John Terry is still some way short of full fitness according to
Jose Mourinho, with Chelsea's defensive problems showing little
sign of being resolved in the near future.
It had been intimated that Chelsea's talismanic captain would be
fit to make a return for Saturday's Premiership clash with Wigan,
but this suggestion has now been refuted by his manager.
After undergoing surgery to cure a troublesome back complaint, it
had initially been thought he would be able to make a swift return,
but it would now appear he is still nursing his way back to
fitness.
Mourinho is loath to rush back his defensive lynchpin, despite the
fact in his absence Chelsea's backline has looked distinctly
brittle, and short of numbers, as Michael Essien and Paulo Ferreira
formed a makeshift partnership in Wednesday's Carling Cup
semi-final at Wycombe.
"John had surgery, he is recovering from that, but he is not ready
yet," said Mourinho, in the aftermath of the Adams Park
clash.
"We have a lot of problems, because Ashley Cole and Claude Makelele
face suspensions, and I do not see Terry back.
"There is no timescale on John. The only thing I know for sure is
that he will not play against Wigan on Saturday.
"I am not a doctor. John is not fit to train with the group. He is
not in my collective sessions yet, so he is out for the
weekend."
Although the rest of the Premiership look on enviably at Chelsea's
riches and spending power in the transfer market, it would appear
Roman Abramovich is to keep his chequebook closed in the January
transfer window.
Despite the fact Chelsea have been linked with bringing another
defender to Stamford Bridge, with Mourinho having hinted that he
feels his squad needs strengthening in this area, it would seem his
bosses are reticent to sanction any new arrivals.
"Yes, that is the situation. I do not have to tell you the reason,"
Mourinho added. "They are club reasons.
"This is our situation at the moment. I hear nobody is coming in,
and if nobody is coming in, nobody can leave.
"I cannot let a player go, even if he is a player I think should
go, because we are very short of options and numbers.
"It is not choice - it is not my club. I am just the manager."