Mourinho admits Chelsea cannot challenge Manchester City

Jose Mourinho says Chelsea are not challengers for the Premier League title this season.

Chelsea play Manchester City at the WEtihad Stadium in the Premier League on Monday, but Blues’ manager Mourinho admits that he is preparing for next year’s title challenge rather than harbouring hopes of winning the league this year.

“We are not favourites to win any competition [now],” he said.

“The speech will change completely next pre-season, and not just the speech. Normally the speech is adapted to the feelings, knowledge and experience. Next pre-season, day one, I will say we are candidates to win the Premier League. This season, we are candidates to win the next match.”

Premier League leaders City can go six points clear of Chelsea with a win on Monday, but Mourinho thinks that Manuel Pellegrini’s side have been riding their luck at times this season.

“It is just a coincidence and nothing else but the reality is they have had many crucial decisions in their favour. They are lucky,” he said.

“Against Liverpool, the Sterling ‘goal’, the penalty on Suarez. Against Newcastle, the [disallowed] goal that is a clear goal. Against Tottenham, Dawson’s goal, the penalty, the red card [for Danny Rose]. They are having everything.”