• Premier League

Mourinho targeting triple English raid

ESPN staff
May 27, 2010
Jose Mourinho is believed to be preparing moves for Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and Ashley Cole © Getty Images
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Jose Mourinho has revealed his transfer plans for his new job at Real Madrid and hinted that he could target English midfield duo Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard.

Mourinho is set to take charge at the Santiago Bernabeu once terms have been finalised between Real and European champions Inter Milan, after Madrid sacked Manuel Pellegrini on Wednesday night to clear the way for his arrival. Speaking to Spanish newspaper AS, Mourinho lifted the lid on his plans for new recruits as he bids to challenge Barcelona's dominance of La Liga.

"I like players at the end of their careers. I love to have some players around 33 or 34-years-old,'' he said. "They are players that you buy which you cannot recoup the money from, but if you get two or three years out of them it is worth it. Both (Lampard and Gerrard) are two great players and always give everything."

Mourinho dismissed the idea of signing Benfica left-back Fabio Coentrao, describing him as a Portuguese Marcelo (who already plays at Madrid), and distanced himself from a move for Angel Di Maria as well.

"Di Maria is a fantastic player in a smaller league,'' he said. ''I have doubts about how he can perform in a championship like Spain or Italy. If he is available at an affordable price then I will take the risk, but the price is extortionate, and I do not like my clubs to pay crazy prices for players.

"I want three or four defensive players, but we need to improve the attack as well."

Speaking on possible formations, Mourinho hinted he could move for Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole, who has been linked with a move to join his former boss in the summer, but also admitted his admiration for Inter's Maicon on the other side of defence. "Normally I play with four at the back, with two offensive full-backs like [Ashley] Cole and Maicon. Then a triangle in midfield and three forwards," he said.

While he was cagey about his future at Inter before the Champions League final, Mourinho admitted that he had already made the decision to move before he lifted the trophy.

"Before the final, a decision was made to come to Madrid. After that Inter knew it was not about a new contract or money. I want to coach Real," he concluded.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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