Mourinho reluctant to use transfer market to improve Chelsea’s fortunes

Jose Mourinho says he is not tempted to make major changes to his squad ahead of the transfer deadline despite admitting Chelsea have made a “very bad” start to the season.

The 2-1 defeat against Crystal Palace means the champions are yet to win at home this term and have picked up only four points from their first four matches, conceding nine goals.

The Blues have been pursuing the signing of Everton defender John Stones and have been linked with Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba.

But manager Mourinho insists he is reluctant to change his transfer plans in response to recent results.

Asked if the club might react to Saturday’s loss by making more signings than initially planned, he said: “I hope not. I don’t like that.

“I gave my club a report of the season progression and I don’t think now, on 30 August, that I want to say ‘I want this and that, I want to try this and that.’ Me and the players have to do well.”

However, Mourinho suggested immediately after the Palace match that he might now drop under-performing players.

He refused to comment on the form of Branislav Ivanovic, who had another poor game.

But the Portuguese said: “If a player is not performing, there are two ways [to respond].

“Either I trust the player so much we wait for an improvement. Maybe it comes, maybe it doesn’t come.

“Or, with players arrives the moment when you think you have to change. I can go both ways.”