Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Mourinho coy on transfers

Mourinho coy on transfers

New Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has not been drawn on his transfer targets this summer.

The Portuguese coach signed a four-year contract at the Bernabeu on Monday and has added Los Merengues as the latest illustrious club on his CV.

Mourinho has already been linked with a number of signings, most notably players who he has previously managed at Inter Milan and Chelsea.

However, he would not say if he has any targets in mind, and does not expect many to come through the Madrid door this summer.

"The club is happy with the base of the team. We need three or four players to give us flexibility in the way we might play, but I predict a quiet summer," he said.

"It's normal that people ask about players such as Maicon, Ashley Cole or Frank Lampard, for example, because they are former players of mine and I always have good relations with them.

"We need small adjustments. We have clear profiles of the type of players we need and these are more important than names."

Changes

He added: "I don't like to talk about players because their prices will go up if I do.

"The club is happy with the roster of last season and so am I. We don't need major changes.

"We need three or four players for the coach to have more possibilities to get closer to my idea of a team.

"But I don't think it's going to be a summer with a lot of changes. I think it will be a more calm summer with all the focus on the World Cup."

Real had a poor campaign last time out after exiting the UEFA Champions League at the first knockout stage, while Barcelona pipped them to the post in La Liga.

But Mourinho is optimistic he will bring success to the Spanish side, and says he understands the pressure of the job.

He remarked: "We start from zero. It won't be an obsession it will be a dream.

"I understand the fans and the media will up the pressure but it is not going to affect the way I do my job."

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