Jose Mourinho won the Premier League twice with Chelsea, now
he's set his sights on the Telegraph Fantasy Football
title.
The 'Special One', who is now the manager of Inter
Milan, has joined up to pit his football wits against Alan Hansen,
other Telegraph pundits and the thousands of players who
compete for a share of our £1.1million
prize fund.
Mourinho has snapped up three of his former Chelsea players:
Ricardo Carvalho, Michael Essien and William Gallas. He opted not
to select a single Manchester United player, but despite all his
contentious battles with Liverpool, he did pick Steven Gerrard.
The 45-year-old Portuguese, who won two Premier League titles,
an FA Cup and two League Cup trophies during his three years at
Stamford Bridge, has gone for a team with a formidable midfield of
Lassana Diarra, Essien, Gerrard and Morten Gamst Pedersen, with
hot-shots Fernando Torres and Jermain Defoe up front.
Mourinho was blessed with Roman Abramovich's resources at
Chelsea, but here he's had to work within our £50 million budget –
and comfortably achieved the target, selecting his 11 players for a
total cost of £49.6 million. It will be fascinating to see who
comes out top in the Hansen v Mourinho battle. They share only two
players: Gerrard and Torres.
Mourinho has never been one to hide his considerable managerial
talents – but this is the first time he has had to face the
challenge of Telegraph Fantasy Football.
John Ley assesses the Fantasy Football form of the starting
XI.
Ricardo Carvalho £4.6m
CHELSEA
He would, wouldn't he? After helping Jose win two League titles,
the Uefa Cup and the Champions League, he quickly followed his
manager to Stamford Bridge and was key to six trophy successes, in
three years.
Alan Hutton £3.5m
TOTTENHAM
Still an unknown quantity in Premier League terms, the Scot
managed 26 points in 13 games after arriving from Rangers in
January. This attack-minded right-back has the potential to make
goals as well as prevent them.
Gareth Bale £3.4m
TOTTENHAM
The Welshman can play either at left-back or left of midfield
and his free-kicks produce goals, so his signing is a sensible one
– provided he can keep clear of the injuries that curtailed his
first Premier League campaign.
William Gallas £4.2m
ARSENAL
Sometimes moody, often magnificent, he was a defender in the
Chelsea side who won back-to-back titles under Jose, who will
remember his adaptability; he played for some time at left-back
and, at Arsenal, has also scored goals.
Steven Gerrard £5.6m
LIVERPOOL
The second-highest midfield points scorer, behind Cristiano
Ronaldo last term, with 197. He came close to joining Jose at
Chelsea in 2005, but stuck with Liverpool. A must for most TFF
managers.
Morten Gamst Pedersen £3.6m
BLACKBURN
Anybody surprised at this choice should listen to new Chelsea
full-back Jose Bosingwa. On signing for Scolari, he raised an
eyebrow or two when he proclaimed Pedersen to be the player he most
feared. A shrewd selection.
Lassana Diarra £3.4m
PORTSMOUTH
Jose bought Diarra from Le Havre, but the Mali-born Frenchman
had little opportunity in what was a strong side and moved to
Arsenal. Again, his stay was short-lived, but he finished with an
FA Cup winners' medal with Pompey.
Michael Essien £3.9m
CHELSEA
The Bison is a formidable player. Outstanding in midfield for
Chelsea last season, but more than capable at filling in at
full-back, he scores goals as well. Jose broke the club record to
sign him from Lyon.
Jermain Defoe £6.1m
PORTSMOUTH
In the Premier League, Defoe will partner Torres' former
team-mate Peter Crouch and can expect another healthy return now he
has his confidence back under Harry Redknapp. He represents great
value.
Fernando Torres £7.5m
LIVERPOOL
The third-highest TFF points scorer last season, with 204, but
the most expensive player in this year's game. Still, having scored
24 goals in just 29 League starts for the Reds, he is a
must-have.
Pepe Reina £3.8m
LIVERPOOL
The Spaniard was in the Barcelona B team coached by Jose. Some
may presume he would go for Petr Cech, who arrived at Chelsea
before the Special One, but Reina was the second-highest points
scorer last season.
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