Mourinho places faith in strikers

JOSE MOURINHO believes he has enough firepower in Eidur Gudjohnsen and Mateja Kezman to see off the challenge of CSKA Moscow in the Champions League at Stamford Bridge.

Mourinho has been left with little alternative following the groin injury to Didier Drogba and the personal problems connected with striker Adrian Mutu.

Drogba is expected back in action within four to five weeks after undergoing minor surgery on a groin injury while Mutu is awaiting the FA’s response to his failed drug test and his admission that he took cocaine.

Mutu is hoping that by admitting his offence he can avoid the nine-month ban handed out to former Chelsea goalkeeper Mark Bosnich, who tested positive for the same drug two years ago.

Mutu is willing to undergo any rehabilitation scheme the FA decides to impose in a bid to reduce the severity of the punishment.

But Mutu’s problems and injuries to other players have left Mourinho well short of striking power for tonight’s clash with the Russians.

Moscow have yet to concede a goal in their two group games this season and will be difficult to break down.

Gudjohnsen has not hit the target since his opening day strike against Manchester United while Kezman has yet to score for the Blues since his arrival from PSV Eindhoven. But Kezman’s shortage of goals does not worry Mourinho.

The pair played together for the first time in Chelsea’s first defeat of the season against Manchester City last Saturday.

But Mourinho said: “We are not scoring enough goals and at this moment we are short. But it is a special situation for us.

“I had four strikers at the beginning of the season - Drogba, Gudjohnsen, Kezman and Mutu - it was enough.

“But for different reasons we now have just Kezman and Gudjohnsen available. Am I worried about the situation? No. Things are improving.

“It was five weeks for Drogba to come back and today it is four weeks and although he is not a striker, Arjen Robben could be ready to play in Moscow. I cannot bring Carlton Cole back from Aston Villa until January. The market is closed.

Victory tonight will see Chelsea qualify for the next stage of the competition and that will be the first part of his Champions League mission accomplished.

Mourinho added: “Nine points will always get a team into the next stage. If we get three points out of this game we are through.

“We will be in a fantastic position. That is why it is important for us. CSKA are a very good side. They went to Porto and did not concede a goal which shows how strong they are. If they get points against us at Stamford Bridge, they will be in a very good position.”

While Mourinho has problems up front, he still has an abundance of midfielders to choose from.

One player guaranteed a place in his line-up against Moscow is Russian captain Alexei Smertin.