Mourinho takes drastic action
15 May 2007 - 11:54:16
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- Mourinho takes drastic action
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is so short of options for Saturday's FA Cup final meeting with Manchester United that he is considering using back-up goalkeeper Henrique Hilario as a substitute striker.
Mourinho will be without Michael Ballack, Andriy Shevchenko, Ricardo Carvalho, Arjen Robben and Scott Sinclair for the Wembley showpiece.
And the Portuguese coach's plans were further rocked when midfielder John Obi Mikel was also ruled out with a hamstring problem picked up in Sunday's 1-1 Premiership draw with Everton.
Mourinho, who has spent millions purchasing some of the best players in the world during his time at Stamford Bridge, has just 15 fit players for the cup final and is considering taking drastic action.
"Maybe if Ash (Ashley Cole) is ready we have 15," he told Chelsea TV.
"The reality is that for a final we do not have 16 players. It's not a good picture.
"For the bench maybe Hilario, he's not bad as a forward, or I'll have to bring one of the kids in."
Hilario has made 18 appearances this season following long-term injuries to first and second choice goalkeepers Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini.