Mourinho rules out January spending spree

The Portuguese manager is currently working to halt his side's alarming decline this season

COBHAM, UK: Jose Mourinho insists he will not ask the Chelsea board to strengthen his squad when the transfer window reopens in January.

The manager is currently working to halt his side's alarming decline this season just months after they were crowned champions in May.

A woeful start to the season means Mourinho's side face Norwich City this weekend in 16th place, with the prospects of recovering to challenge for a top four finish already slim just 12 games into the Premier League season.

Chelsea's campaign has so far been marked by the loss of form of a number of key players and reports of dressing room unrest.

Mourinho hopes break refreshes Chelsea and Hazard

But Mourinho claims he is happy with the group and does not need to take action in January to restore unity at the club.

The manager said: "I will not ask for any changes. I will not ask the board in January. I'm happy with the players. I trust the players.

"I don't need to clean the dressing room, as I heard was written somewhere. And I don't need to ask the club to spend money in January.

"We put ourselves in a great situation together by being champions. We put ourselves together in this situation in the Premier League; we have to be together, again, to put it right."

Mourinho's own position has been placed under scrutiny but Michael Emenalo, the club's technical director, went public this week to confirm the Portuguese retains the full backing of the board.

Make me proud: Mourinho confident his side will win without him

The manager reacted by insisting he never doubted he had the club's support and believes he and the players will soon reward the board for their loyalty.

Mourinho, who signed a new, four-year contract earlier this year, said: "Nothing that went public is something I don't know before.

"And, again, we were champions four months ago. Not four years ago. Or 10 years ago. The manager is the same. The players are basically the same too.

"Nobody gives a four-year contract four months ago if they don't trust the person.

"Nobody gives new contracts to players, like we did to so many of them in the last couple of months, if we don't trust the players.

"There is trust. And there are reasons for that trust. But, obviously, the power in the end is with the owner and the board, and I think the same way they show to me and the players that they trust us, I think it's time also for us to give a positive answer."

Mourinho handed stadium ban and fine

The manager maintains his side's performances have improved even if results have continued to be disappointing.

But Mourinho remains confident the team will turn things around.

He added: "We are working hard and fighting together, so we deserve it. Lots of matches are coming now, four months without national teams.

"Four months with the three most beautiful competitions to play. The FA Cup is starting for us. The Premier League and the Champions League. Lots of matches to play.

"In a couple of weeks Radamel Falcao will come back from injury. Thibaut Courtois in December, too. The situation is good in the squad. We really believe that good things are waiting for us."