'Only Sampdoria and Lecce spent less than us' - Mourinho surprised by Roma title talk

Jose Mourinho is surprised that Roma are being talked about as Serie A title contenders given that 'only Sampdoria and Lecce have spent less than us'.

The Giallorossi finished sixth last season and won the inaugural Europa Conference League in May.

Roma pulled off a huge coup by signing Paulo Dybala on a free transfer and have since signed Georginio Wijnaldum on a season-long loan deal.

Mile Svilar and Zeki Celik have also joined the Eternal City giants, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan being the most high-profile player to leave – joining Inter as a free agent – ​​and Jordan Veretout has also moved on. Marseille.

A 1-0 friendly win over Tottenham and a 5-0 rout of Shakhtar Donetsk increased the hype ahead of Roma's Serie A opener of the season at Salernitana on Sunday, but Mourinho plays down expectations .

Roma's head coach told reporters on Saturday: "There are teams that have an economic potential that is not comparable, I am not saying the distance between Earth and Mars, but there has people who spend 100 to 150 million euros per season. .

"We will play and do our best. In the championship we finished in sixth place, our squad improved, we lost Mkhitaryan and Veretout, but we took players with whom we improved , but other clubs have also done so.

"For this reason, during this period when I did not need to speak to journalists, it amazes me when it comes to us in one way, but not others. Roma can be candidates at the Scudetto if she has won 18 titles.

"Only Sampdoria and Lecce spent less than us. Milan and Inter finished 25 and 23 points ahead of us and improved. There is a lot of noise around us for an interesting game against Tottenham and Shakhtar.

"They talk about us, while there is silence around the other teams. Lazio have spent 39 million euros, are they candidates for the Scudetto?"