Jose reveals rotation policy

Mourinho vows to rest every player

By Lewis Rutledge   Last updated: 8th August 2007

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Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has warned his players none are untouchable when it comes to squad rotation.

The Blues suffered with injuries last season and ended up six points behind Manchester United in the Premier League title race.

Claudio Pizarro, Florent Malouda, Tal Ben Haim and Steve Sidwell have arrived this summer and Mourinho insists no-one will be overworked.

"Everybody is intelligent enough to understand that we play around 60 matches a season - and no one plays 60 matches," Mourinho said.

"If you are not first-choice at the beginning of the season you know that, step by step, you will get matches.

"Last season every player played more than 20 matches. We need rotation so the players know that the chances will be here for them."

Happy family

Chelsea have had to endure speculation linking Michael Ballack and Arjen Robben with Real Madrid this summer but there have been few departures from Stamford Bridge.

And Mourinho believes a minimum of change will benefit the club.

Asked about the lack of movement on the transfer front, Mourinho told Chelsea TV: "Stability. Stability, and I believe good work because our choices in the big percentage are correct.

"The players are adapting well. The club are happy with the players. The players are happy with the club.

"The club wants them to stay. They want to stay by themselves and I think this is a very happy and friendly group with a lot of quality in football aspects but also a happy family and I think we can dream of good things because the group is fantastic."