Jose Mourinho: 'The real football starts tomorrow'

Jose Mourinho expects Chelsea to sign a left-back before the end of the transfer window.

The Premier League champions, who sold Filipe Luis back to Atletico Madrid this summer, look set to agree a move for Augsburg full-back Baba Rahman and Mourinho confirmed that he is keen to bolster his defence before the window closes.

"We need a left-back, the board knows that and my feeling is that we are going to have one,” he said.

Everton’s manager, Roberto Martinez, recently criticised Chelsea’s approach for 21-year-old England international John Stones, but Mourinho was quick hit back at the Spaniard’s comments.

"If I could I would only speak to the media once a month, but there are some in football who want to every day," Mourinho said.

Chelsea have had a quiet transfer window so far, with only Asmir Begovic, Danilo Pantic and Nathan arriving at the club on permanent deals, in addition to Radamel Falcao’s loan signing from Monaco.

Chelsea have had bids rejected for Everton's John Stones

The Stamford Bridge club kick off their title defence at home against Swansea on Saturday and Mourinho admits that he is unsure if Diego Costa will be available for selection, with the striker still recovering from a hamstring injury.

“I don't know, I promise you," he said.

"I think he'll train. His reaction to that and confidence to play is another story. When he plays, he's [equivalent to] 1.5 [strikers], he compensates.

"I prefer a top player who is sometimes injured, than one who is always available but only a bit better than me."

Diego Costa is a doubt for the first game of the season

Mourinho also expects this season's Premier League to be much more competitive than in previous years.

"I believe the teams who are not title contenders will be stronger this year," he said. "The gap between the top and the others will be shorter.

"We'll try to be a good team, and be here in March or April speaking about winning something."