Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has admitted that he is yet to work out his best team.

The Portuguese manager returned to Stamford Bridge in the summer and are second in the table, five points behind Arsenal.

But they have suffered setbacks in the league and in Europe. Before the Newcastle defeat, the Blues had already lost to Everton and FC Basel.

After Saturday's game, Mourinho claimed that he would make 11 changes. Although he has rolled back on that statement, he admits that he is still unsure of his best starting XI.

"I will make changes," Mourinho told the club's official website.

"Not 11 changes because that would be too much, but changes for sure. I don't know my best team because we have this kind of performance. I know basically which is my best team but it depends on the way we perform because performances and results push you for decisions."

While he grapples with issues in his own club, Mourinho also assessed his rivals' squads as the season wears on:

"I think City has the most incredible squad. I think United's history makes them contenders, too.

"The Arsenal manager is building a team step by step. The club is stable and buying a player like Mesut Ozil makes a difference. 

"Tottenham is the big spender of the summer and, because of that, they have a fantastic squad with two teams of equal players.

"Liverpool are probably the club with least resources because, while their team looks as strong as the others, their squad doesn’t look quite so strong."

But he conceded that Liverpool's lack of involvement in Europe gives them an advantage.