Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has pledged not to sign any
more African players - as he stands to lose them for five weeks at
the turn of the year.
The African Cup of Nations starts in January, with the Ivory
Coast's Didier Drogba and Michael Essien of Ghana almost certain to
be away from Stamford Bridge for the entire duration of the
tournament.
Mourinho told the News of the World: "We are never happy with the
African Cup of Nations in January.
"African players are excellent technically and are natural fighters
but when you have a lot of them you have to say stop, no
more.
"Losing them can kill your team at a crucial time. If someone asks
me do I want more African players, I'd say no."
Meanwhile, new boy Claudio Pizarro insists he has not joined the
club to live in Drogba's shadow.
The 28-year-old Peruvian, signed on a free from Bayern Munich,
said: "I am not here to be a substitute for Drogba. My dream is to
be the No 1 stiker at Chelsea."
