Jose Mourinho is happy with his title-winning squad, but that doesn’t mean the Chelsea boss doesn’t plan to strengthen this summer.
The west London club wrapped up the 2014-15 Premier League title with three games to go, and although Mourinho plans to give plenty of Chelsea’s promising youngsters minutes in the final games of the season he also has one eye on bringing in some new faces this summer.
Initially Chelsea’s manager joked when asked if he would be busy this summer and said “I expect to be busy walking from my towel on the beach to the water.” But on a more serious note, Mourinho, 52, said he doesn’t expect too much activity but will do business.
“We will do a little bit. I like my squad a lot. It is a young squad with space to improve,” Mourinho said. “I am in a different position than last season. Last season I was more than keen for my club to sell some players. In this moment I am very, very happy to keep my players. The base last year was to sell some and buy some. The base this season is to keep my squad.”
So, there you have it. Mourinho plans to bring in a few players but the overwhelming feeling is that promising youngsters Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Nathan Ake, Lewis Baker and Dominic Solanke will all be involved in and around the first-team squad next season.
With regards to players heading out, on Friday Petr Cech‘s agent said his client is free to speak to clubs as the 32-year-old goalkeeper has just one year left on his Chelsea deal and has lost his starting role to Thibaut Courtois this season. Mourinho responded to those claims and insisted Chelsea will have the final say where Cech ends up.
“I don’t know that it is absolutely true what the agent it saying. Or maybe it is. After that the player is contracted to Chelsea and Chelsea also has a very important say in the decision,” Mourinho said. “I keep saying the same. I want my best players, Petr is one of my best players. I would like him to stay.”
Mourinho also confirmed that Diego Costa could return from injury to face West Bromwich Albion on Monday (Watch live, 3 p.m. ET on NBCSN and online via Live Extra), but that Oscar, Ramires and Kurt Zouma would not play again this season after suffering injuries.
