LONDON: With Chelsea six points from a first Premier League title since 2010, manager Jose Mourinho happily turned a deaf ear to suggestions his team are unloved by neutrals.
Chelsea dazzled during the season's first half, putting several teams to the sword, but with the finishing line in sight they have tightened up in trademark Mourinho fashion.
After a run of seven wins by a one-goal margin, they were taunted with chants of 'Boring, boring Chelsea!' during Sunday's 0-0 draw at Arsenal, but Mourinho said he did not care about the perception of his side.
"I have lots of love," he told reporters in a mock-romantic voice. "If you tell the truth, people will fall in love with us. But you have to say the truth, and sometimes you don't. If you say the truth, we will walk in the street and people will throw kisses to us."
If Chelsea win at Leicester City on Wednesday, they can secure the title with victory at home to Crystal Palace on Sunday and Mourinho believes his team will be worthy champions.
"If we do that, and I think we are going to do that, we will be champions being top of the league since day one," he said.
"Only top teams can do that."
Mourinho confirmed that he will once again be without Loic Remy at the King Power Stadium as the France striker continues to nurse a calf problem.
With Diego Costa also sidelined and Didier Drogba short of fitness, Mourinho fielded Oscar at the tip of his attack against Arsenal, only for the Brazilian midfielder to be taken to hospital at half-time for scans after a heavy collision with home goalkeeper David Ospina.
While Arsenal created the better chances in the second half, striker Olivier Giroud barely had a kick, prompting Mourinho to pay an effusive tribute to his captain, John Terry.
"I told John Terry in the dressing room that he made fantastic performances with me, but this was his best," the Portuguese told Sky Sports.
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