Chief executive Richard Scudamore has revealed that the Premier League will be happy if Chelsea do not retain their title this season.

Jose Mourinho's side lifted the trophy for the fourth time in their history last term but have made a disastrous start to the current campaign.

The Blues have won four of their opening 13 games and are languishing in 15th place in the table just five points above the relegation zone.

Given the west Londoners early struggles they are unlikely to retain their crown - bar a collapse by several of their rivals - which is a scenario the Premier League are partial to.

"No disrespect to Chelsea, we like the idea that the champions are not the champions next year," Scudamore admitted.

"We like a new name on the trophy every year because it shows the competitive dynamic of the league."

Chelsea are one of five teams to have won the Premier League title since its inception but only the Blues and Manchester United have ever managed to retain their title.

Chelsea - January transfer targets gallery 5 show all Chelsea - January transfer targets gallery 1/5 John Stones (Everton) Mourinho wants Chelsea to return with another offer for England centre-back after the Blues' failed to sign him this summer despite making a £38m bid. AFP/Getty Images 2/5 Marquinhos - Paris Saint-Germain Chelsea missed out on landing the PSG defender on deadline day. The Brazilian remains an option for Mourinho, should Everton hold firm over John Stones. AFP/Getty Images 3/5 Alex Teixeira (Shakhtar Donetsk) Teixeira, 25, revealed Chelsea's interest in him earlier this year. The playmaker is in top form this season. Getty Images 4/5 Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon) Coveted by a host of top European clubs, Lacazette was Ligue 1's top scorer last season. The Frenchman signed a new two year deal with Lyon in the summer. AFP/Getty Images 5/5 Ruben Neves (Porto) One of Portugal's most highly-rated young stars, the teenager has been scouted by several top clubs including Liverpool and Chelsea. The deep-lying midfielder is a client of super-agent Jorge Mendes, who also represents Mourinho. Getty Images 1/5 John Stones (Everton) Mourinho wants Chelsea to return with another offer for England centre-back after the Blues' failed to sign him this summer despite making a £38m bid. AFP/Getty Images 2/5 Marquinhos - Paris Saint-Germain Chelsea missed out on landing the PSG defender on deadline day. The Brazilian remains an option for Mourinho, should Everton hold firm over John Stones. AFP/Getty Images 3/5 Alex Teixeira (Shakhtar Donetsk) Teixeira, 25, revealed Chelsea's interest in him earlier this year. The playmaker is in top form this season. Getty Images 4/5 Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon) Coveted by a host of top European clubs, Lacazette was Ligue 1's top scorer last season. The Frenchman signed a new two year deal with Lyon in the summer. AFP/Getty Images 5/5 Ruben Neves (Porto) One of Portugal's most highly-rated young stars, the teenager has been scouted by several top clubs including Liverpool and Chelsea. The deep-lying midfielder is a client of super-agent Jorge Mendes, who also represents Mourinho. Getty Images

Mourinho has likened Chelsea's chances of winning the title to 'mission impossible' but has refused to rule out the possibility of a top-four finish.