Mourinho: Big names not guaranteed starting spots

CHELSEA manager Jose Mourinho has vehemently denied owner Roman Abramovich will demand his big-name signings are guaranteed starting positions, insisting he will select players regardless of who they are.

The arrivals of Andriy Shevchenko and Michael Ballack have increased the competition at Stamford Bridge but Mourinho is adamant he will not be afraid to leave his big-name stars on the bench.

Following the Blues’ 1-0 defeat by MLS All Stars, Mourinho said: “The player’s name, stature and history doesn’t matter because the team always comes first.