Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has paid a glowing tribute to new
signing Khalid Boulahrouz and revealed that he would travel with
the squad for Wednesday's game at Middlesbrough.
The Dutch defender joined The Blues from Hamburg on Monday and is
now just waiting for international clearance.
After being handed the number nine shirt at his official unveiling,
Mourinho declared that Boulahrouz had all the qualities to succeed
at Stamford Bridge.
"I am really happy for Khalid to be with us because he is the type
of person and player I admire," Mourinho said on Sky Sports
News.
"Life was not easy with him, and to be here at 24 years old he had
to go through a process where, from a small club in Holland, to
another club in Germany, to the national team, and to one of the
best clubs in the world at the moment.
"He did that because of work, because of confidence and because of
ambition and because of quality."
Mourinho also saluted Boulahrouz's work ethic and versatility,
claiming that he could be used in several different
positions.
"As you know he is a defender, and we need a defender, but I think
he works as more than a defender because he can play in more than
one position and in a short squad like Chelsea's that is crucial,"
he explained.
"I can say that he is a new central defender, but at the same time
he is a new right back and in an emergency he is a new left
back.
"Even in another emergency he can be a new defensive midfield
player, so I have a lot of trust.
"We have been working together for two days, which is nothing, but
it is enough to see the character of a player and the way he works,
and I am really pleased with that."
Boulahrouz could be set to make his Premiership debut against
Middlesbrough on Wednesday, and Mourinho insisted that he would
have no qualms about throwing him in to the action so soon.
"Today we are waiting for international clearance and that should
arrive because everything is solved between the clubs," said the
Portuguese tactician.
"He is travelling with us now to Middlesbrough and I hope he can
help us tomorrow to get the result we need.
"I wish him a very good time with Chelsea and also, in terms of
family, a very good time in London.
"He is coming to a team of champions and I hope by the end of next
season you can also say he is a champion."
Peter Kenyon was also thrilled to tie up the deal for Boulahrouz,
and stressed that his arrival was further evidence that Chelsea
were building for the future.
"Our overall philosophy has not changed," he commented. "We were
able to take two unbelievable opportunities this summer in terms of
(Andrei) Shevchenko and (Michael) Ballack.
"They will add great experience to what's becoming a fantastic
squad. That's been balanced by (Salomon) Kalou, (John Obi) Mikel
and (Khalid) Boulahrouz.
"He (Boulahrouz) has got a great reputation and will fit well in to
the Chelsea team and Premiership football.
"His qualities speak for themselves. He will be a very good
addition and I'm looking forward to seeing him soon."
WTF a defender handed no. 9.. why not 2? 
