Jose Mourinho knows what it takes to guide a Chelsea team to consecutive league titles, and at the outset of his third season back in charge he has explained how he will use the tag of champions to his and the team’s benefit this time around.
As in always the case when the transfer window is open, there has been plenty of speculation linking us with new players. However, Mourinho has reiterated time and again this summer he has no desire to let anyone go unless the player wants to do so.
It is that attitude he thinks will help keep his squad close as we go on the hunt for more silverware this season.
‘When you are champions you owe something to the players as a manager,’ explained Mourinho. ‘I feel that. I prefer loyalty to kicking people out and bringing in new faces when you are champions. I prefer the group to know that I am there for them and I recognise what they did for us.
‘Even if other teams make huge investments and go with lots of new faces, I prefer this feeling of loyalty to the squad. What they did last year is more than enough to trust them and to respect them.
‘Being champions doesn’t change me for bad, it changes me for good. Hopefully it is the same thing for the players. I want them to feel good but not relaxed or with less motivation. It can only influence us in a positive way.
‘The atmosphere is brilliant. The players’ relations are good, and the relations between me and the players is good. Everything is going well but we know we have the most difficult domestic competition in the world, with more candidates and top teams.’
Mourinho expanded on that thought with the idea of retaining the title in mind, pointing out it is not just the teams that regularly challenge at the top end of the table who have significantly strengthened over the summer.
‘It was always difficult to win matches in England and now it’s even more difficult. The teams are going to be stronger. Look at Crystal Palace, one example, who have signed Yohan Cabaye and Conor Wickham.
‘What others are doing will make a different Premier League. To win it we won’t need as many points as before. I think fewer points will win the title, and there will be more defeats and lost points for the top teams.
‘I welcome this mentality, this economic power, and this ambition. If the Premier League was difficult it will be even more difficult now.’
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