News
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According to the Sun, Inter Milan will table an official bid to Chelsea within 48 hours for England international Frank Lampard.
The 30-year-old’s future in West London has been in doubt for most of the past season, as having still yet to sign a new contract at the club, he is said to be strongly considering a new experience in a foreign league.
Lampard is hugely admired by new Inter boss Jose Mourinho, who of course coached him at Chelsea, and ‘The Special One’ has tagged the midfielder as his primary summer transfer target.
Yesterday Lampard’s Italian agent stated that he would be having a meeting with Inter in 10 days to talk about the player.
Today however, The Sun claims that the Nerazzurri will actually present an official transfer offer of €9.24m (£6.6m) for the goalscoring midfielder.
New Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari is said to be desperate to keep Lampard however, and has arranged a meeting with the player for next Thursday, where he will attempt to convince him to stay at Stamford Bridge.
Lampard is yet to comment on all the recent speculation as he is currently on holiday, and will not return until Wednesday.
by Luca Capofranco,Goal.Com
Written by Darkvader on June 20th, 2008 with no comments.
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Chelsea are the latest name to be linked with a summer swoop for Croatia midfielder Ivan Rakitic, who has already attracted strong interest from some of Europe’s heavyweights…
by Mike Maguire from Goal.com
The 20-year-old has been one of Croatia’s standouts at EURO 2008 thus far, more than holding his own in a midfield containing the likes of Luka Modric and Niko Kranjcar.
The Schalke playmaker has been pushed out to the right side of midfield by Slaven Bilic, where his technique, vision and link play have attracted significant attention.
Juventus have tagged the former FC Basel man as a potential successor to Czech legend Pavel Nedved, while Internazionale have also expressed an interest.
And now The Sun reports that Chelsea have been checking out the Swiss-born Croat, who is expected to cost around ₤12million.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has been in Austria to watch his native Russia compete in Group D, and will no doubt have kept a close eye Rakitic’s efforts as Croatia topped Group B.
Incoming Blues boss Luiz Felipe Scolari may also get the chance to have a good hard look at the exciting youngster, as his Portugal side could well meet the Vatreni in the semi-finals.
Written by Darkvader on June 17th, 2008 with no comments.
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Despite being warned off Kaka by AC Milan technical director Leonardo, Luis Filipe Scolari is apparently still determined to land the Brazilian ace. Scolari knows him well from his time with the national team, and apparently believes that he should be Chelsea’s number one target…
The newly-installed manager will take over at Stamford Bridge after Portugal’s involvement in Euro 2008 comes to an end, and already speculation has begun as to his transfer targets will be.
The Daily Mail claims that Kaka tops the shopping list of the veteran boss, who is eager to see the AC Milan star in the blue shirt of Chelsea come next season.
And despite the fact that AC Milan are determined to hold onto their top asset, Scolari apparently told Chelsea CEO Peter Kenyon last week that he’s confident that a bid of £60m (€75m) could force the rossoneris’ hand.
A factor playing in Chelsea’s favour is that they have one player who Milan have publicly aimed for: Didier Drogba. The striker may be used as a part-exchange bargaining chip, as could former rossonero Andrei Shevchenko.
After the disappointment of being edged out of both the title race and the Champions League final last season, it is thought that Chelsea will spare no expense in seeking silverware this year.
by Steve Michaels, Goal.com
Written by Darkvader on June 13th, 2008 with no comments.
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Ronaldinho is on track to become one of Luiz Felipe Scolari’s first Chelsea signings, after the player’s agent hinted the Barcelona star would welcome the switch…
According to The Sun, Scolari will contact the two-time FIFA World Player of the Year within the next few days to gauge his psychological and emotional state before proceeding with negotiations.
The 28-year-old endured a horror season at Camp Nou, making only 17 appearances in La Liga as he struggled with fitness, form and personal problems.
While the ex-Gremio playmaker has been universally flagged as a high-risk venture, Scolari – who coached Brazil to victory the 2002 World Cup – may be keen to reunite with the sublimely skilful player who was so crucial in the Selecao’s success in Japan and Korea.
Ronaldinho’s brother and agent, Roberto de Assis, said: “At the moment Ronaldinho is taking a complete break at home in Porte Alegre.
“There are options for next season and obviously he knows Scolari very well and they have enjoyed great success together.
“We’ll see what happens but my brother will be ready for next season.â€
Competition
Assis has met with Chelsea in the past, as Blues owner Roman Abramovich has long targeted Ronaldinho as one of his dream signings.
But the west Londoners will face strong competition from Manchester City, whose owner Thaksin Shinawatra is equally desperate to land the Brazilian superstar and recently received the go ahead from new manager Mark Hughes.
Barca are willing sell and are asking around ₤20million for the former Paris Saint Germain man, who will demand wages in the vicinity of ₤120,000-per-week – figures that are unlikely to deter either of the cashed-up Premier League clubs.
by Mike Maguire,Goal.com
Written by Darkvader on June 12th, 2008 with no comments.
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The appointment of Luiz Felipe Scolari as the new manager of Chelsea is likely to see Frank Lampard on his way to Inter Milan, according to reports in England and Italy.
Scolari, who is currently coaching Portugal at the European Championships in Austria and Switzerland, was yesterday named as the new manager of Chelsea, and he will start his new job on July 1.
The first signing of Big Phil’s reign is likely to be Barcelona playmaker Deco, who is an integral part of Scolari’s Portugal team.
The arrival of Deco would almost certainly signal the end of Frank Lampard’s Chelsea career. The 30-year-old has been heavily linked with a summer move abroad from several months now.
Lampard is hugely admired by ex-Chelsea manager, and new Inter boss Jose Mourinho, and reports in England and Italy say that the two will now be re-united.
The Nerazzurri’s primary transfer target this summer is an attacking centre midfielder, and Mourinho believes that Lampard’s prolific scoring record is just what the team needs.
by Luca Capofranco,Goal.com
Written by Darkvader on June 12th, 2008 with no comments.
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Chelsea have confirmed that they have appointed Luiz Felipe Scolari as their new manager…
The current Portugal boss has been linked with the post for the past couple of weeks in particular, though he has remained adamant he would not make a decision on his future until after Euro 2008.
However, as other candidates continued to rule themselves out of the job, it appears the Brazilian coach has made the decision early, and he will take over at Stamford Bridge from July 1.
“Chelsea Football Club is delighted to confirm that Luiz Felipe Scolari will be the club’s new manager from July 1, 2008,” read a statement on the club’s official website.
“Felipe has great qualities. He is one of the world’s top coaches with a record of success at country and club level, he gets the best out of a talented squad of players and his ambitions and expectations match ours. He was the outstanding choice.
“Out of respect for his current role as Head Coach of the Portuguese national team, and to ensure minimum disruption to this work, there will be no further comment from Chelsea FC nor from Felipe about his new role until his employment with us commences.”
Scolari is best known for winning the World Cup with Brazil in 2002, and he has since taken Portugal to two semi-finals and a final in his time as manager, establishing them as top contenders on the international stage.
He has no club management experience in Europe, but has had success with Brazilian club Gremio, where he won the Copa Libertadores.
by Sulmaan Ahmad, Goal.com
Written by Darkvader on June 11th, 2008 with no comments.
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It has emerged that Frenchman Franck Ribéry has become the top transfer target for Chelsea and that they are willing to break the British transfer record to get him.
Reports in today’s Daily Mail claim that owner Roman Abramovich is willing to part with £31 million in order to prise the talented Frenchman away from Bundesliga side Bayern Munich.
The story claims that Blues chief executive Peter Kenyon has already made contact with the German giants, although a decision over any transfer will not be made until after the completion of this summer’s European Championships.
Bayern under new trainer Jürgen Klinsmann will obviously want to keep Ribéry at the club after he dazzled for them last season on the way to clinching a league and Cup double.
He was voted their ‘Player of the Year’ and will be a key member of the side next season as they look to win the Champions League.
He joined Bayern last summer from Marseille for £16, but his value has rocketed on the back of last season’s showing.
Chelsea will now need to pay just over the £30.8m they spent on Andriy Shevchenko two seasons ago, but it’s understood Russian billionaire Abramovich is prepared to do it.
by Mathew Burt,Goal.com
Written by Darkvader on June 9th, 2008 with no comments.
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Roma coach Luciano Spalletti may leave the Giallorossi according to La Gazzetta Dello Sport.
The Coppa Italia winning coach has been followed by Chelsea, who are looking for someone to replace the sacked Avram Grant on the bench at Stamford Bridge.
Spalletti met with Blues chief Roman Abrahamovich earlier this week in Paris to discuss possibilities of a move and now Roma are demanding answers from the bald headed tactician.
Gazzetta claim that Spalletti had an emergency meeting with Roma sporting director Daniele Prade at the club’s Trigoria headquarters late on Friday evening.
It is not yet known what was said but it seems as if they both spoke about the coach’s future at the club.
After the meeting there was silence between the two as they both left and went on their own separate ways.
Both Spalletti are Prade are set to meet again on Monday, amidst fears he may leave, to clarify the awkward situation as the club wants to know why the coach went to meet Abrahamovich without even asking them to.
It seems as if the coach’s days at Olimpico are numbered following this latest set-back
by Salvatore Landolina,Goal.com
Written by Darkvader on June 7th, 2008 with no comments.
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Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Agüero has turned down the opportunity to join Chelsea after the West London club agreed to pay the release clause of his contract.
Agüero has enjoyed a superb second season in the Spanish top flight, scoring a number of vital goals and establishing himself as one of the best young players in world football.
Such performances have clearly garnered attention for the 19 year old, with ‘AS’ reporting that a number of clubs have approached Atletico in the last week with proposals to sign Agüero.
Atletico rejected most of the offers out of hand, but were forced to accept Chelsea’s bid as it matched Agüero’s release clause of €55million.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is keen to start a new era at Stamford Bridge following the likely break-up of the Jose Mourinho crafted team and is looking for exciting young talents who can fulfil his wish for attractive attacking football.
Agüero is one such player, but has rejected the opportunity to join Chelsea, indicating that he prefers to show loyalty to Atletico and continue the development of his game in Spain rather than make the jump to England.
The Argentine striker has settled well at Atletico and is clearly keen to repay the faith they showed in him by spending €20-odd million to sign him from Independiente in 2006, especially with the lure of Champions League football next season.
Inter Milan are thought to have been one of the other clubs that approached Atletico in the last week but with the Italian club unwilling to match Chelsea’s offer and Agüero intent on staying in Madrid, there interest seems futile for now.
by Nick Dorrington,Goal.com
Written by Darkvader on June 7th, 2008 with no comments.
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The contenders for the Chelsea job have dwindled to just two, with Frank Rijkaard and Roberto Mancini set to be interviewed for the position next week…
Neither of the pair have yet been officially contacted by the Blues, but with options rapidly disappearing the club are keen to make a move, according to The Sun.
Former Blackburn boss Mark Hughes has opted to join Manchester City, while perennial favourite Guus Hiddink is likely to continue coaching Russia until after the 2010 World Cup.
And Carlo Ancelotti’s announcement that he will stay with AC Milan has narrowed the field to just two key contenders, both of whom would not be short of offers elsewhere.
Rijkaard and Mancini rejected the opportunity to join Chelsea last September, following the mutually agreed departure of Jose Mourinho.
The Special One has since succeeded Mancini at Inter Milan, and the Italian is reportedly keen to return the favour by taking the reins at Stamford Bridge following the recent termination of Avram Grant.
Chelsea are wary of possible baggage the 43-year-old could bring with him, as the former Lazio striker has been caught up in a police investigation regarding phone calls supposedly made to a known drug dealer.
Mancini is not under investigation himself, but the news swept the Italian media and he is threatening the sue Inter if they are discovered to be in any way responsible.
Rijkaard is facing personal issues of his own, but he nonetheless has the full backing of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and his advisers, including academy director Frank Arnesen and football consultant Piet de Visser.
The club are intent on conducting the interviews while the rest of the world is focused on EURO 2008, thus affording them a rare moment out of the spotlight.
by Mike Maguire,Goal.com
Written by Darkvader on June 5th, 2008 with no comments.
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