The New Untouchables

[stroey 2,525]

In his first spell Mourinho named 9 players who were his ''untouchables'':
Claude Makelele, Michael Essien, Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack, John Terry, Ricardo Carvalho, Ashley Cole, Didier Drogba and Petr Cech.

"Makelele is untouchable because of the way he plays. Essien is untouchable because of the way he plays. Frank Lampard is untouchable because of the way he plays. "It is not because I love them. It is because of the way they play. Michael Ballack is untouchable because of the way he plays. John Terry is untouchable, Ricardo Carvalho, Ashley Cole, Drogba, they are untouchable.

"The right-back is not untouchable. That is why I try this and that. But, at this moment, we have nine untouchable players. Players pick the team, not me."

interview of 2006: http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11668/2397432/jose-sheva-not-untouchable

At the end of last season (2013-14) he was asked to name his new untouchables, at that time he named: Azpi, Iva, Gary, JT, Ramires, Matic and Willian.

“Partially” is the critical word. “It was not possible to complete that puzzle for different factors,” Mourinho said. “If next season we have a No 9 who we decide is first-choice, plus the stability that Matic and Ramires can give, hopefully we will have more stability.”

So there you have it. The new ‘untouchables’ are evolving: Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill, Azpilicueta, Matic and Ramires and, possibly, Willian whose attitude to hard work had, Mourinho said, been transformed.

interview of 2014: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/10806112/Chelsea-manager-looking-for-a-new-team-of-untouchables-to-match-Stamford-Bridges-class-of-2006.html

But with the addition of Courtois, Luis, Costa, Fabregas and the development of Hazard and Oscar I think there will be some changes in his mind.
Mine are: Azpi, Iva, JT, Matic, Cesc, Hazard, Diego Costa and Courtois if Cech really leaves.

Who are your new untouchables? Or is it too early to talk about it, like the comparison with ''the new invincibles''?

[sutro 1,026]

Agree with you list but Oscar should be in it and luis perhaps by the end of this season

[hjperdeath 2,226]

He did not name Willian. He only commended his work-rate.

[stroey 2,525]

He did not name Willian. He only commended his work-rate.

Yeah, he said ''possibly'' Willian for his workrate. Willian really must improve in attack to join that list.

[chelseafc9010 224]

Courtois, Hazard, Costa and maybe Oscar for me.

[iseah100 5,612]

Tibo, Azpi, Matic, Cesc, Hazard, Oscar, Costa

[Spike 12,049]

Having Wilian and Azpi on the right flank is like having two fullbacks that can't attack.

[Jype 6,398]

Matic, Fabregas, Hazard, Oscar and Costa.

For me, as good as they are none of the defenders are untouchable because we have five equally excellent players in Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta and Filipe Luis. If one of them is sidelined with an injury or a suspension, the replacement will fit right in and we hardly even notice anyone's missing. Same can't be said about the players mentioned above because their replacements are nowhere near their class.

[The Chels 2,502]

Having Wilian and Azpi on the right flank is like having two fullbacks that can't attack.

Imagine trying to get past that duo though. Perfect for when we inevitably come up against Real and Ronaldo.

[Heisenberg 1,824]

Courtois - Cahill - Terry - Ivanovic - Matic - Fabregas - Hazard - Costa

[Myself 793]

Fabregas, Costa, Hazard, Oscar, Dave, Courtois, Terry, Matic and Ivanovic. Basically our entire starting XI.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

Hazard, Matic, Costa, Cesc, JT, Dave (either side tbh)