Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho believes it is imperative his side have an experienced core as they journey to Istanbul for Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Galatasaray.

The last-16 first-leg tie features numerous subplots: Didier Drogba playing against the side for whom he scored the European Cup-winning penalty in 2012; Mourinho versus Roberto Mancini, who he succeeded as Internazionale boss before the Italian took charge at Manchester City; and Dutch play-maker Wesley Sneijder playing against his former boss Mourinho.

The contest takes place at the Turk Telekom Arena, where Mourinho’s Real Madrid lost their quarter-final second leg last term, advancing as a result of a handsome win at home in the first leg. Mourinho will appreciate the experience of captain John Terry – the scorer of the winner in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat of Everton – Frank Lampard and Petr Cech in such a hostile environment.

Some of his squad are yet to taste knockout competition in the European Cup, as Chelsea were eliminated at the group stage last term. Mourinho said: “We decided clearly from the beginning that the best way to develop the other guys is to have a nucleus of players like they are. They are important in the evolution of the team too.

" These older players in Chelsea they have a big history in the Champions League. They’ve experienced everything in the Champions League.”

Terry converted Lampard’s free-kick in stoppage time to consolidate Chelsea’s position at the top of the Premier League. Both players, and Ashley Cole, are out of contract at the end of the current season.

Mourinho added: “If they get a contract in this club, which they probably will , they will do so based on performance. It will not be because they are legends or because we owe them something or because they want to stay here at any cost.”