Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho was full of praise for Southampton's Ronald Koeman ahead of tomorrow's game at the St Mary's Stadium.
Together with West Ham United, the Saints have been this season's most impressive side as they have been a constant presence in the top four and Mourinho believes Koeman and his players did exceptionally well after key players like Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert left the squad in the summer.
"We worked together in Barcelona in Mr Van Gaal's coaching staff so we were colleagues," Mourinho said.
"So I know Ronald well, I know he is a good coach with a good mentality and I know the football principles he likes so when I saw him takeover Pochettino's team, I thought he was the right guy to do it.
"Southampton lost some good players but they were very clinical in their choices [for replacements], so they have a good squad, a very good coach and they are playing well.
"They are getting results and they are the kind of team that in this moment has no pressure as relegation is very far away and the title is not for them.
"So they are in a fantastic situation to play beautiful football like they are doing."
The Blues are one of the few teams in the Premier League facing no injury concerns and the Portuguese says it's hard to leave important players out of the squad.
"At the moment it is difficult to choose 11 players plus seven substitutes because everybody is fit," Mourinho said.
"Against West Ham I had to leave out Remy, Salah and Ake, people who are working a lot to have an opportunity, so it is good problems for me."
