Jose Mourinho is not sure how old his lead striker really is, and it highlights a much bigger problem in African football.
Jose revealed his confusion of the true age of African legend Samuel Eto’o ahead of the club’s UEFA Champions League clash with Turkish side Galatasaray on Wednesday night in Istanbul.
The outspoken Portuguese manager has been left furious after his private conversation with boss of Swiss watch-makers Hublot was caught on video by French broadcasters Canal+ and briefly broadcast on their website.
Mourinho was explaining that his strikers – including Senegal star Demba Ba and Spain ace Fernando Torres – were off goal scoring form, and suggested that Eto’o, who is a renowned marksman, could be past his prime.
“The problem with Chelsea is I lack a scorer,” said Mourinho. “I have Eto’o but he is 32 years old, maybe 35, who knows?”
The former Inter Milan and Real Madrid manager’s comment once again highlights the age cheating problem that has dogged the African game for quite some time.
The result has been that the official ages of players born on the continent are never really trusted around the world, including in Africa.
Meanwhile Mourinho went on to reveal his interest in 50m pounds-rated Colombia striker Radamel Falcao who currently plays for French side Monaco.
“I need a striker. Falcao needs a club. A player like him cannot play in front of 3,000 people. Monaco is a club to end (your career with).”
By: Gary Al-Smith/citifmonline.com/Ghana