How we would operate in the transfer market this January if given the keys to Jose Mourinho’s office.
Chelsea may still be on top of the Premier League table – but only the late John Terry consolation against Tottenham Hotspur on New Year’s Day saved them from falling behind Manchester City at English football’s summit.
Jose Mourinho still has work to do to bolster his squad if they are to see of the challenge of Manuel Pellegrini’s title holders – here are six deals that we would make if placed into Mourinho’s shoes:
Out) Mohamed Salah
Mourinho has been loathe to hand an elongated run in the first team to winger Mohamed Salah, who was signed for £12 million from FC Basel in January 2014 but has been a peripheral figure ever since. Salah simply hasn’t been able to offer enough of a threat on the wings and, in such a small squad, everyone needs to be contributing.
In) Karim Bellarabi (Bayer Leverkusen)
With Jose Mourinho appearing to be far from convinced by Mohamed Salah and Andre Schurrle, another option in the attacking midfield positions is an important priority for the Blues. Bayer Leverkusen’s German international star Karim Bellarabi is having a fine season and is different enough to the options already at Mourinho’s disposal to make sense.
Out) John Obi Mikel
It is perhaps more likely in the summer rather than January, but John Obi Mikel’s departure from Stamford Bridge is certainly on the cards. The experienced Nigerian has looked off the pace recently and isn’t really good enough as cover for Cesc Fabregas and Nemanja Matic – whilst it would be good for Mikel to end his career with regular action.
In) Sergio Busquets (Barcelona)
There is certainly a degree of optimism surrounding transfer rumours linking Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets with a move to Stamford Bridge – but he would be the ideal capture for Jose Mourinho. One of the most intelligent holding midfielders of his generation, Busquets would provide Chelsea with an extra dimension in central midfield.
Out) Marko Marin
Once signed on a free transfer from Bundesliga outfit Werder Bremen, flop winger Marko Marin has proven to be one of the most pointless signings in Chelsea’s recent history. There has been talk that Serie A side Fiorentina are set to cut his loan spell short, so unimpressive has the German been, and the Blues would do well to get shot of him permanently.
In) Andrej Kramaric (Rijeka)
With Didier Drogba on his last legs and Loic Remy surprisingly underused by Jose Mourinho so far this season, a younger back up for first choice centre forward Diego Costa should certainly be on the Blues’ shopping list. Mourinho certainly seems to rated Croatian youngster Kramaric and his goalscoring record for Rijeka is undeniably outstanding.