Jamie Carragher Defends Chelsea Manager Jose Mourinho's 'Clever' Tactics Against Top Clubs

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has come out in support of Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho for his tactics against top teams.

The league leaders host Arsenal in the Premier League clash on Sunday. The last time the two teams faced each other at Stamford Bridge saw the Blues register a crushing 6-0 victory. This season, Chelsea settled for a 1-1 draw against Manchester City away from home.

The former Reds defender believes the Portuguese manager's tactics are clever and says they are not negative. Carragher also warned the Gunners could face a result similar to that of the last season if Arsene Wenger fails to change his tactics.

"I don't think it's negative when Mourinho sets up to counter-attack in certain games. He's using the tactics that he thinks gives his team the best chance of winning – that's clever, it's not negative," Carragher told Sky Sports.

"I think Mourinho is a manager who, in big games, is prepared to change things and adapt his tactics for certain teams and Arsene Wenger isn't so there's no surprises with what Arsenal will do."

"I think Mourinho sets up for that and finds a way to beat it. The last game at Stamford Bridge - when the hosts won 6-0 - Chelsea played on the counter-attack and Arsenal pushed forward and that obviously got them a massive result."

"If Arsenal play in exactly the same way I'm sure Mourinho will do what he's done in the past games, regardless of what type of players he's got.'

"The instructions will be the same, we've seen them this season scoring lots of goals at home and then going to Man City and, without killing the game, making it very hard for City," he added.

Meanwhile, Carragher has backed Chelsea to come out with flying colours after the fulltime whistle against Arsenal on Sunday.

"You have to fancy Chelsea because they're at home and they have a great record in the big games under Mourinho," the Anfield favourite said.

"And Arsenal's record over the past few years in big games has been poor. There's no doubt that, at this time, Chelsea are looking like the best team in the league. So of course you have to fancy them," Carragher concluded.