Jose Mourinho believes it will be next season before Chelsea are ready to make a serious assault on the Barclays Premier League title, playing down his side's chances of silverware this term.
Despite seven straight wins - five of them in the Premier League - and sitting one point behind his championship favourites Manchester City, who Chelsea play next Monday, Mourinho thinks the team's development is the solitary aim after underperforming in the league in recent seasons.
"Our main objective for this season is to build a team, the best way to build a team is to be competing for things," said Mourinho.
"Everything is coming to us. I can imagine - more than imagine, believe, really - that next season we are going to have a really strong team, starting from day one with everybody.
"This season we are in the competitions, I'm not saying to win the competitions, I'm saying to win the next match.
"Next match is West Ham. We are there to try to win it.
"I think we are improving a lot. I think we are going into a good direction."
Chelsea have won the title once since Mourinho's September 2007 departure - in 2010 under Carlo Ancelotti - after the Portuguese delivered a first championship in 50 years in 2005 at the end of his first season in charge.
But Mourinho is more concerned that his players are improving for a future tilt at the title.
"If in this moment we see our team is the same or even worse than it was in September, that's a big problem," Mourinho said.
"If we see that players like (Eden) Hazard, Oscar, Willian and (Cesar) Azpilicueta, these young people, they are not better now than they were six months ago, that's a big problem.
"These are things we need that's compulsory. The evolution of the players, the evolution of the team is compulsory.
"After that the results normally are a consequence of the work, are a consequence of the evolution.
"Always the next match we want to win. The results are arriving as a consequence of the team playing very good football."
Mourinho has continued his gradual squad overhaul this month.
The departure of Kevin De Bruyne was expected, as was the re-signing of Nemanja Matic, who, as a defensive midfielder, was "needed" for the balance of the team.
Mohamed Salah's recruitment was a consequence of Juan Mata's departure for Manchester United and Michael Essien was allowed to leave for AC Milan on a free transfer.
Chelsea will only be active in the closing days of the transfer window if an exceptional offer is received for one of their players.
Asked if Chelsea will be making any moves, Mourinho added: "(Not) unless an incredible, surprising deal happens with one of our players and because of that we have to react and make something (happen) to complete the squad.
"We are doing things progressively."
Two signings are the aim in the summer and Mourinho refused to discuss previous target Wayne Rooney, who is rumoured to be close to a new Manchester United contract.
Mourinho answered with a simple "no" when asked if Thibaut Courtois will be with Atletico Madrid next season amid reports the Belgium goalkeeper, who is currently on loan, will be used as bait to land striker Diego Costa.
Samuel Eto'o, who scored a hat-trick in the recent win over Manchester United, could extend his stay at Chelsea beyond the end of this season.
Mourinho said: "He's playing well and has a big understanding with our attacking players.
"Even if he doesn't score 25 goals, his contribution to the team is very, very high. And we need that. We are happy (with him)."
Source: PA
