Chelsea tightens grip on purse

English Chelsea will cut its big-spending ways, said coach Jose Mourinho.

Billionaire owner Roman Abramovich declined any extra spending during the January transfer window, as the club was hit by a series of injuries.

Mourinho said there will be no more paying "silly" prices for players. That comes after Abramovich doled out millions to take consecutive Premier League titles.

Mourinho responded to a question about Spanish Valencia's David Villa, a player commonly mentioned as a transfer type, as Villa will face off against Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals. That response revealed Mourinho's mindset – as well as the club's – when it comes to transfers.

"He is a great player and yes, I think he could play on a big team," Mourinho said. "But Chelsea don't want to sign him. We have got two excellent forwards as things stand. Also, from what I hear about the price, they are asking silly money for him.

"As you see all over the game these days, we hear daft prices mentioned for players. I can tell you that here at Chelsea it is all over – spending silly money."

Source: euFootball.BIZ © Copyright 2006 - All rights reserved.