Gerrard, your not worth it. - Chelsea switch targets
Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2005 3:19 pmChelsea: Gerrard, you're just not worth it
EXCLUSIVE by IAN McGARRY, Daily Mail 07:33am 29th April 2005
Chelsea have dramatically dropped their interest in Steven Gerrard after manager Jose Mourinho decided the Liverpool midfielder would not be value for money.
Sportsmail can reveal that Mourinho told Chelsea at a top-level meeting on Tuesday that he had "other priorities" and felt that the £30million fee which had been virtually agreed with Liverpool for Gerrard was too much.
Mourinho commissioned a statistical report on Gerrard's performances over the past three seasons, including appearances, goals, assists, pass completion and possession won.
It was decided that the fee plus wages of around £5.5m a season would be better spent elsewhere.
Chelsea have instead turned their attention to 21-year-old Argentina international Javier Mascherano, who they believe they can secure from River Plate for around £8m.
Mourinho is finalising his spending plans and, having come within 24 hours of securing the Liverpool captain last season, the same deal has now been withdrawn.
That will surprise the domestic football world, where it was thought to be only a matter of time before Gerrard pulled on a blue shirt. A leading Premiership manager recently told reporters that it was "a done deal", while Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry admitted the club would be powerless to prevent the England midfielder walking away from Anfield.
Mascherano matches Mourinho's required profile
Mourinho, too, appeared to give substance to the move when he sought out Gerrard for a special embrace at the end of the Carling Cup Final, a match in which Gerrard's own-goal contributed to Chelsea's 3-2 victory.
Gerrard was also rumoured to have bought a house in Cobham, Surrey, near Chelsea's new training centre.
Unlike Gerrard, though, Mascherano matches Mourinho's required profile of a young, gifted and ambitious player ripe for being moulded in the coach's image. The goalscoring midfielder is considered the hottest property in Argentine football and would command a salary of only £2m a season.
Mourinho believes the bulk of spending must go on a goalscorer and refurbishing the defence. To that end, negotiations are already under way with Inter Milan aimed at signing Brazil striker Adriano for around £25m plus the permanent transfer of Juan Sebastian Veron, who is currently on loan at the Italian club. Chelsea would also be willing to make Hernan Crespo - on loan at AC Milan - part of the deal.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich flew to Italy yesterday, primarily to watch CSKA Moscow - sponsored by his company Sibneft - take on Parma in the UEFA Cup semi-final, though it is understood he has meetings in Milan today.
Mourinho has made no secret of his desire for a top class left back and will probably have to sign a centre half as William Gallas looks sure to request a move to Barcelona. Rio Ferdinand may yet move from Manchester United to Stamford Bridge to fill that gap while Arsenal's Ashley Cole is a less likely choice given the Premier League charges against Mourinho, the player and Chelsea for 'tapping up'.
EXCLUSIVE by IAN McGARRY, Daily Mail 07:33am 29th April 2005
Chelsea have dramatically dropped their interest in Steven Gerrard after manager Jose Mourinho decided the Liverpool midfielder would not be value for money.
Sportsmail can reveal that Mourinho told Chelsea at a top-level meeting on Tuesday that he had "other priorities" and felt that the £30million fee which had been virtually agreed with Liverpool for Gerrard was too much.
Mourinho commissioned a statistical report on Gerrard's performances over the past three seasons, including appearances, goals, assists, pass completion and possession won.
It was decided that the fee plus wages of around £5.5m a season would be better spent elsewhere.
Chelsea have instead turned their attention to 21-year-old Argentina international Javier Mascherano, who they believe they can secure from River Plate for around £8m.
Mourinho is finalising his spending plans and, having come within 24 hours of securing the Liverpool captain last season, the same deal has now been withdrawn.
That will surprise the domestic football world, where it was thought to be only a matter of time before Gerrard pulled on a blue shirt. A leading Premiership manager recently told reporters that it was "a done deal", while Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry admitted the club would be powerless to prevent the England midfielder walking away from Anfield.
Mascherano matches Mourinho's required profile
Mourinho, too, appeared to give substance to the move when he sought out Gerrard for a special embrace at the end of the Carling Cup Final, a match in which Gerrard's own-goal contributed to Chelsea's 3-2 victory.
Gerrard was also rumoured to have bought a house in Cobham, Surrey, near Chelsea's new training centre.
Unlike Gerrard, though, Mascherano matches Mourinho's required profile of a young, gifted and ambitious player ripe for being moulded in the coach's image. The goalscoring midfielder is considered the hottest property in Argentine football and would command a salary of only £2m a season.
Mourinho believes the bulk of spending must go on a goalscorer and refurbishing the defence. To that end, negotiations are already under way with Inter Milan aimed at signing Brazil striker Adriano for around £25m plus the permanent transfer of Juan Sebastian Veron, who is currently on loan at the Italian club. Chelsea would also be willing to make Hernan Crespo - on loan at AC Milan - part of the deal.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich flew to Italy yesterday, primarily to watch CSKA Moscow - sponsored by his company Sibneft - take on Parma in the UEFA Cup semi-final, though it is understood he has meetings in Milan today.
Mourinho has made no secret of his desire for a top class left back and will probably have to sign a centre half as William Gallas looks sure to request a move to Barcelona. Rio Ferdinand may yet move from Manchester United to Stamford Bridge to fill that gap while Arsenal's Ashley Cole is a less likely choice given the Premier League charges against Mourinho, the player and Chelsea for 'tapping up'.
