Chelsea begin their Premier League title defence against Swansea City on Saturday (7.30pm) in the unusual position of heading into a new season having been significantly outspent by their rivals.
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The club’s marquee signing of the close season has been a loan deal for Colombia forward Radamel Falcao, who, like £7 million goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, is likely to feature only as a back-up in the coming campaign.
Mourinho’s unwillingness to discuss Oliver’s performance suggested he might have started the new season with a resolution to keep his opinions about refereeing decisions to himself. “I want to react this way today, because I don’t want you to say it was from day one“. But Swansea, with a very attacking team despite the daunting venue and hard opponents, the defending champions if you forgot, caused them problems from the first minute, especially when Jefferson Montero attacked a confused Branislav Ivanovic down the flank.
“We fought in the second half because I never play for a draw at home”.
Arsenal have been superb in pre-season and last weekend’s Community Shield win over Chelsea only served to enhance the notion that this year the Gunners will be serious title contenders. “It is important we have this continuity and I hope we can enjoy more success in the future – for the fans, the players and the club”, Mourinho said.
After recent speculation about the free arsenal striker, Arsene Wenger does not believe that the matter is crucial in trying to win their first Premier League title since 2004. Mourinho commented that this is his philosophy at home. And there are other people in football who, if they could, they would have a press conference every day.
But Wenger, speaking ahead of his side’s opener against West Ham at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, insists his squad should instead take a collective approach to their goalscoring duties this term.
“We tried”, Mourinho said.
“It’s been tough at times, playing Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, but we’ve adapted well to it and hopefully it will stand us in good stead come the start of the Premier League season”. You can be a better team with one or two new players.
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“I can not say I don’t need him“.
