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Begovic: I came to Chelsea to test myself against Courtois
By Dejan Kalinic
Jul 29, 2015 11:25:17
The former Stoke City goalkeeper believes that he can do what Petr Cech was unable to and usurp the Belgium international as Jose Mourinho's first choice between the posts
Chelsea goalkeeper Asmir Begovic believes that he can challenge Thibaut Courtois to become first choice for the Premier League champions.
The Bosnia-Herzegovina international joined the Blues from Stoke City in July, signing a four-year contract in the wake of Petr Cech's departure for Arsenal.
The long-serving Cech was a clear second choice behind Courtois last season but Begovic welcomes the challenge of unseating the Belgian.
"I want to test myself against Thibaut. He's one of the best goalkeepers in the world but I believe in myself. I want to try and get as many games as I can," he told reporters.
"There have been no guarantees from the manager. The challenge that's here, the manager and players was what attracted to me.
"I'll back myself, absolutely. I’ll be keeping my head down and working hard to see how I can help this team in the future."
Begovic denies joining Chelsea purely for money and believes that he will improve testing himself against the best.
"Obviously everyone has their opinion but, for me, it was more of a challenge to try something different," he explained. "I think I was at that stage where I want to test myself against the best and that's ultimately what I've come here to do.
"Even after the first week, you can see the quality here and how they can improve you with the levels and demands here."
The 26-year-old centre-back, who suffered relegation with Steve Bruce's side last season, has signed a four-year contract with the Baggies to become their second summer arrival
West Brom have completed the signing of James Chester from Hull City.
The 26-year-old defender has committed to a four-year contract after completing a medical on Tuesday.
Chester is West Brom's second signing of the summer, following the arrival of James McClean from Wigan.
"James did very well for Hull City. I've had a good chat with him and he's the type of player I like," Tony Pulis told West Brom's official website.
"He's young, a strong character, a good defender, he has good feet and he has the Manchester United stamp all over him, just like [Stoke City's] Ryan Shawcross and Darren Fletcher. They're wonderful lads and I'm told James is as well.
"From the people I spoke to, like Steve Bruce and people in the Welsh party, they speak very highly of him.
"Steve especially gave him a great mention and there is no better accolade than Steve Bruce giving a defender a good drum roll.
"James is a good player who can play anywhere along the back line and I'm confident he will get better with age.“
Slaven Bilic has not ruled out further additions at West Ham despite seven new players already arriving ahead of the new Premier League campaign.
Upton Park has been a hive of activity during the close-season with the likes of Dimitri Payet, Angelo Ogbonna and Pedro Obiang joining new boss Bilic's ranks.
"We are not trying to get many [players]," Bilic said. "But if we can find a player or a couple who will make us better then we definitely want to do it.
"We have to like the player. The player has to be available, but if they are available for a reasonable amount of money and are good investment then why not.
"I am happy with my squad, but the transfer window is very open and it is possible players will come and go."
Bilic also confirmed that discussions are ongoing to bring Barcelona's Alex Song back to the club after a successful loan spell last season.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho unleashed a stunning attack on Real Madrid counterpart Rafael Benitez, whilst poking fun at the latter's weight.
Benitez's wife, Montse, caused a stir when she claimed her husband is always tidying up after Mourinho, having coached Inter, Chelsea and now Real.
Montse's comments provoked a response from Mourinho, who was quizzed by reporters following Chelsea's 4-2 penalty shoot-out win over Barcelona in the International Champions Cup on Tuesday.
Mourinho pointed to Benitez's record with Inter just months after the Portuguese boss guided the Milan club to a historic treble in 2009-10 as he shot down Montse's claims.
Benitez was sacked six months into a two-year deal.
"The lady is a bit confused, with all respect," Mourinho said.
"I'm not laughing. Because her husband went to Chelsea to replace Roberto Di Matteo and he went to Real Madrid and replaced Carlo Ancelotti.
"The only club where her husband replaces me was at Inter Milan, where in six months he destroyed the best team in Europe at the time.
"And for her also to think about me and to speak about me, I think the lady needs to occupy her time and if she takes care of her husband's diet she will have less time to speak about me."
The centre-back suffered a broken nose while scoring against Barcelona and the striker complained of a hamstring problem, but the Blues boss hopes to have both available quickly
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is hopeful that neither Gary Cahill nor Diego Costa will be kept out of action by injuries suffered in Tuesday's friendly against Barcelona.
Cahill was withdrawn with a possible broken nose after taking a blow while scoring a late equaliser in their International Champions Cup game in Washington. The game finished 2-2 before the Blues went on to win 4-2 win on penalties.
Costa featured for an hour before he was replaced by Loic Remy after feeling a twinge in his troublesome hamstring but Mourinho was not overly concerned by the injuries to two of his key players.
"Cahill has a chance of a broken nose, maybe yes, maybe no," he explained to reporters. "If no, perfect. If yes, he will get a mask tomorrow to be ready for Sunday [the Community Shield match against Arsenal].
"Diego felt a little thing in his hamstring. We believe it is just a feeling, no more than that, but we have to wait."
Mourinho also admitted he thoroughly enjoyed the game as a spectacle in a stadium awash with colour.
"My first thought when I got on the pitch was the amazing colour of the game," he added. "The crowd was beautiful. The blue guys and the Barcelona people were together. There was lots of colour. The screens were amazing.
"Barcelona were not worried about winning or losing. They were training - the same as us. It was not a tactical game. It was two teams looking for the best intensity, the best form.
"For me it was fantastic. I thanked Luis Enrique a lot for what they gave us. It was just what we needed.
"It was 2-2; it could have been 4-4. The penalties mean nothing for us, nothing for Barca, but for the people it means a lot.
"The 70,000 or so people that were here go home happy. It was good promotion for soccer in the US and good for the promotion of our clubs."
Ferguson praises former sparring partner Rooney for braving Everton return
By Harry Sherlock
Aug 1, 2015 00:10:00
The England striker has agreed to play for the Toffees again, despite leaving under a cloud in 2004, while a fierce punch to his former team-mate ended their boxing work-outs
Duncan Ferguson has heaped praise on Wayne Rooney for agreeing to play for Everton again, and has revealed that a right hook from the Manchester United striker ended their brief sparring sessions.
The 29-year-old Red Devils skipper has agreed to don the blue shirt for the first time since 2004 in Ferguson’s testimonial match against Villarreal on Sunday.
Rooney left the Toffees under a cloud, having handed in a transfer request in a bid to force through a move to Old Trafford, but Ferguson maintains that the forward will receive a positive reception.
“It was a long time ago and, as far as I’m concerned, he is one of us and I’m sure he’ll get a good reception,” he said.
“I did consider one or two others but Wayne is still playing and I wanted him back for that personal touch.
“I asked Wayne and he was delighted. We probably drifted away from each other over the last few years because you move on and that happens. But I wanted him to play in this game and I am chuffed to bits that he accepted.
“I played with Wayne when he made his debut at Wrexham and scored twice. We hit it off on the pitch from the start – he did what I told him to do but about three weeks later he was telling me what to do!”
Ferguson has also revealed that he and Rooney used to spar together, before a fierce punch from the young striker put an end to their boxing sessions.
“I am always in the gym and I remember us putting on the boxing gloves one day and having a spar. We were in the gym lifting weights. It was an off-the-cuff thing and I have to say he was a handy fighter,” he added.
“I remember getting punched right in the forehead by him. He was wearing the right glove and I was the one hiding away. We only did it once – I never wanted to do it again. He was handy.”
Mourinho mocks Wenger's winless record against him: Pulis is harder to beat!
By Harry Sherlock
Jul 31, 2015 23:45:00
The Chelsea manager says he has had more struggles against the current West Brom boss, and suggested he would have found a solution to the Frenchman's woeful record by now
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has taken another swipe at Arsene Wenger, taunting the Frenchman's winless run against him and implying that he has a greater rivalry with Tony Pulis.
Arsenal manager Wenger has failed to beat Mourinho in 13 previous meetings, and will face off against his arch-nemesis once again on Sunday in the Community Shield.
But ahead of the clash at Wembley, Mourinho has again mocked the Frenchman’s record, citing Pulis as his most dangerous rival and insisting that he would have found a solution to end Arsenal's winless streak by now.
"I think I lost twice against Tony Pulis," said Mourinho. "I lost against Crystal Palace and against West Brom. One game each."
On the subject of the Gunners' poor form against Chelsea, Mourinho expanded: "I think I would ask myself why. I would to try to answer but not because of a mental block but because I would want to try to find solutions to help my team to do it.
"This yes, try to find different way, try to find the reasons why it goes all the time against my team, but just that.
"I don't think about what happened before, I just think about the game. So, for me, six, seven, eight or nine matches without losing makes no difference and I don't think affects this game.
"And the next one for me there is no relation between one game and what happened before."
Despite his repeated digs at Wenger, Mourinho insists that the Gunners are title challengers this season, and says that the Community Shield is more than just a friendly.
"I always think Arsenal are title challengers. They have a very good squad, so in this second period in England, immediately when I arrived two years ago, I look at them as a very good squad, with very good players,” he stated.
"So I think it's more of the same. They are a top squad. I think they are still the same. Which means strong. A very good team.
"But it's not a friendly. It's not the same to win in the Summer Cup in Canada or in Singapore or wherever, it's not the same as to win the Community Shield. But I don't think it has a relation to the rest of the season."
Rodgers: Benteke will prove to be a bargain for Liverpool
By Harry Sherlock
Jul 31, 2015 21:15:00
The Belgium international completed a big-money move to Anfield from Aston Villa earlier this month and the Northern Irishman insists his £32.5m signing can prove his worth
Brendan Rodgers believes Christian Benteke will prove to be a bargain for Liverpool after completing a £32.5 million move to the club from Aston Villa.
The Belgium international finalised his transfer to Anfield on July 22, having scored 16 goals in all competitions last season following a storming end to the campaign under Tim Sherwood.
Benteke will not play for the Reds in their upcoming friendly against HJK Helsinki, as he has not travelled with the squad, but Rodgers has backed the 24-year-old to live up to, and even exceed, his price tag.
“I’ve read and seen things about his game, but in the short period of time he’s been in, I’ve been even more impressed,” he told reporters.
“I’ve seen him up close now for three years, stood at the side of the field and watching this guy – not just his power and strength, but also his footballing ability.
“He’s surprised people in the early stages of life at Liverpool with that mobility and the quickness of his feet – and his natural power and strength is there to see.
“One of the goals I remember he scored against us at Anfield, he ran halfway through the field.
“This isn’t someone who lacks pace, movement and intelligence. He’s not just a guy who you chuck the ball up to. Of course, his strength allows you to keep the ball, but he’ll really help the unpredictability of our game this season.
“For me, I think he’ll prove to be a bargain for the club, I really do.”
Liverpool have embarked on a major summer recruitment drive, acquiring Adam Bogdan, Nathaniel Clyne, Roberto Firmino, Joe Gomez, Danny Ings and James Milner in addition to Benteke.
And Rodgers has hailed all his new signings, but believes Benteke can become an icon at Anfield.
“We’ve obviously made a number of signings and a lot them have been young players and you can never tell,” Rodgers added.
“The players we’ve brought into Liverpool Football Club are all really good players – they’re all fantastic players, otherwise they wouldn’t be at the club.
“But it’s how players cope with the pressure of playing for one of the leading clubs in the world. That can always differ and be difficult.
“For the likes of Christian, he’s coming in and is one I’m excited about because of what he offers and what’s he’s been as an opponent against us.
“Coming in to a club like Liverpool, he can be a real hero for the supporters.
“I look at the likes of him and the boys we’ve signed, we’ve also got Daniel Sturridge to come back – we mustn’t forget about him and once he gets back fit, we’re going to have an array of talent that can score and create goals – I am excited to work with them all.
“With Christian, I am really looking forward to his presence at the club.”
The Ecuador international injured his knee and ankle during the club's 2-2 draw with Astra Girugiu and he now appears set to miss the start of the Premier League season
West Ham have been dealt a blow in the build-up to the Premier League season after Enner Valencia suffered a "significant" injury during Thursday's Europa League clash with Astra Giurgiu.
The Ecuador international was carried off on a stretcher after damaging his right knee and ankle during the first-half of the 2-2 third qualifying round first leg draw against the Romanian side at Upton Park.
Slaven Bilic's side confirmed on Friday that the 25-year-old's scan results were not positive, but the club are not yet aware of how long he will be out for.
A statement on the club's official website said: "Enner Valencia sustained what initially appears to be a significant injury to his right knee and right ankle.
"The Ecuador forward will see a specialist consultant at a clinic in central London on Monday morning and an update will be provided following that meeting.
"It is too early to put a timescale on how long Enner's recovery and rehabilitation period may be."
West Ham also lost Joey O'Brien to injury during Thursday's clash, in which they were 2-0 up before being pegged back after James Collins was sent off.
The 24-year-old was reportedly a target for Burnley but is keen to further improve himself at Villa Park, with 88 senior appearances to his name already
Nathan Baker has ended speculation over his future by signing a four-year deal at Aston Villa.
Championship side Burnley were repotredly interested, but the 24-year-old focussed on making a name for himself at Villa Park having already made 88 senior appearances for the club.
"I am delighted to sign a new contract here at Villa," he told the club's official website. "I have been with the club since I was just eight so I am very happy to continue my career here. It's my home. It's my club.
"I feel I have progressed and I feel I can carry on getting better here in claret and blue. I am determined to impress the gaffer and get in that side.
"The competition is going to be fierce here at centre-half but that's what the gaffer wants. There's a lot of choice for him. But you can't do well as a club without competition for places."
News of Baker's new contract comes on the same day that Villa signed striker Rudy Gestede and midfielder Jordan Veretout from Blackburn Rovers and Nantes respectively.
Official: Aston Villa sign Gestede on five-year deal
Jul 31, 2015 16:03:00
The striker is Tim Sherwood's ninth summer signing, and second on Friday, as he continues to reshape his squad following Christian Benteke's £32.5 million move to Liverpool
Aston Villa have confirmed the signing of Rudy Gestede from Blackburn Rovers on a five-year deal for an undisclosed fee.
The striker becomes Villa's ninth summer signing and second on Friday, following Jordan Veretout's arrival on a five-year deal, and bolster's Tim Sherwood's attack options after Christian Benteke joined Liverpool.
Goal understands Emmanuel Adebayor is close to joining on loan from Tottenham, with the club agreeing to pay the Togo international's £100,000-a-week wages, as Sherwood looks to reshape his squad.
"I've known about Rudy since he was at Cardiff City and he is a player I've always admired," Tim Sherwood told the club's official website.
"His goalscoring ratio last season was fantastic and he is someone who certainly knows how to find the back of the net. He's a big, physical striker but he can play and I'm pleased to welcome him to the football club."
The 22-year-old midfielder has signed a five-year deal, and is expected to be joined by Emmanuel Adebayor and reported target Rudy Gestede in the coming days
Aston Villa have confirmed they have signed French midfielder Jordan Veretout on a five-year deal from Nantes for an undisclosed fee.
The 22-year-old turned down a more lucrative offer from Leicester City to become Tim Sherwood's eighth summer signing, while Goal understands Emmanuel Adebayor is close to joining on loan from Tottenham.
"I'm really pleased Jordan decided to choose Aston Villa over the other options he had and opt to continue his development with us," Sherwood told the club's official website.
"He is only 22-years-old but he is vastly experienced for someone that age. He has played over 140 games in Ligue 1 and is a really exciting young player.
"I know he is very highly rated over in France so we are delighted to get this deal over the line."
Villa's recruitment drive also looks to include Blackburn striker Rudy Gestede, who is reportedly closing in on a £6 million move as Sherwood bolsters his attacking options after losing Christian Benteke to Liverpool.
The striker scored just two goals last season as he struggled for starts in the Premier League and is now set to undergo a medical ahead of a summer move
GOAL By Tom Maston Liverpool have agreed to sell striker Rickie Lambert to West Brom for £3 million, Goal understands.
Tony Pulis has been keen to add some firepower to his squad, and the England international will undergo a medical before agreeing a deal with the Baggies.
Lambert only joined the Reds from Southampton last summer, but struggled with the pressure of playing for his boyhood club as he scored just two Premier League goals.
His poor form coupled with Mario Balotelli's disappointing performances and Daniel Sturridge's injury problems has led Brendan Rodgers to supplement his strikeforce with the signings of Danny Ings and Christian Benteke this summer.
Divock Origi has also arrived having spent a year on loan with Lille, meaning Lambert has fallen down the pecking order at Anfield, while Balotelli, along with Roberto Firmino and Benteke, have been left out of the squad facing HJK in Helsinki on Saturday.
Lambert's departure will see him vacate the club's No.9 shirt, with Benteke likely to take his place and follow in the footsteps of the likes of Robbie Fowler and Fernando Torres in taking on the illustrious jersey.
The Argentine failed to report for the club's pre-season tour and has subsequently had two weeks' wages docked, with a move to Paris Saint-Germain nearing completion
GOAL By Kris Voakes Manchester United have fined Angel Di Maria two weeks' wages in what is expected to be one of the final acts before the Argentine completes his transfer to Paris Saint-Germain.
Goal understands that United have withheld £360,000 from Di Maria's pay following the player's decision not to board a plane to San Jose to meet his team-mates during their recent US pre-season tour.
The 27-year-old was due to join up with the club on July 25 following his delayed summer break after Copa America duty with Argentina.
But after United manager Louis van Gaal admitted he did not know why Di Maria had not caught his flight as planned, talks quickly gained pace regarding an exit from Old Trafford just one year after his British-record £59.7 million arrival from Real Madrid.
PSG boss Laurent Blanc confirmed on Wednesday, following his club's 2-0 victory over United in the International Champions Cup in Chicago, that discussions with Di Maria were nearing a positive conclusion.
"You know negotiations are [ongoing] and as Paris Saint-Germain [and United] are both big clubs, that can be difficult. But we feel we are close to the end," Blanc told a press conference.
A deal worth a reported €62 million (£44m) is expected to be completed in the coming days.
Di Maria recorded only 32 appearances in all competitions for United in 2014-15 including eight as a substitute, and started just one of the club's final 10 fixtures.
Premier League rules out schedule changes for Champions League clubs
By Michael Huguenin
Jul 31, 2015 01:39:21
Sides such as Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal will not have their fixture lists altered to accommodate their participation in European competition
The Premier League will not reschedule games for clubs competing in the Champions League, according to Richard Scudamore.
In some European leagues, clubs involved in either the Champions League or Europa League can have domestic fixtures pushed forward or back to accommodate their extra exertions in mid-week.
But the Premier League have generally avoided providing similar relief and will continue to do so, Scudamore has confirmed.
While England's Uefa coefficient - the ranking that determines how many spots each league receives in both European club competitions - has declined, dropping them below Germany into third, Scudamore believes the logistics involved in rescheduling matches is too difficult to implement.
"Yes, there is a concern," Scudamore told The Guardian, when asked about the coefficient.
"One, on a practical basis, as if we keep declining it's bad for our coefficient and we'll lose one of our Champions League places. We have to be careful.
"It's a concern but it's difficult to see what we can do about it centrally as the clubs are trying hard enough to win.
"From 2016-17 we are playing some games on Friday nights but we won't move individual fixtures as you can't do it for everybody. Champions League teams play on a Tuesday and a Wednesday so you can't move matches just to suit one team. It completely ruins everything you do.
"The entire fixture calendar in the UK is predicated upon clubs having a three-day gap, so you can't bring games forward to a Friday. Maybe because there's normally something going on the previous Wednesday. We've looked at it but it's practically impossible to do anything."
Scudamore has also played down the issue for the clubs that regularly compete in the Champions League, such as Chelsea and Arsenal, although he has conceded that two games a week can be tough for those in the Europa League.
"It's slightly different in the Europa League, I think," he said.
"The clubs that are in the Champions League are big enough and have squads geared to play that midweek-weekend cycle. It's a different issue when a team like Stoke or Everton, who don't have vast squads, suddenly have to cope with playing in the Europa League and the Premier League."
Mourinho: Diego Costa 'a doubt' for start of season
By Gill Clark
Aug 2, 2015 14:46:00
The Spain international was forced out of the Blues' Community Shield squad due to problems with his hamstring and could miss the visit of Swansea on Saturday
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says striker Diego Costa is a doubt for the start of the season due to a problem with his hamstring.
The Spain international was left out of the Blues’ Community Shield squad to face Arsenal despite Mourinho insisting before the game he would be fit to play.
The Blues boss has now admitted the striker could miss the visit of Swansea on Saturday as the champions kick off their title defence at Stamford Bridge.
“I don’t know if Diego Costa will be available for the start of the season," he told BT Sport.
“He had a little problem after the Barcelona game. After that he was training normally and we thought he would be ready, but this morning he was feeling uncomfortable."
Costa finished last season as Chelsea's top scorer with 20 Premier League goals but was forced to miss the end of the season due to problems with his hamstring.
Hull City chairman Allam brands FA 'amateurs' as name-change row rumbles on
Matthew Scott
Aug 2, 2015 13:36:00
The 76-year-old has hit out at the governing body for rejecting his plans to change the club's name to Hull Tigers and insists most fans support his plans
Hull City owner Assem Allam has labelled the Football Association "amateurs" over their second refusal to allow the Egyptian to change his club's name to Hull Tigers.
The saga over Hull's 111-year-old moniker has rumbled on since 2013, with Allam preferring 'Hull Tigers', which he claims will increase revenues at the club.
The FA Council have twice rejected his plans and Allam says it is a sad day for the club.
"People involved with the Premier League understood what I was trying to do, because they are global," he told The Sun.
"It is a sad day that most of the people who make the decisions are amateurs and do not have this understanding. To go global, we need to market ourselves. The shorter the name, the better.
"Look at Google, Apple, Twitter. You don't go out to the world and say 'We are Hull City Tigers Association Football Club'. If you do that, expect to fail."
Allam also insists the majority of the club's fans support his attempts, despite protests against the name change adding: "Overwhelmingly, they are positive about what I am trying to do."
Roberto Martinez: Lukaku will be fit for Premier League opener
By Matthew Scott
Aug 1, 2015 20:40:21
The Belgian striker suffered a hamstring injury against Dundee and will not be risked for the Toffees' final friendly on Sunday but his manager expects him to face Watford
Everton manager Roberto Martinez is confident that striker Romelu Lukaku will be fit for the start of the Premier League campaign, despite suffering a hamstring injury in pre-season.
Lukaku has four goals to his name in five pre-season outings, though the last of those saw him limp off against Dundee.
A youthful Everton side were beaten 2-0 by Leeds United on Saturday, with a more senior line-up expected when Martinez's men round off their pre-season campaign against Villarreal.
Lukaku is unlikely to feature against the Primera Division side on Sunday as Martinez looks to build his star forward's fitness for the visit of newly promoted Watford on the opening day.
"We'll assess him [ahead of the game against Villarreal]," the Spaniard told the club's official website.
"I don't think we're going to take any risks with him on Sunday.
"I would say, from a medical point of view, he is fully fit. It is just a case of making sure we give him a good introduction to work with the group because he's not had a chance to do that yet.
"I wouldn't risk him in a pre-season game but Rom will be fully fit for the start of the season against Watford at home."
The 33-year-old is widely regarded as one of the finest goalkeepers in the world but admits his life and career might have been very different but for a freak accident
Arsenal new boy Petr Cech has revealed he never thought about becoming a goalkeeper until he broke his leg at the age of 10 - while playing as a winger.
Cech, who completed an £11 million move from Chelsea to the Gunners this summer, is widely regarded as one of the finest goalkeepers in the world after a decade at Stamford Bridge that saw him win four Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups and a Champions League crown.
But now the 33-year-old has revealed his life and career might have been very different had he not suffered a freak accident playing outfield as a youngster.
"I never thought of being a goalkeeper," Cech told Arsenal Magazine. "I was an ice hockey goalkeeper and when I started playing football, I was a midfielder or a left winger.
"Occasionally at the end of training sessions, when you had a free game with no 'keeper, where the deepest player acted as a goalkeeper, sometimes I went in goal because I wanted to see the difference between a big goal and a small ice hockey goal.
"My coach saw me a few times and one day, our goalkeeper didn't come for a game. We had no 'keeper and somebody had to play there, but nobody really wanted to. He pointed to me and said 'I've seen you a few times in goal and you've been doing quite well. You should try it.
"I said I would do it for one match and we ended up having a very good game. The next day, when I came for the training session, the goalkeeping coach took me and said that I should stay with him.
"But then my coach didn't want to listen to that. For about a year, I was playing outfield or in goal depending on the opponents. Then when I was about 10 I broke my leg quite badly and the recovery took time. I couldn't run and I had pain for quite a long time.
"Being in goal means you can sit, you can lie, you can catch balls and you can still work and train. That made the biggest difference in my life because that moment defined that I stayed in goal."
The Chelsea boss intends to extend his career for as long as his health will allow as he aims to add to an extensive trophy cabinet already boasting 18 major titles
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho could be around to challenge Premier League opponents for another 20 years as he eyes a long future in the game.
The Portuguese has won 18 major trophies and counting in his managerial career but has no desire to slow down as he looks to utilise his ever-growing experience down the line.
"I see myself going into the seventies - not for ever and ever but while my health is good," Mourinho told reporters.
"It is a job where experience is very, very important. With players, there is a moment when their experience has a fight with their physical condition. With managers, no. Unless you lose your appetite then that is a different story but I see myself now better than I was 10 years ago. I am in evolution, not even in stability."
The Blues manager is keen for his side to relish their status as defending champions this season, expecting a tougher fight in the Premier League as teams all across the table bolster their squads with ambitious signings.
"Being champion doesn't change me for bad, it changes me for good and hopefully with the players it is the same thing," he continued. "I want them to feel good, not bad - because we won last season, we do not have space for failure.
"We go into the most difficult domestic competition in the world. It has more candidates and more top teams and I think [fewer] points will win the title [than last season]. There will be more defeats and more lost points for the top teams.
"Crystal Palace buy Yohan Cabaye and Connor Wickham. I welcome this mentality. It is a great thing. It was always difficult to win matches in England. I think that now it is more difficult. I gave Crystal Palace as an example but I could also give you Stoke, Newcastle and Watford.
"It is going to be more difficult now for all of us."
