toptop



August 28, 2015


Mourinho Shuns Transfer Talk  (Sky Sports)

Jose MourinhoJose Mourinho has refused to be drawn on Chelsea's transfer targets and insists he will be happy with his squad if he fails to sign another player before Tuesday's deadline.

The Premier League champions have seen three bids rejected by Everton for defender John Stones and have been heavily linked with a big-money move for Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba.

Stones attempted to force a move by submitting a transfer request but this was rejected and manager Roberto Martinez and the club's board have reiterated the 21-year-old centre-back is not for sale.

Mourinho refused to be drawn when asked if he had been priced out of a deal for Stones during a press conference for the weekend visit of Crystal Palace, which will mark his 100th Premier League home game as Chelsea boss.

"I don't speak about players from other teams," he said.

"I have a good squad. I'm happy with the squad I have. If I get another player before the end of the market, good. If I don't get, we go with what we have."

Mourinho was asked about Everton boss Martinez's belief that the transfer window should close before the competition begins, an idea mooted by the Portuguese in the past.

"You think I'm going to comment on Roberto Martinez's words?" Mourinho said. "Not generally, I don't comment. I don't comment on other opinions."

Mourinho also declined to comment on reports the Blues are ready to break the British transfer record with a £70m raid on Juventus for Pogba.

"I'm not going to do the 'like', 'I would like', of Pogba. He's a Juventus player, I'm the Chelsea manager," added Mourinho, who last week rebuked Juve boss Massimiliano Allegri for commenting on his fondness of Stamford Bridge stars Ramires and Oscar.

Chelsea have also been linked with China right-back Zhang Linpeng from Guangzhou Evergande, an interest which is understood to be genuine. Once more, Mourinho was non-committal.

"He is a Guangzhou player, so it's the same story. I don't comment," he said.




The Soccerlinks Hit List