The Chelsea boss controversially let Juan Mata, the twice Blues player of the year, leave in January for Manchester United.
Star man Mata didn't fit the Mourinho mould and the Special One has hinted why.
He said: "Every player has to work for the team, both with and without the ball.
"All of our players contribute defensively and for the attacking midfielders there is a big responsibility to press the opposition when they have possession in their own half.
£38M MAN: Juan Mata was sold to United in January [GETTY] "Usually, when you win the ball back close to their goal, the opposition defenders are not positioned to deal with a quick attack, so you have a good chance to find space, to exploit it and, hopefully, to score."
While Mourinho was a fan of Mata's flair going forward, it's understood that his work off the ball cost him his Stamford Bridge career.
The Blues manager, speaking in a Q&A for the Chelsea magazine, also emphasised the importance of finding the right blend of youth and experience as he fight for the Premier League title.
"They occupy defenders, they open up space and they offer us something extra in games when we need to try to break down our opponents.
"But even if you have lots of very talented young boys, you still need to have players with experience, who understand every situation in the game because they have been there before and they know what to expect.
"It is important to find the combination of youth and experience to bring the right mental balance to the pitch in every game, in every situation."
The latest edition of Chelsea magazine is on sale now - you can download a digital version to view on your tablet here.
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