Jose
Mourinho says Tottenham can win the Premier League while insisting his own
side must play as if they are fighting for the title.
The Blues travel to White Hart Lane on Sunday to take on an in-form Spurs
side who have not lost in the league since their opening game of the season
against Manchester United.
Mourinho says he has been impressed by Mauricio Pochettino's side, who come
into the game four points behind top of the table Leicester City, and
believes they have what it takes to challenge for their first league title
since 1961.
"When I watch them play it's no surprise," Mourinho said. "If they tell
players or managers that they are fighting for the title I will not laugh.
"The team is very good. Manager is good, players are good. Good stability,
playing well. I think a really, really, really good team."
In contrast to Tottenham, defending champions Chelsea are not in their usual
perch near the top of the league after a disastrous start to the season
which represents the most difficult period of Mourinho's managerial career.
The Blues are currently 15th but Mourinho has not given up hope of claiming
a European place and hopes his team can fight their way back up the table.
"Our only goal now is to try to get into position where we can smell the top
end of the league," Mourinho said.
"We have to play every match as if we are fighting for the title. The
reality is that we need points.
"At this moment we are far from the European positions. Every point can make
a difference. We've lost so many points already, now we have to fight for
them even more."
John Terry is a doubt for the trip to North London after suffering an ankle
injury in Tuesday night's Champions League win at Maccabi Tel Aviv but
Mourinho says his captain could yet feature.
"I don't want to say that it's impossible that he plays, because maybe he
plays and you'll say I was hiding," Mourinho said.
"Today he didn't train but we have a little hope that it's possible."
Midfielder Ramires is a major doubt, too, having missed the Champions League
tie with an undisclosed injury sustained in training in Israel on Monday.
Cesc Fabregas, though, is fit despite revealing a toe injury after the
Maccabi win.
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