You're title contenders! Man City boss Manuel Pellegrini says Chelsea CAN win the league

Posted Monday, March 31, 2014 by Dailystar.co.uk

MANUEL PELLEGRINI has rubbished Jose Mourinho's claim that Chelsea are out of the title race.

HE'S TALKING RUBBISH: Pellegrini says Mourinho's team are very much in the title race

Mourinho seemingly waved the white flag after Saturday's shock defeat at Crystal Palace insisting his side are now out of the running.

But Manchester City boss Pellegrini - who has clashed with Mourinho several times before - reckons his rival is talking nonsense.

City are just two points behind second-place Chelsea with two games in hand.

But Pellegrini said: "I don't think important managers can give any importance of those mind games.

"I don't know if you think managers who seem to play mind games are more intelligent, but I don't think so. It is not my duty to analyse what Mourinho says.

"I repeat, I don't know the way he thinks. My way of thinking is that the four teams have the same options to win the title.

"It is very close, all the other teams have six games and 18 points to play for.

"We have eight games, because we had two games postponed. so we have to get those six points - we don't have them already. I think we all have the same chances."

Mourinho blew his top at Selhurst Park and almost landed himself in hot water over his touchline spat with a ballboy.

OUT OF THE RACE: Jose Mourinho has ruled his side out of contention, much to Pellegrini's amazement

He is already on an improper conduct charge for leaving his technical area in the recent defeat to Aston Villa and did so again to tell off the Palace youngster for time wasting.

But Starsport understands the Football Association regard the matter as closed after referee Lee Mason dealt with it at the time by sending Mourinho back to his dug-out.

Meanwhile, Mourinho is ready to ditch ALL THREE of his strikers this summer.

He claims some of his players lack the "balls" to be champions - and has run out of patience with shot-shy strikers Fernando Torres, Demba Ba and Samuel Eto'o.

Mourinho says his side needs major surgery in the summer and is ready to clear the decks to make way for the likes of Diego Costa or Radamel Falcao.

He said: "We want to improve the team and the players and make some surgical movements in the transfer window. You're title contenders! Man City boss Manuel Pellegrini says Chelsea CAN win the league

"I don't think it's the moment to speak about next season and the market but it's clear to everybody that Chelsea next year wants to bring a striker. That is clear.

"It's also clear we want to improve our players. I can't and I don't need to improve Ivanovic, Cahill, John Terry. I can't improve them and I don't need to improve them.

"But there are other guys I need to improve. I think we are doing that step-by-step. But that's not enough to be champions.

"What's the future for them? The ones that are staying are competing with the striker we are bringing.

"And normally at the end of the season, players that are not playing a lot or players who are not happy and prefer a change, that is also part of the market."

Torres, Ba and Eto'o have only scored 15 league goals between them this season.