Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has defended his treatment of Real Madrid captain Iker Casillas last season. Casillas was frozen out by Mourinho for Diego Lopez in the second-half of last term.

"A player for me is all the same. Perhaps here they are not prepared for everyone to be equal. I am a coach looking for meritocracy. I must play who I think is better. Without looking at status, past ... You train as you play.

"This is normal. As was normal to leave on the bench Materazzi, Inter's legendary player, or as Benitez has made this year at Chelsea with Terry.

"People may think that Iker is better than Diego. I accept this, but I was the coach."