Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho dismisses John Stones and Paul Pogba interest

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has refused to comment on reports linking the club with Juventus midfield Paul Pogba and another bid for Everton defender John Stones. The Premier League champions have confirmed the fifth first-team summer transfer window addition in the form of Pedro from Barcelona but Mourinho continues to be questioned over the club's remaining plans.

The Daily Mail has reported that Stones will hand in a transfer request in order to force through a move to Stamford Bridge, though manager Roberto Martinez has denied the England international wants to leave. The Daily Express, meanwhile, understands the Blues will pursue Pogba with a £100m ($157m) bid for the France international.

Questioned regarding Chelsea's interest in either player, Mourinho has refused to comment on either story. "I don't speak about players from other clubs, especially when the championship is on," he said ahead of the Premier League trip to West Bromwich Albion, according to The Daily Telegraph. "So, I'm quiet." He added: "I know [Juventus manager Massimiliano] Allegri was all summer speaking about Oscar and Ramires, but I won't do that."

Mourinho is unsure whether either Baba Rahman or Pedro will make their debuts at The Hawthorns after both players were signed in time to be eligible for the game. Chelsea travel to the Midlands without Oscar and Victor Moses while seeking their first win of the campaign and Thibaut Courtois is available again after his red card against Swansea City.

"Moses and Oscar are still injured," the Chelsea boss added. "I don't know if the new players are available for Sunday or not. Everybody has trained well this week though, possibly harder than they have ever trained because of the bad result from the weekend.

"I'm so happy with Begovic's performance, showed clearly what we have, but we go back to Courtois. Do we have to improve? Obviously, like always. We are calm, not happy but calm. That feeling makes you work better than ever."