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Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson locks horns with Chelsea's 'Special One' Jose Mourinho

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Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson goes head to head with the 'Special One' today.

It is the clash of the champions of the Championship against a Chelsea side who many are tipping to clinch the Premier League title this season.

While Pearson's players will take on the likes of Eden Hazard, Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas on the field at Stamford Bridge (3.0), the City boss locks horns with Jose Mourinho.

The two managers could hardly be more different in their personas.

Mourinho is the master of the mind game, using every opportunity to get the upper hand on his opponent, plant seeds of doubt and gain as much of an advantage as possible.

Pearson is not interested in such affairs.

"I have a huge respect for (Mourinho's) achievements in the game," said Pearson. "But I don't see it as being a duel between managers. I never have done.

"The game is about players. The game is about trying to be competitive as a team and that is really how I perceive it."

While it is a mouth-watering prospect for all City fans, who have been waiting 10 years to take on the likes of Chelsea in the top division, Pearson is doing his best to treat it just like any other game.

The City boss said he knows his side are not expected to get anything from the game, but he is going there with the same intention he has for every other match – to win.

"It is important to play the game, not the occasion," said Pearson. "It is important for us to be pretty pragmatic in how we play football matches.

"That's not to say we don't enjoy the experience. You only enjoy sport if you have a chance of winning.

"I've never been a big believer in 'it's the taking part that counts'.

"It is winning that counts, but you have to be able to win with a bit of humility and, likewise, lose with a bit of dignity as well."

Pearson is embracing the challenge of testing himself on the world's biggest stage.

"Regardless of whether you are a player, coach or a manager, if you think you have gone as far as you can and you can't get any better, you may as well pack it up," he said.

"If you think you have hit the zenith of your abilities, then don't bother any more. You may as well finish."

Mourinho's side were in irresistible form when they beat promoted Burnley in their opening game, with Cesc Fabregas putting on a masterclass in the middle of the park.

But Mourinho said he will be taking no chances at Stamford Bridge this afternoon and expects Pearson's side to give them a tough game.

"Every match is difficult, every opponent is difficult," said Mourinho, who had Pearson's right-hand man Steve Walsh as his European scout during his first stint in charge at Chelsea.

"They are champions, they come with that winning mentality from the previous season. They come with high expectations.

"They know that every point is important, especially for the teams that fight to stay in the division. They had a difficult start, to play Everton is not easy. They managed to come from behind and equalise and give them a good game. They are coming to try to get points."

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Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson locks horns with Chelsea's 'Special One' Jose Mourinho


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