Jose Still Hopes Cech Stays  (Sky Sports)

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho still hopes Petr Cech decides to stay at Stamford Bridge despite allowing the goalkeeper to look elsewhere.

The 32-year-old has started just four times in the Premier League this season, having lost his place to Belgian Thibault Courtois, and Cech's agent Victor Kolar said on Friday that the Blues had granted his player permission to speak to other clubs.

Cech has also said he is not willing to spend another season on the bench, but Mourinho said: "I don't know if it's absolutely true what the agent is saying.

"Maybe it is but Chelsea has an important say in the decision. I keep saying the same; I want my best players.

"Petr is one of my best so I would like him to stay and I have to say; yes, I am optimistic that he can be here next year."

Mourinho has also insisted he is keen to keep the majority of his squad together and that this stance forms the basis of the club's plans in the transfer market this summer - but there will be activity in and out.

"Last year, I was very keen to sell some players. This year, the base is to keep the squad," he said.

"I expect us to be a little busy. I like my squad very much - it's a young squad with space to improve.

"Every player is linked to us, some because they want to come, some because they just want better contracts at their clubs. We know what we want and, I repeat, it's not much."