Tuesday, February 7, 2023
Soccernet.ng
  • Home
  • Leagues
    • EPL
    • NPFL
    • La Liga
    • Seria A
    • Ligue 1
  • Live Scores
  • App
  • Videos
  • Lifestyle
  • Betting
No Result
View All Result
Soccernet.ng
No Result
View All Result

Opinion: Mourinho’s best XI

SoccerNet Editor by SoccerNet Editor
7 years ago
in News
0
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Mourinho's best-ever XI, with Ronaldo and Ozil in devastating line-up
Jose Mourinho has worked with some of the world’s very best (Pictures: Rex)

With Jose Mourinho looking set to take the Manchester United job this
week, he will begin his latest venture at a European super-club.

The Portuguese tactician has already worked with some of the biggest
names in the sport, spending plenty to build star-studded sides with
Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid.

It’s a struggle to fit them all into one XI, but here’s our best
effort at assembling Mourinho’s dream team, with some scarily talented
players narrowly missing out.

Reports claim Mourinho will get huge amounts of cash to put together
another great side at Old Trafford, but he’ll struggle to work with
players of this elite calibre again.

Mourinho XI - Football tactics and formations

 

Defence

In goal, one legend edges another as Petr Cech keeps out Iker
Casillas. Both among the finest of their generation, it’s fair to say
that it is former Chelsea shot-stopper Cech who had a better time under
the Special One, forming a key part of three of his Premier League
title-winning sides.

Although occasionally used in defensive midfield by Mourinho, Javier
Zanetti is also one of the finest right-backs of his generation and
edges the likes of Branislav Ivanovic and Alvaro Arbeloa in our line up.

It’s no contest at left-back as Ashley Cole gets in, having repaid
the big gamble Mourinho made in raiding rivals Arsenal for him in
controversial circumstances. Although the former England man only played
two full seasons under him at Stamford Bridge, he was undoubtedly the
best left-back in the world at the time, and indeed for most of his
career.

Mourinho's best-ever XI, with Ronaldo and Ozil in devastating line-up
John Terry and Ashley Cole were world class for Chelsea in their peak years (Picture: Getty)

Despite some rock-solid performers in his Inter team, we’ve gone for
John Terry as one of the centre-backs, with the Chelsea captain rarely
letting his manager down across two spells. Alongside him is Ricardo
Carvalho, a huge star for Mourinho at Porto, Chelsea and Real Madrid.

Midfield

Midfield has been a particularly strong area for Mourinho’s sides, so
we’ve gone for a diamond formation here to fit in the very best, though
that still leaves no room for the likes of Michael Essien, Cesc
Fabregas and Luka Modric.

Claude Makelele is a must for that position just in front of the back
four, as few in the game have ever played that role better or with such
dedication.

Ahead of the Frenchman, Frank Lampard’s amazing goalscoring record
sees him claim a place. Decent at best before Mourinho took over, the
former England midfielder’s career took off under the Portuguese, and he
truly became one of the best in the world and an all-time Premier
League great.

MILAN, ITALY - AUGUST 29: Coach Jose Mourinho and Wesley Sneijder of Inter FC celebrate during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Inter Milan at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on August 29, 2009 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho and Wesley Sneijder won the treble together in 2010 (Picture: Getty)

Alongside him is Wesley Sneijder, whose immense displays made him the
heartbeat of Mourinho’s treble-winning Inter side, even if he rarely
replicated that form outside of his two seasons playing under Jose.

Finally, Mesut Ozil takes the attacking midfield spot, which seems
fair enough as Mourinho called him the best number ten he’d worked with.
Some question his consistency for Arsenal, but he was sensational for
Real Madrid, with Cristiano Ronaldo understandably upset when he was
sold.

Attack

Up front, there are more high-profile omissions as we struggle to
find room for top class strikers like Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Karim
Benzema.

He’s not strictly a striker, but we had to go for Cristiano Ronaldo
for his unbelievable scoring record under Mourinho at Real Madrid. The
Portuguese forward scored an amazing 168 goals in three seasons under
his fellow countryman, playing a major role in helping them to their
only La Liga title during his reign.

Mourinho's best-ever XI, with Ronaldo and Ozil in devastating line-up
Cristiano Ronaldo and Jose Mourinho halted Barcelona’s dominance (Picture: Getty)

Completing the side is Chelsea legend Didier Drogba, who may well
feel he owes Mourinho a great deal for helping him become the player he
is today. Initially slow to settle at Stamford Bridge, the Ivorian took
his game to a whole new level and became one of the great strikers of
his generation, epitomising everything Mourinho looks for in his players
with character, fight and a real appetite for the big games.

 
Source: Metro.co.uk
Tags: EplLa LigaNews
Share6Tweet4

SoccerNet Editor

SoccerNet Editor

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest

21-year-old Nigerian footballer dies in Spain

Is it now time to hand Chuba Akpom the Super Eagles jersey after four years?

“Really Amazing”– Victor Osimhen responds to Napoli’s social media post on his goal against Spezia

Earthquake strikes Nigerian winger Onyekuru’s city, raising concerns for ‘trapped’ Ghanaian player Christian Atsu

Italian coach urges Napoli to not sell Osimhen amid Manchester United, Chelsea interest

Soccernet.ng

Copyright © 2022 Soccernet Media Limited.

Navigate Site

  • About us
  • Advertise
  • Privacy policy
  • Contact us
  • App

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Leagues
    • EPL
    • NPFL
    • La Liga
    • Seria A
    • Ligue 1
  • Live Scores
  • App
  • Videos
  • Lifestyle
  • Betting

Copyright © 2022 Soccernet Media Limited.