Jose Mourinho has confidence in the strength of his Chelsea squad ahead of the season curtain-raiser against Arsenal at Wembley.

The Premier League champions face the FA Cup winners in the Community Shield, with Mourinho refusing to discuss the Blues’ bid to prise defender John Stones from Everton.

The Chelsea boss is short of options in defence, but is optimistic about his strikeforce, which has seen Radamel Falcao come in despite a below-par season on loan at Manchester United from Monaco last term.

Diego Costa was a key addition ahead of Chelsea’s title-winning season, but cover was lacking when the Spain striker’s fragile hamstrings flared up. Costa is fit for Wembley despite withdrawing from the pre-season clash with Barcelona in the United States.

Mourinho said: “I believe (Costa is free of injury), but I’m not worried about it. I go match after match. Three top strikers. If one is injured we have two. No concerns, no protections. It’s a position where we’re very strong.”

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On Falcao, he added: “To become again a super scorer, let’s see what happens. But for the moment we are happy.”

Mourinho was asked three questions on Stones: for an update on Chelsea’s pursuit of the England defender, whether a new bid had been rejected by Everton and whether Chelsea expect to go in for him again. Each time he replied “no”.

“I don’t speak about players from other clubs, especially now competition starts,” he added.