Stamford Bridge boss ready to conduct major squad cull.
Jose Mourinho is reportedly ready to conduct a major squad clear-out that will be undertaken in the next two transfer windows as the Blues boss seeks to put his stamp firmly on the Chelsea squad he inherited from interim manager Rafa Benitez.
The returning Chelsea manager is said to have been greatly angered by his side’s inept display away at Newcastle United and has seemingly ran out of patience with a large portion of his playing staff. Blues owner Roman Abramovich is ready to offer Mourinho a significant transfer war-chest but will insist that a number of players is sold to help balance the books.
Two of the biggest names on the list of those Mourinho wishes to sell are Brazilian David Luiz and Spanish playmaker Juan Mata, both of whom have been in and out of the Chelsea side and both of whom have played well below the standards they have set in previous Stamford Bridge campaigns.
Mourinho knows he could garner big money fees for both players and will be ready to listen to offers for the duo though has no intention whatsoever in selling to fellow Premier League rivals.
PSG are thought to be very keen on 25 year old attacking midfielder Mata whilst Barcelona have previously been linked with an interest in Luiz.
As well as underperforming stars Jose Mourinho has earmarked moves to sell players he feels are simply not up for the task and not befitting a side that is looking to challenge for major honours.
Though he has attempted to offer youngster Kevin de Bruyne more playing time Mourinho is happy to consider bids for the Belgian and will at a push be willing to sell the midfielder out on loan, though will ideally look to sell the player on a permanent basis.
Mourinho is also not impressed by the form shown by John Obi Mikel and feels that Chelsea should be looking to bring in a better quality defensive midfielder and has set his sights on Real Madrid’s Sami Khedira and as such the Nigerian international is very much surplus to requirements.
The Chelsea manager will also accept decent offers for left-back Ryan Bertrand and striker Demba Ba.
Though Jose Mourinho was full of praise for Fernando Torres after his man of the match display against Man City his subsequent display at St James’ Park apparently left the Chelsea manager ready to give up on the 29 year old and the Spanish international will be offloaded just as soon as the Premier League side have brought in a suitable striking replacement.
Torres has failed to come anywhere near living up to expectations, and the £50m price-tag, since moving to the club from Liverpool and his current run of just two goals in his last 21 Premier League fixtures is fairly conclusive proof that the experienced striker is simply unable to lead the Chelsea front-line.
Mourinho will also seek to sell Cesar Azpilicueta who has played a bit-part role at the club this term.