Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is expected to rotate his squad ahead of this evening’s Capital One Cup fourth round tie with Arsenal.

Juan Mata, Michael Essien, Demba Ba and Mark Schwarzer are all set to be handed rare starts, with Saturday’s trip to Newcastle United and Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Schalke in mind.

The Blues will be full of confidence having won their last three ties in this competition against the Gunners, including the 2007 final victory at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

Mourinho lifted the trophy on two occasions during his first spell at the club, also beating Liverpool two years earlier while only Liverpool (eight) and Aston Villa (five) having won the competition more times than Chelsea (four).

Meanwhile, AC Milan manager Massmiliano Alegri has denied that Mario Balotelli is set to leave the club, following fresh reports linking him with a move to Stamford Bridge.

The Italy international played under Mourinho for two years at Inter Milan, where together they won two league titles, the Coppa Italia and the Champions League.

Finally, the Telegraph understands that mega-spending Ligue 1 side Paris Saint Germain are ready to reignite their interest in Juan Mata, who remains on the fringes of Mourinho’s starting XI.