Impressed Mourinho insists Leicester are title contenders

Jose Mourinho: Impressed by Leicester's ongoing fine form

Jose Mourinho: Impressed by Leicester's ongoing fine form

Jose Mourinho admits that Chelsea’s opponents on Monday, Leicester, are genuine title contenders and says it would be “something magnificent” if they won the title this season.

The Blues face the table-topping Foxes at the King Power Stadium on Monday evening and Mourinho was glowing in praise for Ranieri and Leicester, who spent the entirety of last season fighting relegation.

Speaking at Friday’s press conference to preview the game, the Chelsea manager said: “I think he should win manager of the half term.

“If you can give an award for the first six months of competition, everyone is miles away from him and every club is miles away from what Leicester is doing.

“I said a couple of weeks ago I don’t believe they can be champions. Maybe I have to think twice before saying that again.

“One thing is to be top of the league in September after a beautiful start. Another thing is to be top of the league in December. That’s a completely different story.

“It would be something magnificent, something to impress the football world, but sometimes these things can happen and why not happen with them?”