Door open for players who are unhappy at Chelsea, says Mourinho

JOSE MOURINHO admits he will listen to offers for any player who wants to leave Stamford Bridge.

But there was little hope for England left-back Wayne Bridge or central defender Robert Huth as they look for a sustained run in the Chelsea first team ahead of the World Cup finals in Germany.

Having secured the loan services of midfielder Nuno Maniche from

Dynamo Moscow until the end of the season, Mourinho’s squad is now back to its full quota and it is unlikely that either Bridge or Huth will be allowed to move on.

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has already issued guarded warnings to Bridge that he must be playing regular first-team football or he can forget being part of his World Cup gathering.

But Mourinho is reluctant to let either player out on loan while his side are still challenging for success on three fronts.

The only way anyone will be allowed to leave the club is if they make it clear to the Portuguese coach they are unhappy and no longer wish to be part of his squad.

“Anyone who isn’t happy here can leave,” said Mourinho.

“I know Wayne Bridge needs to play football but Chelsea need to win matches. I will keep my word to my players, I will keep the squad of players that I trust unless somebody shows me they are not happy or wants to leave.”

Time is running out for Bridge and German international Huth and although both started the FA Cup victory over Huddersfield on Saturday, neither is expected to be in action against Sunderland this weekend.

Indeed, Mourinho made it clear he will not let his heart rule his head when it comes to team selection.

Mourinho added: “A Chelsea manager chooses, in his opinion, the players who are in better condition to play matches. Of course I want to help Bridge and give him some matches because he is a very good player who wants to come back to a high level. But if I feel Gallas or Del Horno are the best options for me. I cannot think with my heart.”

Meanwhile Joe Cole has accepted Mourinho’s criticism that he produced a showboating performance during the Premiership win over Birmingham on New Year’s Eve.

Chelsea, who face either Millwall or Everton in the fourth round of the FA Cup, remain in mourning following the death of former British sports minister Tony Banks in America on Sunday. Banks, 62, died after suffering a massive stroke. He was a lifelong Chelsea supporter.