Jose Mourinho's Denial of Cristiano Ronaldo Rumours Shows Chelsea Complete

It says a lot about a manager's state of mind when he won't even entertain the thought of having Cristiano Ronaldo in his team.

However far fetched they have seemed, rumours in the Express have been doing the rounds this week linking Chelsea with a move for the Real Madrid star, suggesting they will go head-to-head in a £60 million battle with Manchester United for his signature.

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Speaking at his pre-match briefing ahead of the weekend's clash with Swansea City, Jose Mourinho was quick off the mark in his refusal to fan the flames.

"Forget it," was his response.

It was swift, to the point and left little doubt as to his feelings on the subject.

Normally, managers will do their best to deny any interest in a transfer target, yet leave the door ajar with compliments on a players ability, with the usual cliche being said player would strengthen any team.

This is Ronaldo, global superstar and the catalyst behind Real Madrid's Champions League success last season, so of course he'd make Chelsea more formidable on paper. He'd strengthen any team—there goes the cliche again.

There was nothing from Mourinho, though. No words of praise, no mention of his relationship with the player whom he coached for three years at the Bernabeu.

Instead, we were treated to a manager at ease with himself and the squad he has at his disposal.

This is a very different Mourinho to the one we saw last season.

Often critical of certain aspects of the Chelsea he inherited—notably the strikers—he carries a smile now. He looks happier, more willing to share a joke with the media.

His aura has changed.

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When he begins distancing himself from a player of Ronaldo's qualities, it's confirmation of his outlook.

The negativity has been replaced with glowing reports on his players.

"No," he said, when asked if he had been surprised by his Diego Costa's form since he joined the club.

"When we bought him, we were very optimistic. His profile as a player and also as a person, is easy to adapt. He's a player who is also part of a team and we knew the team was going in a certain direction and was waiting for a player like him.

"We were very optimistic, but his start was good. Three matches, three victories and four goals and good performances. It was a good start."

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The qualities Costa has added to Chelsea means Ronaldo isn't needed—as dramatic and foolish as that may sound.

From a marketing perspective, of course signing him would be justified, but in terms of what he'd add to the team, Mourinho's side is strong enough.

Outside of the brilliant Costa, Chelsea also boast Eden Hazard, Oscar, Andre Schurrle, Willian and Cesc Fabregas.

Individually they may not master Ronaldo's brilliance, but collectively they do. Simply listing the names from No. 1 to 25 outlines that quality throughout Chelsea's squad.

In many ways, this is a team Mourinho will be comfortable with—a team he knows can achieve greatness.

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He has stars, yes, but nothing on the "Galactico" level of Ronaldo—and he doesn't need it.

That approach may work for Real Madrid, but not at Chelsea. They've tried in the past and it's failed.

Andriy Shevchenko and Fernando Torres are the two biggest casualties of that policy that spring to mind—players with big reputations who arrived for even bigger transfer fees only to struggle to replicate their previous form.

Mourinho has balance at Chelsea now. He doesn't need Ronaldo to arrive with the circus that follows him and spoil that.

In the words of the Chelsea manager, forget it.

*Unless noted, all quotes taken firsthand

Garry Hayes is Bleacher Report's lead Chelsea correspondent. Follow him on Twitter @garryhayes