Live Coverage: Jose Mourinho's weekly Chelsea press conference

That's all from Mourinho this afternoon, but we'll have Louis van Gaal's news conference later this afternoon.

That's it from Jose's press conference today. We'll have a fuller report online shortly. #CFC — Chelsea FC (@chelseafc) August 29, 2014

Well, that has concluded Mourinho's press conference for today. Some interesting lines on Fernando Torres's future and reports linking them with Mattia Destro. As expected he talked up Everton's strengths, but resisted the urge for a parting shot at Lukaku.

Mourinho has moved onto Saturday's opponents Everton and Lukaku. He said: "I think he is happy, and that's the most important thing. I think they are a very good team. They didn't sell. They have players so many teams were interested in."

"Maribor brings the danger of the new guys. Nothing to lose... and they will fight for points."

He is also being asked the Champions League draw. They have drawn Schalke, Maribor and Sporting Lisbon. "We play against a German team. Germans are Germans. World champions. They are difficult. Portuguese teams, I always respect them a lot. Not because I'm Portuguese but because I know them well."

However, he was rather more definitive in his stance on whether or not he'll be back in the market for new players before the September 1 deadline. He said: "We are doing nothing. Our belief is the market is closed for us. We like our squad."

"We need to make a decision in relation to a foreign player. It's such a difficult decision."

Mourinho has said that he has yet to finalise who he will be axing from his squad. The Blues need to remove one foreign player from the Premier League squad for the season, but it is proving a tough decision for the Portuguese boss...

That is hardly a ringing endorsement from Mourinho, but he would be loathe to lose his striker without a backup lined up, that much is for sure.

"[Torres] didn't speak with me. We need three strikers to face the season. He is one of them. I like him."

"[Costa] is a big doubt, let's see.' Everyone else is fit." Drogba will play in his absence, one would imagine. Mourinho on Torres: "If he wants to leave, I believe it is because he wants to try a new life. Probably a new league."

And Mourinho begins with a line on Costa, as expected. He said: "We are trying everything for him to play tomorrow. He didn't train for the last two days. Today is the last day. If the reaction is positive he could be on the bench, if not, we don't select him. At the moment, I don't know."

So we're finally expecting the 'Special One' himself in the next five minutes or so...

Of course, for those who are looking to keep right up to date with the latest transfer news, then our live blog is in full swing here.

Back-to-back wins against newly-promoted Burnley and Leicester City have given the Blues are great start, but the trip to Goodison Park will certainly offer them a great test of the title aspirations.

"Our aim is to be champions at the end of the season so we need to make sure we take three points from as many matches as possible, but it's certainly been a good start for us and very good for the confidence in the squad."

"It's very important to start with six points from two games but we need to remain focused," he said.

Eden Hazard has been talking about the side's ambition to be crowned champions at the end of the season. Alongside Manchester City, Mourinho's side are expected to be at the business of the title chase, and the Belgium winger told the club's official website that he wants the whole side to keep their focus ahead of the Everton game...

The Europa League draw has been made this afternoon, and the groups involving the British clubs are as follows...

Mourinho is now expected at around 2pm, which gives us a bit of time to shine a light elsewhere on happenings today...

The Spain international struggled with hamstring injuries throughout the back end of last season and he was hauled off in the Champions League final after less than 10 minutes. Chelsea fans will obviously be hoping the injury isn't as serious as that. He wasn't fit during the World Cup, either.

Diego Costa is said to have a muscle injury and his place against Everton is in doubt. Didier Drogba is likely to deputise if the former Atletico Madrid star is in fact ruled out.

Mourinho of course, has previously stated that he needs three strikers for his plans throughout the season, so he will need to move in the transfer market, should Torres leave for Milan. It's looking increasingly likely that the former Liverpool striker will move on after a desperate three-and-a-half years in London.

"A lasting memorial to Lord Attenborough's support of Chelsea is also appropriate. In consultation with Lord Attenborough's family, the club will carefully consider the possibilities and suggestions for this to ensure the most suitable option is taken."

"At our next home game, against Swansea City on Saturday 13 September, there will be a minute's appreciation prior to kick-off in honour of a great Chelsea fan who also served as a club director for 13 years. There will be tributes on the big screens and in the matchday programme.This will follow the players wearing black armbands at this weekend's away game at Everton...

It reads: "The passing of our much-loved Life President Lord Attenborough has greatly affected everyone, and Chelsea Football Club fully appreciates our supporters' emotions at this time and your wish to pay tribute to the important part he played in our history...

Chelsea have released a statement regarding the death of Lord Attenborough...

Catch the full story here.

Ex-Chelsea striker Demba Ba has been explaining how he feels Fernando Torres needs to leave Stamford Bridge in order to get some game-time. The Spanish striker is behind Diego Costa and Didier Drogba in the pecking order at the club...

"Destro? He's absolutely not for sale and he has never been so," Pallotta told the Italian press. "We are getting requests because he's a really good player, but we have no intention of selling him. He will stay 100%.

Meanwhile, Roma president James Pallotta has denied that Mattia Destro is for sale. The Blues are reportedly keeping tabs on the £20m-rated frontman, but the Giallorossi chief rejected the stories...

As mentioned, the press conference is likely to centre around strikers, and another forward who may get a mention is Samuel Eto'o. The Cameroon striker left the Blues in the summer and signed for Everton earlier this week on a two-year deal.

As expected, we're just being made to wait one or two minutes here, so I'll turn your attention to our weekend previews, which can be found here.

Mourinho is expected around now, but as with most Premier League news conferences, they don't always run like clockwork, so we shall see. The last time Chelsea visited Goodison Park of course, they were beaten. Steven Naismith struck the winner last year.

While we wait for Mourinho, why not view our match preview.

Mourinho was quite critical of Lukaku upon his move to Everton earlier this summer, the Portuguese boss claimed that the Belgium international wasn't prepared to fight for his place at Stamford Bridge, and took something of an easy route out of the club. It will be interesting to see if Mourinho mentions something similar this afternoon, we know he is not one to keep his counsel.

Today would have been Lord Attenborough's 91st birthday. Rest in peace... pic.twitter.com/L3nRIyCtIn — Chelsea FC (@chelseafc) August 29, 2014

However, before we get underway, we should mention that Chelsea will be wearing black armbands this weekend to mourn the death of Lord David Attenborough earlier this week.

Striker's are likely to be the topic of conversation this afternoon. Fernando Torres appears to be on the brink of a move to AC Milan, while Mattia Destro has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge. There's also the sub-plot of Romelu Lukaku's first game against his old club since he moved to Everton for £28m earlier this summer.

Good morning and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of Jose Mourinho's news conference ahead of Chelsea's visit to Everton on Saturday afternoon.