The 50-year-old believes the battle for the title is fiercer than when he last managed in England, with six sides, including his own, all vying for top spot next season

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho believes the Premier League has become more competitive since he has been away and claims six sides are in the running for the title next season.

The 50-year-old embarks on his second stint at Stamford Bridge after leaving the club by mutual consent in September 2007.

Mourinho believes Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool are all contenders for the Premier League title next term, and claims the English top flight is the most competitive division in Europe.

“In terms of quality, I don’t think it’s better. I think in terms of quality we all have to work together to raise the level, but in terms of competitiveness it’s harder,” Mourinho told the club’s official website.

“In my time there were three teams. Everybody knew that between us, [Manchester] United and Arsenal, one is first, one is second and one is third.

“At this moment, [Manchester] City have appeared with fantastic economical power which has helped them go up as fast as they did.

“Tottenham had a very good period with Harry [Redknapp], reaching fourth and playing Champions League, going up and up and up.

“Andre [Villas-Boas] did a good job by keeping them at that level and they have conditions to fight for the Premier League, not just for a Champions League spot.

“Liverpool, I know Brendan [Rodgers], I know he can do it. Now, I don’t speak with him so much on the phone, but last year I did, and I know his project, ideas and what he wants to do, so there are about six teams.

“Who’s going to be first? Who’s going to be sixth? I don’t know, but for sure, of the more important leagues, it is the one with the most contenders.”

The Uruguayan has grown disillusioned with life in the Premier League following a string of controversies and would welcome a summer move to the Santiago Bernabeu

Liverpool striker Luis Suarez has admitted it would be a “dream” to play for Real Madrid, and once again slammed the English media for what he deems unfair treatment.

The Uruguay international, currently in South America for the Confederations Cup, had earlier stated that he would like to link up with Cristiano Ronaldo in the Spanish capital.

And in a second interview, the 26-year-old has reiterated his desire to leave the Premier League while refusing to rule out a move to Madrid.

“Any player would like to play for a great team and Real Madrid certainly are that,” Suarez told television show RR Gol.

“Every player wants to reach the very top and Real Madrid are at the very top, but everything that has been said is just rumours, I have had nothing concrete.

“Obviously Real Madrid is a great team and every player dreams about them; Real Madrid is Real Madrid and it’s as high as you can go as a player and they will always tempt you.

“I’m not sure if I see myself in the white [Madrid], the only thing I know is that I have a contract.”

Suarez, who is currently serving a domestic suspension for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic, is adamant he wants to leave Anfield because of his harsh treatment by the British press.

“Ever since I arrived I have felt bad, they have never judged me for my play but with the attitude that I dive, protest, makes gesture, racism… everything.

“They have never spoken well of me. For that reason, when I was told I could win the Player of the Year award, I said: ‘I will not get excited as I know that I will never win an important award in England.'”

The 26-year-old also slammed the length of his racism ban compared to that of John Terry, who received half the punishment for an incident involving Anton Ferdinand, and believes he can never forgive or forget his harsh treatment despite his love for Liverpool.

“Without any proof they gave me an eight-match ban, but with Terry, where they had proof, lip-readers, they gave him four, I’m South American and I think that’s the root of all of this,” Suarez continued.

“Liverpool is a club that I dreamt about playing for as a boy. I have been with great players there, they know me and I would love to continue for many more years at Liverpool. The stadium is spectacular, the fans are phenomenal: people with tattoos of me, things that I could never have imagined.

“After the [Evra] suspension people would come up to me, this is something that really touched me and they would say: “Luis forget everything and stay.”

“But I can’t forget as it was something that I had to suffer, that my family had to suffer and away from football I have a family to support and who are hurt by these things.”

Suarez went on to describe one such example of his family being subjected to abuse, describing a shopping trip that almost brought his family to tears.

“About a week ago I was walking in a shopping centre near Manchester and three or four guys asked me for a photo,” he added.

“While we were posing for it my wife said to me “Luis, get out of the photo”. She noticed they were making biting gestures. I was with my wife and my daughter. Things like that get on your nerves. My wife was on the brink of tears and the blokes ran off laughing. You get tired of stuff like that.”

The former Reds star says that the 24-year-old would struggle to earn playing time at Anfield under Brendan Rodgers if he decides to stay at the club following his West Ham loan

Former Liverpool star Robbie Fowler has warned Andy Carroll that he risks being left out on the sidelines if he returns to Anfield.

The ex-Newcastle striker spent last season on loan at West Ham and enjoyed a productive campaign, making 24 appearances and scoring seven goals in the Premier League.

But the England international, who is now set to return back to Anfield, might get frozen out of the team under Brendan Rodgers, according to the veteran, now of North Queensland Fury.

“Well, I don’t know. In football you can never say never,” Fowler told reporters when asked if Carroll deserves a second chance with the Reds.

“I think with Andy Carroll, when he first came, he tried to play to the price tag. That sounds a little bit silly but he was trying to drop off, beat men and do everything you would expect from a £35 million striker.

“He looked a much better player when he got to the nitty gritty. When he used his body and was a handful. No disrespect but, when he plays like a big lump and uses his elbows, he looks much better.

“I think Brendan Rodgers is the man to answer that one. Would I like to see him there? I think Liverpool need as many numbers in the squad as they can. The squad will probably be better with Carroll in it but I wouldn’t say he would play many games.”

The former Anfield favourite believes that Rodgers can take Liverpool into the Champions League with the right amount of investment this summer.

He continued: “You never know with Liverpool but I think they need to spend a little bit of money to keep up with the teams that have finished above them. We all know that there’s been many managerial changes and they usually get money to spend to bring in their own players.

“Hopefully the same will happen to Liverpool and we can hang on to the coat-tails and maybe break into the top four.”