Jose Mourinho fired a veiled barb at the critics who suggested Chelsea bought the title during his first spell ahead of today’s potentially Premier League-clinching clash with Crystal Palace.

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The Blues need three more points from four games to be crowned champions for a fourth time in 11 seasons, but first in five years, and could achieve the mark with victory over Palace at Stamford Bridge.

The first two successes came in Mourinho’s first spell – in 2004/05, when Chelsea won the championship for a first time in 50 years, and 2005/06 – when owner Roman Abramovich’s millions bank-rolled the triumphs.

Despite Abramovich’s continued presence and support, the Portuguese has repeatedly spoken of Chelsea’s wish to abide by UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations during his second spell, with most player purchases funded by sales.

And Mourinho pointedly remarked the Blues are no longer the league’s “rich club”, a tag which could be awarded to Manchester United or Manchester City, ahead of the Palace clash, when he could win his third Premier League title.

Mourinho said: “I want this one a lot and I think in the moment we clinch the title I will be much more happy for them [the players] than for myself.

“Now it’s a great feeling because it’s my club, because of the league, because of the difference in the league. We are not any more the rich club. We are a top club, a club that lives with the work that every one does.

“I see the players with hunger and responsibility to go to every game, every one. Stoke City at home, QPR, Man United and Arsenal.”

Mourinho is reluctant to speak about being champions until it is mathematically confirmed. But he believes his players’ appetite was whetted by the League Cup final defeat of Tottenham.

“When they have the taste of success, the big players want more,” he said. “There are people happy with just one victory, but the big ones when they feel that taste, they want more.

“The big ones are not tired of winning. Sir Alex Ferguson, Paolo Maldini, all these big people, as players, as managers. It’s from day one until their last day in the game. They want to win.

“I hope really these people get a good taste. That’s maybe why also the Capital One Cup was important for the group. Win a title, enjoy Wembley, enjoy the happiness of the supporters and the group. Winning brings more.”

Mourinho, though, recognises the competitive nature of the Premier League.

“Here is really special. And it’s really difficult,” he added. “It’s difficult to win once.”