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Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho says Tottenham can win Premier League

Jose Mourinho, Manager of Chelsea (L) and Andre Villas-Boas, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur.
Image: Jose Mourinho and Spurs counterpart Andre Villas-Boas: Master v apprentice

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho believes Saturday's opponents Tottenham can win the Premier League title this season.

Mourinho refused to discuss the relationship with his fellow Portuguese ahead of the meeting between the two teams at White Hart Lane after Villas-Boas openly discussed it although without going into full detail of the circumstances of the fallout. Asked if issues should be discussed face to face, Mourinho said: "Normally that's what should happen. My parents taught me that when I was a kid and we say the same to our kids: if you have a problem in school, if you have a problem with somebody, try to resolve it yourself. Don't come home to ask us. "If you cannot do it by yourself, you need to ask other people to support you. "I'm the dad of the dressing room and I don't want things coming to the dad all the time. Things should be resolved between brothers." One player who could be in Chelsea's squad, yet was so nearly in the Tottenham ranks, is Willian. The Brazil winger joined the Blues from Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala, completing the deal despite successfully undergoing a medical at Spurs. Asked what he did to persuade Willian to opt for Stamford Bridge, Mourinho played down his role, before stressing his belief that Chelsea's long-term courtship of the Brazilian was the decisive factor. "I did nothing," Mourinho said. "Chelsea were trying to get him for two years and Willian always felt very connected with that move and he was frustrated when that move couldn't happen. "Then the situation came where he could come, and Chelsea were happy. "I was just asked about the quality of the player and if I'd like to have him with me, and of course I said yes."

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