The Blues coaching staff have pledged to be more expansive, having recruited fresh faces over the summer which Mourinho feels can adapt to a 4-4-2 formation as well as their trusted diamond which proved so successful in recent years.

However, given the number of injuries to the Chelsea squad, just who will be on the team-sheet for the opening of the new Premier League season remains to be seen.

Full-back Ashley Cole is the latest player to have picked up a knock, reportedly a calf problem, adding to Mourinho's defensive headache with captain John Terry already sidelined for around a month because of his knee injury.

Robben, meanwhile, is another struggling for fitness, with reports in Spain suggesting representatives of the Dutch winger are in negotiations with Real Madrid over a £25million move. There has, however, as yet been no official comment from either club.

Goalkeeper Petr Cech (hand) is a concern, while main goal threat Didier Drogba (knee) is definitely out of the season opener against Birmingham.

Mourinho, however, feels that whomever he puts into the side must be flexible, rather than just looking to slot into a traditional English formation with two widemen and two strikers in front of the back four.

"It won't be flat," Mourinho declared, speaking in an interview with Chelsea TV to be broadcast this evening.

"For me the game in between lines is very important. When you play only with two lines, I don't think you use the space well and I think that is what we are working [on].

"You can play with two central midfielders, two wingers and two strikers and still create a third attacking line with movement of other people, so if a winger comes inside he can work in between lines and the full back goes forward.

"If one of the strikers goes deep and the other one makes the opposite movement, you create an extra line so I still believe with the work we are doing we can have that."

Mourinho saw a somewhat makeshift side beaten on penalties by Manchester United in the FA Community Shield at Wembley on Sunday.

The Chelsea boss insists his squad must always be ready to tackle "different philosophies" to get the right result, both at home and in Europe.

"It is looking to win the game - but if you can win the game playing different football, it's better and if the team is ready to play with different philosophies adapted to the reality, adapted to the moment, we have to do it too," the Portuguese coach reflected.

"Some matches we will have to be a result team. If you tell me game six of the group phase of the Champions League we need a draw to go to the next stage, we have to play for the result we need.

"During the season we will have moments of that - but I hope the team can enjoy a different philosophy, a different attitude and bring something new for our game."

Mourinho added: "We can see a lot of teams playing a very good possession game, we can see a lot of teams playing with players between the lines, a lot of teams thinking tactically from game to game and not playing always the typical 4-4-2 they used to play every game.

"A lot of teams are playing with three midfielders and sometimes with five at the back.

"I think the game is more tactical it's become more tactical thinking.

"In my opinion globally about the game, it prepares English teams better to play in Europe."

Robben, meanwhile, has given a strong indication he would welcome a fresh challenge away from Stamford Bridge.

The Dutch winger - currently battling to overcome a knee problem - has been linked with a big money move to Real Madrid.

Robben's father and agent Hans has indicated negotiations were at a delicate stage. The winger told Spanish daily AS: "Of course Madrid's interest makes me happy.

"But for now I can not say much more because Chelsea will not let me tell you more until there is an agreement between the two clubs.

"It's better that they talk about it and solve this."

Chelsea have, meanwhile, announced young defender Michael Mancienne has signed a new three-year contract.

The 19-year-old has not yet appeared for the first team, but enjoyed a productive spell on loan to Queens Park Rangers last season.