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Transfer news: Chelsea are ready to spend big if Financial Fair Play is not enforced, warns Jose Mourinho

The self-proclaimed 'Special One' is eyeing another spending spree should FFP prove ineffective

Samuel Stevens
Tuesday 21 January 2014 11:14 GMT
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Jose Mourinho and Roman Abramovich
Jose Mourinho and Roman Abramovich (Getty Images)

Jose Mourinho has warned his Premier League title-rivals that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is keen to part with a considerable transfer outlay should the proposed Financial Fair Play rules fail to be enforced.

The Blues manager, who guided his side to an impressive 3-1 victory over reigning champions Manchester United on Sunday, revealed that he supports Uefa’s attempts to promote club self-sufficiency - but is willing to change tact should the regulations not come into effect.

"If the Financial Fair Play comes into place, it should come for everybody, not for some," the Portuguese manager said after being awarded with the Football Writers' Association Tribute Award.

"Chelsea at this moment is working very, very well, thinking that the Financial Fair Play is going to be in place and we have to obey certain rules.

"[But] our owner [Abramovich] is still the same owner and his passion for football is still the same. If we are free to spend our owner is more than happy to be free to spend.

"Our owner is respecting the new rules that we are waiting for and hopefully, for the good of football, it’s for everybody, not just for some."

Following the former Real Madrid manager's return to Stamford Bridge, Chelsea made eight signings last summer.

While the likes of Samuel Eto’o and Mark Schwarzer both joined on free transfers, the Londoners also parted with £30m for Willian and £18m for Andre Schurrle before signing £23m Nemanja Matic last week.

Mourinho, however, insists his side are working on a new cost-effective project, looking to develop young talent from within the club rather than reaching for Abramovich’s chequebook.

"We think about ourselves, we work in a balanced way. We are building a team," he added.

"We will build the team without the massive investment in the short period of time like some clubs are still doing."

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