Mourinho believes in Blues' title credentials

CHELSEA manager Jose Mourinho is in no doubt he has assembled a squad capable of winning this season's Premiership title, but knows nothing will be decided against Manchester United tomorrow.

The 41-year-old has wasted little time since arriving in June as he looks to bring his golden touch from Porto to west London.

Chelsea have splashed out nearly stg£90 million on seven new players, and it remains to be seen just whom Mourinho picks for his first competitive match in charge this weekend.

The Portuguese coach, though, will not be reading too much into Sunday's result, but will approach the match with the same focus he will dedicate to each and every game.

"Success always depends on yourself and others," he reflected.

"The teams who have the same objectives as us - to win the Premiership - they are very strong teams.

"Sometimes you work well, create a good team and get good results, but despite that, you can end the season with one point less.

"I believe we can win the Premiership.

"There are no questions that I believe that, but I cannot say there are no questions that we are going to win it.

"What I am saying is 100% I have no doubts we can win the championship and have to fight for that but I cannot say such a stupid thing as for sure we will win the championship.

"I have enough confidence in myself to believe in good things, but at the same time I understand enough about football to feel that sometimes you don't achieve what you fight for."

"I will approach this Manchester United game with the same philosophy as I will approach the next match against Birmingham or the following match against Crystal Palace.

"But it is three points, no more. If we win, we are not champions.

"If we lose we are not out of the fight for the Premiership, so it is just a match and no difference to every other game we will have."

Mourinho is without Dutch winger Arjen Robben, who is sidelined with a foot problem he suffered during the tour of the US, while midfielder Tiago Mendes is recovering from a groin problem which kept him out of Portugal's Olympics squad.

Centre-back Robert Huth is suspended following his sending-off at Old Trafford in May, but Wayne Bridge, Adrian Mutu, Joe Cole and Alexei Smertin have all been back training this week.

Mourinho's biggest selection poser would seem to be choosing between goalkeepers Carlo Cudicini and summer signing Petr Cech.

The Chelsea manager intimated that whoever gets the nod on Sunday is likely to become first choice between the posts.

"Normally I go to one goalkeeper and give to him, all the confidence," said Mourinho.

"But at the same time he has to know that there is also somebody of real quality working well and waiting for their chance.