Roy Keane rejects claims of Chelsea greatness from Jose Mourinho

Jose Mourinho's claim that Chelsea have already succeeded in their efforts to build a great team have been given short shrift by Roy Keane, with the former Manchester United stalwart insisting that such a bold statement is clearly premature.

Chelsea, who failed to win a single trophy during Mourinho's first season back at Stamford Bridge and whose last Premier League title success came under the guidance of Carlo Ancelotti in 2010, are still competing on three fronts this season and currently boast a comfortable seven-point advantage over nearest domestic challengers Manchester City.

With a solid spine to his team and formidable strength in depth throughout most areas of a star-studded squad, the typically brash Mourinho was not afraid to describe his current Chelsea crop as "great" before the team left for Tuesday night's trip to Paris Saint-Germain.

The idea that Chelsea have already earned the moniker of greatness without the glut of silverware to prove it was clearly one that irked Keane who was reprising his role as a television pundit for the Champions League last 16 tie at Parc des Princes.

"I think they have the potential to be a great team. He's clearly a great manager but they've got to back it up with some trophies," he said. "To say they're a great team at the moment is nonsense."

Chelsea were certainly not at their sparkling best in the French capital, yet still managed to secure a respectable 1-1 draw despite having to withstand heavy pressure throughout the second half.

Branislav Ivanovic gave the visitors the lead with a 36th minute header that came after impressive work from fellow defenders John Terry and Gary Cahill, but Mourinho's rearguard was embarrassed shortly after the break when Edinson Cavani was afforded the freedom of Thibaut Courtois' penalty area to easily turn home a Blaise Matuidi cross.

Sadly, the entire evening was marred by the behaviour of a small number of Chelsea fans who were videoed appearing to racially abuse a passenger on a Paris train at Richelieu-Drouot station.