Mourinho 'keen on Benitez's job'

[tomasjj]

Ferreira was by no means completely useless to Chelsea...

Kuyt, on the other hand...

And when push comes to shove, JM won the title twice.

Well, neither Rafa nor Maureen are perfect in the transfer market.
Maureen had more to play with, that makes things easier.
Close to 20 mill on a centreback and 13 mill on a fullback is pretty unsurpassed.

Anyway, I don't particularly rate Kuyt, and didn't rate him when he played for Feyenoord either...but he plays for us now, so I will support him for as long as he is here.
But I am sure that Rafa will shift him out as soon as he has a better replacement ready.

[Red Chilli]

Yes.

Who would not want to take over a club like ours with the players we have? Mourinho seems to want to. You think he is the best so if he wants it, surely so do lesser managers?

If that's the case then I want Wenger

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

Possibly you could argue that Rafa deserves 5 seasons.

My problem with that is as follows.

As i've said, when it comes to Mourinho, i dont particularly 'like' him. (I dont hate him either, but there we go). What i DO think about him, is that he would win the title for us. I've expressed various reasons why i think this.

And the fact of the matter is, Mourinho isnt going to be available forever. He's there now and he'll be got, i'm convinced of that.

If Rafa was using what he had better, there'd be no gripe. But it's not like rafa STILL has the traores and biscans of this world, he's developed a strong squad with the ability to challenge.

But he INSISTS of removing all stability, rotating where it's folly and putting the CL top of his priorities. His current lack of security in his job is largely of his own making. He's shot himself in the foot and continues to do so.

Ultimately, he's weakening his own position and the biggest disappointment is he HAS most of what he needs to do much better. He's just too set in his ways with regards to certain methods and it's costing him points.

Come the summer, it will have cost him his job and it's a real shame.

On an extra point - if you're convinced he wont ever win us the title, what's the point in giving it another year?

Can't disagree with your points regarding Rafa's methods, it's not a popular opinion but it is one with a factual foundation.

But you can't say that Mourinho would definietly win us the league if he took over. IMO we still have too many second rate players at the club. It would take any new manager at least one year to get the house in order, so to speak. What he did achieve at Chelsea shouldn't be underestimated, but they were exceptional circumstances/advantages that he likely wouldn't have with us. Still his CV is impressive and like it or not should Rafa depart he'd be a natural candidate to succeed him.

[bigfooty]

So you don't think that if signficant funds had been available that he would have brought in better qualtiy? You say yourself that one of the constraints on fund-raising was Cisse's injury. Don't think Alex has ever had that difficulty.

In the Summer of 2006 our net spend was something like 16M compared to Utd who made a profit due to the Obi Mikel situation, discounting that they net spent about 8M.

[Craig_H]

In fairness give Rafa 80m to spend in one season and I think he would win it aswell

I'd love to agree, but i dont.

[tomasjj]

Speculating here, but I reckon Rafa HAD to put priority to the CL because of the money that comes with it. We are not as rich as the others, so our continuation of improving the squad is probably even more dependent on the CL money than the other 3 top clubs.

[tomasjj]

If that's the case then I want Wenger

IF Rafa goes, Wenger would be a wet dream.
But I think it sucks discussion this as long as Rafa is still in the chair.
It has to do with respect, so that's it from me on this.

[Craig_H]

Can't disagree with your points regarding Rafa's methods, it's not a popular opinion but it is one with a factual foundation.

But you can't say that Mourinho would definietly win us the league if he took over. IMO we still have too many second rate players at the club. It would take any new manager at least one year to get the house in order, so to speak. What he did achieve at Chelsea shouldn't be underestimated, but they were exceptional circumstances/advantages that he likely wouldn't have with us. Still his CV is impressive and like it or not should Rafa depart he'd be a natural candidate to succeed him.

Where have i said this though?

Ultimately, you either think JM WOULD win it for us or WOULDNT. You have to fall on ONE side of the line and i think he would.

Nothing can be definite though.

[Kilteragh]

In the Summer of 2006 our net spend was something like 16M compared to Utd who made a profit due to the Obi Mikel situation, discounting that they net spent about 8M.

I don't have these stats to hand so I'll have to bow to you superior references

[blacky]

I'd love to agree, but i dont.

This summer was the 1st time he was given the funds to compete at the top end of the transfer market and he spent say 20m on Torres........a successful purchase so far yes? what if he had been able to do this all along? Vidic, Simao, Alves, Tevez, Eto'o etc all Rafa targets that he could not compete for because of the financial restraints at the club. Do you not think with these players we would be challenging?

[blacky]

Speculating here, but I reckon Rafa HAD to put priority to the CL because of the money that comes with it. We are not as rich as the others, so our continuation of improving the squad is probably even more dependent on the CL money than the other 3 top clubs.

absolutely correct

[Craig_H]

This summer was the 1st time he was given the funds to compete at the top end of the transfer market and he spent say 20m on Torres........a successful purchase so far yes? what if he had been able to do this all along? Vidic, Simao, Alves, Tevez, Eto'o etc all Rafa targets that he could not compete for because of the financial restraints at the club. Do you not think with these players we would be challenging?

I'm not convinced rafa would go for all those quality players...

If he rates quality like that, why does Kuyt keep getting such a preference?

[blacky]

I'm not convinced rafa would go for all those quality players...

If he rates quality like that, why does Kuyt keep getting such a preference?

Apparently these are all players that were Rafa targets!!

[red g]

Where have i said this though?

Ultimately, you either think JM WOULD win it for us or WOULDNT. You have to fall on ONE side of the line and i think he would.

Nothing can be definite though.

mourinho is a complete ****er who i hate.......BUT i think he would bring us the league.

but would he be able to build for success like rafa is doing? i dont know!

I also think rafa can win us the league eventually

[bigfooty]

I don't have these stats to hand so I'll have to bow to you superior references

They bought Carrick and a reserve goalie for 18.5M and sold Van HorseFace for 10, getting the same again for Mikel.

We bought Bellamy, Pennant, Paletta, Kuyt and El Zhar for 24M and sold Nando, Barragan, Djimi, Mellor and KromKamp for 8M.

As I've said before the Summer of 2006 will turn out to be one of the worst transfer windows in the history of the club, not financially perhaps as we will recoup most of what we spent (unlike Ged) but in terms of what it did to the club domestically.