Jose leaves door open for Blues duo to go

Jose Mourinho has reiterated that Chelsea are not looking to sell Andre Schurrle or Mohamed Salah – but has left the door open for them to go if the right offer comes in.

Italian club Roma are reported to be preparing to make a move for Egyptian wide-man Salah, 22, while there has been speculation over Schurrle’s future for some time.

And manager Mourinho insisted it would take a “phenomenal” offer to persuade Chelsea to part with Schurrle, 24, during the current transfer window.

“Our desire is to keep the same squad, which reflects that we are happy with our players and happy with the work we did in the summer and reflects the trust we have in the group,” Mourinho said.

“If possible we don’t want to be involved in the transfer window. If we have to be it is because somebody pushed us for that with some interest in our players.

“But Chelsea moving and looking for a change? No.”

Both Schurrle and Salah will be selected for Saturday’s FA Cup fourth-round game at home to Bradford, as will goalkeeper Petr Cech.

Skipper John Terry will be rested, meaning Kurt Zouma will be given another outing at centre-back.

Schurrle is back in the squad having been unavailable for the midweek Capital One Cup clash with Liverpool because of illness.

And Mourinho says he is in no hurry to offload the Germany international.

“The principle is that we would like him to stay,” Mourinho explained.

“The question is to have a phenomenal offer and a player to be super keen to accept a new challenge in his career, because we don’t want to sell our players.

“He starts lots of matches, in the Premier League and Champions League, so I consider him a regular and an important option.

“But in this moment, with the way Eden Hazard and Willian are performing, it’s difficult to be in front of Eden and Willian. They are playing so well.”

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