Jose Mourinho coy on Stones and Pogba pursuit as Chelsea boss blasts referees (again)

Jose Mourinho did not want to talk about Chelsea's pursuit of John Stones

JOSE MOURINHO has refused to discuss the possibility of another bid for Everton defender John Stones.

 

Chelsea have now seen four bids knocked back and Mourinho remained tight-lipped when quizzed ahead of their clash with Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge tomorrow (3pm).

He was equally coy on Paul Pogba, who is a £70million target for the Blues, but refused to rule out any incoming signings between now and the end of the transfer window.\

 

Mourinho is unhappy at some decisions this season, including John Terry's red card against West Brom

"I don’t speak about players from other teams,” Mourinho said.

“I have a good squad, I’m happy with the squad I have.

“If I get another player in before the end of the market that’s good.

“If we don’t then we go with what we have. We have a good squad."

 

Transfer talk has intensified due to a stuttering start to the season but Mourinho believes his squad have what it takes to retain their Premier League crown.

Instead, he hinted their struggles were down to being the victims of some poor refereeing decisions.

John Terry's red card against West Brom last weekend was their second dismissal in three games, with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois seeing red against Swansea on the opening day.

Both West Brom and Swansea were also awarded penalties against Mourinho's side, who claims the decisions were unusual.

 

"I think the most important thing of this start to the season is that it’s not normal that, in three matches, you have two penalties against and play with 10 men twice," he added

"That’s the thing that immediately comes to the mind of someone analysing the situation. Apart from that, one match at home, two away, four points. 

"It’s not what we want, but four points is not a drama. We have to keep going, improving. We know we can improve and will improve. We’ll try to get a good result.

"This is the Premier League so, when you are five points behind the leader in another league that can be complication. In the Premier League, it’s not complicated."

 

Mourinho will take charge for the 100th time at Stamford Bridge when they welcome Palace. In the 99 games up until now, the Portuguese has lost just once.

However, he refused to be sentimental, insisting an impressive milestone would mean nothing unless they come away from the clash with three points.

"I know it's not normal, 99 matches in this league. It's 99 matches in the most competitive league. 

"If I don't win, I will not enjoy memories of any of my other home matches, because only tomorrow is only important."

Tomorrow he will have to do without captain John Terry, who misses the game through suspension.

Oscar and Victor Moses are also suffering with knocks, while Brazilian striker Kenedy could make his debut.