Mourinho keeping tabs on Three Lions stars.
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Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is keeping an eye on the performances of three big-name targets in England’s World Cup squad this summer, CaughtOffside can reveal.
After a somewhat surprising trophyless campaign in 2013/14, the Blues have already made big steps towards strengthening for next season with the signings of Cesc Fabregas from Barcelona and Diego Costa from Atletico Madrid, addressing two key areas of the squad at Stamford Bridge.
Still, the Portuguese coach remains keen on bringing in a new left-back to replace the departing Ashley Cole, while one more striker is also likely to be brought in as the likes of Fernando Torres, Demba Ba and Romelu Lukaku could all be set for the axe.
There is also some doubt over the future of Brazilian midfielder Ramires, who is being linked with Real Madrid, and although it has been reported that Chelsea are looking at doing a swap deal with the Spanish giants for former Tottenham Hotspur playmaker Luka Modric, there is also a rising young English talent for that position coming under consideration.
3) Luke Shaw (Southampton)
With Saints youngster Luke Shaw being selected ahead of veteran full-back Ashley Cole for the England national team this summer, it could now be that the talented 18-year-old will replace the Blues star in that slot at Chelsea next season. Although the player is widely acknowledged to be a £27m target for Manchester United, it has been reported that the Red Devils are becoming frustrated at how long it has taken to conclude a deal, with new manager Louis van Gaal now thought to be considering other options such as Barcelona and Spain star Jordi Alba.
Shaw has been linked with Chelsea in the past, and although United are believed to be his main choice for the moment, he has revealed his boyhood support for the Blues, and Mourinho is seemingly ready to pounce if a proposed move to Old Trafford does end up falling through. Atletico Madrid’s Filipe Luis has also attracted plenty of attention from Chelsea, but Shaw is more appealing in that he is a far more long-term option than the Brazilian, who is ten years his senior.