Chelsea Transfers: Rating Mourinho's 10 Biggest Deals Of The Summer

8. Ashley Cole - RELEASED

Ol' Ashley may have been a bit insufferable as a person, but by golly he was a fine defender. Probably the best player in his position in the world at his peak, he was controversially signed by Jose Mourinho in a ridiculous bargain that saw £5 million and the eternally huffy William Gallas head the other way. Cole took a little while to settle in at the Bridge, only really coming into his own in the aftermath of Mourinho's acrimonious departure, but he made the left full-back position his own and utterly impenetrable for any opposition winger seeking to gain an advantage. Meanwhile, Gallas had four mostly hopeless years at Arsenal, two entirely hopeless years at Tottenham, before managing a year at Perth Glory in the A-League before being released this summer. No question who got the better deal there. Just as his form started picking up following Mourinho's departure, his decline coincidentally started to become more noticeable with his former boss' return. There was no animosity between the two, but Mourinho's realisation that Cesar Azpilicueta was as outstanding on the left as on his more natural right meant Cole suddenly found himself with a younger, fitter rival who offered more of the defensive reliability which his manager loves above all else. It was no surprise when Cole decided to leave the club following the expiry of his contract, heading to Rome where he will no doubt flourish in the more technically-minded Serie A. Despite the signing of Filipe Luis, though, Chelsea find themselves desperately lacking backup options in defence, so while he wasn't the player he was, fans will be hoping that an injury crisis doesn't lead the club to regret releasing one of their all-time greats so early. Rating: 4/10