With Jose Mourinho on the brink of leaving Real Madrid this summer, it seems like he is destined to arrive back at the Bridge, and finally answer the prayers of thousands of Chelsea fans.
After enduring the widely loathed Rafa Benitez for several months, it seems apt that we should be dragged out from under the carpet by the Special One, and back amongst the big boys next season.
With the board no doubt ready to cough up a few million for whoever does take the reins, here are three players I think should follow Jose Mourinho to London in the post-season.
Xabi Alonso
Probably the most obvious pick, due to the media hype surrounding the move at present, its rumoured Alonso would be keen on a move back to England, where he spent five years as a Liverpool player. With Michael Essien currently on loan at the Bernabau, he could well be used as a makeshift in this deal, one that could well be done slightly cheaper anyway, due to Alonso’s contract ending in 2014.
Frank Lampard will almost definitely receive a contract extension should Jose take over, and the signing of Xabi Alonso could well bulk out the midfield in depth and quality, but would hand more doubts over Mikel’s future, who has not exactly become a favourite with some lacklustre performances this season.
He is a mainstay in the Madrid squad at present, but may well wish to follow Mourinho to England, to finish off his career in London, especially as he Is yet to sign that contract extension. Would be available for around £15-£20 million.
Could Varane replace JT at the Bridge?Raphael Varane
One of the most exciting young defenders in European football at the moment, Varane has managed 14 appearances in La Liga so far this season, but most of the acclaim he has received is through his Champions League performances, steering Madrid to a semi-final berth before losing to Dortmund last week.
He is certainly the long-term solution for Real, and Mourinho has given the young man the chance to shine this season, whether the new boss will be able to do so, could be a key factor in this. With Pepe (30) and Ramos (27) the seasoned professionals, Varane may well find himself on the bench come the new season. Should Chelsea want to push the boat out, they may well be able to convince the 20-year-old his future lies at the Bridge, with John Terry (32) looking to bow out before Pepe does for sure. He may well have to wait until 24/25 to secure first-team football at the Bernabau.
Although a long-shot, you can never say never with the power of Mourinho and Abramovich, and £25-£30m may well be the kind of figure needed to make them part company, but for a defender of his quality, it may well be a sound investment.
Gonzalo Higuain
With Real Madrid opting for the same 4-2-3-1 formation that Chelsea use week-in week-out, the Bernabau is certainly void of room for two world class strikers, which is what Madrid posses in Higuain and Benzema.
Both aged 25, it is the time in their careers they want first team football, and while last season’s campaign saw him rattle in 22 goals in 35 appearances; he has started less than half that many games this season, largely down to an injury in late 2012 which ruled him out for 7 matches.
It’s extremely possible that Fernando Torres exits the club this summer, and should we collect £30m back for him, that money could be well used in purchasing Higuain from Madrid.
It may well be a big shout for us to prize him from the Spanish giants, but the offer of permanent first-team football may well persuade him. Just last month, he managed 3 goals and 2 assists in 3 games, before being benched for the next four.
Of course, we are yet to see whether Mourinho will take the hotseat at Chelsea again, but recent speculation, both in the press and from the club, suggest we might see it very shortly after the La Liga season is over.
Do you think the players mentioned could make a difference to us? If not, who should Jose try and poach from the Galacticos this summer? Let us know.
By Brad Smith
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