If Jose Mourinho is to be believed then sought-after Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba will NOT be making a summer switch to Stamford Bridge because he plans to promote Ruben Loftus-Cheek into the first team next season.
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Pogba has been tipped to leave the Serie league leaders in the next transfer window and Chelsea have been touted as a possible destination but Mourinho has told the club’s official website that he has a midfield spot earmarked for Loftus-Cheek next season:
“I think Ruben next season will compete directly for a position.” Mourinho said
“Now is not the moment, it is the moment for his evolution, the moment to protect him. If we were in this moment fourth, fifth, sixth or seventh he would be playing for sure.”
“Now the best way is to go with players with more experience but next season I expect him not just to play a few times but to compete for a place in the team because his evolution is superb.” He added.
Not saying Loftus-Cheek won’t develop in to a top player in time, but will Mourinho really pass up on the opportunity to sign one of the best players in the world in order to promote a youngster? Here are FOUR reasons why we don’t quite believe Jose.
4) No threat of FFP
With the sales of Juan Mata, David Luiz, Kevin de Bruyne, Andre Schurrle & Romelu Lukaku in the last 18 months, Chelsea have been able to recoup in excess of well over £100m, so Mourinho could easily spend a fortune on Pogba and still meet FFP rules.
Win-win situation for Chelsea!
3) Chelsea and Mourinho rarely give youth players a chance
Since John Terry who was the last Blues youth product to go on and be a first team regular? There were high hopes for Josh McEachran but he seems like a forgotten man now. Not to mention Carlton Cole who was once tipped for big things…
Senior opportunities for youngsters has been very limited under Mourinho during his two spells at the club, for further evidence of this look no further than Nathan Ake who was allocated the number six shirt at the beginning of the campaign but hasn’t even made six appearances all season!
Not the best of previous to go by…
2) Failure in the FA Cup and Champions League
When Chelsea crashed out of the FA Cup in a shock home defeat by League One Bradford, it was clear to everyone that their squad not all it was made out to be, then they were out-muscled by ten-man Paris Saint Germain and knocked out on away goals in the Champions League.
You can bet Mourinho is already plotting for a way in which to make amends in those competitions.
We think that plan is more likely to involve Pogba rather than Loftus-Cheek at least for next season.
1) Dream midfield trio
Mourinho is a big fan of having a world-class midfield trio.
He’s had Makelele-Ballack-Lampard, Cambiasso-Motta-Sneijder and Alonso-Khedira-Ozil.
Signing Pogba to partner him with Nemanja Matic would then allow Cesc Fabregas to occupy his favoured no.10 role and would give the Blues arguably the best midfield trio in the league.
Surely is Mourinho is thinking the same thing…?
