The Only One

But I don't get why Mourinho would want Willian. He's best when playing right behind the striker. I mean, we have players like Hazard, Mata and Oscar who enjoys playing in that role. Only explanation is that Mou wants Mata permanently on the right wing, and wants to strengthen the #10 role with another class player. But I think if Chelsea and Mou wants to reinforce the offensive midfield it should be with a right wing player. And why not di María, now when Bale is joining Real Madrid... I think Mourinho will buy at least two more players. A striker and a central midfielder or a right wing midfielder (left footed).

If there's any truth in this, probably Moses to leave then. Why even speculate about Mata...

Chelsea have contacted Eto'o, according to tomorrows edition of Gazzetta dello Sport.

Spanish Mundo Deportivo reporting about Mourinho being interested in Etoo. Not so reliable, I would say. BUT it's a very interesting transfer move. Etoo's still a quality striker. And if Chelsea don't get Rooney...why not? I know, I'm just dreaming at the moment, but imagine if we had Etoo, Lukaku and Rooney in our squad? Would be amazing. Rooney who also can play as a #10, or even at the wing. Unstoppable Chelsea.).

Rooney will leave this time. Not like him to be this quite:). And with Moyes as a new United coach (Ferguson gone), while mighty Mourinho wants him at Chelsea; it's a done deal IMO. There's no way he's going abroad. No way. Just a matter of time I think, but don't see United being in a hurry. The longer it takes, the better for United.

Gustavo's agent says he's ready to negotiate with German side Wolfsburg (if there's interest from Wolfsburg). The agent also says that he will listen to all offers. Pretty much confirmed then, that he's not in Guardiola's plans. If Mourinho wants him he will get him. Would be a great signing IMO. Considering he's unwanted in Bayern, the price tag wouldn't be too high. Maybe around €15-20M. And that's a really good deal. http://www.waz-online.de/Wolfsburg/WAZ-Sport/VfL-Wolfsburg/Berater-Gustavo-will-mit-dem-VfL-verhandeln

More exciting news regarding Gustavo. German "Bild" reporting that Pep wants to sell Gustavo. And that teams like Arsenal, CHELSEA and Italian side Inter have all made bids. http://www.bild.de/sport/fussball/luiz-gustavo/geht-er-zu-wolfsburg-31625656.bild.html "Bild", very reliable, especially when it comes to news from Bayern-camp. Interesting! Edit: Big fan of Gustavo, I think, as I wrote earlier, that this could be a really great signing and a bargain. Go all in:).

Gustavo spoke after Bayerns win just now vs Sao Paulo, he said: "I have a two year contract and I'm happy here. But a lot can happen until August 31." Indicates that if the right offer is there, he could leave.

I've been on twitter for years and he's one of very few that I take seriously when I read transfer news. He's not the typical attention-seeker, that you see for an example with bullsh*tter; @tancredipalmeri.

Very reliable @dimarzio writes: "Wayne Rooney has decided. He wants to join Chelsea. The English striker has already made his decision, he wants to be coached by Jose Mourinho. In the coming days he will have another meeting with Manchester United’s management, to explain his position. Now the two clubs need to reach an agreement. But Rooney wants Chelsea." Would be nice with some action this week.

Yes. The source is sh*t. But it wouldn't be an illogical transfer. Yes, very hard to carry out, but there's a small chance. If Mourinho got a chance to pick him up I think he wouldn't doubt at all. I personally think that Sami, in essence, is a box-to-box player. He's been playing a little more defensively under Mourinho's first two seasons in Madrid, but after some time he got a more offensive-minded role. In Stuttgart and in German NT, he's had a much more offenvie role, hitting the two boxes constantly. That's the true Sami IMO.

According to rumours in Spain (Punto Pelota), Mourinho wants Sami Khedira at Chelsea. Same source writes that Real Madrid could sell Sami and that they will replace him with Kondogbia, if Khedira leaves. What do you think of Khedira? I know him really well. A box-to-box player. Amazing work rate. One of the best midfielder in the world when it comes to positioning, and movement without the ball. Great physique and mentality. Underrated speed. On the negative side. Not a good passer. It's either a simple pass from him or a breakthrough with the ball. Not the Pirlo, Rossi, Alonso-type. Could improve his technique and ball-control . He was really loved and appreciated by Mourinho thought in Real Madrid. I think he's power and energy would improve Chelsea's midfield a lot. He's in his best years (26 years) and I think that PL would fit him perfectly. Much better than La Liga. Price tag? Maybe around €25M.

Very reliable @dimarzio also reports about this transfer. He also writes that Chelsea have accelerated this deal because Luiz talks with Barcelona are hot. That's a bit worrying. @dimarizo one of the bets out there, but I hope there's nothing behind these rumours (Luiz to Barcelona).

I know Hazard is a top class-player already. But after this season, with Mourinho, he will be recognized as one of the best. NO doubt.

Demba Ba feels really slow and "square". I really hope Chelsea buys another striker. That's crucial if Mourinho wants to go for the treble this season. I Also feel that Ramires will need some extra time for adaptation. De Rossi should also be a high priority buy.

"Francesco Totti sent a birthday message to Daniele De Rossi, which included the phrase “stay at Roma and we’ll win something great together.†http://www.football-italia.net/36761/totti-de-rossi-stay-roma Indicates IMO that De Rossi is actually really considering to leave. Hope Mourinho can convince him, if he hasn't another midfielder in his mind.

'Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney in golf date near to Chelsea HQ'http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/328049/EXCLUSIVE-Manchester-United-striker-Wayne-Rooney-in-golf-date-near-to-Chelsea-HQ

I would say Zlatan and Suarez are next on the list. Zlatan way easier to buy. Would almost guarantee a league-title IMO. But he's weak in CL. Not the best team-player either. And he runs way to little off the ball. I personally think it would be very interesting to look at Eto'o. What do you guys think? Would be cheap, because he only has one more year left on his contract. Anzhi-coach Hiddink just resigned, makes the situation a bit chaotic. Perfect to steal him now. So Eto'o maybe if Rooney-deal doesn't happen. - By the way, If I may dream. Just imagine this striker line-up; Rooney, Lukaku and Eto'o. We would be unstoppable.

Looks like he's of to Napoli. Reliable sources (@dimarzio, twitter) says that Real Madrid reached an agreement with Napoli. Italian side to pay staggering €40M (37+3)! IMO, a ridiculously high price.

According to Sunday Times, Rooney will hand in a transfer request. "Rooney - I want to be United with José": Read here.

Rooney needs to hand in a transfer request. Once again:). If he doesn't Man United will drag this transfer-saga to the last day. I mean, even if United want to sell him at a price they feel is "fair", why would they let him go soon? The only reason for them to get rid of Rooney in the nearest time is if they need the money to fund a big signing (maybe Bale). So, what I'm waiting for now is a clear goodbye-message from Rooney. That should speed up things. By the way, latest report (Telegraph) say Chelsea ready to bid £40M. I think that's to much. £30-35M is my limit.

That quote has been incredibly misinterpreted though. I remember Mourinho was talking about Real Madrid-players personalities off the pitch. I think the subject was which Real Madrid-players cares the most about fashion and clothes. Something like that. And Mourinho said; "Higuaín is the least vain in the team, if he could he would come to work in pyjamas". That has nothing to do with Higuaín's work rate on the pitch. Because, even if he's not one of my favourites, I have to admit that he's work rate is really, really good. Especially if you compare to other strikers.

Just read that statement. He's pretty much saying that the Wolfsburg-rumours are untrue and ridiculous. That his client will show Pep that he is a very good player, and that he (Gustavo) will fight for his spot. But he also said that Gustavo hasn't talked to Pep yet. The whole think was more; "a agent talking and boosting his client". I still think everything can happen here. And I'm not sure he will be as optimistic after talking to Pep. Gustavo isn't a "Guardiola-player" and with the Thiago buy, I feel Gustavo will have a hard time getting minutes. Mourinho needs to pick up the phone, after that, this deal will be possible.

According to German sources; we're talking about €18-20M. I think that's a very good price, for a quality-midfielder like Gustavo. And the fact that his Brazilians fellows, David Luiz and Ramirez already plays in Chelsea, it would make his adaptation a lot easier.

I'm pretty sure Mourinho wants at least one more midfield signing. Him saying that "we're fine" is just tactics. I think there are 2-3 midfield-players right now, that he "wants". But not at any cost. And if he somehow wouldn't get any of these, it would be stupid to put extra pressure on the midfield-players by indirectly saying that this position is weak. That just how Mourinho works. We saw the exact (almost) same think with Luka Modric at Real Madrid. Mourinho kept on saying that; "Real Madrid are fine in midfield", and then, last transfer day, Modric was signed. Everyone knew though that Mourinho wanted a new midfielder. And everyone knows that he wants another midfield-signing this season at Chelsea. I don't think he's so naive that he thinks this current midfield-line will be able to compete for all titles this season. No disrespect, but Chelsea needs reinforcements here. My guess is that he probably wants to get rid of one of the current centre-players (probably Mikel). And when he knows for sure that this player will leave he will go all in and sign another one. I think Gustavo and De Rossi or two good options. More experienced players are welcome in my opinion. Players who are more cynical in their game. Those players wins matches, wins tough midfield-battles. I think Chelsea are lacking this type of player. Even if Essien/Mikel are "OK" in this aspect. De Rossi or Gustavo? De Rossi is a better passer. A small doubt here is De Rossi's physique. Don't know if he would have adapted as quickly as necessary to the Premier League. The pace in Serie A, at the moment, is horrible. And De Rossi doesn't have time to a slow adaptation. While Gustavo has much better physically, his passing-game isn't as good as De Rossi's. Gustavo is a real fighter though, with an underestimated technique. Good with the ball, he has good passing accuracy, but that's because he knows his limitations and makes easy passes. He's just 26 (I think), used to play in high pace-games. And I think he's more ready for Chelsea, than De Rossi is. I also think Chelsea are in greater need of Gustavo's player-style than De Rossi's. Even if the difference between these two isn't great. And if you believe the rumours, neither the price-tag difference should be huge, between the Brazilian and the Italian.