After failing once again to obtain their much-coveted European glory, and losing their foothold on the domestic front in the wink of an eye one fateful Saturday afternoon, it may be time for Chelsea to dive once again into the deep pockets of Roman Abromovich this summer.
With the hope of an unprecedented “quadruple†washed away in the April rain, Chelsea will be keen on a swift return to the top of the Premiership table. They will also be further fuelled by Liverpool Chief Rick Parry’s sardonic comments about investing 500 million pounds, only to win the League Cup.
Jose Mourinho’s wish list will have an added emphasis on the back four. The need for another center back was apparent all year long, and he was furious with Abramovich and Peter Kenyon for not allowing him to buy one during the January transfer window.
A right-back might be the first to come in, though. Mourinho is said to be keen on the young English international Micah Richards who looks ready to make the jump from a Manchester City team in shambles, to the comforts of Stamford Bridge. The bright lights of the Champions League may be too alluring for the defender, who can play both centre and right back, to pass up.
Another name floating around in the news is that of Portuguese international Jorge Andrade who plies his trade with Deportivo La Coruna in Spain and would be welcomed with open arms to Stamford Bridge. January transfer target Tal Ben Haim may make his way to London as he is set to leave Bolton when his contract expires in the summer.
A right back is also on his wish list and he is interested in Miguel who currently plays for Valencia. He has displaced Paulo Ferreira from the Portuguese National team and could do the same at Stamford Bridge. They do have Glen Johnson coming back from a loan spell at Portsmouth, but it remains to seem if Mourinho will have any faith in the young defender as he was signed by the old Ranieri regime.
There are also reports that Alex who is owned by Chelsea may be brought back from his long loan stint at PSV Eindhoven. Internationals Ashley Cole and Wayne Bridge will patrol the left side of the pitch although Chelsea will be certainly linked with the dynamic Daniel Alves from Sevilla.
The midfield may have some question marks following reports that Shawn Wright Philips and Arjen Robben are going to be sold this summer. Chelsea are involved in an intense battle with rivals Arsenal over the signature of a 19-year-old Flamengo striker Renato Augusto, who has been hailed as the new Kaka by pundits in Brazil.
Chelsea may snap up Reading midfielder Steve Sidwell on a free transfer as the sacking of Roeder has thrown his proposed move to Newcastle into doubt. Barcelona talisman Deco may arrive in the summer as well, but that may be considered a long shot as Italian giants Inter Milan are said to be the front runners for his signature.
David Villa would be an appetizing option for the Chelsea faithful to replace the monumental disappointment Andriy Shevchenko. The mercurial Samuel Eto’o would be a dream to Chelsea supporters to partner Didier Drogba in attack while goal poacher Hernan Crespo could be called back from Inter Milan for a third tour of duty.
Peter Kenyon ended speculation about Mourinho’s future at the club three weeks ago when he announced that the self proclaimed “special one†will be back to manage the team next season. Mourinho can now concentrate on filling the holes in the squad to mould them into a contender again next year. An infusion of some fresh legs into the squad could go a long way to reclaiming the domestic title back and bringing home the European crown that Abramovich so dearly covets.
The biggest problem, however, lies elsewhere! With the African Nations Cup taking place in January, Mourinho is set to lose Drogba, Kalou, Obi Mikel, Geremi and Essien for an extended period of time. Nobody needs to belabour the impact of Drogba, and now, of Essien.
This will push him to add some more players, spend more money, and have a squad more difficult to keep happy. Few are going to empathize if he cries foul over the number of Africans he will have to do without in the heat of the title race early next year! Blank cheques; more of them will be needed!
Chelsea Ready To Reload: Another Big Summer Looms
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delfino_1936
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even if chelski sell him, they wont sell to ManUSA because they their transfer policy includes bottle of shiraz off their rivals. example, we was supposed to get SWP, but they made a ridiculous bid we couldnt match, we offered more for Duff than Newcastle, but they wouldnt sell to pool... same with Robben, they will sell to someone not in the EPL.
robben to barca.LFTWNG11 wrote:even if chelski sell him, they wont sell to ManUSA because they their transfer policy includes bottle of shiraz off their rivals. example, we was supposed to get SWP, but they made a ridiculous bid we couldnt match, we offered more for Duff than Newcastle, but they wouldnt sell to pool... same with Robben, they will sell to someone not in the EPL.
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The one and only
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it wasnt from under thier noses it was peter kenyon he left old trafford for chelsea and then offered him a contract from there after fergie had taken robben around old traffordRigoni 10 wrote:he was meant 2 go 2 MUSA but chelski jagged him from under their noses.....how many times have they done thatMUFCBOY wrote:if robben is 4 sale, then old trafford awaits!
but if we had of got him then we probably would not of got ronaldo so who gives a crap
I speak nothing but the truth
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delfino_1936
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lol u never no robben is an awesome player....he could've been differentThe one and only wrote:it wasnt from under thier noses it was peter kenyon he left old trafford for chelsea and then offered him a contract from there after fergie had taken robben around old traffordRigoni 10 wrote:he was meant 2 go 2 MUSA but chelski jagged him from under their noses.....how many times have they done thatMUFCBOY wrote:if robben is 4 sale, then old trafford awaits!
but if we had of got him then we probably would not of got ronaldo so who gives a crap
