Mourinho missing Gallas

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has conceded he misses having William Gallas.

Gallas left Chelsea for Arsenal as part of the deal that took Ashley Cole to West London just before the close of the transfer window in August.

The Frenchman left Chelsea in acrimonious circumstances after a war of words between the club and player.

However, Mourinho admits he misses having the versatile Gallas available to him as he could play anywhere across the back four.

"Every team misses very good players," admitted Mourinho. "In Ashley Cole we have a fantastic player who is improving and improving.

"He plays at the highest level.

"I could say that we don't miss Gallas because we're performing, but I respect the quality of the player and his contribution to Chelsea's success over the last two years.

"You always miss good players and he is a good player."

Mourinho also rejected suggestions that Wednesday's UEFA Champions League game is not an important game for Chelsea.

It has been suggested a Chelsea defeat to Bremen would have its upside if arch-rivals Barcelona were then eliminated from Group A, but Mourinho has blasted the talk and insists his side will be going out for victory in Germany.

"This game against Bremen can influence the future of the Champions League so we have responsibilities," added Mourinho.

"We cannot go there, as some people said, with a second team so that Bremen beat Chelsea and Barcelona are out of the competition. That's not our war, that's not our problem.

"We go there to get a result. We look to win the competition and go to Bremen to try and solve the situation.

"I'd love it to be a game without influence on the competition."