It’s getting towards dreamland time for Chelsea fans if the press reports about Jose Mourinho are true. Apparently the deal is done and the Portuguese ‘Special One’ will be returning to Stamford Bridge on 1st July. Now, talk is that the shopping list for new players has also been set up. So, who is lined up to join the second coming at Chelsea.
Working from the back and moving forward, with Frank Lampard – assuming Mourinho pulls off the PR coup of persuading the club to give him a further year in blue – aging a further year, adding strength to the holding midfield role – with a player that can also play further forward, offering an alternative to the neat dexterity of Hazard, Mata and Oscar is a sound option. Everton’s Marouane Fellani has been linked with Chelsea for some time, and although also expressing the required statements of loyalty to Everton, has stated his desire to play in the Champions’ League. It may be a while before Everton can offer that, and a bid for the Belgian from Chelsea may place the cash-strapped Merseyside club in a position where they find it difficult to refuse.
As mentioned, Chelsea are well-blessed in having three ‘number tens’ in their squad, but recent links with Malaga’s Isco have been consistent, and the logic is that Mourinho really appreciates his talents, and has been impressed by him during his period as manager at Real Madrid. Although the London Evening Standard have recently repeated this link, I have to say that it’s a bit of a left field oune for me.
It is however upfront that the perhaps Chelsea’s greatest need is apparent. The deal to bring in the German, Andre Schurrle is apparently already well-advanced and only the impact that this will have on Chelsea loanee Kevin de Bruyne is holding up the final agreement. If the speculation is to be believed however, this shouldn’t be long in the waiting, and the first capture could soon be in the old onion bag.
With Torres still floundering, unless Mourinho can produce a man-management master stroke, even should Lukaku be recalled, adding a striker is a clear requirement. If the Belgian is loaned out again, it could be two. Robert Lewandowski is probably the hottest property striker in Europe at the moment, and although he seems bound for Bayern Munich, no deal has yet been done, and whilst Manchester United, remain interested and waiting in the wings. It wouldn’t be the biggest surprise in the world if a Mourinho-inspired bid from Chelsea muddied the waters somewhat. The morel ikely recruit however appears to Radamel Falcao.
Another player that Mourinho will have seen at close quarters in Spain, Chelsea’s name has been linked with the Columbian for some time. It’s unclear whether Atletico will want to part with him in the summer, but it seems clear that bids will be received, and one of the higher will almost inevitably be from Chelsea.
Mourinho has his own way of working, and this often involves a number of arrivals as he joins a club. Should the constant speculation prove to be valid, and he re-joins Chelsea in the summer, one thing for sure is that it probably won’t be boring. For Chelsea fans contemplating buying a new shirt for next season, it’s probably best to hang on until the transfer window closes before choosing the name and number for the back. There may be plenty to choose from.
Source: DSG
