Mourinho: Essien, Crespo have made Chelsea stronger

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has warned their Premiership rivals his team are already stronger than last season's model.

Mourinho declared: "Wigan hit the post once but there were no saves. Against Arsenal, we had to make one save. Against West Brom, no saves. Against Tottenham, just one save needed again.

"Our goalkeepers are fantastic but the reality is that the team is very solid defensively. I like players to express what they have inside, but you must play with a defensive organisation.

"One day we will have to concede goals but the smell is that we will be like last season, with not many goals conceded, as the team is very solid defensively.

"Michael Essien is a complete midfield player and can play one game every day, he's so strong.

"Hernan Crespo is a different player to Didier Drogba, while Asier del Horno has been brilliant in these four matches, so I think we have a better team than last season."