Jose Mourinho has told Sky Sports News he is still seeking to sign a new defender and midfielder before the start of next season.
Chelsea have been quick off the mark in strengthening their squad after finishing second to Manchester United in the league, with Steve Sidwell and Claudio Pizarro both moving to Stamford Bridge on free transfers.
Even with the club adopting a more prudent transfer policy for this summer, though, Mourinho is casting around for further signings and is keen to bring two or three more players to the FA Cup winners.
Brazilian international Alex will end his three-year loan at PSV Eindhoven to finally join The Blues, whilst Chelsea have also been linked with a renewed bid for Bolton defender Tal Ben Haim - also available on a free transfer.
Mourinho is further hoping to sign another midfielder alongside Sidwell, and both John Obi Mikel and Michael Essien are likely to be involved in the African Cup of Nations in January and February.
When asked how many players would be joining Sidwell at Stamford Bridge, Mourinho told the website: "I think three, and it is obvious a central defender because we have problems during the season with injuries in defence.
"A central defender, a midfielder and a striker."
Pizarro has already joined on a free transfer from Bayern Munich, and Mourinho is optimistic about the impact the Peruvian international can make in the Premiership.
"He is a player with some qualities, we think he can be important for our group and important for the Premiership," Mourinho added.
"[Pizarro is] a player with experience of responsibilities because when you play with Bayern Munich in Germany it means you play for a top club."
Pizarro could come to the fore if Didier Drogba is called upon by Ivory Coast for the African Cup of Nations, a competition that will lead to widespread disruption amongst Premiership clubs.
However, Mourinho is hoping to minimise the impact of the cup by ensuring his players join their respective squads as late as possible.
"I will try to keep them until the last moment, just before the competition starts, but they have the Fifa rules on their side so if they want to play a couple of weeks before the competition starts just to train we have to let them come.
"This is the kind of cooperation I hope we can have, and lose the players for three weeks and not five."
Jose Mourinho was in Africa on a humanitarian mission with Chelsea's global charity partner, Right to Play.
if he is as good as his reputation he should be able to sign potential good players without RA's unlimited support.
this is a chance for him to prove himself.