Five transfer targets Jose Mourinho will have an eye on in Brazil.
As entertaining as the World Cup is for the fans, it is also a great opportunity for top managers to get a look at potential transfer targets of theirs as they put themselves to the test on the biggest stage in world football.
Chelsea may already have signed two key players from Spain’s squad, but reports suggest that they could still be busy in the coming months as they prepare to improve on a disappointing trophyless season in 2013/14, when a bad run of form late on in the campaign saw them crash out of the Premier League title race to finish third, as well as limping out of the Champions League at the semi-final stage with a 3-1 home defeat to Atletico Madrid.
With a new left-back a must after Ashley Cole’s departure, and new signings in attack also likely to be a priority with the probable sales of the likes of Fernando Torres, Demba Ba and Romelu Lukaku, here is a look at five players on show at this summer’s World Cup that Chelsea could be looking to sign before the start of the new season.
5) Ricardo Rodriguez (VfL Wolfsburg and Switzerland)
One of the most promising young defenders in Europe, Ricardo Rodriguez’s fine form with Wolfsburg has reportedly attracted the interest of big clubs such as Liverpool, Manchester United and Real Madrid as well as Chelsea. The 21-year-old will now have the chance to build on a good season at club level by performing for Switzerland at the World Cup. The Swiss face a decent-looking group and will be favourites to progress to the knockout stages along with France, meaning the attack-minded full-back Rodriguez should have plenty of opportunities to show what he can do at the very highest level. Although Ashley Cole will no doubt be hard to replace, Chelsea could be landing themselves a real star of the future here if they do choose Rodriguez to be the successor to the England veteran.
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