Chelsea's Jose Mourinho has told title-chasing squad he EXPECTS them to win the league

Blues' manager talks in the press of his team being "little horses" not ready to compete for silverware - but it's a different story behind closed doors

John Peters

We're number one! Mourinho told his players he'd lie to the media about their title chances

Jose Mourinho told his Chelsea players that they would win the title this season before playing down their chances in public, writes Dean Jones of the Sunday People.

Boss Mourinho ruled out his Blues after the win at Manchester City, claiming they were "little horses" up against the Etihad thoroughbreds.

But Sunday People Sport can reveal that Mourinho, who saw Eden Hazard’s hat-trick against Newcastle put Chelsea top of the Premier League, warned his team about what he would say in the media – and that he does not believe a word of it.

In an almost identical speech to one he made to his players during his first spell at Chelsea, he told them he expects them to be champions.

A senior Blues source said: “Jose told the players before the West Ham game that they would hear him talk down their title chances.

“He told them to pay no attention because his intention was to take the pressure off the team and put others under the microscope.

“He also told the players that he believes they will be champions this season.”

Mourinho’s title mind games is a ploy he used when he first arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2004. Then he told his players he would publicly write off their championship hopes but privately insisted they would win the league.

He stayed in character on Saturday night by refusing to publicly admit his side can win the league – despite moving to the top.