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Madrid: Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has angrily defended the reasons for his recent trip to London, amid reports he could be set to exit the Spanish giants this summer.
The Portuguese trainer was spotted 'house-hunting' in the English capital on Tuesday, fuelling speculation that he may be set to join either Tottenham or former club Chelsea at the end of the current campaign.
However, ahead of Sunday's encounter against Espanyol, the 49-year-old refused to divulge the purpose of his visit at his pre-match press conference.
"I don't have to give explanations to anyone concerning my private life. When one of us leaves Madrid, we inform the club out of courtesy. I don't have to tell you [the press] anything," he told reporters on Saturday evening.
And he then mysteriously added: "On Monday I am going away again."
The Portuguese also evaded further questions about his future, saying: "I don't want to talk about it, it's not the right time."
Mourinho then turned his attentions to this weekend's fixture and his side's growing injury concerns, with Fabio Coentrao, Karim Benzema and Angel Di Maria all injured, and Kaka a doubt.
"I do not know how Kaka is, we will have to wait. On Friday he did not practice. It depends on other injuries as we need everyone so we may have to risk him. If not for 90 minutes, then for 45 or 20. We will see after training," he added.
"Di Maria is injured. He is very important to our game and is working to recover. The important thing is that he gets better soon because he makes his mark on this team."
Mourinho also discussed the future of two players who have recently been linked with moves away from the Santiago Bernabeu - Gonzalo Higuain and Esteban Granero.
"Higuain is one of the best in the world. Only a fool would want to sell one of the best. Even when he is not scoring goals, he remains one of the best and a very special player, so I have no intention for him to leave Madrid," he stated.
"Granero never lets me down, he always fulfills my expectations. If there is someone you can trust it is Granero. I have no time to read the experts in the press. Granero plays with a lot of character and is a guy with a very special personality which I can't lose at Madrid."
The former Inter trainer was also questioned on Nuri Sahin after the midfielder played for Turkey midweek in their 2-1 friendly defeat to Slovakia, despite struggling for game time at the Bernabeu.
"Madrid are better than Turkey. Without being offensive, it is easier to play for a national team than a club [like Madrid]. I still think Nuri Sahin, with a proper pre-season, could do much more. The team cannot be joking at the moment," he explained.
Mourinho concluded the press conference by saying a few words about Espanyol, a side he rates highly, along with coach Mauricio Pochettino.
"Espanyol are all that matters. They are a very good team with a very good coach. They will not be scared of winning here. Our aim to to get to the next game with the same [points] difference. If we win on Sunday, it will be one game less [to go]. It's a vital clash for us," he revealed.
Madrid head into the weekend 10 points clear of fierce rivals Barcelona, with the Catalans set to face Sporting Gijon at Camp Nou on Saturday evening.
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