Jose unfazed by Gerrard loss

"But there are other good players and I am not worried about players coming or going. It's not a drama. He is a Liverpool boy and decided to stay at home. I am not worried about that, I too was faced with that decision. I had to choose between staying at Porto and moving to Chelsea and chose Chelsea because I wanted a new life. I wish Steven good success this season but hope he finishes below us in the league."

Mourinho refused to comment on reports linking Chelsea with a move for Dutch international Edgar Davids, but confirmed he still hoped to sign a new centre-back, midfielder and striker.

He said: "I have heard the names of about 100 players and I understand why. I do not change my mind about my squad. I repeat it will be 23 players, a maximum of 24.

"I have 20 players working in my squad and there are spaces for three or four more. They could be spaces for new players or players who are already at Chelsea. The right-back, left-back and left-midfield positions are all filled. Central defence is open, midfield is still open and about strikers I do not know."

Morientes is one striker Chelsea could bring in. He is desperate to leave the Bernabeu as he has little chance of replacing Raul and Ronaldo and all that remains is for the two clubs to agree a fee. Real were initially holding out for £15m but given the player's desire to leave may have to settle for £10m.

Mourinho also hopes to foster a better team spirit at Chelsea than his predecessor Claudio Ranieri. After unveiling his back-room team of Steve Clarke, Baltemar Brito, Silvino Louro, Rui Faria and Andre Villas, the former Porto coach revealed that the club's reserves would train with the firstteam for the next fortnight.

"In the next few weeks the first-team and reserves will train together as one squad," he said. "It's important that they feel if there are injuries they will join the group.

"It's very important to travel to the United States with my complete group of players, absolutely definitely in place. I am in a difficult position because I have just six weeks before the start of the Premiership and have yet to meet my entire squad. It's important for the whole squad to travel to America but they will not all play."

Mourinho also attempted to play down the significance of Chelsea's opening Premiership clash against Manchester United on August 15.

He added: "Each match is just three points, it's just another match, no more or less. I understand the feelings of the fans but it doesn't matter if it's played on August 15 or January 15.

"It's a big opening but I have to teach all my players to look at each game with the same eyes. I don't want them to think that playing against Manchester United is more important than playing Birmingham.

"I look at every match with the same eyes. Normally you cannot win everything, it happens only once every 50 years. We cannot win everything and if we win one thing, that's great.

"We're involved in top competitions all over Europe and every match will be difficult. To be second in the Premiership and in the Champions League semi-finals is not easy but we have to be better.

"I am not afraid to say that I want to win things. If at the end of the season we have won nothing and you say it's a failure. I accept that."