Following on from the emphatic 3-1 victory at Upton Park against a limited West Ham United side, Chelsea?s intentions to sign Maniche look like a wise move indeed.
The Portuguese international, currently plying his trade with Dinamo Moscow, may well be needed to bolster a midfield that could be deprived of the talents of Michael Essien for some time.
After apparently negotiating some leeway in the conditions that apply to Essien?s participation in the Africa Nations Cup, it?s cruel that any participation at all could now be curtailed after a crude challenge from West Ham?s, Nigel Reo-Coker.
Caught just above the ankle, Essien gamely tried to carry on but had to quickly succumb to the pain before being carried off on a stretcher. In his post match interview Mourinho remarked:
?We have to wait, I don?t know how serious Essien?s injury is but all I know is that he cannot walk and his ankle is swollen.?
?I don?t want to speak about Reo-Coker but I can imagine what would have been said if it had been the other way around.?
Indeed at the time of writing Chelsea are still awaiting the results of the scans whilst the Football Association have already confirmed that Reo-Coker will not face any further action as the incident was apparently closed once the referee, Howard Webb, had taken the easy option by simply awarding Chelsea a free kick.
With Essien injured and facing the prospect of losing the versatile Geremi for the aforementioned African Nations Cup, Mourinho will be acutely aware that his midfield is in danger of becoming lightweight.
Indeed, with Jarosik and Veron out on loan and with Tiago having been sold to Lyon, Mourinho will be aware that any further injuries could hamper Chelsea?s chances of progressing in both the Premiership and the Champions League.
Therefore, taking Maniche on loan is nothing short of necessary. Mourinho knows the player inside out, after spending time with him at both Porto and Benfica. He?ll also be acutely aware of the player?s ability to fit into a squad that has the most unique team spirit in the Premiership.
More importantly, Maniche himself seems more than keen to join his fellow Porto exiles, Carvalho and Ferreira, at Stamford Bridge explaining to the media during the past couple of days:
?I hope to pass the medical and join up with Chelsea in January, I?m counting the days.?
?I have had offers from other big European teams but once Chelsea became interested there was only one team, I?d be crazy to turn them down.?
?Mourinho is the key to me signing; he has been after me for some time. He is my maestro. He knows me from my time at Porto and Benfica.?
Maniche also comes with the added bonus of being eligible for the Champions League, a competition Mourinho had already resigned himself to being without the influential Essien for the crucial ties against Catalan giants, Barcelona.
For Maniche himself it remains a splendid opportunity to kick start his career with one of, if not the biggest clubs in Europe. If he proves he?s able to adapt to the hustle and bustle of the Premiership a reported £5million permanent move beckons.
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