Balotelli and Alonso set for summer reunion with Mourinho

Jose Mourinho’s return to west London has delivered on almost all fronts so far with the Chelsea boss hitting the headlines, offering sound bites aplenty and steering his side into 9/5 favouritism to land the title.

However, the Portuguese tactician shows no signs of resting on his laurels and is said to be already busying himself with transfer preparations for the summer.

Reports suggest that the “Special One” is preparing a double swoop to land two of his former charges in order to give the Blues more options up front and in midfield.

Fernando Torres may finally be looking like the player Chelsea shelled out £50m for after an all-star display in the Blues’ 2-1 win over title rivals Manchester City, but his reliability – or lack thereof – has prompted Mourinho to consider bringing in Mario Balotelli.

The former City front man is notoriously difficult to handle but Mourinho prides himself on his man management style and Mino Raiola, the Italian’s agent, believes a reunion could be on the cards.

“Balotelli and Mourinho could be reunited because they know each other and they didn’t leave each other with hate,” he explained.

“They have remained in contact and there is mutual respect. I know Milan Vice-President Adriano Galliani will not agree, but Mario is a great striker. That is for certain and he could perhaps be that at Chelsea.”

Rossoneri boss Massimiliano Allegri has insisted that a January move is out of the question but his reluctance to rule out a summer switch could provide Mourinho with all the encouragement he needs to make a bid.

Another player rumoured to be open to a move to Stamford Bridge is former Liverpool man Xabi Alonso who plied his trade under Mourinho for three years at Real Madrid.

Both player and manager are credited with a healthy respect and admiration for each other and with Alonso’s Bernabéu contract running out in June the Spaniard could be in the market for a fresh challenge.

One sticking point to this move is the 31-year-old’s fractious relationship with Chelsea stalwart Frank Lampard after the pair collided in a 2005 match which saw the Spaniard break an ankle.

However, the chance to hook up with Mourinho once more in a side that may have just wrestled the Premier League crown from Manchester United could ultimately prove too good to turn down.

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