Mourinho ready to defend title

Jose Mourinho believes he is creating a "family" at Chelsea and is ready for the big Premiership lift-off.

The Stamford Bridge boss was preparing his team for the new campaign on a tour of America, although Joe Cole was injured during the defeat to MLS All-Stars in Chicago on Sunday.

Mourinho said: "The family we are creating smells good. I have analysed the players and it feels very very strong. We are looking forward to the fight and we want competition for places."

Mourinho accepts his biggest rivals will be determined to prevent the Londoners from winning a third straight Premiership title.

He said: "I can imagine every Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool player and their managers wants to stop us winning matches.

"The ambition is big - for me to see if we can prepare for a season and a team in 15 days.

"I have never had such a period off because of the World Cup. It was six weeks holidays with football matches and for me I want competition.

"I have to prepare the team in a different way than I used to do. There are just three matches before the Community Shield and I will use the Community Shield as a preparation match.

"I cannot do it any other way. I want to win it but that's about it. I will have a different approach to it than in previous years and I want to play most of my players and try different things out."