Mourinho keeping options open

Jose Mourinho remains on the lookout for new additions as he closes in on completing his Chelsea squad – but will give those currently at Stamford Bridge every chance to impress.

Having already ruled out a swoop for England striker Wayne Rooney and Dutch midfielder Edgar Davids, Mourinho hopes to complete the formalities of Serbia & Montenegro international striker Mateja Kezman’s £5m (€7.4m) transfer from PSV Eindhoven this week.

Chelsea embark on a pre-season tour of the United States at the end of the month and the manager is keen to fill the “three or four” spaces he feels are up for grabs in his squad before then.

As well as looking for a central midfielder and defender, Mourinho has yet to make up his mind over his attacking options.

With Kezman coming in, it is likely others could follow Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink out of Stamford Bridge.

But Mourinho revealed Romanian striker Adrian Mutu is one player keen to make an impression on the new Chelsea manager.

“The players’ desire is always important. For me that is crucial,” said Mourinho.

“I have been speaking with Mutu, about his desire and feelings about what his performance for Chelsea could be this season and the answer was very positive. He wants to stay.”

Jesper Gronkjaer and Mario Melchiot are both set to leave Chelsea this summer, with Birmingham keen on signing both.

It also seems unlikely Hernan Crespo will feature for the Blues again after it emerged the Argentinian striker had not turned up for a requested pre-season meeting yesterday morning.

Crespo had an indifferent first season in west London after joining Chelsea from Inter last summer and has made it clear he is keen to return to Italian football.

“We sent letters to all the players to be in Stamford Bridge on Monday morning for breakfast at 8.15am, but he was not there,” revealed Mourinho.

“I have no written answer. I don’t know if something has happened with the flight, or his desire, I don’t know.”

Mourinho, preparing for an onslaught on both the domestic and European front next season, is keen to have two first-class players for each position.

The Chelsea manager revealed Glen Johnson was made aware of his intentions to bring in full-back Paulo Ferreira from Porto and that the young Englishman accepts the need for healthy competition for places.

“I told him my policy, and that I would probably buy another full-back and who I wanted,” revealed Mourinho.

“And he told me: ‘I can understand. I cannot be the only right-back at Chelsea to play 50 matches, so I understand and am ready for the fight.”’

The Portuguese coach admits there are a few key positions he is looking to strengthen ahead of the new campaign, which kicks off with a crunch Barclays Premiership clash against Manchester United on August 15.

However, he prefers to concentrate on finding the right man to bring in rather than reflect on what might have been after missing out on Steven Gerrard when the England midfielder decided to stay at Anfield.

“When I was asked if it was possible for him to come here, I said he’s a top player,” said Mourinho. “I still have the same thinking about him.

“I don’t know him well, but I can understand he must be a very good boy with a good personality and, for me, a real top player – not in England, but in the world.

“I always like to see the positives and, in the football world, there are many players. You can never be worried when a player is leaving, not coming or signs for another club.

“There are a lot of players to choose from. He (Gerrard) is not a dream. He is a Liverpool boy and decided to stay. It’s his decision.

“I also had to choose between staying in Porto, my country, my life, with my family. Having the same style of life and changing because I wanted to change my life.

“I decided one thing and have to accept he decided another way. I’m not worried about it, but he’s not coming here and I have to change my mind into a different direction.

“I still wish him big success, but I hope he stays just behind us in the League.”