Jose Mourinho insists Chelsea are title favourites despite Matic exit

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho insists that Blues boss Antonio Conte can use the loss of Nemanja Matic as an excuse for failing to challenge for the Premier League.


The Serbia international made a surprise switch north earlier last month after United finalised a £40m fee with their west London counterparts.

Since then, Blues boss Antonio Conte has cited that he did not sanction the sale of Matic, and the midfielder’s departure is a great loss for the reigning champions. The Italian coach also felt that the Blues are in a transition phase, and they could struggle to retain the Premier League crown this term.

In response to Conte, Mourinho was in an unforgiving mood stressing that the Blues have sorted out their issue with the signing of Tiemoue Bakayoko, who could be joined by Danny Drinkwater. The Special One also insisted that his former club have strengthened significantly this summer, and they are strong contenders to fight on all four fronts this campaign.

He said: “When people say, for example, Chelsea lost an important midfield player, if you lose one but you buy Bakayoko and Drinkwater, for example, what’s the problem?The problem is when you sell and you don’t buy. When you sell and you keep buying, what’s the problem? You are probably even stronger, so I think every top team in the Premier League is potentially strong enough with the financial situation to be fighting for everything.They have very good teams, very good players, and I don’t see any reason for them not to be fighting for the title.”

Chelsea recovered from an opening day defeat to Burnley to clinch a valuable 2-1 win over London rivals Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley on Sunday. Conte’s side will tackle Everton in the Premier League next weekend, and a win over the Toffees would put them in good stand ahead of the international break.