Jose happy with squad
25 Aug 2007 - 11:57:15
- Jose happy with squad
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is looking to move on at least one player after bringing in Barcelona right-back Juliano Belletti as his latest new recruit.
Mourinho looks poised to ship out either Lassana Diarra or Glen Johnson, having voiced his support for veteran Portuguese Paulo Ferreira.
"First of all, this new player gives me what I need which is a closed door in my dressing room," Mourinho said. "That is very important for me.
"The market is open until August 31st but not for us. We have the new signings we fought for and we have the balance in the squad.
"But I want my squad to be just a little bit smaller. We have 27 players because Belletti comes in but Arjen Robben goes out, and if we can we will go down to 26.
"Our squad is a very balanced one. We have two players for each position and the right-back position is a position where we have more than two.
"For the interest of the players, because everyone likes to play and not just be part of the squad, if clubs show a real interest in one of our players and our player shows interest in leaving for a better situation, that is okay.
"But it is not a drama for me to keep 27 because they are all good players, they are useful and the season is long.
"Belletti brings what we believe we need, a pure right-back, not an adaptation any more like we did so many times with Diarra, Michael Essien and Shaun Wright-Phillips in that position."