Jose Mourinho has claimed that Chelsea are still favourites for the Premier League title this year.
The Blues cruised to the championship last season, but have endured a difficult pre-season in which a number of key players have departed, while Diego Costa has been at loggerheads with the club.
In their opening game of the new campaign, Chelsea found themselves three goals down at home to Burnley and went on to lose 3-2, which some have deemed a culmination of their summer problems.
Former boss Mourinho, whose Manchester United side won 4-0 against West Ham United in their opener, nonetheless believes that the Blues cannot be written off as title challengers.
"For me the favourite is the champion - always. Because for some reason was the champion," he told reporters on Friday.
"It doesn't mean you are going to win it but I think it is the stamp that you have when you are champion, it is that the next season you are the favourite.
"If they have problems the problems are going to finish in a couple of weeks because, in a couple of weeks, the market is closed and they don't have problems anymore."
Chelsea face Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, while United travel to Swansea City on Saturday.
Giuseppe Labellarte
