Andre Villas-Boas has warned Chelsea fans they may have to wait until after the international break to see Juan Mata in action for the club.
Wednesday night saw the Blues complete the signing of World Cup winner Mata, who is expected to add some much-needed creativity to their midfield.
Manager Villas-Boas has revealed the 23-year-old, for whom Chelsea reportedly paid Valencia around #24million, is unlikely to start Saturday's Barclays Premier League game against Norwich, although he could well be on the bench.
"This league is very, very specific in terms of intensity, emotionally and culturally," Villas-Boas said.
"It doesn't mean he's not threatening the starting XI, but two training sessions is short for a player creating new relationships with the players.
"Friday is a decisive day in terms of the strategic part of our game, so that's when we'll decide."
Villas-Boas has repeatedly insisted he is happy with the quality of the squad he inherited from predecessor Carlo Ancelotti, but the arrival of Mata along with his pursuit of Luka Modric and Alvaro Pereira suggests otherwise.
He added of Mata: "We were looking for a player that gives us some creativity in the final third. Not that we don't have that, but you always want to add it when you can find talent of this nature.
"The price was reasonable for his qualities and what he's shown in the Spanish and Champions League. He's an addition that everybody was looking forward to.
"He has an eye for goal and a magnificent record for assists throughout his career since joining Valencia from Real Madrid B."
Alex had a less-than stellar game against West Brom last weekend and could find himself replaced in the heart of Chelsea's defence by the fit-again Branislav Ivanovic on Saturday.
The game comes too soon for David Luiz, who will complete his recovery from a thigh injury on international duty with Brazil next week.
"It'll be too early for him, but I'm going to let him go with Brazil to get some minutes," said Villas-Boas, who revealed goalkeeper Petr Cech could also return from his knee injury sooner than expected.
"Petr has made a tremendous recovery and it's looking good for after the international break."
Paul Lambert is fully aware of the magnitude of the task facing Norwich at Barclays Premier League title contenders Chelsea - but maintains his men are ready to meet it head on.
Few give the Canaries - set to be without defender Daniel Ayala for at least two months with a knee injury picked up in the midweek 4-0 Carling Cup defeat by MK Dons - any hope of returning a positive result at Stamford Bridge.
Lambert, however, insists Norwich will travel to west London fully determined to collect what would be a shock first win back in the top flight.
"We are going there and nobody expects us to get anything - but we are ready for it," Lambert told a pre-match news conference.
"They are one of the favourites to win the Premier League title and are also in the Champions League, so that is the magnitude of it - but we are going there to try and win.
"You are up against world-class players and a world-class side, but we have waited two years to play this kind of team - and it is our job to try and cause an upset.
"We are not going to go there and be frightened by it."
Ayala had just arrived from Liverpool and was expecting to make an impact with the Canaries having seen his first-team chances limited at Anfield.
With centre-back Elliott Ward already sidelined through a knee problem, the injury to the Spaniard against MK Dons was a tough blow.
"I think Daniel is going to be missing for the next couple of months, which is disappointing, he has just got here, but that's football," said Lambert, who will have centre-back Leon Barnett available again after a suspension for his red card in last weekend's 1-1 draw with Stoke.
"Daniel has just come in, he's new to it, so it's a blow, but as I said that's what happens in the game."
Summer signing James Vaughan has yet to feature since the striker signed from Everton because of his knee problem picked up during Norwich's pre-season training camp in Germany.
Lambert, though, is confident the England Under-21s international will soon be available.
"We have not really seen him yet, but those two have done really fine. Hopefully they will be back before too long," the Norwich manager said.
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Source: DSG
Source: DSG