Mourinho targets ‘killer’ striker

Jose Mourinho believes Chelsea’s incoming ‘killer’ striker will open the floodgates after another missed opportunity put paid to the Blues’ Premier League title hopes.

Mourinho has long lamented his toiling strikers’ troubles in front of goal and indicated his desire to land a prolific goalscorer next term, with Atletico Madrid’s Diego Costa reportedly the number one target and the possibility of Fernando Torres returning to his former club in part-exchange.

As well as helping Chelsea match their formidable record against the Premier League’s elite, the new forward will be expected to rough up also-rans like Norwich, whose 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge on Sunday saw the Blues concede further ground to Manchester City and Liverpool.

“Against the teams that are more defensive, more aggressive, more worried about trying to keep a clean sheet than really to play, we keep saying the same,” Mourinho said.

“We have good players, but we don’t have the kind of striker able to, in a short space, to make an action, to score a goal, to open the gate.

“In these kind of matches you just need to open the gate. When you open the gate, the gate is open and you go win much more. We weren’t able to do that.

“We have to try to win as a team, to improve as a team, but also add the attacking player with that killer instinct and the number of goals that push teams to different levels. It’s something our club is going to try (to do), respecting obviously that we have good strikers.”

The Blues beat Manchester City twice, Liverpool twice, took four points from matches with Arsenal, Everton, Tottenham and Manchester United, but recent defeats to Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, Sunderland and the draw with Norwich have proved costly.

“It’s much more difficult to get results against the big teams,” Mourinho added.

“Mentally you have to be stronger, by the strategic point of view you have to be stronger too. When we have that amazing record against the top teams, I think it’s a fantastic achievement and a good base to start next season.”