Chapter 265: Reinforcements Assembled, Legends Return—This Time, We're Taking It All!
While other Premier League giants were still dragging their feet over transfer targets, Chelsea had already wrapped up two major transfers—two in, two out.
Kroos had been granted an extended holiday by Mourinho and would report to Cobham at a later date.
Thiago Silva, on the other hand, had gone straight to the training ground for rehab and treatment.
Li Ang and Ibrahimović met him at the base the day he arrived.
And just like that, Chelsea's former "Milan brothers" now became a full-blown Milan trio.
Li Ang was thrilled to see the elder Thiago Silva join.
Some fans on the internet scoffed at the fact that Silva would be turning 30 in a few months, assuming his best years were behind him.
But Li Ang knew just how reliable his "big brother" was when it came to maintaining form.
He still vividly remembered how Silva used to hold Milan's backline together, practically dragging Bonera through matches on sheer will.
That kind of ability—undeniable.
David Luiz was a great person, a great teammate, but his reckless nature had always been his downfall.
When he played midfield, at least Li Ang and Matić could cover for him.
But as a center-back in a two-man system?
It was a nightmare.
Three-man backlines weren't in vogue yet, and Luiz just didn't fit Chelsea's structure.
So his departure was a win-win for both sides.
Now, with Terry and Silva anchoring the defense, Li Ang felt secure.
Add in Gary Cahill, Maguire, and Kalas, and Chelsea now had five proper center-backs.
Squad depth? Fully loaded.
And if things got really tight, both Ivanović and Azpilicueta could slot in as emergency center-backs.
Three competitions? Four competitions?
Chelsea's backline could handle it all.
Maguire and Aké had played over 40 matches in the Championship last season. Their development was clear.
At their age, what they needed most was minutes—to make mistakes and grow from them.
Aké's role this season was still unclear.
But Maguire? He'd see plenty of action in Chelsea's rotation.
No matter how steady Terry was, he was another year older.
Mourinho wanted to preserve him—not burn him out.
Maguire's strength in aerial duels and one-on-one defending made him a very useful tactical option.
Bertrand had locked down the left-back spot.
He'd start in the league and Champions League.
FA Cup and League Cup matches would be rotated between Ashley Cole and Aké.
If Ashley Cole stayed fit, Aké probably wouldn't beat him for a spot just yet.
But Aké was still only 19.
Another season or two on loan, and he'd still be young upon return.
Cole, meanwhile, would likely leave after this season to finish his career somewhere quieter.
So Aké's chances in the long run were solid.
Mourinho had high hopes for him.
Quality left-backs were becoming rarer in modern football.
If Chelsea could develop a homegrown talent into Premier League first-choice level,
they'd essentially create a €40+ million asset from scratch.
Now that the coaches had reassured him, Aké doubled down in training.
But he was still raw.
In contrast, Salah, who returned alongside Maguire and Aké, had fully unleashed his attacking potential.
Reminiscent of a young Hazard, Salah had gotten used to being the focal point at his old team—and it showed in his confident, aggressive play.
He had flaws, sure.
He dribbled with his head down, clung to the ball a bit too long, didn't pass enough…
But his explosiveness on the wing?
Unmatched.
Hazard might be smoother, more elegant—but Salah?
Faster.
Way faster.
And that was exactly what Chelsea had lacked on the right last season.
Neither De Bruyne nor Azpilicueta had that kind of pure, freakish athleticism.
Chelsea's right side had been tactically sound last year—solid in both attack and defense.
Mourinho loved how well De Bruyne had slotted into the team.
But after seeing De Bruyne's full season, the manager had become convinced:
He needed to evolve into a midfield orchestrator, not just a winger.
Sure, De Bruyne could still play on the wing and be dangerous.
But keeping him there long-term?
A waste of talent.
And let's be honest:
Last season, Chelsea relied too heavily on Hazard for localized attacks.
One season? Maybe two? That's fine.
But if your entire offensive blueprint leans on a single flank, trouble's coming.
Especially in the Premier League.
Teams like Manchester City, Arsenal, and the resurgent Liverpool wouldn't let Chelsea get away with such a lopsided attack.
Salah's stellar preseason performances patched that tactical hole on the right.
As for his bad habits?
Mourinho didn't care.
He had the talent, the aggression.
That's what mattered.
Everything else could be corrected during the grind of the season.
Plus, seeing how obedient Salah was to Li Ang's on-field leadership?
Mourinho wasn't worried.
As long as Salah listened to him and listened to Li Ang,
he'd be just fine at Chelsea.
Starting July 16th, Chelsea played four friendlies against lower-tier English clubs and one "traditional powerhouse" from Slovenia.
The opposition wasn't strong.
Even with a full rotation of backups and youth players, Chelsea won all four.
The matches weren't meant for measuring form.
They were for testing youth, building chemistry, integrating new signings.
Kroos, fresh from vacation, hadn't played yet.
In fact, none of the senior players returning from the World Cup had appeared.
Their training plans were gradual.
Not because Mourinho was being overly cautious—
But because he knew exactly how to manage their recovery.
While other Premier League powerhouses were still fumbling around with negotiations, Chelsea had already efficiently completed two major transfer deals—two in, two out.
Kroos, who had received special permission from Mourinho for an extended vacation, would report to Cobham a bit later.
Thiago Silva, meanwhile, arrived directly at the training ground, continuing treatment and rehabilitation.
Li Ang and Ibrahimović met him the day he arrived, greeting the new-old face warmly.
From this day forward, Chelsea's famous "Milan brothers" duo had officially become a Milan trio.
Li Ang was ecstatic to welcome his big brother Silva to the team.
Some casual fans may scoff—saying Silva was just shy of 30, and wouldn't have many high-level years left.
But Li Ang knew just how solid Silva was when it came to fitness and longevity.
He could still vividly recall the days when Silva singlehandedly held Milan's defense together while dragging a half-useless Bonera around.
That was a man you simply couldn't underestimate.
David Luiz was a great guy and a great teammate, but his recklessness just never went away.
When he played in midfield, Li Ang and Matić could help clean up his messes.
But when he was the center-back himself? It was too much of a liability.
Back then, three-man defenses weren't common in world football.
And Luiz simply didn't fit Chelsea's double-center-back system.
So, in the end, his transfer away was the best outcome for both the club and for himself.
Just the thought of a new backline pairing of Terry and Silva gave Li Ang endless peace of mind.
With Cahill, Maguire, and Kalas as depth, Chelsea's center-back rotation was solid.
In a pinch, both Ivanović and Azpilicueta could still fill in centrally.
So forget three competitions—even four competitions, this Chelsea defense could hold.
Maguire and Aké had each played over 40 matches in the Championship last season. Their growth was obvious.
At their age, the more minutes, the better—it helped them identify and correct flaws.
Aké's role for the new season was still uncertain, but Maguire? He'd have plenty of chances.
Terry, no matter how stable, was another year older. Mourinho didn't want to overuse him.
Maguire's strengths in aerial duels and one-on-one defending added valuable tactical options.
At left-back, Bertrand had fully secured his starting spot.
Mourinho would use him in the Premier League and Champions League.
FA Cup and League Cup games? Those would go to Ashley Cole and Aké.
When healthy, Cole was still ahead of Aké.
But Aké was only 19. With a year or two more of development, he'd still be young when rejoining the first team.
Cole was expected to leave after the season and finish his career elsewhere.
So Aké's time was coming.
Mourinho was optimistic about him.
Quality left-backs were rare these days.
If Chelsea could develop one in-house, it would be like gaining a €40 million transfer for free.
Encouraged and recognized by the staff, Aké doubled down on his training effort.
But he was still young, still raw.
In comparison, Salah, who also returned this season, was already lighting it up in attack.
Just like Hazard when he first joined Chelsea.
Salah was used to being the focal point in his previous team. He played with confidence—sometimes too much of it.
He had issues: head-down dribbling, holding onto the ball too long, poor passing choices.
But that explosive pace on the wing? Deadly.
He might even be faster than Hazard.
And that was exactly what Chelsea lacked on the right last season.
Neither De Bruyne nor Azpilicueta were pure wide-speed demons.
Chelsea's right flank had been methodical and solid. Good in attack and defense, but not explosive.
Mourinho had come to love De Bruyne's contribution to the team system.
But after watching him for a full season, he now firmly believed:
De Bruyne's future was in midfield.
Sure, he could play right wing, and he was dangerous there.
But keeping him wide would waste his full potential.
Last season, Chelsea relied too heavily on Hazard for individual breakthroughs.
One or two seasons like that were fine.
But lean too hard on one flank? Problems would pile up.
City, Arsenal, Liverpool—all competing for the title—weren't going to let Chelsea get away with a one-sided attack.
Salah's breakout performances in training plugged that hole.
His bad habits?
Mourinho didn't care.
The kid had talent and drive.
Everything else could be ironed out over a long season.
And given how closely he listened to Li Ang?
Mourinho had no worries about him fitting in.
As long as Salah obeyed instructions—especially Li Ang's instructions—
Mourinho believed the Egyptian had a long future at Chelsea.
From July 16, Chelsea played four friendlies: three against English lower-tier clubs, one against a traditional Slovenian side.
The opponents weren't strong.
Even with full rotations and youth-heavy squads, Chelsea won all four games.
These matches weren't about results—they were Mourinho's way of blooding new players.
By the time the first team returned from vacation, Kroos had yet to play a minute.
In fact, no player who went deep into the World Cup had featured yet.
Their training was being phased in slowly.
Not because Mourinho was worried about their bodies—
But because he knew exactly how to manage elite players.
(To be continued...)
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