United, Chelsea and City favorites for the English title, says Mourinho
Real Madrid’s new boss Jose Mourinho just cannot stay out of news. Even though he left English football 3 years ago he still has his 2 cents to add to the title race this season. Jose who led Chelsea to back to back titles in English football said that it would be a 3 horse race in England between Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City.
While talking to a British newspaper, he said that it’s pretty clear to him that these are the 3 teams who can win it. When asked about why he left out Liverpool and Arsenal, he said that Liverpool has been a club in transition for decades now. They used to be title contenders but they simply are a team good enough for a top 4 finish at best. He said that yes there is a new man in charge and he may be able to turn their fortunes, but it will not happen in the first season for them. He said that Hodgson is a man with great qualities, but he would have to undo the damage first and then build a team, so clearly they are not title contenders. Jose said that in 2004 Liverpool used to be a much better club than what it is now, referring of course to the time when Rafael Benitez took over the club. He went on to say that it kept getting worse every year, and now they are at a point where if things are not put in right place they may lose big names. He said that players like Gerrard and Torres would leave Liverpool if they do not win anything this season. Jose added that if that happens then they would struggle to be in top ten let alone top 4.
Talking about Arsenal, he said that for now they just do not have what it takes. Jose added, “for a number of years now they have been saying the same thing ‘It’s a young team, it will happen next season’. It just doesn’t work like that”. He said that talent is talent and young or old does not matter. He went on to say that balance is the key in any team and Wenger is for sure a great manager but he has to realize that kids cannot win titles. The Real Madrid coach went on to say that Wenger would have to bring in some big experienced players if he is to have any hopes of winning the title anytime soon. But for this season, they surely are no title contenders.
The special one also said that there is no doubt that Manchester City have surpassed Real Madrid as the big spenders in transfer market. Last season, Madrid spent millions and millions on big names and the rest stood and watched, but city this season have taken the crown. Mourinho was out-bided by City as he was also interested in buying former Lazio left-back Aleksander Kolarov. City paid 17 million pounds and got their man. It has spent a staggering 130 million pounds this season in transfers.
Jose said that when Manchester United manager indirectly targeted City by saying that it was a kamikaze mission, he agreed with him. Mourinho said that City did eat the market by throwing money at any player they wanted. It does inflate the market, but on the other hand if they have the money then they should be allowed to spend it the way they want. He further added that Roberto Mancini has spent well and put together a good team at the end of the day, he can mount a serious challenge for the title if he can manage his players right.
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