Antonio Conte most likely woke up last Sunday morning still in shock of what he saw from his Chelsea side less than 24 hours earlier.

Having won the Premier League in the Italian's first season in charge at Stamford Bridge, it was expected the new campaign would start off with a relatively straight forward win against Burnley.

However, how last Saturday turned out was quite the opposite. A 3-2 home loss to The Clarets doesn't read as damaging as it really was.

The sendings off of Gary Cahill after 14 minutes and Cesc Fabregas with nine minutes remaining in the second half made it a nightmare start to the new season for Conte.

And that leaves the 48-year-old without two vital players ahead of their huge match away to bitter rivals Tottenham on Sunday.

The Italian had begun the transfer window with frustration at the lack of signings arriving at the Bridge, while he watched the likes of Manchester City continuously showcase their spending power.

But Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho doesn't believe his successor in west London can have any excuses this campaign - claiming they are stronger than what they were last season.

Mourinho sees "no problem" for Chelsea

“When people say, for example, Chelsea lost an important midfield player, if you lose one but you buy Tiemoue Bakayoko and Danny Drinkwater, for example, what’s the problem?" said Mourinho, per the Mirror.

“The problem is when you sell and you don’t buy. When you sell and you keep buying, what’s the problem?”

Alvaro Morata, Antonio Rudiger and Bakayoko cost £144 million in total, while Willy Caballero arrived as a free transfer from City.

But Conte is still expecting the club's chiefs to deliver more signings before the window shuts at the end of the month with a £25 million move for Danny Drinkwater believed to be "imminent".

“You’re probably even stronger [than last season]," Mourinho added. "So I think every top team in the Premier League is strong enough, is potentially strong enough, with the financial situation to be fighting for everything.

Mourinho and Conte have a strained relationship after their spat on the touchline at Stamford Bridge following the Portuguese's first return to Chelsea as United boss last season.

United boss reveals title favourites

And the United manager heaped further pressure on Conte by suggesting Chelsea remain the favourites to win the title this campaign.

“For me, the favourite is the champion — always. It is for some reason they were the champions," said Mourinho.

“It doesn’t mean you’re going to win it. I just think it’s the stamp you have when you’re champions — that the next season you’re the favourite.”