Chelsea FC vs Swansea City preview - Mourinho makes veiled criticism

Jose Mourinho has made a veiled criticism of Roberto Martinez for the Everton manager's outspoken rebuke of Chelsea for their pursuit of John Stones.

Martinez was unhappy with John Terry's comments in praise of Toffees defender Stones, whom the Premier League champions have pursued this summer and had offers rebuffed.

"I'm not speaking about Everton or Stones. I'm just speaking in general," said Chelsea boss Mourinho, speaking ahead of Saturday's season-opener with Swansea at Stamford Bridge.

"If I could, I would speak with you (the media) once in a month. And there are other people in football who, if they could, they would have a press conference every day. And I don't want to say anything else."

Chelsea have five first-team defenders and Mourinho is keen to recruit more, with a left-back high on the agenda, but he insists he is not preoccupied by the transfer window.

Another concern is up front. Mourinho is uncertain whether Diego Costa will be fit to begin the Blues' title defence after his troublesome hamstring injury flared up once more, forcing the striker out of last Sunday's Community Shield loss to Arsenal.

"I don't know. I promise you, I don't know," Mourinho said. "I think he's going to train with the team (on Friday evening).

"His reaction after that and his decision to be confident to play is another story."

Radamel Falcao and Loic Remy are vying for the starting spot if Costa is unavailable, and Chelsea have no further concerns.

Garry Monk feels Swansea are in good shape to build on last season's best Premier League finish and record points total.

Monk has managed to keep key players like skipper Ashley Williams, striker Bafetimbi Gomis and goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, the latter signing a new four-year deal on Thursday amid reported interest from Serie A giants Roma.

He also did his summer transfer business early with international forwards Andre Ayew and Eder, France Under-21 defender Franck Tabanou and Sweden goalkeeper Kristoffer Nordfeldt integrated into the Swansea squad at the start of pre-season.

"We've had good preparation time with the group, they've put a lot of hard work in on both the physical and football side of things," Monk said.

"The group were together very early and the new signings were here early as part of our plan.

"It's an advantage because we've had five or six weeks with the whole group while other clubs are still looking to bring in players.

"We got to a good level last year with the expectations of how I want them to work but now it's about improving tactically, physically, technically - and that's what we've been working on.

"We have sat down and shown them how much they have improved and how much they can improve."

Monk has a fully-fit squad to choose from with Ghana forward Ayew is poised to make his debut following his move from Marseille, but fellow summer signings Kristoffer Nordfeldt, Franck Tabanou and Eder could all start on the bench.

Gomis has been troubled by a hamstring injury but the French striker played in Swansea's final pre-season game against Deportivo La Coruna last weekend and reported no reaction.