5 players who prospered elsewhere after Jose Mourinho sold them

5 players who became successful after mourinho sold them

Jose Mourinho is one of the greatest managers to grace the beautiful game in recent times. Sure, his recent failures with Chelsea and Manchester United might make people think otherwise, but there’s no denying the fact that the Special One is a grandmaster when it comes to the whiteboard.

Throughout his career, Mourinho has managed an endless list of superstars. While some have made thrived under him, some others haven’t had the chance to reach their full potential under his tutelage.

On that note, let’s have a look at the top 5 players who have gone on to prosper after being sold by the Portuguese tactician.

5. Memphis Depay

Memphis Depay arrived at Manchester United amidst much speculation and expectations in 2015 from PSV Eindhoven, following an impressive season in which he scored 28 goals in 40 games in the league. The burden expectations scaled newer heights when he decided to wear the famous number 7 jersey.

However, Depay found it hard to adjust to the Premier League in the first season and found himself struggling for playing time. Mourinho arrived in 2016 – a move that looked like a fresh start for the Dutchman.

But all hopes went wrong as Mourinho so badly overlooked Depay that he just played 79 minutes during his tenure under the Special One.

Depay found his feet after Mourinho sold him to Lyon in 2017. He ransacked the defences week in week out with goals and assists and also cemented his place in the Netherlands’ starting XI.4. Romelu Lukaku

Romelu Lukaku’s story with Jose Mourinho is a funny one. Mourinho was the man to show Lukaku the exit door when he arrived for his second stint in the Stamford Bridge in 2014.

Back then, Chelsea had no options for their misfiring duo of strikers – Fernando Torres and Demba Ba. Lukaku failed to impress Mourinho by missing a penalty in the UEFA Super Cup clash and found himself being loaned out to Everton while Samuel Eto’o was brought in to fill thr void.

In the end, Lukaku scored 15 goals for the Toffees that season more than Torres, Eto’o and Ba last season. The next season, the Belgian still had no chance to get incorporated into the team at Chelsea so he made his Everton move permanent.

Lukaku scored 87 goals in 166 games for Everton prior to securing a big-money move to Manchester United to play under Mourinho in 2017.3. Leonardo Bonucci

Surprised, right? When did Mourinho coach Bonucci in the first place? Well, the story goes back to 2008, when a young Bonucci was bought by Inter Milan but the arrival of Mourinho saw him being loaned out to Treviso.

The next season, Bonucci again found it hard to make the first team with Mourinho’s options of Lucio, Samuel, Cordoba and Materazzi. The Italian was finally sold to Genoa in exchange for Diego Milito and Thiago Motta.

In 2010, Bonucci joined Juventus and has since become one of the best players in the world, winning loads of domestic title with the Bianconeri.2. Kevin De Bruyne

Seeing the monster that Kevin De Bruyne has become at Manchester City, it is surprising to know Mourinho didn’t see through the Belgian in the right manner.

De Bruyne signed for Chelsea in 2012 and returned the following year after a successful loan with Werder Bremen. He had offers from clubs like Borussia Dortmund, but Mourinho convinced him in staying put, promising him of regular playing time.

However, Mourinho failed to keep his word and saw De Bruyne permanently quit Stamford Bridge for Wolfsburg in 2014. In season 2014/15, De Bruyne scored 16 goals and assisted 27 more in 51 games for the club.

1. Mohammed Salah

Mohammed Salah will remain one of the greatest regrets in the history of Chelsea. Salah was initially close to signing for Liverpool before Mourinho swooped in at the last minute to get the Egyptian in 2014.

However, the move turned out to be wrong for Salah, who managed to play only 14 times for the Blues before moving on loan to Fiorentina in 2015. He made a second loan move to AS Roma and then switched permanently to the Serie A.

In 2017/18, Salah returned to Premier League with Liverpool this time, only to show Chelsea how grave a mistake they had committed. Since hid move to Anfield, the Egyptian has won the Champions League and also the Premier League Golden Boot.