Mourinho expecting Gallas to stay

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho believes wantaway defender William Gallas will "probably" remain at Stamford Bridge this season.

Gallas, whose contract at the Blues expires in the summer of 2007, reiterated his desire to leave the club on Thursday. But Mourinho, speaking to L'Equipe.com, insists there have been no bids for the versatile defender and feels it will be for the good of Chelsea if Gallas stays put.

"He still has one year on his contract at Chelsea," said the Portuguese coach. "He is probably going to stay. I must defend the interests of Chelsea. For the first time in my career, I am ready to keep a player who doesn't want to stay although I know that won't be easy."

He added: "I have already explained to Gallas that the club who wishes to buy him is a phantom club, one without a face. He has still not had an clear offer - he is working in the dark. It encourages a player to adopt the wrong attitude.

"If by August 31, this invisible club doesn't become visible, if it does not stop its unethical behaviour and it does not make a serious, honest offer that meets the value of the player, he will end up staying."

After Wednesday's friendly against Bosnia-Herzegovina, in which Gallas scored in a 2-1 win for France, the 29-year-old defender said: "I still want to leave Chelsea."

He added: "I hope things will get sorted out quickly."

Mourinho, meanwhile, has revealed he would like to add "two more defenders" to his squad before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.

Arsenal left-back Ashley Cole was expected to be one of Mourinho's acquisitions, although the formo Porto coach said talks with the Gunners over the possible transfer of the England international were "at a dead end".

Mourinho added in Portuguese daily Publico: "In defence, we have gaps. He have just one left-sided defender and we are waiting for a second."