Chelsea Transfer News: Jose Mourinho Rules Out January Signings

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has ruled out the prospect of making new signings in January - despite the fact he has one of the lowest-scoring strike forces in the Premier League. Mourinho is aware that his side's title hopes are hanging by a thread following their sobering 3-2 defeat to Stoke City at the weekend, and the league standings - and the statistics - make for difficult reading for the Portuguese. Fernando Torres, Samuel Eto€™o and Demba Ba have scored only four league goals between them this season and it was once more up to the midfield to come up with the goods against the Potters, with winger Andre Schurrle netting a brace. The 'Special One's' decision to let Romelu Lukaku join Everton on loan this season looks even more bizarre taking the problems currently being endured by his shot-shy strikers into account, while news that he isn't looking for reinforcements in January will cause yet more alarm. Mourinho was quoted by the Telegraph as saying:
€œIf we had eight-10-12 goals we would be top of the league. That€™s a reality but my strikers give everything and the team works hard. What can you do more? We work, we keep working. That€™s the only way I know is to keep working. €œOf course we want the best possible results, but I am not waiting for players, I am not asking for players. This is a period for the club and this is a period of my team where we have to try and improve the players we have and try to build a future."
Mourinho's problems are not confined to attack, either, as the defeat at Stoke underlined defensive issues, too. Goalkeeper Petr Cech didn't look his usually composed self at the weekend while the spotlight was shone on the frequently-exposed César Azpilicueta at left-back, with Ashley Cole remaining on the bench. And while the barren run currently being endured by the Blue's strikers is an issue, so too is the fact their backline have now conceded six goals in two games - a statistic which would have been unthinkable in Mourinho's first stint at Stamford Bridge.
Contributor
Contributor

Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.