The deadline-day signing has yet to sparkle in his first four games for the Blues but his manager says that he needs time to adapt to the demands of the Premier League
The Colombia international completed a €33 million deadline-day move to Stamford Bridge from Serie A in the winter window, signing a four-and-a-half-year deal.
Saturday's 1-1 draw with Burnley saw Cuadrado make his fourth appearance for the club and Mourinho is willing to give the 26-year-old time to hit top form.
"He is adapting," the Chelsea boss told the press. "He needs to adapt to everything.
"The pace of the game, in Italy it's completely different. The intensity is much higher here, it is different to play at the intensity we play – especially for 90 minutes."
Cuadrado's performances in Italy over the past two-and-a-half seasons brought him to the attention of Europe's top clubs, with his impact for Colombia at the World Cup speeding up his departure.
Mourinho admits that his new winger may have to modify his style of play but remains certain that the new recruit wll repay his faith given time.
"At Fiorentina he was playing as a wide player; here he has to go to areas where he's not adapted to it," he observed. "I truly believe we are not seeing the player we know we have because the kid needs to adapt."
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