Mourinho fumes at transfer prices

Mourinho is short of central defensive cover

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has hit out at the inflated transfer prices the champions are being asked to pay.

Short of central defenders, Mourinho is expected to sign a centre-back during the January transfer window.

But Mourinho insisted he would rather play his 55-year-old assistant Baltemar Brito - a former defender - than pay over the odds for a centre-back.

"Just because of the smell that Chelsea needs a central defender, it has people thinking we are stupid," said Mourinho.

Interview: Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho

The Chelsea manager added: "With the reality of the English market I prefer to play with Brito than pay the crazy money.

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"I would love an Aston Martin but if you ask me for £1m for an Aston Martin, I tell you, you are crazy because they cost £250,000."

Chelsea have been linked with a move with Manchester City's England defender Micah Richards, though Mourinho insisted the champions have yet to speak to any club.