Jose Mourinho: 'Tottenham Hotspur are a big contender'

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has said that Tottenham Hotspur are capable of winning the Premier League this season.

Mourinho, whose side visit White Hart Lane in today's lunchtime kickoff, believes that Spurs are one of six teams in the running, along with his side, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City.

"Tottenham are a big contender. They have bought players with quality," the Portuguese told reporters. "Six teams are competing for the position. Any one of the six teams can be first, any one can be sixth."

"In my first time [in England] it was a clear race between Chelsea and Manchester United, two fantastic teams who were probably better than any team at this moment.

"Finally, Man City broke that period of blue and red dominance. At the moment the situation is different. At this moment six teams are competing for the position, that is the beauty of the league."

Tottenham have not been champions of England since 1961.