Mourinho: Chelsea need competitive squad

Jose Mourinho believes the squad depth at Chelsea is at the right level as he prepares an assault on the Premier League title and the Champions League, according to  ESPN.

Mourinho has discussed the situation regarding his goalkeepers, Petr Cech and Thibaut Courtois, and compared the situation to the rest of the squad, where he argued competition is welcomed.

“We have Diego Costa, [Didier] Drogba and [Fernando] Torres; [Cesc] Fabregas and Ramires; this is a club that wants to be strong and have real possibilities to compete for trophies,” Mourinho said. “We need competition in every place.”

Courtois this summer returned to Stamford Bridge from a three-year loan spell at Atletico Madrid, which he ended with a league title winner's medal and appearance in the Champions League final, helping Atletico beat Chelsea at the semi-final stage.

It had been suggested that Cech could leave Chelsea this summer to end the speculation over who would be first choice but Mourinho has said having both goalkeepers in his squad is a positive.

Mourinho's squad also contains the experienced Mark Schwarzer, who signed on a free transfer from Fulham in 2013 and provided back-up to Cech last season. Mourinho added that he still wants Schwarzer around and considers the Australian as Chelsea's second choice goalkeeper.

“I know that Schwarzer is a very good goalkeeper, very stable, a group man [who is] completely ready to be our second goalkeeper like he was last season - to give positive answers if we need him to play,” the manager said. “He is our second goalkeeper - we feel very safe with him.”

Cech has made more than 400 appearances for Chelsea in his 10 years at the club, signing from Rennes in 2004. Courtois has yet to feature for Chelsea since his 2011 move from Genk, while Schwarzer appeared 12 times in all competitions in 2013-14.