While most of Chelsea’s major rivals will be using the Carling Cup to rest some of their more experienced and regular first-teamers, Mourinho will not be making too many changes to the team which has left Chelsea just two points behind Arsenal at the Premiership summit.

Chelsea have not won a trophy for four years and that lack of silverware is something Mourinho can not wait to put right. He wants the road to glory to begin against West Ham tonight.

When he first joined the club he was astonished former manager Claudio Ranieri was so popular among the fans even though the club had not won a major domestic competition since lifting the FA Cup in 2000.

Mourinho is used to winning. In 2003, he guided Porto to glory in the UEFA Cup as well as achieving the Portuguese League and Cup double.

The following season, he repeated his championship success but added the Portuguese Super Cup and the biggest European club prize of them all – the Champions League.

But unlike the manager, most of Chelsea’s current squad have yet to taste success of any kind.

Apart some of the more experienced players at Stamford Bridge, the majority of the current squad simply do not know what it is like to triumph in a cup competition.

Mourinho wants them to put that right this season, starting with the Carling Cup.

Assistant manager Steve Clarke explained: “The Carling Cup is very important to us.

“We haven’t won a trophy since 2000 so every competition we are in, we have to try and win.

“I’ve noticed a difference about Jose’s attitude towards the Carling Cup. He’s told the group that he expects us to win tonight and he expects us to go all the way in the competition.

“That is a shift from previous management, but I’ve told him it is a great day out and a big occasion.

“It is difficult for us to put out a weak team though. If you look at our squad, they are all top internationals, so whatever team we put out should be a strong one.

“There will be some squad rotation but don’t expect too much. We don’t want to be changing the side around a lot.”

Clarke refused to say whether former West Ham players Frank Lampard, Joe Cole and Glen Johnson would figure against their old club.

Understandably, all three are keen to take to the field even though they fear a rough ride from the visiting supporters.

Clarke said: “They all want to play against their old club but it won’t affect the team selection.

“Having spoken to the lads, they are expecting a not very nice reception from the West Ham fans but I think that is a bit unfortunate because they were all very good players for that club.

“They did well for the club and got a lot of money for them at a time when West Ham were struggling a bit financially.

“It would be nice in this day and age if they could play against their old club and get a good reception from the crowd.

“Some players leave on good terms and get a good reception but some clubs tend to hammer their ex-players, that’s just the way it is.”

Chelsea have just Didier Drogba and Adrian Mutu unavailable for tonight’s clash. Drogba is recovering from a groin injury while Mutu is expected to be charged with a drug offence by the Football Association this week.