Chelsea FC: Creating Jose Mourinho's 2015 Summer Blueprint
After nearly 24 months of Jose Mourinho's second coming, most in west London would tell you Chelsea Football Club are in a far more auspicious position than before the Portuguese's re-arrival.
His first season returned was one for study.
2013/14 allowed the 52-year-old to overhaul his team, find places to improve and instal a workman-like ethic—of which most Mourinho teams are well known.
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UEFA's Financial Fair Play (FFP) has translated into Roman Abramovich's millions being somewhat handcuffed, and the Blues have subsequently lived within their means.
As old mainstays Florent Malouda, Michael Essien and Frank Lampard have been phased out, while the likes of Juan Mata (£37.1 million), Kevin De Bruyne (£18 million), Romelu Lukaku (£28 million), David Luiz (£40 million) and Andre Schurrle (£22 million) were sold for profit.
Their replacements have been key in Chelsea's resurgence.
"We know what we are We know what we are Champions of England We know what we are Lease Agreement—365 days Sign Here: #Chelsea Football Club
— chelseaTALK (@ChelseaTaIk) May 3, 2015"
Cesc Fabregas (£27 million per the Telegraph's Matt Law), Diego Costa (£32 million), Filipe Luis (£16 million), Loic Remy (£8.5 million), Didier Drogba (free) and Juan Cuadrado (£26.1 million) have completely changed how Chelsea go about their football.
Creating a squad in his own image, Mourinho has spent £61.5 million (net) of Abramovich's fortune. Considering the Blues withdrew £50 million for Fernando Torres in January 2011, £11.5 million more for a near renovation exemplifies terrific business under the pressure of FFP regulations.
Double winners in 2014/15, taking the Premier League and Capital One Cup, Chelsea cannot rest on their laurels; having a month with nothing to play for, Mourinho should have his summer blueprint ready to enact the moment this season's last whistle is sounded.
What, then, should the Blues' boss be looking at this summer? What should his plans be with regard to the Chelsea first team, squad improvements and possibly even himself?
Here lies a possible blueprint...
Objective #1: Keep Eden Hazard
Mourinho's first priority this summer is making sure 2014/15 PFA Players' Player of the Year (PFA) and FWA Footballer of the Year (FWA), Eden Hazard, does not continue the pattern of top-tier talent fleeing England.
Two of the last PFA and FWA winners have found themselves in Spain at the nearest transfer window's convenience.
Tottenham Hotspur's Gareth Bale won the honours in 2012/13, and was sold to Real Madrid in the subsequent window for £85.3 million. Liverpool's Luis Suarez followed a similar path, finding himself in Barcelona after the 2013/14 season—for £75 million—after receiving the same awards.
Signing a new five-year deal with the club in January, Hazard pledged his future to Chelsea, and has rejected leaving London in nearly every interview he has participated in for the last 24 months; the summer market, though, has a way of making the improbable, well, probable.
".@HazardEden10 has won the 2014/15 PFA Players' Player of the Year award. A top talent—now the top player. Congrats! pic.twitter.com/jxclqeh7kG
— chelseaTALK (@ChelseaTaIk) April 26, 2015"
Mourinho expressed to journalists in April, as noted by the Daily Mail's Rob Draper, Hazard was worth £200 million, costing £100 million per leg. Though said in a tongue-and-cheek fashion, the Blues' manager has laid the foundation for his superstar.
Only six clubs in the world can afford the Belgian.
Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United, Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain are the entities with the financial capability of buying Hazard; while they should all be interested in the Premier League's best player, persuading Mourinho to sell the cornerstone of his new west London project should be near impossible.
What the club wants, though, does not always translate to what transpires. Liverpool thought Suarez was theirs for at least five more seasons when he signed a contract extension last December—seven months later he was at the Camp Nou.
Chelsea cannot risk losing their best piece. No matter what the summer holds, Hazard secures a competitive 2015/16 for Mourinho's men—keeping him avoids hitting peril's first domino.
Objective #2: Allow Petr Cech to Leave the Premier League
"We like him, we respect him and we need him." Words about Chelsea's long-serving goalkeeper Petr Cech from Mourinho in an interview with Yahoo! Sport last December.
Employing arguably two of the world's five best goalkeepers is a luxury. No matter the situation presented in 2014/15, when Thibaut Courtois was unfit or needed rest, Mourinho had a Stamford Bridge legend to insert without delay.
Thus, it stands to reason—after five months and two trophies—Mourinho has not changed his tune with regard to 2015/16. Documented by Goal's Peter Hanson, Chelsea's manager told the press on 15 May:
"I keep saying the same thing: 'I want my best players.' Petr is one of my best, I would like him to stay.
I have to say yes, I am optimistic that he can be here next year.
"
Bought for £7 million from Ligue 1's Stade Rennais 11 years ago, Cech has more than exceeded expectation. The 33-year-old has been the consummate professional—appearing more than 480 times in a Chelsea kit, with 166 Premier League clean sheets—but the Blues' sacrificing the next decade of goalkeeping security for at best three seasons of declining stock seems obtuse.
Courtois has been excellent throughout his first SW6 campaign; the 23-year-old is Chelsea's unquestioned "No. 1" for the foreseeable future, this leaves Cech's fate in doubt, despite his manager's best wishes.
"Who is the only man who can stop Leo Messi? Hint: He wears a helmet... pic.twitter.com/haMVtaK3S1
— chelseaTALK (@ChelseaTaIk) May 6, 2015"
Blues supporters would not enjoy seeing the helmeted goalkeeper removed from his Stamford Bridge goalposts, but Cech does not deserve another 12 months on Mourinho's bench. Playing under 20 games in a season is unbecoming for a footballer of his calibre. The Czech international has won every competition possible at Stamford Bridge, and should be a first-team regular somewhere.
Under contract for another season, however, Chelsea should not allow him residence with another Premier League club. Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United are thought to be interested, according to the Daily Mail's Rob Shepherd, and the Blues should reject any advance from the English triumvirate.
At 33, Cech can play seven more years, so wasting away as Courtois' understudy would be blasphemous. Chelsea would certainly make profit from their 2004 transaction, but all for naught if the keeper stays in England.
Objective #3: Offer Didier Drogba a Player-Coach Role
Not many expected 39 appearances (13 starts) and seven goals from Drogba this season, but Chelsea's venerable centre-forward has provided the Blues with solid work in 2014/15.
The 37-year-old striker has played in west London for nine seasons; having lifted a dozen major trophies, played in 380 matches and scored 164 goals—his servitude is without question. Possessing an exciting, distinguished past, Drogba's future is a mystery all its own.
Cote D'Ivoire's greatest footballing product announced he intends to continue his senior career into 2015/16, as reported by the London Evening Standard's Simon Johnson.
In many respects Drogba is undone by his previous exploits. Were any other free transfer to produce what the veteran centre-forward has this season, many would be quick to praise him as an excellent summer transaction, but the Ivorian is a different case.
His technical ability and defensive prowess are still intact, but the combination of power and pace seen in his first English stint is half missing. Forever an imposing figure, Drogba's speed has noticeably evaporated. This degeneration of attributes is stark—primarily because the riotous, rampaging Drogba from 2003-2010 remains fresh in the minds of most.
"Just because Drogba's older dosen't mean he's lost quality. Men like Drogba, Totti, Lampard, etc, are like wine—not milk. #CFC #Chelsea
— chelseaTALK (@ChelseaTaIk) December 3, 2014"
What the 37-year-old lacks physically, he now makes up for mentally; creating angles, occupying double teams, expertly holding-up play and marshalling Chelsea's press has proven invaluable when other centre-forwards were suspended and/or hurt.
Mourinho is known to prefer three strikers in his squad, and may buy a "No. 9" this summer, but despite that possibility, there should be room for Drogba to be a player-coach next season.
If John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic appear the domineering elder statesmen in Chelsea's camp, Drogba feels the "cool uncle" of the group. His rapport with youngsters (e.g. Kurt Zouma), stars (e.g. Hazard) and the old guard make him a prime candidate for preaching Mourinho's gospel.
Lastly, as Patrick Bamford and/or Dominic Solanke are poised to start their Chelsea careers sooner rather than later—what better teacher could they have to learn the EPL and Mourinho's style from than Drogba?
"None," would be the correct answer.
Objective #4: Test Madrilenian Waters in the Transfer Market
Madrid, Spain has been generous to Chelsea over the past two years.
Real Madrid elected to part ways with Mourinho in 2013, and Abramovich pounced on the opportunity to bring the Portuguese back to Stamford Bridge. Similarly, 2014 saw Mourinho claim two transfer targets and reclaim an on-loan goalkeeper from Atletico Madrid. Costa, Luis and Courtois have proven invaluable during Chelsea's 2014/15 double-winning campaign.
This summer, six targets seem possible candidates to swap the Spanish for English capital.
In defence, Real's Raphael Varane and Atletico's Diego Godin appear fantastic options were Chelsea interested in adding a centre-half. The former has worked with Mourinho before, and the latter seems every bit a "Mourinho man."
Godin would be a short-term buy until Zouma is ready to marshal Chelsea's defence; Varane would be a long-term purchase, bought to play alongside Zouma after Gary Cahill and/or Terry complete their tenure.
"José... make this happen at #CFC please. pic.twitter.com/yNZKYqn7wE
— chelseaTALK (@ChelseaTaIk) March 30, 2015"
Central midfield is an area Chelsea could bolster also, and Real free-agent Sami Khedira appears a perfect solution to play behind Nemanja Matic and Fabregas in the double pivot. Mourinho signed fellow German Michael Ballack on a free transfer from Bayern Munich in 2006, similar business should be considered in June.
As for more attack-minded transfers, Antoine Griezmann, Koke and Bale have been heavily linked with moves to the Premier League next season, with Chelsea being a key player for the forward options.
Griezmann, Koke and the aforementioned Godin, according to George Bellshaw of Metro Sport, would cost £106.5 million in total from Atletico Madrid. Bale and Varane together would cost Chelsea in excess of £100 million, as suggested by the Independent's Tom Sheen.
Chelsea spending over £200 million in one season has never happened (the most Abramovich has spent is £153.5 million in his first year of ownership), so it happening this summer is highly improbable. Nevertheless, any combination of Bale, Godin, Griezmann, Khedira, Koke or Varane would be tremendous additions to an already stacked squad.
Madrid has been great to Chelsea, Mourinho should continue testing its waters—they apparently breed life.
Objective #5: Make Room for Chelsea's Youth Stars
Over the past 15 years, only four Chelsea academy products have proven "effective" in the Premier League. Ryan Bertrand, Robert Huth, Carlton Cole and Terry are the only commodities the Blues can claim to have created to date, but times are changing.
Winning trophies is not the chief hallmark of an established club; a footballing entity's ability to successfully integrate youth players is the ultimate marker of stability, and Chelsea have built towards this aim.
Since Abramovich's arrival in 2003, there has been a concerted effort to improve Chelsea's scouting network and facilities; all the west Londoners had to do was wait—and the fruits of their labour are beginning to ripen.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Nathaniel Chalobah, Isaiah Brown, Nathan Ake, Andreas Christensen, Lewis Baker, Charly Musonda, Jeremie Boga, Solanke and countless others have slowly grown since Mourinho's first spell. Having matured into England's best youth academy, the Portuguese must decide on which options can enter the first team next season.
"Brilliant that Roman Abramovich is in attendence at the FA Youth Cup final.
— chelseaTALK (@ChelseaTaIk) April 27, 2015"
Loftus-Cheek, Brown, Christensen, Ake, Solanke and Baker were in-and-around the first team in 2014/15, and all except Baker (who was on loan with Sheffield Wednesday and MK Dons) featured in at least one match.
The issue moving forward is Mourinho requires trophies. His main mission is winning silverware at all costs, this mentality is great for established members and veterans, but limits senior opportunities for youngsters.
For in-house academy players to have chances at first-team action, Abramovich must allow Mourinho some slack. During the summer, Chelsea have tours in Asia and North America, these games must be given—in part—to exceptional youth players. Likewise, transfer dealings (both incoming and outgoing) must be made with maximising windows for homegrown players in mind.
Mourinho—as noted by the Telegraph's Law—announced Loftus-Cheek will be a member of 2015/16's first team, but those not in tune with Chelsea's youth setup must realise the 19-year-old midfielder is merely the tip of the proverbial iceberg.
There are many more where he came from.
Objective #6: Shorten the Loan System
Using clout garnered over the past decade, Chelsea have purchased numerous young footballers who are not quite ready for Stamford Bridge; the club then ships them around the globe, resulting in an impressive, extensive loan system.
Their strategy, to date, has worked flawlessly. Using an adroit scouting network, Chelsea find hopeful gems and play risk vs. reward. Should an up-and-coming player be available for the right price, buying them can turn out three ways. First, they become members of the first team; second they become great, but surplus—and are sold for profit—or they remain on loan until finishing their development.
Chelsea currently have 23 players on loan, in nine different countries, some whose talents are unnecessarily attached to Stamford Bridge's wage bill.
The likes of Bamford, Baker, Chalobah, Bertrand Traore, Tomas Kalas and Marco van Ginkel look prime candidates, whose age and talent warrant continued development. Likewise, players dominating the junior ranks (Solanke, Boga, Brown, Musonda, Tammy Abraham, etc.) should be given priority over the mass numbers of loanees with no viable Chelsea future.
"Baker Bamford Boga Brown Henceforth known as: "#Chelsea's Killer Bs." #CFC #KTBFFH pic.twitter.com/gAkAjSuqMP
— chelseaTALK (@ChelseaTaIk) July 19, 2014"
Marko Marin, Gael Kakuta, Oriol Romeu and Victor Moses are by no means rejects, and were bought for various reasons, but with Mourinho comfortably in charge, there seems little reason carrying the excess weight of Carlo Ancelotti, Andre Villas-Boas, Roberto Di Matteo and Rafa Benitez around.
While the Blues' loan system is obviously a brilliant scheme to make money, one would hope clubs sign players with the express purpose of playing them. There are scores of ways to make money, holding careers in limbo feels an awkward way to go about that.
In a summer-cleaning exercise, Mourinho should review all 23 players on loan, sell those without prospects and replace forgone loanees with promising youth stars—who require senior-level experience before starting their hopeful Chelsea careers.
Objective #7: Sign a Contract Extension
Mourinho's final port of call must be himself.
When it was announced the 52-year-old was returning to Chelsea, there were many who questioned the notion. Returning to where one once managed, the story goes, is never a wise course of action—but Mourinho has certainly disparaged any lingering doubts.
Now the League Cup and Premier League-defending champions, possessing a relatively young squad (only Terry, Ivanovic, Cech and Drogba are over 30) there appears no reason why Abramovich would risk ending his burgeoning superpower by keeping the manager's future in doubt.
"This is the start of something special: Matić—26 Costa—26 Azpilicueta—25 Hazard—24 Oscar—23 Courtois—22 Zouma—20 #CFC are going nowhere!
— chelseaTALK (@ChelseaTaIk) May 3, 2015"
Mourinho has all but committed the remainder of his career to Chelsea, telling reporters on 4 May, via ESPN FC: "I stay here as long as Mr. Abramovich wants me. The day he tells me to go, I go."
Signing a four-year deal in 2013, Mourinho's contract is half completed in what feels like a blink, and the London Evening Standard's James Olley reports an improved two-year extension only requires a signature. A new deal would keep, arguably, world football's best tactician and man manager in London until the 2018/19 season.
Cesar Azpilicueta, Terry, Hazard, Oscar, Courtois and various youth players have all committed their futures to Chelsea in the past 12 months, so it makes sense Mourinho would be given an opportunity to follow in their footsteps.
Blues supporters would not mind giving Mourinho an indefinite contract, but the extension would show the board and owner understand what everyone else does: That for Chelsea Football Club, there is no better option (available or unavailable) moving forward than Jose Mario dos Santos Mourinho Felix.
*Stats via WhoScored.com; transfer fees via Soccerbase.com where not noted.
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