Mourinho shock: Chelsea must sell
before buying
tribalfooball.com - January 08, 2007
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has slashed manager Jose Mourinho's
transfer budget.
The Sun says during a meeting last month, Mourinho was given
instructions on how money would be released.
Abramovich and his advisors agreed substantial sums could be spent
on young stars - like Micah Richards - who would retain their
value.
However, in an unprecedented development, Mourinho was also told
others he targeted as potential stop-gaps would have to be funded
by the sale of fringe players.
The clampdown is a first for the Chelsea boss who has spent around
£200m at Stamford Bridge.
Mourinho, though, has always been sensitive to allegations that he
has bought success for Chelsea.
He has also conformed to the new policy by repeating he will not be
held to ransom by clubs demanding unreasonable fees for
players.
It appears the Blues boss' willingness to part with Shaun
Wright-Phillips is a consequence of the new thrift
policy.