LONDON -- Jose Mourinho says Chelsea have been working hard to solve their defensive problems this week, and even trained with just 10 men on the pitch.
In stark contrast to the resilience with which they closed out last season, the Premier League champions have conceded seven goals in their three games so far this term.
That figure represents 47 percent of the goals Chelsea conceded in the entirety of Mourinho's first season at Stamford Bridge in 2004-05.
The title holders have been reduced to 10 men in two of those three games with Thibaut Courtois and John Terry dismissed against Swansea and West Brom respectively, and Mourinho says Chelsea must be more cohesive for Saturday's clash with Crystal Palace.
"We did a few things," the Portuguese told his pregame news conference in Friday. "We defended [with] nine men [and a goalkeeper]. We did other tactical aspects to try and improve the team, but I didn't just work the defenders."
"I worked the team. You have to defend as a team. You cannot blame defenders for goals conceded. A team is a team. A good team defends as a team."
The manager appeared to question some of the decisions given against his team in recent games, saying: "I think the most important thing of this start to the season is that it's not normal that, in three matches, you have two penalties against and play with 10 men twice.
"That's the thing that immediately comes to the mind of someone analysing the situation. Apart from that, one match at home, two away, four points... it's not what we want, but four points is not a drama. We have to keep going, improving. We know we can improve and will improve.
"We'll try and get a good result. This is the Premier League so, when you are five points behind the leader in another league that can be complicated. In the Premier League, it's not complicated."
Mourinho believes his side are improving after picking up just four points from a possible nine following a stuttering start to the campaign, and says they are not far off finding their form after beating West Brom 3-2 last Sunday.
"I see my team coming. [We had] a good game, a good result last week," he added. "A very good week we had last week, working well and hard.
"The West Brom result had a bit of an influence in the happiness of the group, but another good week, working well and looking forward to the game. Hopefully we can get three more points before the national teams are coming and we have to stop."
Mourinho refused to comment on Chelsea's pursuit of John Stones. The Blues have reportedly had four bids rejected so far -- although Everton refused to confirm the latest reported £37 million offer -- and are unlikely to lodge a further bid before Tuesday's deadline.
"I don't speak about players from other teams," said Mourinho. "I have a good squad. I'm happy with the squad I have. If I get another player until the end of the market, good. If I don't get, we go with what we have."
It is something the Portuguese has suggested previously, but he refused to respond.
"You think I'm going to comment on Roberto Martinez's words?" Mourinho said. "Not generally, I don't comment. I don't comment on other opinions."
Speculation of a Chelsea move for France midfielder Paul Pogba continues as the transfer deadline approaches, but Mourinho again declined to comment.
"I'm not going to do the 'like', 'I would like' of Pogba. He's a Juventus player, I'm the Chelsea manager," added Mourinho, who last week rebuked Juve boss Massimiliano Allegri for commenting on his fondness for Ramires and Oscar.
The Blues have also been linked with China right-back Zhang Linpeng from Guangzhou Evergande. Once more, Mourinho was silent.
"He is a Guangzhou player, so it's the same story. I don't comment," Mourinho added.
Information from Press Association was used in this report.