Mourinho defends summer signings

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Mourinho is facing a mounting injury crisis ahead Saturday's FA Cup final against Manchester United, with club record £30 million buy Andriy Shevchenko (hernia) and £130,000-a-week Michael Ballack (ankle) almost certain to be sidelined - with doubts over the fitness of former Arsenal left-back Ashley Cole.

But Mourinho said: ""Ballack, even against some opinion, has contributed to the team very positively. In big moments, he scored the goal to put Chelsea into the FA Cup final and scored the goal that put us in the Champions League semi-final."

He added: "Sheva's season was not what everyone was thinking, including myself. In his defence he has a history of many years in a completely different culture. That can be on his side."

The Blues boss also defended young striker Salomon Kalou, and praised Cole saying: "Young Salomon has done fantastically for a boy coming from a different culture.

"He is still very naive but his contribution has been very, very good. For Ashley Cole it was not easy to change. Willie's (Gallas) season at Arsenal was also not superb.

"I think it is easier to go from Chelsea to Real Madrid or from Arsenal to Real Madrid.

"But Ashley has played well. He is one of the heroes who has played injured the whole season and his integration has been smooth."