Robben talks stall as Hughes is linked with Chelsea

Arjen Robben is still waiting for a firm proposal five months after initial talks started and joins a handful of players who would have expected things to move faster under normal circumstances.

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Frank Lampard and John Terry have not concluded improved deals despite negotiations starting around the beginning of the season and Claude Makelele's future at the club remains in doubt as he moves towards the final year of his Chelsea deal.

Chief executive Peter Kenyon prefers to complete contract business in the summer but the number of players kept waiting to make a fresh commitment reflects the uncertainty surrounding Mourinho.

The head coach may have three years left on his deal but he is expected to be jettisoned by owner Roman Abramovich in the summer after a falling out over transfer funds and interference.

There was speculation on Wednesday that Blackburn manager Mark Hughes - a former Chelsea player - is being considered as the successor to Mourinho and there is a growing belief the club want to consult whoever is confirmed in charge for next season before agreeing lucrative new long-term player contracts.

Mourinho and Robben do not get on well and the Dutchman is also keen to see what happens in the summer before extending his commitment beyond the two years he has left.

But the Portuguese insisted the winger, who is out after knee surgery, is an important player for Chelsea and will be missed for the Champions League quarter-final, first leg against Valencia at Stamford Bridge.

Mourinho said: "It means a lot for him to be missing. He is a player who gives what we need especially in home matches. It is a game we have to win, Robben is an attacking player and he enjoys to play these kind of matches," The head coach also repeated the statement he made in January about the days of Chelsea spending big being over and has complained that he was not given funds to strengthen in the transfer window. That is unlikely to hold under new management, but Didier Drogba believes the club will be making a mistake by replacing Mourinho.

The striker said: "He is a wonderful manager, for me the best there is. Above all, he wants to take all the pressure from the environment on his shoulders and that allows the players to work peacefully and to be focused only on the football and the matches.

"That is great and means the team play well. I have a lot of faith in him and think he is a fine man for this."