The Chelsea owner has shown significant faith in the Portuguese's philosophy, spending in the region of €100 million on Diego Costa, Filipe Luis, Cesc Fabregas and Didier Drogba

By Jamie Dunn

With less than two weeks to go until the start of the new premier league season, the top-flight’s title hopefuls have all been busy in the transfer market.

Manchester United have spent close to €75 million on two players as they begin life under Louis van Gaal, Arsenal have caught the eye with the signings of Alexis Sanchez, Mathieu Debuchy, Calum Chambers and David Ospina, champions Manchester City have supplemented their squad well, while Liverpool have lost Luis Suarez but made a number of signings to equip themselves for the Champions League.

But it is Chelsea, Jose Mourinho and Roman Abramovich who have arguably made the biggest statement of intent in the transfer window this summer.

Mourinho repeatedly dismissed suggestions his side were title contenders last season; his “little horse” needed to “learn how to jump” and was not yet ready to challenge for the Premier League crown, he said.

Mourinho was proven right – Chelsea finished third, behind Liverpool and champions City – and 'the Special One' has wasted little time in rebuilding what now has the potential to be a very special squad.

The Blues did most of the leg work in securing a €43 million deal to sign Diego Costa, the striker central to Atletico Madrid’s unprecedented La Liga title victory and run to the Champions League final, long before last season had drawn to a close.