Marouane Fellaini twin mix-up had Chelsea players sweating, jokes Jose Mourinho  

  • Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho had prepared specific tactics for dealing with the threat of Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini
  • However, ahead of the game at Stamford Bridge, Mourinho was told by a hotel doorman that Fellaini would not be playing 
  • The doorman had seen who he had thought was Fellaini pick up some tickets from Chelsea forward Eden Hazard 
  • A Google images search revealed that person to be Fellaini's twin brother
  • Fellaini did play against Chelsea but was dealt with by Kurt Zouma 

By James Andrew for MailOnline

Published: 17:54 EST, 19 April 2015 | Updated: 18:27 EST, 19 April 2015

Jose Mourinho revealed he prepared his Chelsea players to deal with the threat of Manchester United's Marouane Fellaini all week – only to be told by a hotel doorman that the Belgian was not playing.

Mourinho planned for Kurt Zouma to man mark Fellaini - with teenager Ruben Loftus-Cheek playing the 6ft 4in midfielder in training.

But he feared his tactical master plan was set to be for nothing when the Chelsea boss was told that the Manchester United man was not playing by the doorman at the club's hotel.

Marouane Fellaini (right) poses with his twin brother Mansour (right) during his days as an Everton player

Marouane Fellaini (right) poses with his twin brother Mansour (right) during his days as an Everton player

Mansour (left) and Marouane (right) look on from the stands during Everton's game Leyton Orient in 2012

Mansour (left) and Marouane (right) look on from the stands during Everton's game Leyton Orient in 2012

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has admitted his side were confused as to whether Fellaini was playing

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has admitted his side were confused as to whether Fellaini was playing

Mourinho, relaying his conversation with the doorman, said: 'Fellaini doesn't play because he was here to get tickets for the game from Eden Hazard. He was dressed in jeans, this and that'.

'(It) didn't smell well for me. I go to Google and I put 'Fellaini brother'. Images. 

'So I go with the pictures to the doorman. I say 'hey, this one or this one?' And he looks 'this one'. 'He's the brother'.'

Mourinho said the other Fellaini - his twin brother Mansour - posed for photos as the United player, who had been in the Blues boss' thoughts all week, did start the game at Stamford Bridge which Chelsea won 1-0 to move within two wins of the Premier League title.

Indeed, Chelsea could claim the trophy as early as April 29 should they beat Arsenal and Leicester in their next two fixtures.  

In the end, Fellaini did play at Stamford Bridge, but was dealt with in midfield by Chelsea's Kurt Zouma (left)

In the end, Fellaini did play at Stamford Bridge, but was dealt with in midfield by Chelsea's Kurt Zouma (left)

Zouma (right) had been given a specific tactical brief to stifle the threat of Fellaini (left) during the game

Zouma (right) had been given a specific tactical brief to stifle the threat of Fellaini (left) during the game

 

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