Samuel Eto’o: Chelsea FC Have Finally Got Mourinho’s Man Friday

Samuel Eto’o is still one of the top marksmen in European football. The prolific scorer from Cameroon might have lost a few yards of pace, but his ability to find the back of the net still remains ai??i?? class, as they say is permanent. In the absence of a striker who can score regularly, Chelsea FC have indeed acquired the perfect player. More importantly, they now have a mentor for the talented Romelu Menama Lukaku.

Samuel Etoai??i??o is not just about goals. His presence in itself is a huge boost for any team looking for reinforcement in the final third of the pitch ai??i?? and this is exactly what Chelsea and Jose Mourinho need. Forget about his time at super clubs like Barcelona and Inter or maybe even his brief stay at Real Madrid. His performances for Real Mallorca, a club currently in the second division of the Spanish League, were sensational too, which made Barcelona take notice and vie for his signature. Agreed, Samuel Etoai??i??o of 2013 isnai??i??t the Samuel Etoai??i??o of the first decade of the 21st century, but as they say, one gradually gains experience, and loses one’s youth. Etoai??i??o is perhaps the epitome of that. His ability to hold the ball and use his strength and intelligence to create space in the final third of the pitch, near or inside the penalty box is second to none and that is exactly the space needed by the likes of Oscar, De Bruyne, Schurrle, Hazard et al.

Eto’oai??i??s inclusion also means one more thing. And this adds value. In Eto’o, Jose Mourinho has a trusted lieutenant, who trusts his judgment and will not create a ruckus if first team chances are far and few. He knows that at his age, he will not be able to pull off the fatigue of almost 2 matches every 10 days and extensive travelling ai??i?? and of course, adjusting in a league and country where he has never been, as a professional. His trophies and past records already make him a revered member of the squad whose average age is about 27 years, which of course includes veterans like Lampard, Terry, Cech and Schwarzer. The young turks will always look up to him to learn, both on and off the pitch.

The most important aspect of this transfer is that, Samuel Etoai??i??o is a winner. He has won the treble two times consecutively and also the AFCON and Olympic Gold a decade back. His mentality and psyche is that of a professional who goes out every time to win. In his peak, he averaged about 29 goals each year, even with injuries and thatai??i??s of critical value, given that Chelsea have not had a striker who could score for them after the departure of Didier Drogba. Even at Anzhi, he scored 34 goals, despite being past his prime.

Finally, the fact that Etoai??i??o once played as the left back (for Inter) in a critical match, at the behest of Jose Mourinho emphasizes that the London side has got a perfect team man who will not only score but also defend with equal aplomb. Moreover, Samuel’s best friend, Geremi Njitap, who spent 4 seasons at Stamford Bridge, will also have his influence on the indomitable lion (also the nickname of his national team)Ai??Itai??i??s time for defences across England and Europe to wake up and smell the coffee. Samuel Etoai??i??o is back, with a midfield which will send a chill down the spine.