Starting Eleven: Jose Mourinho’s Best Chelsea Signings
Critics of Chelsea and the Portuguese managers’ seemingly infinite pot of cash to bring players into the club may argue that with such a wealth within his grasp, the job of bringing players to the club was so easy that anyone could do it. The critics would be wrong…Like any good manager Mourinho’s reign as Chelsea manager has been marked by some bad signings, some indifferent ones with something still to prove and those who, even with the very high price tagged onto many of them, have been worth every penny. We take a look at eleven of the best players Jose Mourinho brought to Stamford Bridge during his tenure as Chelsea manager.
Didier Drogba – The Ivorian international arrived at Stamford Bridge in the Summer of 2004 with a reputation earned from scoring goals during Marseille’s run to the UEFA Cup final in 2003/4. As the top scorer in European competitions and with the French club looking to cash in on the front mans ability, Roman Abramovich pulled out all the stops to bring the powerful striker to England making him one of the first signings of the new regime.
Although he did not immediately settle in to the English game, Drogba had all the attributes to be a top player and despite his first season dogged by allegations of ‘diving’ and ‘cheating’ Drogba still found the net several times and helped Chelsea to win the Premier League. In his second season, Drogba received rough treatment from the Chelsea crowd over his style of play but soon won the fans over with a winning goal against Arsenal and from there he never looked back. Drogba became a revelation and was soon adored by the clubs supporters for stylish finishes and his powerful line leading performances. Indeed last season Chelsea’s plight could have been a lot worse were it not for the Ivorian who led Chelsea brilliantly scoring the winner in the FA Cup final and being selected in the team of the season and finishing just behind Cristiano Ronaldo in the PFA Awards for the 2006-7 season.
Michael Essien – Another player who took time to settle into life at the Bridge following his arrival for a big fee was Ghana's Michael Essien. Joining for 24 million after a couple of excellent seasons with Lyon in the Champions League the central midfielder struggled to make an impact during his first few games at Chelsea. Dropped in favour of the more defensive Makelele, when he was asked to play in midfield Essien’s game was restricted by being partnered alongside the more attacking Lampard.
Many began to question the necessity of Mourinho bringing in yet another central midfielder but during his second season with the blues the Ghanaian proved exactly he was an excellent signing with some dynamic Chelsea performances, helping to drive them forward particularly at Stamford Bridge. The former Lyon midfielder showed his versatility during the 06/07 campaign where he spent much of his time playing right back and often in central defense during the absences of John Terry and Carvalho. Essien’s move to defense showed exactly what Chelsea lacked in midfield and when injuries problems subsided towards the end of the campaign he was returned to his more natural position and famously scored the winner against Valencia in the Champions League.
Ashley Cole – The transfer ‘saga’ which accompanied Ashley Cole to Chelsea left a bad taste in the mouths of both parties but despite all the allegations and drama which overshadowed the full backs move from Arsenal to Chelsea, the club picked up an extremely accomplished defender when the left back moved across London.
With Wayne Bridge suffering a series of unfortunate injuries Mourinho felt he needed to add to his backline and as Asier Del Horno did not quite live up to be the player Chelsea needed, Ashely Cole came straight into the team and immediately fitted into the jigsaw perfectly. Offering the blues 4-3-3 system the width it needed Cole liked well with his England team mate and namesake Joe and also continued to flourish for England at the same time.
Cole proved during ‘big’ games in the Premiership and Europe that he was a much matured character in a footballing sense from the one which made his debut at Arsenal. Cole who has always been known for his breaking runs forward has continued to build on his solid reputation a fantastic defender and alongside Terry and Carvalho he kept many top side at bay during his first season as a Chelsea player.
Shaun Wright-Phillips – Adding Shaun Wright Phillips to a list of great players signed by Mourinho may not agree with many critics views of the 24 million pound midfield man and it may also be true that Wright-Phillips’s best days may come whilst the Portuguese is not at the club but it is unquestionable the talent the right winger has and potential he possesses.
Joining Chelsea from Manchester City following links with Arsenal and Liverpool, Wright-Phillips found it extremely difficult to find a place in the team during his first couple of seasons at the club. With competition for places extremely competitive with Joe Cole, Arjen Robben and Damien Duff also in the squad, the young midfielder was mainly a fringe player though whenever he played the former City man ensured he showed his manager exactly what he was capable of.
When Mourinho abandoned his orthodox 4-3-3 formation Wright-Phillips found it even more difficult to get into the time and soon found himself out of the International squad. He began to be included towards the end of the 2006/7 season and earned some valuable playing time at the back of the campaign and before Mourinho left in September Wright-Phillips was the only outfield player to start every game showing exactly how much his manager thought of him. The midfielder’s pace and busting runs down the right hand side, combined with a goal at international level only strengthened his favour with Mourinho and although he has been injured since the Portuguese manager left, whoever is in charge when he returns will most likely include him as one of the first names on the teamsheet.
Florent Malouda – Although Malouda only joined Chelsea from Lyon in the Summer of 2007, his potential was clear from the moment he scored on his debut during their American Tour. The midfielder’s pace and creativity is similar to that of Robben and Duff who Mourinho disposed of and it was clear which the Portuguese manager was willing to pay almost 14 million pounds for him.
Scoring on his debut against Liverpool in the Community Shield gave supporters and his opposition a warning as to what he was capable of and going back to a 4-3-3 Malouda became the focal point of attacks on the left hand side as well as providing width in a midfield area. His quality and ability on the ball have the potential to cause any opposition a problem and able to create something from nothing his technical skills are matched only by his trickery and vision.
Arjen Robben - The Dutchman Robben may have departed towards the end of the reign of Jose when he fulfilled a long time ambition to join Real Madrid but his impact as a Premiership player will certainly be remembered by Chelsea fans, even if they don’t like the way in which he seemingly engineered himself a move from the blues.
Joining the club as one of the first signings during the transition between Mourinho and Ranieri, Robben soon scored his first goal in Chelsea colours demonstrating his strengths perfectly in a goal scoring run against Newcastle. The pace of the Dutchman ever time he collected the ball was terrifying for defenders playing against him and the value of such pressure relieving abilities were equally appreciated by supporters and defenders a like.
Forming and excellent partnership with Damien Duff as an interchangeable pair at the point of the 4-3-3 system Robben was equally as capable of providing a goal as he was an assist. Though injuries hampered his second season and he seemingly feel out with Mourinho during his final campaign, Robben, when he played, was an extremely vital cog in the Chelsea machine and provided the team with an ability unmatched by anyone in the superstar squad.
Salomon Kalou – The Twenty two year old forward joined the blues in 2006 for an undisclosed fee and made an instant impact. Leaving Feyenoord to come to the English Premiership he brought with him a reputation for pace and creativity as well as an eye for goal which Mourinho hoped to use in his attacking Chelsea line up. With some impressive performances he climbed his way up the pecking order and though of highly by his manager he scored a hat trick with a month for the clubs reserves. His first senior goal came in a win against Blackburn in the Carling Cup and it wasn't long before he notched up his first league goal before scoring the winner against Watford in the final minutes.
Mourinho mainly used Kalou as back up to Robben and Wright-Phillips but he frequently appeared as a substitute and has to date scored nine goals for the club as well as providing his team with some a little bit different from the bench.
John Obi Mikel – Though Mikel’s transfer from Lyn Oslo via Manchester United was not as complicated as that of Ashley Cole, it was by no means straight forward. Once the claims and counter claims involving his signature had finally subsided Mikel struggled at first to settle into life at the blues. Though he had spent much of his career playing in an attacking position Mikel was deployed by his new team as a central midfielder and initially he struggled.
He impressed during several performances during the clubs run to the FA Cup final and claimed his first goal against Nottingham Forest before beginning to impress as a replacement for Frank Lampard in midfield. Mikel’s on the field performances were however dampened by poor discipline off it. Fined on three separate occasions for turning up to training late he was also sent off unnecessarily in the Carling Cup final.
His off the pitch indiscretions soon matured him as he began to become deployed more and more as a holding player under Mourinho. He performed well in the domestic cups and in Europe helped Chelsea make the semi finals. In his second season Mikel has once again struggled to find his feet as Chelsea rotated in midfield but despite his sending off against Manchester United the game after Mourinho left, the money the Portuguese manager paid represents a sound investment for the future as Mikel is undoubtedly set to mature with age and experience.
Scott Sinclair – Signed from Bristol Rovers Scott Sinclair was not exactly a well known Jose signing but he has the potential to become one of the best. At under half a million pounds the English forward loaned to Plymouth last season played a couple of games for the Blues at the end of last season and impressed his manager with his performances. In the Championship Sinclair was devastating, his pace was electric and he destroyed defenders as part of a 4-3-3 system which indicates that he could be very successful at Premiership level for Chelsea.
He has the potential to score goals and trouble full backs with his blistering pace, no doubt if given a chance in the near future his potential will be there for all to see.
Ricardo Carvalho – The Portuguese defender, alongside his countryman Ferreira, was one of the first players brought into the club during Jose’ restructuring after he joined from Porto. Bringing both players with his from his former club Mourinho brought with him an accomplished player with him knowing exactly what the central defender would be able to offer him.
Although he struggled to settle originally, Mourinho persisted with Carvalho and he soon formed an excellent partnership with John Terry which soon helped Chelsea created the meanest defense in the league. When Carvalho was not in the side the difference was clear. Without the stability and cohesion as well as the organization of the experienced Portuguese defender, Chelsea looked a different team. Always a threat from set pieces Carvalho struggled to get into the team under the latter days of Mourinho with his manager signing Ben Haim and admitting that the defender did not have his best season in 2006/7.
Juliano Belletti – The Brazilian right back proved to be the Portuguese managers final signing for Chelsea. After a chance for Daniel Alves was ended due to his valuation by Sevilla, Mourinho raided his old club Barca for the experienced defender who he was as the final piece in his Chelsea puzzle for the season. During his time under Jose, Belletti impressed with the way he linked up with Joe Cole down the right hand side and defended solidly alongside Terry and Carvalho. Offering Champions League winning experience as well as International pedigree Beletti’s could prove to be a shrewd move by the departing manager.
Although he did not immediately settle in to the English game, Drogba had all the attributes to be a top player and despite his first season dogged by allegations of ‘diving’ and ‘cheating’ Drogba still found the net several times and helped Chelsea to win the Premier League. In his second season, Drogba received rough treatment from the Chelsea crowd over his style of play but soon won the fans over with a winning goal against Arsenal and from there he never looked back. Drogba became a revelation and was soon adored by the clubs supporters for stylish finishes and his powerful line leading performances. Indeed last season Chelsea’s plight could have been a lot worse were it not for the Ivorian who led Chelsea brilliantly scoring the winner in the FA Cup final and being selected in the team of the season and finishing just behind Cristiano Ronaldo in the PFA Awards for the 2006-7 season.
Michael Essien – Another player who took time to settle into life at the Bridge following his arrival for a big fee was Ghana's Michael Essien. Joining for 24 million after a couple of excellent seasons with Lyon in the Champions League the central midfielder struggled to make an impact during his first few games at Chelsea. Dropped in favour of the more defensive Makelele, when he was asked to play in midfield Essien’s game was restricted by being partnered alongside the more attacking Lampard.
Many began to question the necessity of Mourinho bringing in yet another central midfielder but during his second season with the blues the Ghanaian proved exactly he was an excellent signing with some dynamic Chelsea performances, helping to drive them forward particularly at Stamford Bridge. The former Lyon midfielder showed his versatility during the 06/07 campaign where he spent much of his time playing right back and often in central defense during the absences of John Terry and Carvalho. Essien’s move to defense showed exactly what Chelsea lacked in midfield and when injuries problems subsided towards the end of the campaign he was returned to his more natural position and famously scored the winner against Valencia in the Champions League.
Ashley Cole – The transfer ‘saga’ which accompanied Ashley Cole to Chelsea left a bad taste in the mouths of both parties but despite all the allegations and drama which overshadowed the full backs move from Arsenal to Chelsea, the club picked up an extremely accomplished defender when the left back moved across London.
With Wayne Bridge suffering a series of unfortunate injuries Mourinho felt he needed to add to his backline and as Asier Del Horno did not quite live up to be the player Chelsea needed, Ashely Cole came straight into the team and immediately fitted into the jigsaw perfectly. Offering the blues 4-3-3 system the width it needed Cole liked well with his England team mate and namesake Joe and also continued to flourish for England at the same time.
Cole proved during ‘big’ games in the Premiership and Europe that he was a much matured character in a footballing sense from the one which made his debut at Arsenal. Cole who has always been known for his breaking runs forward has continued to build on his solid reputation a fantastic defender and alongside Terry and Carvalho he kept many top side at bay during his first season as a Chelsea player.
Shaun Wright-Phillips – Adding Shaun Wright Phillips to a list of great players signed by Mourinho may not agree with many critics views of the 24 million pound midfield man and it may also be true that Wright-Phillips’s best days may come whilst the Portuguese is not at the club but it is unquestionable the talent the right winger has and potential he possesses.
Joining Chelsea from Manchester City following links with Arsenal and Liverpool, Wright-Phillips found it extremely difficult to find a place in the team during his first couple of seasons at the club. With competition for places extremely competitive with Joe Cole, Arjen Robben and Damien Duff also in the squad, the young midfielder was mainly a fringe player though whenever he played the former City man ensured he showed his manager exactly what he was capable of.
When Mourinho abandoned his orthodox 4-3-3 formation Wright-Phillips found it even more difficult to get into the time and soon found himself out of the International squad. He began to be included towards the end of the 2006/7 season and earned some valuable playing time at the back of the campaign and before Mourinho left in September Wright-Phillips was the only outfield player to start every game showing exactly how much his manager thought of him. The midfielder’s pace and busting runs down the right hand side, combined with a goal at international level only strengthened his favour with Mourinho and although he has been injured since the Portuguese manager left, whoever is in charge when he returns will most likely include him as one of the first names on the teamsheet.
Florent Malouda – Although Malouda only joined Chelsea from Lyon in the Summer of 2007, his potential was clear from the moment he scored on his debut during their American Tour. The midfielder’s pace and creativity is similar to that of Robben and Duff who Mourinho disposed of and it was clear which the Portuguese manager was willing to pay almost 14 million pounds for him.
Scoring on his debut against Liverpool in the Community Shield gave supporters and his opposition a warning as to what he was capable of and going back to a 4-3-3 Malouda became the focal point of attacks on the left hand side as well as providing width in a midfield area. His quality and ability on the ball have the potential to cause any opposition a problem and able to create something from nothing his technical skills are matched only by his trickery and vision.
Arjen Robben - The Dutchman Robben may have departed towards the end of the reign of Jose when he fulfilled a long time ambition to join Real Madrid but his impact as a Premiership player will certainly be remembered by Chelsea fans, even if they don’t like the way in which he seemingly engineered himself a move from the blues.
Joining the club as one of the first signings during the transition between Mourinho and Ranieri, Robben soon scored his first goal in Chelsea colours demonstrating his strengths perfectly in a goal scoring run against Newcastle. The pace of the Dutchman ever time he collected the ball was terrifying for defenders playing against him and the value of such pressure relieving abilities were equally appreciated by supporters and defenders a like.
Forming and excellent partnership with Damien Duff as an interchangeable pair at the point of the 4-3-3 system Robben was equally as capable of providing a goal as he was an assist. Though injuries hampered his second season and he seemingly feel out with Mourinho during his final campaign, Robben, when he played, was an extremely vital cog in the Chelsea machine and provided the team with an ability unmatched by anyone in the superstar squad.
Salomon Kalou – The Twenty two year old forward joined the blues in 2006 for an undisclosed fee and made an instant impact. Leaving Feyenoord to come to the English Premiership he brought with him a reputation for pace and creativity as well as an eye for goal which Mourinho hoped to use in his attacking Chelsea line up. With some impressive performances he climbed his way up the pecking order and though of highly by his manager he scored a hat trick with a month for the clubs reserves. His first senior goal came in a win against Blackburn in the Carling Cup and it wasn't long before he notched up his first league goal before scoring the winner against Watford in the final minutes.
Mourinho mainly used Kalou as back up to Robben and Wright-Phillips but he frequently appeared as a substitute and has to date scored nine goals for the club as well as providing his team with some a little bit different from the bench.
John Obi Mikel – Though Mikel’s transfer from Lyn Oslo via Manchester United was not as complicated as that of Ashley Cole, it was by no means straight forward. Once the claims and counter claims involving his signature had finally subsided Mikel struggled at first to settle into life at the blues. Though he had spent much of his career playing in an attacking position Mikel was deployed by his new team as a central midfielder and initially he struggled.
He impressed during several performances during the clubs run to the FA Cup final and claimed his first goal against Nottingham Forest before beginning to impress as a replacement for Frank Lampard in midfield. Mikel’s on the field performances were however dampened by poor discipline off it. Fined on three separate occasions for turning up to training late he was also sent off unnecessarily in the Carling Cup final.
His off the pitch indiscretions soon matured him as he began to become deployed more and more as a holding player under Mourinho. He performed well in the domestic cups and in Europe helped Chelsea make the semi finals. In his second season Mikel has once again struggled to find his feet as Chelsea rotated in midfield but despite his sending off against Manchester United the game after Mourinho left, the money the Portuguese manager paid represents a sound investment for the future as Mikel is undoubtedly set to mature with age and experience.
Scott Sinclair – Signed from Bristol Rovers Scott Sinclair was not exactly a well known Jose signing but he has the potential to become one of the best. At under half a million pounds the English forward loaned to Plymouth last season played a couple of games for the Blues at the end of last season and impressed his manager with his performances. In the Championship Sinclair was devastating, his pace was electric and he destroyed defenders as part of a 4-3-3 system which indicates that he could be very successful at Premiership level for Chelsea.
He has the potential to score goals and trouble full backs with his blistering pace, no doubt if given a chance in the near future his potential will be there for all to see.
Ricardo Carvalho – The Portuguese defender, alongside his countryman Ferreira, was one of the first players brought into the club during Jose’ restructuring after he joined from Porto. Bringing both players with his from his former club Mourinho brought with him an accomplished player with him knowing exactly what the central defender would be able to offer him.
Although he struggled to settle originally, Mourinho persisted with Carvalho and he soon formed an excellent partnership with John Terry which soon helped Chelsea created the meanest defense in the league. When Carvalho was not in the side the difference was clear. Without the stability and cohesion as well as the organization of the experienced Portuguese defender, Chelsea looked a different team. Always a threat from set pieces Carvalho struggled to get into the team under the latter days of Mourinho with his manager signing Ben Haim and admitting that the defender did not have his best season in 2006/7.
Juliano Belletti – The Brazilian right back proved to be the Portuguese managers final signing for Chelsea. After a chance for Daniel Alves was ended due to his valuation by Sevilla, Mourinho raided his old club Barca for the experienced defender who he was as the final piece in his Chelsea puzzle for the season. During his time under Jose, Belletti impressed with the way he linked up with Joe Cole down the right hand side and defended solidly alongside Terry and Carvalho. Offering Champions League winning experience as well as International pedigree Beletti’s could prove to be a shrewd move by the departing manager.