palace.
The preceding 10 minutes or so is a mixture of terrible jokes and petulant responses to perfectly valid questions.
It doesn't matter how bad the gags get, they are always met with rapturous laughter among the crowd.
When a phone goes off things threaten to take a turn for the worse as Mourinho shoots them a disapproving stare.
It's a surprise the culprit is not marched out immediately, never to be seen in this idyllic part of the Surrey countryside ever again.
Still, though, his relationship with the press remains as good as ever.
Mourinho has provided countless snippets to fill column inches but today it might be a little bit more difficult.
Quite why we hang on his every word is perplexing based on the little he has produced today.
That being said, he is incredibly charming and it is hard not to get caught up in that. He is also an exceptional manager, someone who takes great pride in their work, which is rightly outlined when the conversation turns to his incredible record at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues boss will take charge for the 100th time at Stamford bridge tomorrow. The previous 99 times have resulted in just one solitary loss.
But when he exits with a cheeky grin and a wave, it is not his record that strikes a chord.
It is his inability to deal with the troubling matter with Stones that he started himself in the first place.
And if this is anything to go by, he will probably get his way in the end anyway.
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