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Mourinho asks for new players

May 06, 2005 17:35 IST
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says he needs to strengthen the Premier League champions with three new players next season.

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Mourinho's current squad last Saturday added the league title to their League Cup but unexpectedly bowed out of the Champions League semi-finals to Liverpool in midweek.

"We will keep our group of champions and improve it," Mourinho told Friday's Evening Standard, adding that he was looking for a new player in all three departments.

"If we look at the left-back position for example, we have only Wayne Bridge. We can improve on that place before next season," he said.

"When you look at the attacking players, we can say we need another one. In midfield, we can keep them all and maybe add another one."

Mourinho's problem at the back follows a lengthy injury absence for Bridge, with central defender William Gallas being moved to an unwelcome fullback role as cover.

Chelsea, Mourinho and Arsenal left-back Ashley Cole have been charged by the Premier League in an alleged "tapping-up" of the England international.

The need to recruit for the other positions reflects the likelihood that neither of Chelsea's Argentine players on loan in Milan, midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron at Inter and striker Hernan Crespo at AC, will be returning to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea also sacked Romanian striker Adrian Mutu in October after he tested positive for cocaine, while Serbia & Montenegro forward Mateja Kezman will discuss his future with Mourinho after describing his spell on the subs bench as "a nightmare".

Source: REUTERS
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