Coach Jose Mourinho has backed Peter Kenyon after the Chelsea chief executive’s comments that the club would comfortably defend their Premiership title this season.
Kenyon was accused of arrogance after he said that the wealthy London side had no realistic rivals for the title.
”What Peter said was taken out of context. But even if it wasn’t, his meaning should stay the same. What he said shouldn’t disturb anyone,” said Mourinho.
”For three years, everyone has called me arrogant. Now they say the same thing about Peter. I don’t call what he said arrogance. He says what he has in his soul. He says what he wants — this is normal.
”During the summer I’ve seen a few players like Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville say they’re going to kill Chelsea and become champions. This is absolutely normal and there is nothing wrong with it.
”Everyone wants to win trophies. Giggs and Neville won nothing last season. This time they want something. What is wrong with that?”
While Kenyon’s words may have left Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger bristling, they have left little doubt over the level of expectation at Stamford Bridge following last season’s double success.
Mourinho said: ”We have to win trophies every season. If we lose to a big team, then it can’t be a drama. But we must make it a habit to win. We have four competitions plus the Charity Shield. We have to win trophies.
”I think the title will be closer this year. Everyone will be stronger. The distance between us and Liverpool last season was almost 40 points. This is almost impossible to happen again.”
Chelsea’s title defence has been aided by the £21-million acquisition of Shaun Wright-Phillips from Manchester City, and Mourinho has been impressed by the speed with which the England winger has settled at Stamford Bridge.
”We were a bit plodding last season when Damien Duff and Arjen Robben were injured, but it’s not such a drama now because we have four wingers. Shaun is even better than I thought. He’s very intelligent, very intuitive,” said Mourinho.
The Portuguese coach also ruled out any move for England striker Michael Owen, who is set to leave Real Madrid, saying that he has enough firepower up front with the return of loaned players Hernan Crespo and Carlton Cole.
”We play with one striker and two wingers. We’ve made a big investment in Didier Drogba and Crespo — both players I love. Carlton Cole is a personal bet that I want to win. Maybe I don’t win in one or two months, but I will win,” he said. — Sapa-AFP