It’s official – Jose Mourinho is the new head coach of Fenerbahce.
Everyone’s favourite polarising Portuguese was sworn is as the Turkish giants’ new boss on Sunday, much to the delight of the blue-and-yellow half of Istanbul.
The Turkish Super Lig is known for being a hotbed of the world’s finest talent searching for a generous payday – you know, among your MLS’, your Saudi Pro Leagues, etc. Adding Mourinho to the mix only sweetens this kind of deal.
So who could join Jose on the Bosporus? Who from the Premier League will be swiftly removing their name from the ‘current players’ section to the ‘streets will not forget’ one?
Let’s dig through ten possibilities.
- Romelu Lukaku
Mourinho has already managed Romelu Lukaku at Chelsea, Manchester United and Roma, signing him for the latter two personally. A fourth endeavour together is totally on the cards.
Fenerbahce presidential candidate Aziz Yildirim has named Lukaku along with Paulo Dybala and Anderson Talisca as three players the club will look to sign if he is re-elected.
Even if he isn’t, such a deal doesn’t seem beyond the realms of possibility, does it?.
- Willian
Mourinho bloody loves a winger who tracks back. Willian was the archetype of that during his second stint at Chelsea.
After leaving Stamford Bridge, Mourinho is said to have still wanted the Brazilian at Manchester United and then Tottenham Hotspur.
With Willian on the cusp of leaving Fulham, don’t be surprised to see him land at Fenerbahce this summer.
- Cedric Soares
There isn’t any prior relationship between Mourinho and Cedric Soares that we know of.
That said, the right-back just screams ‘marquee Mourinho signing in the Turkish Super Lig’.
- Joel Matip
Maybe this stop would be a tad too soon for Joel Matip, who looked five years younger prior to a season-ending injury last term.
But out of contract at Liverpool and on the search for a new club, he could be just the player and character Mourinho needs to build foundations at Fenerbahce with.
- Anthony Martial
Has there ever been such a big name whose chances of going to Fenerbahce were actually worsened by a major manager joining?
Anthony Martial was first linked to the Turkish giants some months ago.
Those rumours will probably dry up a little now considering his frosty relationship with Mourinho, but we can dream.
- Angelo Ogbonna
Angelo Ogbonna is 36, out of contract this summer, has won five trophies in his career and played 492 club games.
Do not tell me he was not made to be part of a Mourinho Fenerbahce team.
- Ashley Young
Everton fans have seemingly had it with Ashley Young, who isn’t getting any younger at 38.
One last hurrah with Mourinho out in Turkey. Who says no?
- Matt Doherty
The Wolves of yesteryear would have been full of players just itching for the chance to play under Mourinho at Fenerbahce.
Nowadays, the pickings have slimmed down to Matt Doherty, who has already played for Mourinho at Tottenham and was praised at Spurs for his dressing room vibes. Get that man to Istanbul, pronto.
- Literally anyone from Nottingham Forest
So you know that half-disparaging half-tongue-in-cheek remark I just made about Wolves?.
You can apply that to the current guise of Nottingham Forest – the Premier League’s Turkish Super Lig representative.
Scour through Forest’s first-team squad and tell me who wouldn’t look out of place at Fenerbahce. Morgan Gibbs-White might be the only one to get a pass.
- Neal Maupay
Oh god. Oh god. The world needs this. The world needs this.
Neal Maupay and Mourinho. Two of the game’s best s***houses. Together. At Fenerbahce.
It’s exciting just to think about.
What we know
- Jose Mourinho appointed as new head coach of Fenerbahce
- Turkish club could make splash in transfer market
- Romelu Lukaku among players who could head to Istanb.