There are echoes of last season in this post. Mohamed Salah, a winger with plenty of talent and potential in abundance who never really got his chance at Chelsea under Jose. A player who went out on loan to Italy and thrived, so much so that he was in the middle of a tug of war this summer which Roma eventually won.
And this season, there’s new man that, due to a lack of opportunties under Mourinho, has been farmed out to Italy – this time to Serie A champions Juventus – and things seem to have started just as well for him too.
In their 2-1 win over Man City at the Etihad last night Cuadrado was inspirational in helping Juve come from behind to win the game, the type of performance we’re yet to see for Chelsea.
Yes he incurred the wrath of Juve boss Allegri at times, but Cuadrado always has been and always will be the player to infuriate whoever his manager may be.
Watch Cuadrado’s highlights here:
He’s a luxury, he’s a risk and he’s frankly entertaining when he’s on song.
And once again we arrive at the problem of Juan Cuadrado. Consistency.
One glittering performance in the Champions League won’t have me clamouring for Chelsea to recall him (despite our poor start).
Half a season of performances like that week in week out and I may well change my tune.
With all respect to Fiorentina and Salah, Juve are on a different level in Italy and in Europe so for Cuadrado to make headlines for the team that reached last year’s Champion’s League final on a consistent basis will certainly make people sit up and take notice. Particularly Mourinho.
And one more thing; while he’s over in Turin, is it possible he could have a word in Paul Pogba’s ear about life at Stamford Bridge?
