Tim Groothuis/Witters Sport via USA TODAY Sports
Since Jose Mourinho’s arrival at Stamford Bridge for a second stint with Chelsea, he has been in search of a striker that fits the mold of what he deems suitable to be in English Premier League and Champions League title contention. Having sent Romelu Lukaku on loan to Everton to gain more experience and missing out on the disgruntled Manchester United superstar Wayne Rooney, Mourinho always had a backup a plan that many did not see coming.
With Fernando Torres and Demba Ba lacking ideal scoring form, Mourinho believed he had to find a tried and tested goal scoring threat. That threat comes in the form of the 32-year-old Cameroonian International Samuel Eto’o, signed by Mourinho from Anzhi Makhachkala on deadline day for an undisclosed fee.
Eto’o and Mourinho are no strangers to each other, having worked together at Inter Milan. They had a less-than-stellar relationship but had tremendous success domestically and in Europe. Mourinho is ecstatic about being reunited with Eto’o, and for good reason. Eto’o is the only player ever to win back-to-back trebles; he did it in 2009 and 2010 with Barcelona then with Inter Milan. Eto’o has proven himself to be a world-class goal scorer, showing the ability to score in a myriad of different ways.
A former African Player of the Year, Eto’o is extremely gifted technically, having come through the youth academy at Real Madrid and growing as a player throughout different La Liga sides to eventually become a superstar at Barcelona. He has scored 288 goals at club level and has over 100 caps for his country with 55 goals in International competition. No one can deny the goal-scoring pedigree he has or the impressive strike rate he boasts.
Eto’o is the perfect mercenary at a time when Chelsea needs him most. He is an instinctive goal scorer who is a clinical finisher inside the penalty box. It will be interesting to see what his second stint under Mourinho will be like. I’m sure Chelsea supporters will love the quality that Eto’o brings to the team as a proven product across the European continent.
Tyronne Pruitt is a Soccer writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @TPruitt_454846, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
