Jose Mourinho has said several times that he does not expect to be adding any big signings to the Chelsea squad in January. If you believe the rumor mill, several players keep popping up on the radar as possible additions though it would probably be during the summer transfer market instead of January; names such as Edin Dzecko, Wayne Rooney and now Radamel Falcao.
As with any additions, there must be subtractions and that looks to be several of Chelsea’s current strikers. It is obvious that Mourinho is unhappy with his current group of strikers and wants to replace them. Just look at the ongoing rotation plan he has implemented over the last few months. Not many are getting a run of two or more games before it is back to the bench or not being chosen at all.
These are not players Mourinho chose but those that he inherited from the group of eight managers that came between the end of his first reign in 2007 to him being hired again this past summer. We can start with Fernando Torres who has never quite found his way. Though there have been moments of brilliance, he has never quite managed to instill himself as the number one striker. With two years left on his contract, now may be the time to get back some of that £50 million transfer fee.
Demba Ba is another one that has never quite fit in after his move away from St. James’ Park in January of 2013. Ba has been nothing more than a bit player with very few chances to compete for a starting spot. Look for Ba to move out this summer if not earlier. New comer Samuel Eto’o, who Mourinho did sign, looks to be leaving Stamford Bridge at the end of this season. It is rumored that Eto’o has had several offers to follow in the footsteps of David Beckham and Thierry Henry and play in the MLS. He will attract a lot of attention in the US and some teams are banking on that.
Don’t look for any big surprises in January; most of the Chelsea movement of players will come this summer when teams are more likely to have the cash to splash. Right now Mourinho will make do with what he has and continue to swap players hoping that someone steps up to command the front, just don’t look for them to be there at the end of this season.
Source: DSG
