Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho admits he will be in the market for new signings this month if one of his current crop asks to leave.
Following Chelsea's 3-0 win at Southampton on Wednesday, Mourinho said his door was open if either Juan Mata or Michael Essien asked to leave.
Mourinho had previously said there was only a remote chance of any incomings or outgoings at Stamford Bridge in the January transfer window, but the Chelsea boss says he will require cover if one of his players departs.
“The window is open and when the window is open anything can happen,” Mourinho said.
“We don’t think a lot will happen for us. Do we have to react to certain things? Yes. If someone really wants to leave and someone leaves we probably have to bring someone in but we are going to do things in a very calm way.”
Mata was furious at being substituted in the 53rd minute of Chelsea’s 3-0 win, which came courtesy of goals from Oscar, Willian and Fernando Torres.
The former Valencia man, who has started just nine Premier League games this term, did not shake Mourinho’s hand after leaving the field and he then gesticulated towards the pitch, where his manager was standing, from the bench.
Mata was so unhappy that Essien felt it necessary to calm the 25-year-old down.
Mourinho does not want to lose Mata in the window, but he does not want any of his players to be unhappy either.
“I want to keep him. I don’t want him to go. That is my opinion, my wish, but my door is open,” the Chelsea manager said.
“The club’s door is open too so when a player wants to speak to us we are there waiting for them.
“If you are asking do you want the club to sell him, I don’t want to.”
Essien’s future at Chelsea was thrown into doubt earlier this week when his agent suggested that he could leave the London club due to a lack of playing time.
Mourinho, again, stressed he wanted to keep the player, but admitted that he could not offer the midfielder guaranteed first-team football.
“I offer nobody - not Michael, not nobody (guaranteed playing time),” the Portuguese said.
“I understand that players think about national team, the World Cup and playing regularly, but my players have to think of the team before the players. Michael knows that perfectly.”
The result leaves Southampton with just one win in their last nine matches.
That does not mean Mauricio Pochettino will be asking the Southampton board for funds for new signings in the window, however.
“Just because we lost to Chelsea does not make me interested in the transfer market,” the Saints boss said.
“It is important to keep the best players but also to recover the injured players and to perform as a unit.”
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Pakistan T20 series squad
Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Fakhar Zaman, Ahmed Shahzad, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Mohammed Hafeez, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Mohammed Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Amir Yamin, Mohammed Amir (subject to fitness clearance), Rumman Raees, Usman Shinwari, Umar Amin
Uefa Nations League: How it works
The Uefa Nations League, introduced last year, has reached its final stage, to be played over five days in northern Portugal. The format of its closing tournament is compact, spread over two semi-finals, with the first, Portugal versus Switzerland in Porto on Wednesday evening, and the second, England against the Netherlands, in Guimaraes, on Thursday.
The winners of each semi will then meet at Porto’s Dragao stadium on Sunday, with the losing semi-finalists contesting a third-place play-off in Guimaraes earlier that day.
Qualifying for the final stage was via League A of the inaugural Nations League, in which the top 12 European countries according to Uefa's co-efficient seeding system were divided into four groups, the teams playing each other twice between September and November. Portugal, who finished above Italy and Poland, successfully bid to host the finals.
Need to know
The flights: Flydubai flies from Dubai to Kilimanjaro airport via Dar es Salaam from Dh1,619 return including taxes. The trip takes 8 hours.
The trek: Make sure that whatever tour company you select to climb Kilimanjaro, that it is a reputable one. The way to climb successfully would be with experienced guides and porters, from a company committed to quality, safety and an ethical approach to the mountain and its staff. Sonia Nazareth booked a VIP package through Safari Africa. The tour works out to $4,775 (Dh17,538) per person, based on a 4-person booking scheme, for 9 nights on the mountain (including one night before and after the trek at Arusha). The price includes all meals, a head guide, an assistant guide for every 2 trekkers, porters to carry the luggage, a cook and kitchen staff, a dining and mess tent, a sleeping tent set up for 2 persons, a chemical toilet and park entrance fees. The tiny ration of heated water provided for our bath in our makeshift private bathroom stall was the greatest luxury. A standard package, also based on a 4-person booking, works out to $3,050 (Dh11,202) per person.
When to go: You can climb Kili at any time of year, but the best months to ascend are January-February and September-October. Also good are July and August, if you’re tolerant of the colder weather that winter brings.
Do not underestimate the importance of kit. Even if you’re travelling at a relatively pleasant time, be geared up for the cold and the rain.
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What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
