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Mourinho was speaking at the start of Chelsea’s Asian tour in Bangkok, just hours after Rooney pulled a hamstring on the first day of United’s visit and abruptly left the Thai capital.
The Portuguese, who arrived in Bangkok yesterday morning to begin the Blues pre-season tour, faced the press along with goalkeeper Petr Cech and new signing Andre Schurrle.
Chelsea have been heavily linked with Rooney all summer, who is unsettled at Manchester United, and Mourinho refused to say he would not pursue the England striker.
“It’s a tricky question because I cannot speak about players from other teams. But you know me and it’s not my kind of character to speak with a bit of hypocrisy and I always say what I think,” he said.
“He is a player I like very much but I can say no more than that. Being fast and direct, I like that, but he’s a Manchester United player,” he added.
Mourinho is seeking a striker to complement the erratic Fernando Torres and he has brought back Romelu Lukaku after a loan spell at West Bromwich Albion following his return to the London club.
Concerns over Rooney’s future were not eased by his sudden departure just hours into the United tour, announced in a two-line statement on the club website, which said he would be out for a month.
However, Rooney said on his Facebook page that it was just a “niggling injury” and “nothing to worry about”.
Rooney has declined to confirm his plans for the future after departing United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said in May that the 27-year-old forward had asked for a transfer.
This week, Britain’s Daily Mail said Chelsea were preparing a 60-million-pound bid for Rooney, who has also been linked with Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal. On new signing Andre Schurrle, Mourinho said: “I think with Andre, everybody knows the club was following him for a long time even before I joined.
“When I was faced with the situation that Andre was not far from being a Chelsea player I gave it the last push because he’s a player I like who can play in many tactical systems and has qualities that the modern game demands. He is quick, creative and I am very pleased.”
Andre Schurrle is ready to get started with his new club.
He said: “Pressure is always there but I am Andre Schurrle, I want to work hard, improve the team and help them to be successful with the qualities I have and give everything for the club.” Mourinho also said he was pleased to have Marco van Ginkel on board.
“Marco is one of the best prospects in football now,” he said.
“We were also following him for a long time. We have no doubts he has great potential and we don’t have to push him too much in the beginning.
“We are very happy because he is a kid with a good future and Chelsea is investing in a long-term situation.” — AFP.
Online Reporter