Mourinho: Max-Alain Gradel Was Good Enough for Chelsea
José Mourinho, the former Chelsea manager, has heaped praise on Ivorian winger Max-Alain Gradel, suggesting the player had the quality to feature for the Premier League giants.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Mourinho used Gradel’s recent move to Bournemouth from AS Saint-Étienne as an example of the ever-increasing quality and depth within English clubs — even outside the traditional “Big Six.”
“Every club has very good players, so I think it will be difficult for the best teams in England because of the competition,” said Mourinho. Referring to summer transfers across the Premier League, he pointed out, “West Ham got a player from Marseille and Bournemouth got a good African player from Saint-Étienne.”
The “good African player” in question is none other than Max-Alain Gradel, who joined Bournemouth following an impressive season in France, where he scored 17 goals in Ligue 1 with Les Verts.
Mourinho didn’t hesitate to affirm the winger’s quality. “These players could have played in our team. Cabaye could have played for Chelsea — who can doubt that? Gradel could have played for Chelsea. Who can doubt that?”
For Gradel, who was instrumental in Saint-Étienne’s attacking threat last season and remains a key figure for the Ivory Coast national team, Mourinho’s comments will come as a significant endorsement. The praise not only highlights his individual talent but also places him in the elite bracket of players capable of performing at the highest level of English football.
Gradel’s move to Bournemouth reunites him with manager Eddie Howe, under whom he played during a loan spell in 2007. With Premier League football now a reality for the 27-year-old, and the backing of a two-time Champions League-winning coach like Mourinho, Gradel’s stock continues to rise.
While he may not have ended up at Stamford Bridge, the “Special One’s” admiration is a reminder of the talent Gradel brings to the pitch — and the potential impact he could make in the English top flight.
