Chelsea Transfer Round Up: Juan Mata linked with a shock move to Barcelona - originally posted on Soccerlens.com
Ever since Jose Mourinho has returned to the Chelsea managerial hot-seat, there have been wide spread rumours that the Portuguese is not a big fan of Juan Mata and could sell him in the summer as he wants to raise funds to re-shape the squad according to his own taste.
Chelsea Transfer Round Up: Juan Mata linked with a shock move to Barcelona - originally posted on Soccerlens.com
Ever since Jose Mourinho has returned to the Chelsea managerial hot-seat for the second time around, there have been wide spread rumours that the Portuguese is not a big fan of Juan Mata and could sell him in the summer as he wants to raise funds to re-shape the squad according to his own taste.
Footballers on Holiday 2013 'The Boys of Summer' - originally posted on Soccerlens.com
It's the holiday season for the professional footballer. A time to slip off the boots, slither out of the muddy jersey, and jet off on ahard-earned vacation of sand, sea, and hard-earned recuperation. Fans will be flocking to Twitter to see the sneaky snaps of their favourite stars in unfamiliar territory.
What does the Ferguson and Mourinho 'secret pact' mean for United and Chelsea? - originally posted on Soccerlens.com
Jose Mourinho has spoken of a pact between himself and Sir Alex Ferguson which suggests the pair share secrets and close guarded issues which have repercussions for both Chelsea and Manchester United.
As David Moyes and Jose Mourinho take over Manchester United and Chelsea respectively, the two tacticians are beginning to target a number of players that will fit their style of football. One such player that has piqued the interest of both clubs is Vitesse midfielder Marco van Ginkel.
Manchester United have been chasing a new central midfielder for some time now, including van Ginkel's compatriot Kevin Strootman.
Jose Mourinho has revealed that he had a secret pact with Sir Alex Ferguson where they both agreed to keep each other's secrets quiet. Several months ago Ferguson told Mourinho that he was retiring at the end of the season. And, Mourinho confided with Ferguson that he longed to return to Stamford Bridge.
Liverpool FC are being linked with a loan move for Brazilian forward Lucas Piazon. The 19-year-old signed for Chelsea from Sao Paulo in 2011 but has made just one Premier League appearance for the Stamford Bridge side, missing a penalty against Aston Villa in his team's 8-0 win. He was on loan at Malaga in the second half of last season and Brendan Rodgers will be hoping that his past alliance with Jose Mourinho will enable him to do business.
Andre Schurrle becomes Mourinho's first signing as Chelsea manager - originally posted on Soccerlens.com
Jose Mourinho has completed his first signing of his second spell at Chelsea with the capture ofBayer Leverkusen's highly rated young attacking midfielder,Andre Schurrle for a reported transfer fee of £18 million.
Jose Mourinho the self-proclaimed "Happy One" has a wealth of riches in attacking midfield for his second stint at Chelsea. That's why today's announcement of Andre Schurrle's signing is odd, especially given the praise heaped on Kevin De Bruyne who is coming off an outstanding loan season with Werder Bremen.
Little would have Jose Mourinho known that the name 'Special One' would follow him everywhere he went since his first press conference as the Chelsea manager in 2004. There have been several iterations of the same – once again labelled by Mourinho – since then. However, the name 'Special One' remains special indeed.
Cavani may prefer England to Spain - originally posted on Soccerlens.com
The Uruguay international, Edinson Cavani, is a hot target for top European teams like Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester City. But Madrid was ruled out when Cavani dropped the biggest hint that he's ready for a move to England.
With Jose Mourinho in place as the Chelsea manager once more, the club are being linked with a host of players that he has coached previously at Inter Milan and Real Madrid. However, which of the following players that have worked with the Portuguese boss in the past would be a success at Stamford Bridge?
After a very successful loan stint with West Bromwich Albion this past season, Romelu Lukaku looks primed and ready to return to Stamford Bridge to rejoin Chelsea. After tallying 17 goals and four assists this season in the Premier League, the 20-year-old has provided numerous insights into a bright future he has ahead.
This has to stop now, ok? After journalists presented Alex Ferguson with a hair dryer cake during his last press conference as Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho got the same treatment during his first public display after returning to Stamford Bridge to manage Chelsea. The cake consisted of two halves.
Jose Mourinho, whose return to English football with Chelsea has been excitedly welcomed by starving headline scribes, has lauded Man United's employment of David Moyes as their new coach next season.
The Portuguese, who was believed to be one of the candidates considered to be Sir Alex Ferguson's replacement, noted that while the Scotsman's achievements at Everton are questionable, he is simply brimming with happiness for his own situation and his rival Moyes.
Unveiling a new marquee signing's shirt in the club shop has become almost as important as the actual person it represents. Until now, that trend has been limited to actual footballers, but Jose Mourinho's return to Chelsea has extended that prime merchandising opportunity to managers, as well.
To coincide with Mourinho's first press conference back with the club — in which he decided his nickname should change from the "Special One" tag he adopted nine years ago to the "Happy One" – Chelsea rolled out a line of Mourinho apparel.
A brief leadership vacuum emerged in the Premier League's upper echelon at season's end. But even though Chelsea, Everton, Manchester City and Manchester United moved swiftly to fill the void with Jose Mourinho, Roberto Martinez, Manuel Pellegrini and David Moyes respectively, each manager steps into a precarious position.
Picking up where he left off in his subdued interview with Chelsea TV last week after the announcement that he would return to the club, Jose Mourinho finally granted his fan club — the press — an audience on Monday. In the press conference, the words of the day were ones like "calm" and "stability" and Mourinho's demeanor reinforced those themes.
Jose Mourinho gave his first press conference as new manager of Chelsea Football Club today where he seemed in a more reflective and humble mood than in the past.
Mourinho labeled himself as 'The Happy One,' he set the record straight by saying that he wasn't sacked last time but left by mutual agreement, he said he's looking forward to working with his former Chelsea footballers, and that he is prepared to stay at Chelsea for a long time now.
Fernando Torres has dismissed reports he is set to leave Stamford Bridge this summer, following the arrival of Jose Mourinho as manager.
The 29-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Napoli, that would once again see him reunited with Rafa Benitez. Signing a five-year-deal when he joined the club in 2011, Torres maintains that he is looking forward to working with Mourinho, dismissing any suggestion he could be leaving London.
I posted the other day that it was important to ignore all the press and media speculation on potential new signings until Jose Mourinho has had time to work with his players. As he said himself, he wanted to work with the group to see what he already has here and then if he needed to add to the squad and was able to, it would be fantastic.
Most Chelsea fans from London to Lagos are dancing, chanting, and cheering the appointment of Jose Mourinho. After the six and half years since he left, the man, the myth, the Special One has returned from his stint on the continent to his beloved Blues. While his return to Chelsea may have been the worst kept secret in football, it has been met with no less joy from Chelsea fans.
We don't see John Terry's name in the transfer rumors column very often. Chelsea's captain, legend and leader has always been thought of as a player who will finish his career in the team of his heart. There are few like him left.
But here it is. The Guardian reports that "José Mourinho will pack off his old pal towards AS Monaco.
When a new manager comes into a club you expect there to be plenty of rumour and speculation about potential signings coming into the club. You expect the manager to want to stamp his authority on the squad and to build a team in his image.
What we have been reading for the last three days has simply been ridiculous!
Nope it is not true, its just a clever roost to draw you in so that you can read a rather tame article which tells you about nothing. Hey, but do not blame us here at In The Stands. It was The Sun who ran with the headline 'John Terry wants to sign for Hull' [...]
We're heading towards the middle of football's twilight zone. It's an odd number year, so there are no European Championships or World Cup to raise the blood pressure we are left twiddling our thumbs, marveling at the nonsense that is fifteen year old boys pretending to be agents on Twitter and wondering whether Confederations Cup might not be so bad after all.
We're heading towards the middle of football's twilight zone. It's an odd number year, so there are no European Championships or World Cup to raise the blood pressure we are left twiddling our thumbs, marveling at the nonsense that is fifteen year old boys pretending to be agents on Twitter and wondering whether Confederations Cup might not be so bad after all.
Who will win the Premier League battle of mind games next season? - originally posted on Soccerlens.com
Jose Mourinho gave his first press conference as Chelsea's new manager yesterday and his comments suggested the season ahead is going to be one based on Premier League mind games, just as much as superb football and brilliant tactics.
Though Jose Mourinho and Real Madrid have parted ways before his contract was up, they still have a common enemies in Barcelona players Andres Iniesta and Xavi. Both players offered strongly negative reviews of Mourinho's time in Spain over the last few days. Mourinho responded and Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has come to the defense of his former manager.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored the only goal in Portugal's friendly at Croatia on Monday and after he did so, he celebrated by looking out to the stand behind the goal with a big smile and did a "I can't hear you" gesture. Who was this celebration aimed at? Well, there are a few possibilities.
-The Croatian fans: Ronaldo has a bit of history with Croatian supporters.
Spain and Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta shared his disgust for Jose Mourinho and his brand of football during an interview today with El Pais newspaper.
Here's what he's quoted as saying:
"You just have to look at the facts.Yes he damaged Spanish football, in general more harm than good.
On most occasions, Real Madrid gets what they want, at any price.
Recently re-elected club President Florentino Perez has agreed to pay Paris Saint-Germain more than $5.2 million to buy out manager Carlo Ancelotti from the final year of his contract, according to reports out of France.
Barcelona reached 100 points on the final day of the season in Spain, while Jose Mourinho signed off with a win. Real Sociedad pipped Valencia to the final Champions League place, but Mallorca, Zaragoza and Deportivo La Coruna were all relegated.
Goals from David Villa, Cesc Fabregas, Martin Montoya and Andres Iniesta gave Barcelona a resounding 4-1 win over Malaga at Camp Nou to bring up 100 points for the season, matching Real Madrid's achievement of last season.
Barcelona reached 100 points on the final day of the season in Spain, while Jose Mourinho signed off with a win. Real Sociedad pipped Valencia to the final Champions League place, but Mallorca, Zaragoza and Deportivo La Coruna were all relegated.
Goals from David Villa, Cesc Fabregas, Martin Montoya and Andres Iniesta gave Barcelona a resounding 4-1 win over Malaga at Camp Nou to bring up 100 points for the season, matching Real Madrid's achievement of last season.
As he was on his way out of Real Madrid, Jose Mourinho mentioned the one quibble he had with the supremely talented Cristiano Ronaldo during their time together. From Reuters:
"I had only one problem with him, very simple, very basic, which was when a coach criticises a player from a tactical viewpoint trying to improve what in my view could have been improved," [Mourinho] added.
England's abject failure in Israel at the European Under 21 Chamoionships has yet again thrown the country's youth policies, or lack thereof, into focus. As if three straight defeats wasn't enough, against Italy, Norway and Israel, it was the manner of them. Manager Stuart Pearce was quick to say he was deprived of key players like Phil Jones and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain but whether they would have had the power to change things is a moot point.
As Jose Mourinho was unveiled at Chelsea FC press conference, Betfair and Special 1 TV secured an exclusive interview with the man himself. He talks about Roman Abramovich his time at Inter and Real Madrid and of course being back home at Chelsea.
Watch the Special 1 TV interview with The Special One right here:
S1TV: Exclusive Interview with the 'Special 1′ [VIDEO] is a post from World Soccer Talk.
As was to be expected, the big news of the day is "The Happy One"'s first official press conference as our manager. As always with him, we got a handful of classic 'Mourinhoisms' to chuckle at (the "Happy One" comment, and the implication that he pretty much despises the Spanish Media, were absolute gems, for starters), but on the whole, I felt it was an unusually subdued presser from him.
With the appointment of Jose Mourinho, it will be interesting to see his approach and how the players who have never played for him before take to him. With the amazing talent we have at club it will be interesting to see how each of them develop and play a part of his new Chelsea.
Eden Hazard is one of those players and he has spoken of the return of 'The Special One" to the club and potential new signings this summer.
