Jose Mourinho showed new recruit Michael Essien what to expect if he crosses the Chelsea manager after giving defender Ricardo Carvalho a dressing down in front of his team mates this week.
Carvalho earned a fine and the full wrath of his boss who questioned the intelligence of his Portuguese compatriot after the player complained publicly about being left out of Chelsea's first two games of the season.
Mourinho has a highly paid, talented squad of internationals at his disposal but has always said the team ethic is more important than individual skills.
"A private conversation was not enough. He (Carvalho) gave a reaction to the world and so I felt 'why not in front of the family?", Mourinho explained after a training session ahead of Sunday's clash with Arsenal.
Mourinho said it was a good opportunity to show Ghana's Essien, who signed from Olympique Lyon for 38 million euros, how things were run at the English champions, where top players were competing for each starting spot.
"These are problems a manager likes to have," he said. "Imagine, he (Essien) arrives in the dressing room and the manager kills Ricardo Carvalho in front of everyone...now Essien understands everything."
IN LOVE
"I do not need to be in love with my players, I just need to have the correct relationship with them."
Mourinho has strengthened his squad with Essien, forward Shaun Wright-Phillips and full back Asier del Horno so he can launch an assault on the Premier League, Champions League and two domestic cups without being handicapped by injuries.
He said he had explained to Carvalho privately that he wanted captain John Terry to partner France's William Gallas in central defence to kick off the season.
In the 20 matches Terry and Gallas have played in those positions since the start of last season Chelsea have conceded only two goals.
Mourinho said Carvalho had shown no desire to quit Chelsea. The manager added that he would not be free to go anyway as he was important to the group and after such remarks a transfer was out of the question.
The defender apologised on Friday saying his comments came from frustration.
"They were a mistake...I want to play for Chelsea and be part of the group," Carvalho said in a statement on the club's website.
"Like all footballers I want to play every game and I am disappointed when I do not do so..."
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