The Special One identifies 10 transfer targets as he aims to prepare Chelsea for a serious title challenge next season.
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has compiled a ten-man shortlist as he plots a summer of serious spending at Stamford Bridge.
All season, Mourinho has insisted that his team are not serious title contenders, even referring to the Blues as a “little horse” in February.
Caughtoffside understands that the Special One has identified the following 10 players as the individuals that can help the Londoners become a much bigger horse next term…
Diego Costa
Mourinho has dismissed the quality of his current strikers this season and he wants to bring in two in the summer. Atletico Madrid star Costa, who has scored 34 goals in 39 games this term, is his top target.
Chelsea are widely expected to be successful in their pursuit of Costa, who applauded Blues fans following Tuesday’s 0-0 draw between the La Liga leaders and the Stamford Bridge club. The supporters had been singing: “Diego Costa, we’ll see you next year.”
Mario Mandzukic
With Borussia Dortmund topscorer Robert Lewandowski poised to join Bayern Munich at the end of the season, Mandzukic’s position as main frontman at the Allianz Arena is soon to be lost. That is unlikely to sit well with the 48-time Croatia international and the player could attempt to force a move.
Mourinho is a big fan of Mandzukic, who has scored 18 goals in 29 Bundesliga appearances this term. The Stamford Bridge boss hopes that he will be able to capitalise on the 27-year-old’s unsettled position by snapping him up fee a cut-price transfer fee.
Seydou Doumbia
Mourinho is determined not to be left short up front next season and is therefore keeping his eye on Doumbia just in case he is unable to land his main attacking targets.
However, the 26-year-old CSKA Moscow man, who scored twice at the Etihad Stadium in a 5-2 Champions League defeat to Manchester City earlier this season, is likely to be in high demand. Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal have also been impressed by the Ivory Coast international’s displays in the Russian league, where he has netted 15 goals in 1,200 minutes of field time.
Jackson Martinez
The fourth and final striker on Mourinho’s shortlist is the top goalscorer in Portugal’s Primeira Liga.
Martinez has netted 19 times for Porto, but he has been the shining light in a otherwise disappointing season for the club that were crowned champions of Europe under Mourinho in 2004.
Colombia international Martinez, 27, could be available for little more that £20m.
Luke Shaw
Mourinho needs to bring in a high-quality left-back to replace Ashley Cole, whose contract is up at the end of the season.
Shaw has been identified as the top target, but the Blues will have to make the 18-year-old the world’s most expensive left-back to convince Southampton to sell.
Manchester United are also keen on Shaw, but the lack of certainty surrounding the manager’s position at Old Trafford could see Chelsea win the race for his signature.
Fabio Coentrao
If Shaw proves to be unattainable, Mourinho will switch his focus to a player that he coached during his time at Real Madrid. Coentrao was a fairly regular member of the La Liga giants’ starting XI under Mourinho, but he has been used very sparingly this term.
Coentrao seems to stand little chance of displacing Marcelo to become the first choice left-back at the Bernabeu. Therefore, a summer exit looms large. The 27-year-old appeared to be on the verge of joining Premier League rivals Manchester United last summer, before a proposed deadline-day loan fell through.
Juilo Cesar
Chelsea currently own two of the world’s best goalkeepers in Petr Cech and Thibaut Courtois. However, with one currently out injured and one on loan at Atletico Madrid, where he could stay for one more season, Mourinho wants a competent third stopper.
Aussie Mark Schwarzer is currently third choice at Stamford Bridge, but the 41-year-old is out of contract soon and will be released this summer.
Cesar is currently on loan from Queens Park Rangers at Toronto FC, but a move to Stamford Bridge could suit the 34-year-old, who Mourinho worked with during his time in charge of Inter Milan.
Luka Modric
Modric is a long-term Chelsea target. The Blues spent the entire summer of 2011 attempting to sign him from Tottenham Hotspur. The Croatian midfielder eventually left White Hart Lane 12 months later to join Real Madrid, where he became one of Mourinho’s favourite players.
Mourinho tried to bring Modric with him when he left Madrid to rejoin Chelsea in June last year and, although he failed, he is poised to try again.
Ezequiel Garay
With John Terry’s form steadily declining with age and David Luiz set to be shown the door this summer, Chelsea need to bolster their central defensive options.
Garay has long been held in high esteem by Mourinho and the 27-year-old Argentina international has further enhanced his reputation this season with a number of commanding performances for Benfica, helping his side dominate the Portuguese league and make a real challenge for Europa League glory.
Andrea Ranocchia
Ranocchia did not make his Inter Milan debut until Mourinho left the San Siro in 2010. However, the Portuguese helped to develop the Italy international, who has started 21 Serie A games this season.
Garay is Mourinho’s first choice, but 26-year-old Ranocchia is also on the Chelsea boss’ shortlist.
