Jose Mourinho will get a first-hand chance to scout reported transfer target Yacine Brahimi when Chelsea face his former club Porto in the Champions League tonight.
The Algerian international winger has scored 13 goals in 49 games since moving to Portugal from Granada last summer, including this magnificent solo effort below.
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According to The Guardian, Brahimi is on Mourinho’s radar ahead of the January window, although the 25-year-old’s release clause is thought to be as high as £44m.
Brahimi had been an injury doubt for the Group G clash at the Estadio do Dragao with a knee problem, as the Metro reports, but has proven his fitness to manager Julen Lopetegui.
XI: @CasillasWorld; Maxi, @4Maicon (cap.), @Marcano_23, Martins Indi; Danilo, Rúben Neves, Imbula; @BrahimiOfficial, Aboubakar, André André
— FC Porto (@FCPorto) September 29, 2015
Suplentes / Bench / Banquillo: Helton, @Miguel_layun, Evandro, @Chuycorona25, @ctello91, @Albertobueno15, @danistone25 #FCPCFC #UCL — FC Porto (@FCPorto) September 29, 2015
Brahimi is widely regarded to be one of Porto’s key players, alongside former Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas, French midfielder Giannelli Imbula and striker Vincent Aboubakar.
He has a reputation for running at defenders and would be an exciting addition to a Chelsea attack which could be argued lacks sparkle aside from Eden Hazard.
The Belgian, along with Nemanja Matic and John Terry, has been dropped by Mourinho this evening, with John Obi Mikel recalled and Ramires rewarded with a start following his heroic performance as a substitute in the come-from-behind 2-2 draw with Newcastle United on Saturday.
Team to face Porto: Begovic; Ivanovic, Zouma, Cahill, Azpilicueta; Mikel, Fabregas; Ramires, Willian, Pedro; Diego Costa. #CFC
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 29, 2015
Tonight’s subs: Blackman, Baba Rahman, Terry, Matic, Loftus-Cheek, Hazard, Kenedy. #CFC — Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) September 29, 2015
Their point at St James’ Park left the Premier League champions with only eight from the first seven games of their title defence – half as many as early pacesetters Manchester United have managed.
Although their principle problems this season have not been in attack – they have conceded 14 goals, fewer than only Sunderland – Brahimi would be a welcome injection of enthusiasm if the Londoners are still struggling come the New Year, but seemingly not one who would come cheaply.
Mourinho famously won the 2004 Champions League with Porto, who drew 2-2 with Dinamo Kiev in their opening Group G fixture while Chelsea were thrashing Maccabi Tel Aviv 4-0.
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