Jose Mourinho’s first words at the starting of this year were ‘Game On’ as he insists its time for Chelsea to get serious in the Premier League race.
Chelsea begin the year with comfortable third place on the table with just two points off leaders Arsenal and one behind second-placed Manchester City.
Mourinho points that his boys are in a much better position as compared to where they were last year. He went on justifying “Last year we were 12 or 11 points behind the leader, so game over. In this moment we are two points behind, so game is well on. Let’s keep going,”.
Mourinho also believes that Manchester City are the favorites for the title, and he insists he is not trying to play mind games by saying so. He went on praising City and their capability for adapting to pressure
He said: “Do you think I’m putting pressure (on City)? You think I’m capable of it? See the squad, see the players, the number of goals, the strikers. (Edin) Dzeko is the third striker of Man City. Dzeko. (Stevan) Jovetic, the fourth.
“I think they know how good they are and I don’t think if they feel any pressure”
Whilst talking enviously of City’s striking riches, Mourninho says the Blues have no plans to bolster the forward ranks during the winter transfer window.
Chelsea’s strikers have six Premier League goals between them this season – Samuel Eto’o (three), Fernando Torres (two) and Demba Ba (one) – compared to 19 for Liverpool’s Luis Suarez and 13 for Sergio Aguero of Manchester City.
“I’m happy with them,” Mourinho said. “I keep saying that they are not this profile of player that scores every weekend and scores 20, 25, 30 goals in a season.
“But they are giving everything they have and I am happy with them. No new strikers in January, because we trust these guys and we go with them.
“This season the top four will be a big achievement for everyone. The difference between the top four and being champion, it looks like it’s not a big difference, so I think the first objective for everyone is to attack the top four.
“And if we can protect the top four, let’s see what we can do and let’s see if Man City kills everybody or if they keep being close to all of us.”
Mourinho maintains there are still six sides vying for the title – and Chelsea are yet to be beaten by any of them.
“Ofcource Everton and Newcastle are close to the top four but Man United and Tottenham are also not far away.