New Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho believes the squad has 'big potential', but warned it must be very much a case of evolution towards a first Barclays Premier League title since 2010.
The Portuguese coach was officially unveiled to the media at Stamford Bridge on Monday following his return to the west London club on a four-year contract after leaving Real Madrid.
Mourinho maintains next season must have a double target; to be both competitive over the title race but also keep an eye on the future direction of the club as a whole. He said: "We don't do it (win the Premier League next season), but (if we) show an evolution in the season, show we are moving in the right direction, (then) I think we will be champions in the second season and it is not a drama."
The 50-year-old former FC Porto boss, who won two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and two League Cups in his first stint at Stamford Bridge, added: "It has to be analysed in the proper way, part of a process of formation, that 75 per cent of the guys will be better next season.
"When you have this profile, you can't think the best will come next year. It has to come in two, three, four, five, six years' time. We are speaking about boys with 10 years to play football."
The new Blues boss believes he returns to a domestic league which is at its most open for many years, with three of last season's top four sides all set to start the campaign with new managers.
"It is different (now)," he said. "In terms of quality, I don't think it's better, to be fair, but in terms of competitiveness, it is harder. In our (last) time, there were three teams. Who is first, who is second, who is third? But everyone knew it would be between us, United and Arsenal.
"In this moment, (Manchester) City have appeared with this fantastic economical power that helps them to go up so fast as they did. Tottenham had a very good period with Harry (Redknapp), reaching the fourth spot, playing Champions League, going up and up and up.
"Andre (Villas-Boas), last year, did a good job by keeping the team at that level and I think they have conditions to fight for the Premier League (title), not just a Champions League spot. And Liverpool, I know Brendan (Rodgers) and I know he can do it. I don't speak so much with him now on the phone.
"Last year I did, as friends, and I know his ideas, his project, and Liverpool will go up too. So there are six teams. Who's going to be first, who's going to be sixth? I don't know, but for sure it's the most important league in Europe and we'll try to raise it more."
Source: PA
