

‘We can work and play with two of them at the same time. We are preparing things and we are working on things where it is possible to have two of them on the pitch. We have a group of three strikers that hopefully are going to give us a lot.’

On Monday John Mikel Obi and Drogba joined up with the group, supplemented earlier today by Courtois and fellow Belgian Eden Hazard. Mourinho says he hopes our goalkeeper will play 45 minutes of our game against Werder Bremen on Sunday.

Then at the beginning of next week the Brazilian trio of Oscar, Ramires and Willian, as well as World Cup winner Andre Schurrle, will complete the return of the first team squad members that competed in Brazil for their nation this summer.

The manager discussed how he has coped with this situation and singled out one positive in particular that has made this period a little easier.

‘It’s a strange pre-season but we are doing what we can do: improving the condition of the players, working on some tactical aspects and waiting for the other people to make the final work before the start of the season.

‘It was good for us that the new players were in that group that joined us in the early part of pre-season. Because Spain were knocked out in group phase we could get Fabregas and Costa back then.

‘For them it was important and for us it was important. They will be two important players for us in two crucial positions – centre midfield and striker.

‘As we were expecting they have adapted to the team so easily, and the team is adapting to them. The players that are not with the team now – Willian, Oscar, Schurrle, Hazard – are in the same position and will be in contact with Fabregas and Diego on the pitch.

‘The feeling from me, and from the players, is that we are going to be really strong.’

Our opponents Vitesse included in their team two players, Bertrand Traore and Wallace, on loan from Stamford Bridge. Mourinho said he was pleased with what Vitesse could offer some of our young players in a league where everybody tries to play ‘offensive, passing football’.

The manager also spoke on the departure of Romelu Lukaku, whose transfer to Everton was confirmed shortly after the final whistle.

‘First of all, Romelu was always very clear in his mentality. He wanted to play for Chelsea but he wanted to be clearly the first-choice striker which, in a club of our dimension, is very difficult to promise to a player.

‘After that Everton came in with an important offer. As I always say, because it’s the reality, our club wants to do things really well. We want to always be inside of the rules. Financial Fair Play is something that is always in the thoughts of Chelsea’s board.

‘When you have the chance to make some movements that create a positive impact in Financial Fair play, Chelsea always analyse this situation. This season, in this transfer window, the situation of David Luiz and Romelu leave Chelsea in a great position even knowing that we also bought a few players.

‘The important thing is that he is happy and things work well for him. He is a good kid. He has a way of organising his career project. The only thing we can do is to wish him well because we had him here last season and he’s a good kid. He deserves luck, he deserves to be happy. Chelsea Football Club wishes him well.’