Jose Mourinho admits it has been difficult for his Chelsea players to keep up their motivation levels since winning the Premier League.

The Blues clinched their fourth premiership since the Premier League's inception when defeating Crystal Palace 1-0 at Stamford Bridge on May 3.

Since then, Mourinho's men have drawn 1-1 with Liverpool and lost 3-0 at West Bromwich Albion on Monday night which suggests to the Portuguese tactician that perhaps their desire has waned a little.

"I know my players, I know myself, I know the nature of the game - I know what normally happens when a team is champion with matches to play," he said on Sky Sports.

"When we are champions so early, it's difficult to keep the motivation high. We have lots of injuries, we have players we are protecting.

"The motivation is not so high, the intensity is not so high, and when you lose that salt and pepper of the competition, it's difficult to compete at the highest level."