Chelsea consider Mutu fine

The Romania and Chelsea striker Adrian Mutu has revealed that a row with club coach Jose Mourinho could threaten his future at the west London club. Mutu claims he has recovered from a knee injury and is ready to play in Saturday's World Cup qualifier against the Czech Republic. Mourinho however does not want him to play having asked the Romanian federation to omit him from the squad due to the injury.

Reports yesterday suggested that Chelsea are considering fining the player for leaving the club without permission. Mutu told the newspaper Pro Sport that he would pay any such fine.

"My wish to come to the national team is greater than any fine. Money does not matter when it's about the national team," he said.

Mutu went on to express his belief that Mourinho had dropped him from the Chelsea side in order to accommodate his own summer signings, including the £24m club-record acquisition Didier Drogba.

"Those players are fielded in order to show that the investment was profitable," Mutu said. "I was a victim of this."

The Romania coach, Anghel Iordanescu, said the situation was due to a misunderstanding between him and Mourinho and expressed hope that Chelsea would not impose a fine.