Jose Mourinho has revealed he will seek to broker an agreement with the African federations in order to ensure Chelsea suffer as little disruption as possible during the African Cup of Nations.

Chelsea are set to be hit hard early next year, as the likes of Didier Drogba, Michael Essien, Salomon Kalou, Geremi and John Obi Mikel are set to compete in African football's most prestigious tournament.

Mourinho is aware he will be without a raft of key players during the month-long tournament, but is objecting to them being prised away for the fortnight prior to the competition's opening ceremony.

"It is difficult to accept the players will be away for 15 days, even when the tournament has not started, while we are playing very important matches in the Premiership," the Portuguese told The Sun.

"I will try to reach an agreement with the federations of our African players to release them just before the tournament starts."