Jose Mourinho was unimpressed with some of his squad players this week…
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho was openly disappointed with the performances of some of his ‘fringe’ players on Tuesday evening, as he rotated his squad for the 2-1 Capital One Cup victory over Shrewsbury Town.
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The Blues struggled against their League Two opponents, and needed a late own goal to secure their berth in the quarter-finals – with Mourinho saying ome of his Chelsea players did not impress enough to keep their place in the side.
“I expect people that have not been playing a lot to raise their level and create problems,” said the manager. “I love problems of choice, but it’s easy to choose my team for Saturday.”
So would the Special One be more impressed with this potential starting XI? Made up of players from other Premier League clubs, currently struggling to secure a spot in their respective teams.
GK) Michel Vorm (Tottenham Hotspur)
A summer signing from Swansea City, who is stuck behind Hugo Lloris in the pecking order at White Hart Lane.
RB) Bacary Sagna (Manchester City)
Brought into provide competition for Pablo Zabaleta, but has thus far struggled to hold down a regular starting spot.
LB) Jose Enrique (Liverpool)
After almost a year out injured, the former Newcastle man is now behind Alberto Moreno in line for a place in Liverpool’s XI.
CB) Kolo Toure (Liverpool)
After several slip-ups last year, Toure is well down Brendan Rodgers’ pecking order, but does get the occasional run out.
CB) Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham Hotspur)
Has surprisingly struggled to command a spot in the Spurs team, with his plight not helped by the summer arrival of Federico Fazio, and the appointment of Younes Kaboul as captain.
CM) Lucas Leiva (Liverpool)
Has fallen out of favour at Liverpool, and now must battle with Emre Can and Joe Allen for his defensive midfield role alongside Steven Gerrard.
CM) Tomas Rosicky (Arsenal)
Experienced Czech midfielder who has only been used as a bit-part player by Arsene Wenger so far this season, due to his wide variety of options in the middle of the park.
RM) Scott Sinclair (Manchester City)
A relative outcast at the Etihad Stadium – something he has unfortunately been since his arrival at the club in the summer of 2012 – he is just completely wasted at City.
LM) Adnan Januzaj (Manchester United)
The star of the show for United for much of last season, who now has to deal with a slightly smaller role at Old Trafford, following the mass of summer arrivals.
ST) Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)
Has already scored six goals for Spurs this season, but is still far from an automatic starter. A promising England youth international who is developing into a top player.
ST) Lukas Podolski (Arsenal)
The World Cup winning German is still very much fighting for his Arsenal future, following the summer arrival of Danny Welbeck, and will need to go some to earn a regular starting spot.
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