The Portuguese coach says Coentrao will not be coming to Stamford Bridge.
Rumours were circulating that Chelsea were preparing a January loan move for Real Madrid’s Fabio Coentrao but manager Jose Mourinho has denied the speculation.
Ashley Cole has struggled with form this season for the first time since the left-back arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2006.
Mourinho has opted to play right-back Cesar Azpilicueta on the left side of defence as a replacement for Cole and many thought this suggested the 50-year-old wanted reinforcement in the position.
Having managed Coentrao for two years at the Santiago Bernabeu after purchasing the 25-year-old from Benfica the Portugal international seemed like the perfect option.
This was made even more likely due to the fact that the defender has been sidelined at Los Blancos since Carlo Ancelotti took over as head coach and could well be open to a move away.
It was said the west London club were to offer Coentrao an initial six months on-loan with a view to a permanent deal after that, but Mourinho has quashed these stories.
‘”No. No. I don’t want Portuguese players. I always had them but, at this moment, it’s enough,” the Portuguese maestro was quoted by the Mirror.
”I don’t have them now. Only Hilario, the remaining one. But we don’t need. We don’t need.”
Coentrao nearly made the switch to Manchester United back in the summer, but there was not enough time on transfer deadline day to complete the deal.
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