Jose
Mourinho is wary of standing still with Chelsea as they prepare to launch
the defence of their Premier League title against Swansea this weekend.
Mourinho gave the club a boost on Friday night when it was announced he had
signed a four-year contract extension.
He clearly believes the stability his squad has both on the playing side and
behind the scenes can reap rewards in the months to come.
Mourinho has only made two signings this summer, bringing in goalkeeper
Asmir Begovic as a replacement for Petr Cech and recruiting forward Radamel
Falcao on loan.
The Portuguese coach doesn’t believe a raft of imports is always necessary
and thinks the core of players he already has can help the London side to
continue progressing.
He said: "If you stand still you get worse. It's right. It's dangerous but
the same people can move forward.
"You don't need to buy 10 players to be a better team. You can be a better
team with one or two new players. You can be a better team with the same
people."
Providing Diego Costa is fit – something which is by no means certain at
present – Mourinho could start the season with the same first-choice XI
which he deployed last term.
He hopes the continuity will have benefits with respect to both on-field
performances and in the players' mentality.
Mourinho added: "The biggest advantage is for them to think together and say
together: 'My club and my manager trust me so much. They believe in me. Now
it's my time, now it's our time to give it back and to give my manager, to
give my board, my club, a proper answer.'
"They deserve our confidence, but I think now is our time to deserve a
compensation of that and for the players to give us everything they have and
to keep the level of ambition and motivation."
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