New Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has confirmed that he is close to finalising his squad for next season.
“We have 20 players decided to be in our squad definitely, and I would say we have three or four more spaces.
“There can be spaces for new players or ones who already are Chelsea players,” added Mourinho
The former Porto coach also announced a shake-up of the Chelsea backroom staff.
Steve Clarke is the only member of staff from the Claudio Ranieri era to stay.
He will be one of two assistant managers alongside Baltemar Brito, who has followed Mourinho from Porto.
Mourinho has brought fitness coach Rui Faria, goalkeeping coach Silvino and scout Andre Villas, from his former club.
Meanwhile, Mourinho has confirmed that Argentinian striekr Hernan Crespo did nor repport for the club’s pre-season meeting.
“Crespo wasn’t there and until now I’ve not heard from him,” said Mourinho.
The 29-year-old striker admitted last week that he would be interested in moving back to Italy to join Milan.
“Everyone knows that I would be really happy to play under Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti again,” Crespo told La Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper.
Mourinho confirmed that Glen Johnson and £13.2m new signing Paolo Ferreira would be the right-backs.
Celestine Babayaro and Wayne Bridge will be the left-backs, with new signing Arjen Robben and Damien Duff set to compete for more advanced roles on the left.
“Central defenders – open. Midfield players – still open. Strikers – I don’t know yet,” added Mourinho.
Mourinho hopes to finalise his squad before Chelsea leave for their pre-season tour of the United States on 21 July.