Mourinho keen to replace Cech and sign two more.
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Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho appears to have set his sights on three new signings for the summer as he identifies his main priority targets, according to a report in the Daily Star.
The Premier League champions are looking likely to be in need of a replacement goalkeeper after club owner Roman Abramovich supposedly gave Petr Cech the go-ahead to move to rivals Arsenal. Despite manager Mourinho being keen not to see the 33-year-old shot-stopper join a direct title contender, it seems the long-serving Czech Republic international will be allowed to do so after his years of great service at Stamford Bridge.
With Thibaut Courtois now the undisputed number one, it makes sense that Chelsea want to make a new signing in goal in order to have a reliable backup option, with the inexperienced England youth international Jamal Blackman perhaps the next in line for the club to sit on the bench if Cech does move to the Emirates Stadium.
Elsewhere, the Star adds that Mourinho has been keen to sign a new striker and a new defender in addition to a new backup keeper, with these three players claimed to be the Portuguese coach’s main targets:
1) Rob Green (Queens Park Rangers)
Despite also looking at Norwich City keeper John Ruddy, the Star claims that Chelsea have more hope of signing the experienced Rob Green from relegated QPR, with life in the Championship next season perhaps not so appealing for the 35-year-old at this stage of his career. Having played at the top level for so long, Green looks a smart buy to play as understudy to Courtois, even if he is clearly not of the same standard of a player like Cech; indeed, his increased chances of being willing to sit on the bench for large chunks of the season make him absolutely ideal for what the Blues want.
2) Radamel Falcao (AS Monaco)
The Star also claims that Chelsea are hoping to formally announce a loan deal for AS Monaco striker Radamel Falcao within the week. The Colombian international is another signing who would likely be brought in as a backup player, with Diego Costa doing so well in his first season at Stamford Bridge and surely establishing himself as first choice. Falcao, of course, was very disappointing in his loan spell with Manchester United, but remains a player with a superb reputation after shining at previous clubs Atletico Madrid and Porto, combined for whom he scored an incredible 142 goals in all competitions in the space of four seasons between 2009/10 and 2012/13.
3) Toby Alderweireld (Atletico Madrid)
Finally, the Star also states that Chelsea will try their luck with a swap deal for Atletico Madrid defender Toby Alderweireld, who impressed in the Premier League this season with a loan spell at Southampton. The Belgian international helped the Saints to a strong finish of 7th place in the table, and also to the second best defensive record in the division as the club conceded only 33 times in 38 games – a record bettered only by Chelsea themselves. It is said that Filipe Luis would move in the other direction, with the Brazilian left-back failing to make an impression in his single season in West London after joining from Atletico last year. Given the fine form of Cesar Azpilicueta in that role, it perhaps makes sense for Mourinho to pursue a central defender instead, with John Terry surely unable to play so many games again next season at the age of 34.