Jose Mourinho fears Chelsea’s Premier League rivals will cause the transfer market to descend into chaos this summer as they attempt to close the gap on the champions next season.

Manchester United have set the ball rolling with the £25million acquisition of Memphis Depay and are rumoured to be plotting a mega-money swoop for Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale.

United’s neighbours City are also expected to spend big after a dismal defence of their domestic title and the anticipated departure of Yaya Toure will only add to their transfer war chest.

It spells disaster for Chelsea manager Mourinho who reckons it could be like Wall Street collapsing when the cash is being splashed.

“The market is difficult,” Mourinho said “I can imagine that, this summer, it will be like Wall Street collapsing.

“I can imagine that some clubs are coming into the market with such determination that they will disrupt the market and take it in unexpected directions.

Memphis Depay
New Man United signing: Memphis Depay

“But we are in a good situation. We have this stability in our squad. We don’t need dramatic changes. We have to be loyal to our players because we believe in them.

“What other clubs are going to do is not going to affect our direction. If others buy 10 players each, that will not push us to do things we don’t want to do.

“We are stable. I’m in a different position to last season. Then, I was more than keen for my club to sell some players and in this moment I’m very, very happy to keep my players.

“Every player is linked to our club: some because they want to come; some because they want better contracts in their clubs.

“That’s the nature of the market. We are not going to get into this game. It doesn’t affect us. It is what it is, but we know what we want, and it’s not much.”

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“The base last year was to sell to buy. The base this season is to keep my squad, but to give some extra motivation to the squad and a couple of extra options to improve.”

One member of his squad Mourinho is at risk of losing is experienced goalkeeper Petr Cech, who has fallen down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.

Thibaut Courtois has emerged as the new No 1 at Stamford Bridge, at the expense of former favourite Cech, who is set to miss Monday’s game at West Brom but could play in the season finale.

Cech's agent, Viktor Kolar, has said the keeper has been given permission to speak to other clubs, with Besiktas already in talks over a switch, but the Special One was coy on the links.

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"I don't know that it's absolutely true what the agent is saying,” Mourinho added. "Maybe it is, but the player has contract with Chelsea and Chelsea will have a very important say in the decision.

"I keep saying the same: I want my best players. Petr is one of my best players. I want my important players. Petr is one of my important players, so I would like him to stay and that's my position.

"I'm optimistic that he can be here next year."

Meanwhile, Diego Costa is set to return to the Chelsea squad for the trip to the Hawthorns.

The Chelsea striker has been plagued by hamstring problems in his successful debut campaign at Stamford Bridge.

Mourinho expects the player to be back in the mix for the Albion game but cannot yet be certain this far ahead of kick-off.

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