HULL CITY are not the opponents Jose Mourinho would have chosen for the opening day of the season.

The Blues will be expected to see off Steve Bruce's newly-promoted side in Sunday's curtain-raiser at Stamford Bridge. But the Blues boss thinks Hull's mentality could make it a banana-skin.

“The start is difficult,” said the Chelsea boss. “I don’t like to play teams that come from lower divisions. They come as winners as a team that week after week is winning matches and points.

“It’s different from playing a Premier League side that survived on the last day. It happened at Inter when Bari came and drew 2-2.

“After, wee have to face Aston Villa and then go to Old Trafford, so our start is a very difficult one.”

Mourinho re-iterated his belief that the Premier League is the right place for him again after sojourns in Italian and Spanish football.

“I have experience to say this is my favourite country,” he said.

“I have a passion for this football county. I am in my natural habitat. I am someone who is very much connected with this football country. I want to give my best and probably more than ever.”

He quipped that Richard Scudmore, as 'the boss' of the Premier League was probably correct in saying Mourinho's return had brought back 'stardust' to the competition.

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