Jose Mourinho has told Sky
Sports News he is still seeking to sign a new defender and
midfielder before the start of next season.
Chelsea have been quick off the mark in strengthening their squad
after finishing second to Manchester United in the league, with
Steve Sidwell and Claudio Pizarro both moving to Stamford Bridge on
free transfers.
Even with the club adopting a more prudent transfer policy for this
summer, though, Mourinho is casting around for further signings and
is keen to bring two or three more players to the FA Cup
winners.
Brazilian international Alex will end his three-year loan at PSV
Eindhoven to finally join The Blues, whilst Chelsea have also been
linked with a renewed bid for Bolton defender Tal Ben Haim - also
available on a free transfer.
Mourinho is further hoping to sign another midfielder alongside
Sidwell, and both John Obi Mikel and Michael Essien are likely to
be involved in the African Cup of Nations in January and
February.
When asked how many players would be joining Sidwell at Stamford
Bridge, Mourinho told the website: "I think three, and it is
obvious a central defender because we have problems during the
season with injuries in defence.
"A central defender, a midfielder and a striker."
Pizarro has already joined on a free transfer from Bayern Munich,
and Mourinho is optimistic about the impact the Peruvian
international can make in the Premiership.
"He is a player with some qualities, we think he can be important
for our group and important for the Premiership," Mourinho
added.
"[Pizarro is] a player with experience of responsibilities because
when you play with Bayern Munich in Germany it means you play for a
top club."
Pizarro could come to the fore if Didier Drogba is called upon by
Ivory Coast for the African Cup of Nations, a competition that will
lead to widespread disruption amongst Premiership clubs.
However, Mourinho is hoping to minimise the impact of the cup by
ensuring his players join their respective squads as late as
possible.
"I will try to keep them until the last moment, just before the
competition starts, but they have the Fifa rules on their side so
if they want to play a couple of weeks before the competition
starts just to train we have to let them come.
"This is the kind of cooperation I hope we can have, and lose the
players for three weeks and not five."
Jose Mourinho was in Africa on a humanitarian mission with
Chelsea's global charity partner, Right to Play.