Mourinho expects more competitive season
Posted Sunday, August 02, 2015 by Foxsports.com
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho believes that the team that wins the 2015/16 Premier League title will lose significantly more matches than in previous seasons.
The Blues lost just three times on the way to securing Premier League silverware last season, outstripping the field by an eight-point margin after appearing thoroughly dominant throughout the campaign.
However, Mourinho feels that with a number of clubs enjoying increased spending power there will be considerably more surprise results, leading to a more open title race that the Portuguese tactician believes could be won by any of five teams.
"To win the Premier League, we don't need so many points as before," he said.
"I think more defeats, more lost points for the top teams. Crystal Palace buy (Yohan) Cabaye, as an example. I could give you much more examples.
"Welcome this mentality, welcome this economic power, welcome this ambition. If the Premier League was difficult, the Premier League will now be more difficult and I think less points will win the title."
He added: "I believe us and four other teams - Liverpool, Arsenal, Man United and Man City - can win title."
With this in mind, Mourinho knows that his side need to have a rock-solid defence if they are to defend their title, and the 52-year-old has revealed that he is looking to bring in defensive reinforcements, with John Terry, Branislav Ivanovic, Kurt Zouma, Gary Cahill and Cesar Azpilicueta currently the only first-team defenders at his disposal.
Despite this, Mourinho has hinted that the club will not make an increased bid for Everton defender John Stones, having seen bids worth £20million and £26m rejected.by the Merseyside outfit.
"I have people in mind, but we make our own rules and know the players' value," he said.
"We know when we have to stop and turn to another side and option because we as a club make rules nobody can change."
In addition to Stones, Chelsea have been linked with Napoli defender Faouzi Ghoulam. The Serie A outfit are believed to have rejected a £11million bid from the Blues for the 24-year-old.
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