Victor Moses’ future at Chelsea is shrouded in doubt and it is only his English passport that is keeping him at Stamford Bridge, having spent last season on loan at Liverpool.
Aston Villa, Sunderland and West Brom have monitored the Nigerian international’s availability with a loan move the most likely outcome.
But because Moses qualifies as a home grown player, he could yet remain in the squad to keep the numbers up.
“Everyone knows that we have one too many foreign players in the squad,” said Jose Mourinho.
Mourinho added: “And Victor is not a foreign player. He plays in a position where we have a lot of cover.
“But he is English. We will make that decision at the end of the month and Victor is part of that process, so maybe he stays, maybe he leaves.”
Mourinho is bullish about the depth and quality in his side, but even he seeks improvements.
“Do I have any weakness in the side,” he asked himself.
“Every squad could be better. No manager is satisfied or has the perfect squad that can’t be improved.
“But I like this squad. The club got me the three targets I asked for, in left back, midfield and striker – two strikers in fact as Drogba returned.
“We have the squad we want, it’s not perfect. It’s the squad for tomorrow, next season and the young players for the next five to 10 years.”
Mourinho is also not interested in bringing in another centre back, saying: “I have Cahill, Ivanovic, Terry and Zouma, we are fine for cover.”
Meanwhile, the Nigerian winger has been assigned number 18 jersey ahead of the commencement of the Premier League season this weekend.