Mourinho denies early exit for Falcao

Jose Mourinho has expressed surprise at suggestions that Radamel Falcao is set to depart Chelsea before the end of his loan spell in June.

The Colombian has scored only once in eight appearances in all competitions since joining on a season-long loan from Monaco.

Reports have linked Falcao with a January exit from Stamford Bridge, but the Portuguese coach has insisted that he will remain with the squad for the duration of the deal.

However, Mourinho insisted that improved performances will be required if Falcao is to challenge Diego Costa for a first-team role.

“I speak with him every day, it’s quite strange the media knows something I or my club don’t know,” Mourinho said.

“He has to give us more than Diego Costa. We normally play with one striker and I always go for the performance level.

“It’s a direct competition – the best one plays. It can be tough.”

The Chelsea coach was in the stands for Ukraine’s clash with Spain during the international break, with Shakhtar Donetsk coach Mircea Lucescu suggesting that he was there to watch Dynamo Kiev winger Andriy Yarmolenko.