Chelsea need one more defender

Jose Mourinho believes Chelsea are one defensive signing away from having a balanced squad, while adding that the club have no interest in another winger or in keeping Mohamed Salah.

Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ, the Blues boss talked about the challenges of going through another season with essentially the same squad as last year’s Premier League title winners. So far this transfer window, Mourinho has only added Radamel Falcao on loan from Monaco and signed Asmir Begovic from Stoke City.

Chelsea’s defender of choice appears to be John Stones, as Mourinho has said they are interested in the Everton centre-back and have already had one £20 million bid rejected for the England international.

“I am looking for a defender to finish this balance in our squad and after that we are ready to answer anything that can happen to our players,” Mourinho said.

“If one of our players in a specific position wants to leave, we agree a deal for a player to leave and we have to answer immediately and bring in somebody else, because at the moment we have balance in the squad and we cannot lose that.”

Regarding a rumoured move for Barcelona’s Pedro, Mourinho said that Chelsea were currently not in need of a winger, having five already, while adding: “If I lose one maybe I am interested in another, but at this moment I have balance and quality and numbers.”

Salah, who joined Chelsea in January of 2014 but spent a portion of last season on loan to Fiorentina, is not in his plans at Stamford Bridge, according to Mourinho.

“I see his future elsewhere,” said the Portuguese manager. “Either on loan or sold with an offer we are happy to accept. We have five wingers and it is better not to have Salah back.”

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