Top talents on Jose Mourinho’s Stamford Bridge radar.
Jose Mourinho returned to Chelsea last month amid much fanfare. Many bookmakers are already placing the Blues as favourites for next seasons Premier League title just on the basis of the Portuguese managers return. However, the Chelsea squad is in need of an overhaul and many top players have been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge over the course of the summer. Here are Chelsea’s top ten summer transfer targets.
10- Burak Yilmaz- Galatasaray
Despite an average start to his career, Yilmaz has become one of the most highly rated strikers currently playing in Europe. He scored 32 goals last season, helping Galatasray to the Turkish League title and also the quarter finals of the Champions League. He has been linked with a move to Chelsea this summer following his goal scoring exploits for Galatasaray, with many believing that Yilmaz could be exactly the type of striker that Jose Mourinho is looking for. Yilaz can be described as a complete forward, someone who can play off another striker or as a lone striker and is also comfortable in possession and is an aerial threat. It is Yilmaz threat in the air that will of interest to Mourinho, with the Portuguese manager preferring to have a central striker that is a powerful force in the penalty area. At 27, Yilmaz maybe a bit of a late bloomer but he could be exactly what Chelsea need next season.
9- Edin Dzeko- Manchester City
Dzeko has scored some of Manchester City’s most important goals during his time at the Etihad, scoring the equaliser against QPR that set up City’s Premier League title victory on the last day of the 2011/2012 season. However, Dzeko remains a frustrated figure at the Etihad, often starting big games on the bench while players like Sergio Aguero are in the starting line-up. Things look set to stay the same for Dzeko this season as City recently signed striker Alvaro Negredo and Stevan Jovetic, increasing the competition for places at the Sky Blues. Dzeko may need to leave City in order to get opportunities to start games and reports suggest that Chelsea are ready to offer him just that. Jose Mourinho would like to have a powerful centre forward in his team this season, in the mould of Didier Drogba and he has identified Dzeko as a player that can perform that type of role. Dzeko would probably be interested in moving to Stamford Bridge but it is unlikely that City would like the striker to leave the club for another title rival unless they receive a huge offer.
8- Zlatan Ibrahimovic- Paris St Germain
The much travelled striker had an excellent debut season for Paris St Germain, scoring 30 goals to help the club win the French League title. However, Ibrahimovic appears to be unsettled in Paris despite his excellent displays for the club last season. Reports suggest that the Swede has fallen out with new manager Laurent Blanc over the recent signing of Edinson Cavani from Napoli. He fears that he won’t be first choice striker for the club next season and doesn’t want to be sitting on the bench watching Cavani. This means that once again the striker could be moving clubs and a move to the Premier League is reportedly interesting him. Chelsea are in the market for a goal scoring striker and Ibrahimovic certainly has a fantastic record. Ibrahimovic can sometimes be difficult but Mourinho has a great history of getting the best out of difficult characters, meaning he could be ready to take a gamble on the Swede. It would be an expensive gamble however, with the striker demanding wages of around £8 million a year.
7- Didier Drogba- Galatasaray
Mourinho is looking for a powerful central striker that will be a physical presence up front for his Chelsea side next season and the Portuguese manager knows that there aren’t many better than Drogba. Mourinho enjoyed an excellent working relationship with the Ivorian during their time together at Chelsea, so much so that he was often linked with bringing the striker to Real Madrid. Reports suggest that Mourinho is considering bringing Drogba back to Chelsea to perform the role that he used to in his old Chelsea side.
The Portuguese coach believes that Drogba still has many years of excellent football left in him and feels that the striker can continue to play at the top level for at least another three years. Bringing Drogba back to Stamford Bridge would certainly be popular with fans who loved the Ivorian but it is unknown whether he would still be the same player that terrorized Premier League defences during Mourinho’s first spell at the club. However, reports have also suggested that Chelsea will offer Drogba the opportunity to start his coaching career alongside his playing career and could help coach the clubs young players. Following his highly successful career, Drogba would certainly be an excellent player for young players to work alongside.
6- Hulk- Zenit St Petersburg
The Brazilian striker has long been linked with a move to one of Europe’s top clubs, with many thinking that he would move to La Liga or Premier League last summer. However, Hulk surprised everyone and moved to Zenit St Petersburg for £35 million. However, the strikers first season in Russia hasn’t been a particularly successful one with reports stating that the player isn’t happy in the country and is looking to move away already. Chelsea is a reported destination for the striker, with the player himself stating that he had already had conversations with Chelsea about a move to Stamford Bridge. Hulk’s physicality would certainly interest Mourinho however, the striker could be a very pricy buy should Chelsea choose to pursue a deal for him. Zenit are reportedly demanding close to £50 million for the striker as they want to re-coup some profit for a player that they only bought last summer. Chelsea certainly won’t be paying that much for Hulk and are hoping to get the striker for even less than Zenit paid for him last summer. It make take the player forcing his way out of Zenit for a deal to be done.
5- Marouane Fellaini- Everton
The midfielder is one of the Premier League’s most highly rated players, having had several excellent seasons at Everton. This is due to Fellaini’s versatility and physicality. The Belgian can play in a wide variety of positions within the midfield, from a deep lying defensive role to an attacking role, just playing off of the striker. Fellaini has also scored an impressive amount of goals for Everton, many of them from set pieces. The midfielders excellent performances has led to interest from many of the Premier League’s top clubs and Chelsea are amongst them. Jose Mourinho wants a strong physical presence in his midfield and there aren’t many better than Fellaini. However, he is set to face competition for the midfielder from rivals Manchester United and Arsenal. Also, signing Fellaini won’t be cheap, with Everton demanding that interested clubs activate Fellaini’s £23.5 million buy-out clause. That clause in Fellaini’s contract expires on August 14th and after that Everton will likely demand close to £30 million for one of their best players. The Blues may need to act quickly in order to sign one of English footballs hottest properties.
4- Nemanja Matic- Benfica
Matic has already spent some time at Chelsea and left the club in 2011 for Benfica as part of the deal to bring David Luiz to Stamford Bridge. Now it appears that the Blues are interested in re-signing their former player. While at Benfica, Matic has really excelled and become one of Europe’s most wanted central midfielders. Jose Mourinho is desperately hoping to re-enforce his midfield this summer with the likes of Frank Lampard approaching the end of their careers. Matic would be an excellent prospect and someone who could form part of the Blues midfield for many years to come. However, Chelsea will face competition for Matic’s signature, with Real Madrid thought to be interested in signing the midfielder. Also, Matic will more than likely demand that he plays regular first team football during his second spell at Chelsea and won’t want to be kept on the bench by Jose Mourinho.
3- Eliaquim Mangala- FC Porto
Mangala is one of European footballs hottest properties at the moment, with many pundits predicting greatness for the young central defender. At just 22, Mangala has already established himself at the heart of Porto’s defence and was highly impressive throughout the clubs highly successful 2012/2013 campaign. Mangala is a very physical central defender, able to muscle any forward off the ball, traits that Jose Mourinho certainly admires. Stamford Bridge is reportedly one of the destinations that Mangala could end up at this summer, with Jose Mourinho looking to sign players that will be a part of his team for many years to come. Mangala is certainly an excellent prospect for the future and could be a long term replacement for John Terry, who is approaching the twilight of his career. However, Chelsea will face competition for the young centre back, with the likes of Manchester United reportedly interested. However, reports suggest that Chelsea are ahead of United in the race to sign Mangala but at the moment Porto are demanding that interested clubs pay the defenders £42.2 million release clause. Chelsea are unlikely to pay that so it could be down to the player to tell Porto that he wants to leave before a deal can be done.
2- Daniele De Rossi- Roma
De Rossi has been regarded as one of European footballs most effective defensive midfielders and has been at the heart of Roma’s midfield for many years now. However, the Italian could be leaving the club this summer following a difficult 2012/2013 season in the Italian capital. De Rossi fell out spectacularly with the clubs former manager and spent most of last season on the bench, very unusual for a player who is used to be at the centre of things for Roma. It could be time for De Rossi to move on, with Italy’s national coach Cesare Prandelli telling the player that it maybe time to move away from Rome. Chelsea are thought to be very interested in signing the midfielder, with Jose Mourinho thought to be a big fan of De Rossi. Reports suggest that Mourinho has tried to sign De Rossi twice before, while he was at Inter Milan and then Real Madrid but the Italian turned him down. That is unlikely to happen this summer, with reports suggesting that De Rossi is eager to link up with the Portuguese coach. Roma also appear to be ready to let their star player go as they have recently signed a ready made replacement in the form of Dutch midfielder Kevin Strootman. De Rossi maybe 29 but he is still an excellent midfielder and could be the core of Mourinho’s next great Chelsea team.
1- Wayne Rooney- Manchester United
Rooney had a troubled 2012/2013 campaign with Manchester United, often being substituted in big games and then left on the bench in some cases. The striker has reportedly fallen out with the clubs hierarchy over comments that David Moyes made about Rooney being the second choice striker behind Robin Van Persie. Rooney also fell out with Sir Alex Ferguson over the Scot’s claim that the striker asked for a transfer at the end of last season. It appears that Rooney’s days at Old Trafford are numbered and reports suggest that Chelsea is his most likely destination. Jose Mourinho has already said that the striker is his number one target for the rest of the summer and he believes that at Chelsea, Rooney can fulfil his potential. However, Manchester United continue to state that the player isn’t for sale and their stance won’t change, even if the player submits a formal transfer request. However, Chelsea have already submitted a bid for Rooney, believed to be around £20 million. United rejected that bid but Chelsea will be back with an improved offer and could go as high as £30 million for the England international.