Jose Mourinho doesn’t expect Chelsea to be active during the January transfer window, despite a lack of depth at left-back.
The Blues manager has been playing the right-footed Cesar Azpilicueta at left-back following Ashley Cole and Ryan Bertrand’s recent injury setbacks.
Mourinho has been linked with Real Madrid full-back Fabio Coentrao in recent weeks, but the 50-year-old is happy with the current options at his disposal.
Asked if he might sign a left-back next month, Mourinho replied: “We are fine. I trust what I have.
“I think a left-back with a right foot is not a big problem really because they defend inside space, which is important.
In my opinion, Cesar Azpilicueta is doing really well. It’s a question of Ashley Cole keeping working
Jose Mourinho
“They are very comfortable and when you play with a winger on the left side, the left-back also has to play with the ball on inside areas.”
Mourinho added that Ashley Cole does deserve a first-team place, although the Blues boss admits he is finding it hard to justify dropping in-form Azpilicueta.
“Any player that normally starts matches – and Ashley Cole has started matches throughout his career – when they don’t, I think naturally they are not the happiest guy in the camp,” he said.
“Professionally he is always a team player and friend of his friends. I can also say he deserves to play.
“But in my opinion, Cesar Azpilicueta is doing really well and it is a question of Ashley keeping working.”