Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has suggested that captain John Terry will have to fight for his place in the squad.
The former England skipper, who was a regular starter for Mourinho during his three-year spell from 2004 to 2007, spent the majority of the season on the bench under interim manager Rafael Benitez.
Mourinho, who snubbed Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas in favour of Diego Lopez while at the Bernabeu this season, has insisted that no player will be gifted a place in the team.
"I am a coach who looks for a meritocracy," Mourinho told The Mirror. "Whoever I think is best must play, without looking at status or the past. You play as you train, it is a normal situation.
"As it was normal for me to leave [Marco] Materazzi, a mythical player at Inter Milan, on the bench. Or like Benitez this year at Chelsea with Terry. The fans can think that Iker is better than Diego [Lopez]. I accept that, but I am the coach. If they play or not, that is a problem for the player."
Mourinho signed a four-year contract at Stamford Bridge this week.
Danielle Joynson
