The talk is over, now Jose Mourinho is getting down to business.
Yesterday over 250 reporters crammed into the ridiculously small media room at Chelseaโs Stamford Bridge Stadium, as Mourinho revealed he is now โthe happy oneโ after signing a four-year deal to manage the Blues.
But with his future sorted out, Mourinhoโs next port of call should be figuring out who will join him on Chelseaโs quest to bring success of every kind to West London.
A few weeks ago we speculated who might join Mourinho at Chelsea, but Radamel Falcao and Joao Moutinho have already signed for AS Monaco.
That got us thinking here at PST. With untold riches and a reputation for winning proving attractive for just about any player, who should Mourinho buy during the transfer window this summer?
1. Edinson Cavani, F, Napoli
According to reports this morning Chelsea have offered Fernando Torres plus $50 million for Cavani. Napoli turned them down. And no wonder. The Uruguayan forward has scored 102 goals in 124 games for the Serie A club, but he issued a massive โcome and get meโ plea on Monday, after stating it would be an honor to play for Chelsea or Manchester City. Number one, Chelsea are about one of the only teams who can afford Cavani. Number two, his direct style of play would slot in perfectly with the way Mourinho likes to set up his lone forward. (see Drogba, Milito, Benzema, etc.)
2. Xabi Alonso, M, Real Madrid
Alonso is the type of player who wins you championships. Ruthlessly winning the ball back time and time again and retaining possession with consummate ease, the Spanish midfielders best traits are often overlooked. At 31 he could provide Mourinho with some extra steel in midfield to let Frank Lampard, Juan Mata, Eden Hazard, Oscar and Ramires pile forward. Wouldnโt break the bank and knows the EPL inside out after his years with Liverpool. A shrewd buy.
3. Hulk, F, Zenit St. Petersburg
The bustling striker once of Mourinhoโs former club Porto, Hulk would be a big success in the EPL. After swapping Portugal for Russia, the Brazilian forward has scored 11 goals in 28 games and added eight assists. But the 26-year-old forward seems to be disillusioned with life in St. Petersburg and is looking for a move away. He wonโt come cheap, but if Mourinho offloads Torres and Cavani doesnโt arrive, Hulk could be heading to Stamford Bridge.
4. Luke Shaw, D, Southampton
Ashley Cole canโt keep going forever, itโs shocking, but true. So with Southamptonโs Luke Shaw excelling in his debut season in the EPL, the 17-year-old could be the perfect long-term replacement for Cole at the left back slot. Shaw has it all, pace, great on the ball, superb defensively and heโs a life-long Chelsea fan. He may be hard to pry away from the Saints, who have produced talents such as Gareth Bale, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott, as they donโt want to sell him. Shaw is set to sign a new deal when he turns 18 this summer, but who can say no to their boyhood club with Mourinho in charge?
Verdict: This list will be added to and adapted over the coming weeks but in Cavani and Hulk, Mourinho would add incredible firepower to his side. Then with the addition of Alonso some solidity in midfield would help balance their lopsided squad. And adding Shaw as one for the future/competition for Cole would prove that Chelsea can attract players of all ages, from all countries and win the lot.
Do you agree with this list? Plenty of players would give their right arm to play for Chelsea right now, but who do you want to see?
