Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho believes that Michael Carrick should be retained in the midfield holding role for England's World Cup quarter-final against Portugal.

Spurs star Carrick is expected to drop to the bench after impressing against Ecuador, with Owen Hargreaves taking his place and Gary Neville returning at right-back.

However, Mourinho feels that Carrick would be a big asset for Sven-Goran Eriksson's side against Portugal.

He told the Daily Telegraph: "England are much more compact and solid with Michael Carrick and this, in my opinion, is the way to play in difficult matches.

"Without Carrick, (Frank) Lampard and (Steven) Gerrard have too much responsibility in the building of the first phase.

"So they are losing the possibility to get into areas where they have greater freedom, areas where they can kill the opposition in the last 25 metres of the pitch.

"Carrick is now the link, but I believe he needs more personality.

"He must feel he has the status and responsibility he has on the pitch at Tottenham, where he is king of the first phase, so he can give Lampard and Gerrard the freedom."