"Shevchenko and Ballack have to give more because their status is not superior to that of the others," Mourinho told The Sun.

"Each is a champion," he added. "They have quality, status and fame. They're rich and have already won a lot of trophies. All that is an undeniable fact.

"But it's one thing their being the centre surrounded by 20 nobodies, and it's something else these two players arriving at a club where the others are already champions, famous and rich.

The Portuguese tactician has been reported to be in a rift with his megastars especially as Sheva became out-of-favor and Ballack has been omitted from Chelsea's squad participating in the UEFA Champions League.

"We were prepared to receive players such as Shevchenko or Ballack because they are of the same dimension as those already playing at Chelsea," continued Mourinho.

"Lampard, Terry, Drogba are equal to these two."

"But you can't build anything if you have to have someone special at its centre. When you have a group, everyone has to be equal to achieve the end we all want."

Sheva and Ballack have been linked with moves away from Stamford Bridge. AC Milan and Real Madrid could be their next destinations.