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Loan spell - Football

Del Horno, a 12 million euros ($14.52 million) buy from Athletic Bilbao last June, has been in and out of the first team all season.

His position will be further undermined if England left back Wayne Bridge, getting back to form and fitness with Fulham after a long injury absence, returns after his loan spell at Craven Cottage.

Centre back Ricardo Carvalho, who followed Mourinho from Porto in 2004 could also be on the move after a public falling out at the start of the season and newspaper reports that Spanish clubs were interested in him.

Strike pair Crespo and Drogba have attracted criticism for not scoring enough goals while wingers Duff, Robben and Wright-Phillips have sometimes underachieved this season.

Mourinho, however, is keeping his plans close to his chest. "It is normal you will look for one, two, three players to improve (the squad) and normally there are one, two or three players who are keen to make a move and have a new direction," the Portuguese coach told the club's website.

"It is normal what will happen at Chelsea in the summer."

Talks with 29-year-old Ballack, who is out of contract at Bayern Munich at the end of the season, have gone well. German media reports say a contract has been agreed.

"I would like him to come. In a very good team he will be a plus," Mourinho said.

"We already have a very good squad and very good midfield players. If he comes it is a big plus, if not we can survive."

Ballack, slotting in beside England stalwart Frank Lampard, might leave little space for some of this season's more fringe midfielders such as long serving Icelander Eidur Gudjohnsen or Maniche, whose short contract runs out at the end of the season.