The Mourinho Thread

[MrExcalibur100 7,124]

This is eerily reminiscent of the 2007/2008 transfer window. Or the 2010/2011 one.

[xPetrCechx 13,570]

This is eerily reminiscent of the 2007/2008 transfer window.

what we did then?

[Blue Armour 4,436]

This is eerily reminiscent of the 2007/2008 transfer window. Or the 2010/2011 one.

Not really, at least not so far. IMO. Back then we gave away at least 3-4 key squad players while barely signing any backup for them. At least this time, so far, we have accounted for Cech with Begovic and Drogba with Falcao.

[BlueLion. 21,491]

I sort of disagree, I do feel we need to buy as we showed last time resting on our laurels will come back to bite us sooner or later and another need for evolving is that eventually be too predictable, like Real were in Mous last season.

Doesn't have to be a world class signing but take Aranguiz for example, if what I've heard about him is right he would be a very good addition at CM especially in the big game's.

I just think we're waiting until the shirt launch before announcing any signings. We want the shirts to be marketable, so no point advertising new players arriving with SAMSUNG painted all over the banners and hoardings.

[didierforever 7,349]

This is eerily reminiscent of the 2007/2008 transfer window. Or the 2010/2011 one.

not even close to 10-11.

we let go off ballack, deco, beletti, cole and sold carvalho, while buying ramires and benayoun.

this season we have let go off DD and sold cech while replacing them with falcao and begovic. its not even close.

our first team consisted of a 33 year old DD, 32 year old anelka, 30 year old malouda and 32 year old lamps just in the front 6 (while having jt and cole in the defence). things are poles apart right now.

we already have a very good squad. we need to "upgrade" it. even if we dont, we will be one of the best squads in europe with the best manager in the world.

[ZOS 580]

There you go then..... World class talent at a decent price is asking too much and we got lucky last year. You have just agreed with me essentially and given an argument against your original post. It isn't going to happen so you need to cut Jose and the board some slack.

As for the 2nd part of your post, I think Muzchap answered it better than I ever could.

My point is, Chelsea still needs to sign players even if it means paying a bit too much for them this time around. You're suggesting, I presume, not to sign players unless they are world class AND at a decent price, thus I don't agree with you.

[Muzchap 8,966]

I have been thinking about this thread quite a bit.

I get the need for 'marquee' signings - but just wanted to share my opinion on what a 'marquee' signing is.

Essentially - it's a promising young talent, given a chance to succeed that suddenly finds themselves worth plenty of millions. And everybody wants a piece of them (Bale is a great example).

Now we have in our U21 squad some of the hottest prospects around. I see absolutely no reason why RLC couldn't have a stellar season and be the next Pogba, why Traore couldn't have a banging season and be the next Griezman etc.

I'm not sure how well I'm making this point - but if our youngsters where in another team getting regular playing time - we would probably be demanding we sign them for £30 million plus...

So I look at it as - we have 2-3 U21's with a genuine chance of playing time - that's almost equivalent to splashing out £90 million...

Apart from cover for Matic - I'm not sure who else I would sign today that we desperately need?

[Blue Colored Sky 1,807]

Apart from cover for Matic - I'm not sure who else I would sign today that we desperately need?

Proactive centre-back. That's it. Otamendi is there and is gettable for 35m£. Perfect age. If we save money on Aranguiz and Pedro then I think we can splash a bit more on top CB.

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

Unless club like Barca or Real who spent every summer no matter they won the league (along with CL or not). It seems this is a trend in England, when you fail to win it, there will be summer spending spree. If you won the league don't expect too much in the summer.

[Tomo 21,751]

Unless club like Barca or Real who spent every summer no matter they won the league (along with CL or not). It seems this is a trend in England, when you fail to win it, there will be summer spending spree. If you won the league don't expect too much in the summer.

Team's do spend but its how the team evolves that is the key.

United after winning it in 2011 signed Young, Jones and De Gea and actually improved, the only problem for them was so did City and with it nicked the title of them.

City in 2012 fucked up big time, signed loads of squad fillers thst simply weren't good enough.

United in 2013 wasted the market, but there was clearly special circumstances with the Fergie to Notes transition.

City last year singed decent players but made a mistake letting Negredo go and we were simply better in the season.

To early to judge our window this time but if we sign Pedro, Aranguiz and another defender to boost the back line, I would consider it a success.

[ZOS 580]

Some really think Chelsea is all set for next season without signing anyone regardless of what other clubs are doing. Its really amazing

[RoyalBlues 4,050]

Team's do spend but its how the team evolves that is the key.

United after winning it in 2011 signed Young, Jones and De Gea and actually improved, the only problem for them was so did City and with it nicked the title of them.

City in 2012 fucked up big time, signed loads of squad fillers thst simply weren't good enough.

United in 2013 wasted the market, but there was clearly special circumstances with the Fergie to Notes transition.

City last year singed decent players but made a mistake letting Negredo go and we were simply better in the season.

To early to judge our window this time but if we sign Pedro, Aranguiz and another defender to boost the back line, I would consider it a success.

First season of Mourinho I could understand, because he is just returned and need to analyze the squad first. Second season is fantastic because he immediately identified our needs and sign our targets.

This third what makes me worried because it looks like we don't have any target since the beginning of summer.

I'm not sure about Pedro, is he our target to begin with? Couple of weeks ago he just sign an extension and we're all thought he will stay, until recently the rumours starting to heat up. If he is our target to begin with, I bet we will make an approach before he sign an extension and the deal could be done early. At the moment, we looks like starting to make a move after we just realized his new buy out clause is 'only' 30m.

About Aranguiz, I don't think we will be linked with him at all, thanks to Chile impressive performance at Copa America. So it is pretty much like, 'oh that player is actually good, let's sign him up' rather than he is our target to begin with.

All in all both are still not done yet and there is still chance it will happening or could be falls through. Again, one thing that make me worried is that, despite we're winning double, we do have money, but we don't have certain target player to sign early, apart from Falcao and Begovic. It seems like we're waiting something to happen first before making any move.

[Special Juan 28,096]

Some really think Chelsea is all set for next season without signing anyone regardless of what other clubs are doing. Its really amazing

What's also amazing is how some think we are also a million miles behind City before a ball is even kicked, just because they have spunked 49M on an un-proven English winger. This Chelsea side don't need mass overhauls like United, we need players that adapt and fit the system but at a price that is both sensible for the club and fits our direction and vision from a season that we lifted the PL title with ease.

Just for the record we are 15 days into the transfer window with Begovic and Falcao already done, so that trumps your 'Without signing anyone' statement straight away. If you want quick fire signings to satisfy your needs play FIFA or FM.

[Jase 43,479]

Team's do spend but its how the team evolves that is the key.

United after winning it in 2011 signed Young, Jones and De Gea and actually improved, the only problem for them was so did City and with it nicked the title of them.

City in 2012 fucked up big time, signed loads of squad fillers thst simply weren't good enough.

United in 2013 wasted the market, but there was clearly special circumstances with the Fergie to Notes transition.

City last year singed decent players but made a mistake letting Negredo go and we were simply better in the season.

To early to judge our window this time but if we sign Pedro, Aranguiz and another defender to boost the back line, I would consider it a success.

I know it's hard to sign big-name players and there aren't many available right now but the signings that we have made and the ones that we'll be making (according to the latest rumour mill) are nothing more than just to consolidate our position. They don't really help us get to the next level, especially in Europe, where we have been found wanting, one way or another, in the past few seasons.

[didierforever 7,349]

I know it's hard to sign big-name players and there aren't many available right now but the signings that we have made and the ones that we'll be making (according to the latest rumour mill) are nothing more than just to consolidate our position. They don't really help us get to the next level, especially in Europe, where we have been found wanting, one way or another, in the past few seasons.

as much as it hurts me to say this, i dont think we have been found wanting in europe cos of our players, but cos of jose.

RM had the best team in the world yet jose lost 3 semis, very much in the same manner as we lost our semi and the round of 16 leg. we can buy reus and pogba, but they wont make a difference if we are playing ultra defensive "percentage" football. winning CL means taking some risk and getting some/"a lot of" luck. even if we get the latter, jose has to take the first.