Mourinho has Finally Tipped Who are the Premier League Title Favourites (Read More)

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has claimed that not only are Chelsea favourites to retain their Premier League title, but that the Blues are even stronger than last season.

Antonio Conte has endured a difficult post-season at Stamford Bridge, seeing Nemanja Matic leave for United while his own transfer targets such as Romelu Lukaku have gone elsewhere.

A spate of injuries has moreover left Chelsea down to the bare bones, leading Conte himself to admit retaining the league would be a tough ask.

Mourinho dismissed suggestions the Blues were weaker, however, and stated they should be the team to beat in 2017-18.

“When people say, for example, Chelsea lost an important midfield player, if you lose one but you buy Bakayoko and Danny Drinkwater, for example, what’s the problem?" the manager said in Friday's press conference when asked about Chelsea losing Matic.

“For me, the favourite is the champion — always. It is for some reason they were the champions," he said.

“It doesn’t mean you’re going to win it. I just think it’s the stamp you have when you’re champions — that the next season you’re the favourite.”