The 2014-2015 season has just ended, and already rumours are circulating about potential departures and additions to the West London side.
The focus is primarily on Chelsea’s February signing, Juan Cuadrado and his failure to shine at the club.
The 27-year-old Colombian played 312 minutes with Chelsea this past season, contributing no goals or assists, looking like a shadow of the player who impressed so much for Colombia and Fiorentina.
Additionally, Inter Milan may be planning to bid around £22 million to bring Cuadrado back to Serie A, per Joe Short of the Daily Express.
However, a quote from Jose Mourinho in the Daily Telegraph indicates otherwise. The manager reportedly stated:
“He needs time. I know Italy and I know the difference between Italy and England. His formation, his development, his experience – everything was in Italy. Stability, time, integration – I think we will see the best Cuadrado next year.”
It is reasonable to assume that Mourinho will keep Cuadrado for another season in the hopes that he will settle in.
In addition to rumours speculating Cuadrado’s departure, it is has been confirmed that Champions League finalists Juventus are eyeing Oscar.
According to the Mirror, Juventus have made an offer of just £9 million for the Brazilian – less than half of what Chelsea paid for him – to prepare for the departure of Paul Pogba.
Mourinho just might be prepared to sell Oscar for a substantial profit, considering his slight fall from grace at Chelsea as of late, but he certainly won’t settle for such a low bid, especially seeing how crucial the Brazilian is to their side.
Not only departures have been speculated, but also new signings. According to Rory Marsden, Mourinho is reportedly considering Stuttgart’s Antonio Rudiger as a long-term option to replace the ageing John Terry and join Gary Cahill or Kurt Zouma in the centre of defense.
Terry was in great form during the 2014-2015 season with Chelsea, playing every single minute, but realistically, he will have to step down sooner or later.
Additionally, Mourinho has increasingly left Cahill out of the starting XI in favour of Zouma, possibly intending to find someone else who can partner Zouma in the long run.
At the other end of the pitch, rumours about Falcao’s departure from Manchester United have sparked Chelsea’s interest:
#Chelsea is in talks for Radamel Falcao. He could be a target, they took informations and contacts are started. Let’s see if #CFC will bid.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 29, 2015
Falcao was initially an important signing for Manchester United ahead of the 2014-2015 season, going on to start 14 times, scoring four goals and making four assists.
He will however, not be on Manchester United’s squad in the fall of 2015, and according to Anthony Chapman, Mourinho wants him to replace the departing Didier Drogba as an attacking option.
While his time at Old Trafford wasn’t exactly a success, maybe Mourinho could change the Colombian’s fortunes especially as Falcao has been a long time Blues target.
Regardless of whether or not the transfer rumours surrounding Chelsea will amount to much, it is clear that Mourinho will only be looking to strengthen his already intimidating side during the summer and not to change his squad significantly.
