Chelsea Fc Thread

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Mourinho insistant over Robben

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has once again insisted that he wants Arjen Robben to stay at the club.

The Blues have flown out to America for a pre-season training camp and Dutch star Robben is with them - despite Real Madrid efforts to sign him.

Florent Malouda's arrival was seen by many as the precursor to Robben's exit, but Mourinho has denied this.

"When you specifically talk about Arjen's name I want to make it very, very clear that the fact we have signed Malouda does not open the door for him to leave," Mourinho told Sky Sports News.

"I want to keep them both, and I would like to keep Arjen.

"He has two more years left on his contract with the club and as everyone knows Chelsea is in negotiation process with him to negotiate a new contract and hopefully we can do it and he stays."

Away from the Robben situation, Mourinho is very happy with his squad, which boasts five new faces.

"If last season was not a perfect season in terms of results we wanted, we know what problems we had, and we know them as individuals and this is the squad we believe in," he said.

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Bridge concerned by injury

Wayne Bridge admits he is unsure if he will be fit to start the season with Chelsea.

The full-back is receiving treatment on a hip injury picked up while on international duty with England earlier in the summer.

He is due to undergo a scan on the problem in the United States, where Chelsea are currently preparing for the new Premier League campaign.

Bridge is frustrated that the injury is hampering his efforts to get fit and is still uncertain as to the severity of the hip complaint.

"Obviously I picked up a little injury, so I'm not too good," Bridge told Chelsea TV.

"I just want to get it over with and out of the way really.

"I will go and see someone, and have a few more scans, and see what's said and take it from there.

"It's very frustrating. No player wants to miss pre-season, it's one of the things you've got to do to get over all the muscle aches and everything.

"I'm going to have to work especially hard, but it depends on what happens. I don't know when or where yet."

When asked if he was confident of being fit for the season opener against Birmingham on 12th August, Bridge replied: "I don't know, I'm not sure."

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Jose's a fan of wide boys

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has moved to play down reports that have intimated Florent Malouda's arrival at Stamford Bridge will signal the departure of Arjen Robben.

Contract talks between the Dutch winger and Chelsea officials recently broke down and it has been widely reported that Real Madrid are waiting in the wings for long-time target Robben.

The signing of Malouda from Lyon in a £13million deal has only added further fuel to such speculation, but Mourinho is confident the pair could play in tandem.

"We have competition almost in every position and I think that is very, very important," Mourinho said.

"I know that everybody is watching Florent and Robben in the same squad but you have to remember that, in my opinion, the best football we played in the last three years was when Robben and (Damien) Duff were playing together in the same team.

"So why can't Florent and Arjen play together?

"Yes, there is competition between them but yes, they can play together in the same team.

"And I want to make it very, very clear that he's not here to replace anybody. I understand that many people think that's why he's coming but that's not the objective."

It is expected that Malouda should not have too many problems adapting to life at his new club, given he already has a strong relationship with a number of Chelsea's players, the likes of Michael Essien, Didier Drogba and Claude Makelele were former team-mates, and Mourinho admits he tapped into the knowledge of these players before completing the deal.

And it would appear Malouda was given glowing references: "He played before with Didier and Essien and also with Maka in the national team so we know a lot about him.

"We got some inside information about him, not as a player - as a player we already know him - but as a person, his mentality, the way he can adapt to the group. And I think already he feels very, very much at home.

"He knows a lot of the players, he can speak some good English and there are a lot of French-speaking players so it is very easy for him to adapt and our squad is much stronger with a player like him."

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Malouda to thrive under pressure

Florent Malouda insists he will not buckle under the pressure of his £13million move to Chelsea.

The winger has quit French champions Lyon in favour of a switch to Stamford Bridge and has linked up with his new team-mates in Los Angeles.

He is aware of the arduous nature of the Premier League, but he is confident he can rise to the challenge of playing for The Blues.

"The English championship is hard, is strong," said Malouda at a news conference in the United States.

"You have to be at 150 per cent every time and I hope it will be a success for me.

"It's a part of my work, my job, pressure. I need pressure to be at my best to be a better play.

"It's something I learn to live with it."

Malouda also outlined his desire to win trophies with Chelsea, suggesting the UEFA Champions League would be a prime target.

He added: "It's an evolution in my career. I came to Chelsea to try to win all the competitions I didn't win already.

"I think the group and the players are competitive."

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Mourinho and Abramovich end rift

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has revealed that he and club owner Roman Abramovich held clear-the-air talks at Stamford Bridge last week.

A rift between the pair overshadowed Chelsea's efforts last season.

But speaking in Los Angeles, Mourinho said: "It was a long and enjoyable meeting. I was more than delighted. The air is clear and there's no problem."

Chelsea's US tour got off to a good start as new signing Florent Malouda scored in a 2-1 win over Club America.

Malouda struck a 75th-minute equaliser before setting up skipper John Terry to head in the winner.

New signings Tal Ben Haim and Steve Sidwell also tasted their first action in a Chelsea shirt but Blues fans will be more pleased to hear news of Mourinho and Abramovich's reconciliation.

BBC Five Live correspondent Nigel Adderley is in Los Angeles and reported: "A breakdown of communications last season seemed to suggest Mourinho was on his way out of Chelsea.

"But their first formal meeting for six months has cleared the air and now the manager is hopeful of staying for another four years at least."

Mourinho's contract ends in 2010 and he said he would be happy to see it out - and could even stay longer.

"I am in my fourth season here and if I can carry on five, six, seven, eight years, then I will go on without any problem," he said.

"I have no desire to change and try something different in Italy or Spain. I don't have that desire.

"I want to stay - and if Chelsea had wanted to make a change, they would have done it by now."

Looking ahead to the new season, Mourinho sent a warning to midfielder Michael Ballack, saying he is looking to ditch the diamond formation which best suits the German star.

"I want to go back to wingers and play attacking football," Mourinho explained. "The objective of having players like Robben, Cole, Malouda and Kalou is because we want to give width to our game, to give speed, to give creativity.

"I don't want to play football with a diamond any more.

"So I don't think it will be easy for Ballack. But he's a top player, a top personality and I think he's the kind of guy ready to fight for a place."

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Malouda sparks blues success

Chelsea kicked off their pre-season tour of America with late 2-1 win over Mexican outfit Club America.

Jose Mourinho's side were slow starters to the contest and found themselves behind after just four minutes.

Juan Carlos Mosqueda's speculative long-range strike caught out keeper Petr Cech to give Club America a surprise lead.

Chelsea showed brief moments of class, but it took the half-time introduction of new signing Florent Malouda to spark a revival.

Heavy Chelsea pressure finally told in the 75th minute when Malouda's perfectly angled shot eluded a number of defenders before dribbling into the net.

Mourinho's side had their tails up and it came as no surprise when John Terry headed home Malouda's free-kick to complete a fine comeback.

Chelsea now tackle Korean side Suwon Bluewings before taking on David Beckham's LA Galaxy.

Mourinho was pleased with his side's run-out and has thanked Club America for playing their part in a fine contest.

"I'm pleased," stated the Portuguese tactician. "It was a very good training session.

"I want to thank Club America because they gave us exactly what we needed - good competition.

"It was a very good game by our team. There was good passing by our team, good defence, and a good overall game."

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Jose confident over trio

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is confident Frank Lampard, John Terry and Arjen Robben will stay at the club.

The trio have yet to agree new deals at Stamford Bridge with contract talks stalling between all parties.

Real Madrid have been strongly linked with a move for Robben, while a number of top clubs across Europe are thought to be monitoring Lampard's and Terry's situation in West London.

Mourinho is determined to keep the trio and he believes all three want to stay at Stamford Bridge.

"Frank Lampard, John Terry and Arjen Robben want to stay," Mourinho told the Mail on Sunday.

"Chelsea want them to stay. But who knows, maybe tomorrow one of them signs a new contract.

"I don't think Robben will go."

Mourinho also rejected renewed speculation that Andrei Shevchenko could leave the club to return to Milan.

Reports in Italy suggest Milan are close to agreeing a deal to bring the Ukrainian ace back to the San Siro with the player believed to be keen on the switch.

However, Mourinho has dismissed the rumours and says he has not heard anything from Shevchenko about looking for a move away.

When asked if Shevchenko would stay at Chelsea, Mourinho said: "Why not? He's here.

"He didn't say that to me [that he wanted to leave]. He is working since day one, he's playing, he does his work, his personality didn't change. For me he looks the same Sheva."

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Mourinho upbeat over Shevchenko

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has insisted that striker Andriy Shevchenko can be a key player for the Blues next season.

The 30-year-old Ukrainian scored four Premiership goals in his first season after his £30m switch from AC Milan.

But Mourinho told BBC Five Live: "If he performs and shows me match after match he deserves to play, I'm very happy.

"I hope Sheva can do it. If Sheva plays magnificently I have to play him and Didier Drogba together, that is no problem for me."

Shevchenko's lack of goals in his first season at Stamford Bridge fuelled speculation that he could leave the club during the summer.

But Mourinho insisted that he had no favourites at the club and said every player had the chance to make the first team.

"We have a lot of good players and I'm not the kind of coach that gives places just because of faces or names," he said.

"With me, everybody has to fight for a place and I think they have a difficult task because the squad is really good."

"What we want is free competition between players and players, with their performances, to influence my decisions.

"So, I'm not stupid, I see if a player is performing at a high level."

Mourinho was speaking during Chelsea's pre-season tour of north America where the club's business affairs director Paul Smith revealed the club was building business ties with the Disney corporation.

Smith said the link would entail Chelsea sending coaches to the United States for seminars during the forthcoming season.

He added that he hoped the link-up would ultimately lead to Chelsea having a presence at Disneyworld in Orlando, Florida

"They get 10 million visitors a year, so Chelsea will be in the line of vision," he stated.

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Blues confirm Bridge blow

Chelsea have confirmed Wayne Bridge has undergone surgery on his troublesome hip injury.

Bridge looks certain to miss the start of the new season next month after being forced to go under the knife.

The England international had been struggling with the problem in training and after seeing a specialist it was decided to send him for surgery to correct the injury

Chelsea club doctor Alex Nieper confirmed Bridge could be sidelined for up to three months with the problem.

"Wayne Bridge has been struggling with a right hip problem for the last few weeks," Nieper told Chelsea TV.

"We decided while we were out here for him to see a world-renowned hip surgeon who agreed he did need hip surgery due to a cartilage defect.

"The operation was carried out this week and a piece of bone was removed which was the source of the problem. Wayne is not on crutches and should be back in two to three months."

With Ashley Cole also still recovering from injury, it means summer signing Tal Ben Haim is likely to deputise at left-back for the first few weeks of the season.

Meanwhile, there is better news on Michael Ballack who should be fit for the big kick-off.

Ballack has missed Chelsea's tour of America after undergoing an ankle operation.

The German is making good progress in his recovery and Nieper is confident he will be available for the opening weekend of the season.

"Michael is recovering from a second ankle operation and he went back to Germany to see the surgeon who is happy with the wound," added Nieper.

"Michael is back in London, getting his stitches removed and this week he is starting running again so fingers crossed, he will be set for the first Premier League match."

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Cole happy for life in the wings

Joe Cole believes plans to revert to the tried and tested will help Chelsea in their bid to regain the Premier League title.

Stamford Bridge manager Jose Mourinho has revealed he is to return to the 4-3-3 formation that served the former champions so well in their two Premier League title winning seasons, prior to surrendering the crown to Manchester United last year.

Chelsea had favoured the formation, which saw two advanced wingers supporting a lone striker, in previous campaigns and Cole believes that it was only injury problems to vital players that enforced last season's strategic shuffle to a diamond formation.

The 25-year-old missed the majority of the last campaign through medial knee ligament damage and a fractured foot, and he was joined on the long-term injured list by fellow wingers Arjen Robben and Shaun Wright-Phillips.

However, having recovered fitness along with Robben and Wright-Phillips, Cole is now optimistic ahead of the new season.

"I think the 4-3-3 formation is our best formation," Cole told The Daily Star.

"I feel it's much better than playing the diamond formation but our hands were tied last season.

"I think the manager would have played 4-3-3 last season, but with so many injuries he had fewer options."

Mourinho has also added Florent Malouda, in a £13.5million move from Lyon, to the Chelsea squad and Cole sees the French winger as a welcome arrival.

"This year the squad is stronger, we are quietly confident, and Malouda has looked good," said Cole.

"He got himself a goal in his first game against Club America, looks a quality player and has great pedigree.

"Maybe as we've got four, maybe five, wingers we've got strength in depth and options now.

"I think the squad is as strong now as at anytime that I've been at Chelsea."

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Cole caution after Bridge surgery

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho admits he will be cautious with Ashley Cole after Wayne Bridge was ruled out for two months with a hip injury.

England defender Cole is also on the comeback trail after ankle surgery.

He was scheduled to return to training on Chelsea's American tour, but Mourinho will now monitor his progress.

Mourinho said: "Ashley is the only left-back we have so we have to take care of him. He'll be back only in very, very safe conditions."

He added: "Normally, he will go into the team next week when we go back to London and hopefully he'll start the season in the match against Manchester United for the Community Shield."

Bridge will miss the start of the season after undergoing hip surgery in the United States.

Club doctor Alex Nieper told Chelsea TV: "The operation was carried out this week and a piece of bone was removed which was the source of the problem.

"Wayne is not on crutches and should be back in two to three months."

The 26-year-old Bridge pulled out of a training session on the club's US tour on Friday.

"Bridge has been struggling with a right hip problem for the last few weeks," added Nieper.

"We decided while we were out here for him to see a world-renowned hip surgeon who agreed he did need hip surgery due to a cartilage defect."

Chelsea's first Premier League game is against Birmingham on 12 August, with Bridge possibly not available until late September.

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Drogba goal sinks Bluewings

A goal ten minutes from time from Didier Drogba secured Chelsea a 1-0 victory over Suwon Bluewings.

The Ivorian striker, one of ten second-half changes made by Jose Mourinho, converted a great pass from Shaun Wright-Phillips with a crisp volley to earn the Blues the second win of their US tour.

A crowd of 15,349 watched the match, which also saw David Beckham's LA Galaxy hammered 3-0 by Mexican side Tigres.

The Blues went close after 11 minutes when Michael Essien cracked a first-time volley against the bar from five yards after John Terry had headed on a corner.

But the Bluewings could have taken the lead just before the break when Glen Johnson's error let in the Korean captain Lee Kwon Woo but he fired wide of Petr Cech.

Chelsea's second-half strike-force of Drogba and Wright-Phillips looked threatening and Drogba was denied after 48 minutes when Kim Dae Hwan beat away an effort from a tight angle.

Arjen Robben was also denied when his low drive was hacked off the line and then Drogba's low shot hit the post.

But Chelsea eventually broke the deadlock when Wright-Phillips crossed from the right after good work from John Obi Mikel and Drogba did the rest with a neat finish.

Chelsea round off their tour with a match against LA Galaxy on Saturday.

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Terry 'breaks toe in US friendly'

Chelsea captain John Terry reportedly broke a toe in the 1-0 win over the Suwon Bluewings on Wednesday.

The Blues are on tour in the United States and the 26-year-old England defender played until half-time when he went off in a pre-planned substitution.

It has been claimed he was given a painkilling injection and could return to face Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday.

Other reports suggest that Terry has now agreed a new lucrative five-year contract to stay at Stamford Bridge.

Along with Chelsea team-mate Frank Lampard, Terry had two years left on his previous deal.

Terry is expected to put pen to paper on his new contract when the club return to England from their tour of the United States next week.

His latest injury adds to Blues boss Jose Mourinho's concerns, with fellow defender Wayne Bridge ruled out for two months because of a hip problem.

However, it seems likely that Terry will be fully fit for the start of the season and is also set to be available for England's friendly against Germany on 22 August.

[PattayaAddict]

Mourinho ROCKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Mourinho ROCKS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jose's feeling good

He might have damaged his hamstring playing in goal for his staff team, but José Mourinho is a very happy man at Chelsea.

Speaking prior to his team's penalties victory over the British Press XI on Thursday afternoon in Los Angeles, Mourinho said he is feeling the best he has done for a long time, and is eagerly looking forward to his fourth season at the club.

'I'm happy with the club, I'm happy with the structure, I'm happy with the support and communication, and my players are fantastic,' he enthused.

He also confessed we may see a different José Mourinho when the season kicks off.

'I don't want to communicate with people outside my club. I don't want to because I don't need to send messages to my club through the press. The communication in this moment is fantastic. In my club, everything is perfect. Me and the people outside, I just simply don't care. I'm not interested.'

The relaxed version of Mourinho is at ease with life at Stamford Bridge, and is positive for the season ahead.

'I'm optimistic. I won trophies in the last five years of my career, so not occasionally. This happens for some reason, and I think we're going in the same direction.

'We always have two big competitions, the Premiership and Champions League. The cups in England are very important too.'

While the main four competitions are the ones that matter, Mourinho will be hoping to add the World Series of Football trophy to his extensive list of Blues' silverware on Saturday, by sealing victory over LA Galaxy at the Home Depot Center in Carson City, California.

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LA Galaxy 0 - Chelsea 1

Chelsea's pre-season preparations continue to gather pace with a third consecutive victory, edging out a David Beckham-inspired LA Galaxy in a 1-0 victory.

Captain John Terry scored his second of pre-season with a low-left footed drive, that went in off Galaxy keeper Joe Cannon's left hand post.

While man of the moment Beckham couldn't feature from the start, it didn't stop a capacity 27,000 crowd, and a flood of A-list celebrities turning up to see the action.

Friends of the Beckhams Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes were spotted, as was Arnold Schwarzenegger, taking time off from governing the state of California to witness the Blues at the Home Depot Center.

Following on from Tigres' earlier 3-0 victory over Samsung Bluewings, we needed a six-goal margin of victory to guarantee the World Series of Soccer trophy, but this never looked likely despite there being plenty of chances on offer for the Blues.

The game, perhaps missing the allure a starting appearance from Beckham may have brought, took a while to get going, but in the tenth minute Ferreira's deep cross was met by Malouda, who volleyed low towards the bottom corner, but Cannon did well to beat the ball behind for a corner.

Already the vulnerability of the Galaxy defence was starting to show, with former Portugal international Abel Xavier looking particularly shaky.

It was Galaxy though who nearly opened the scoring two minutes later, when Petr Cech failed to deal with a cross on the edge of his area.

The rebound fell to Cobi Jones, but Cech made amends with a fine parry, diving at full stretch to keep the ball out.

Anybody expecting a one-sided contest would be disappointed, and it was Jones again causing trouble after 18 minutes.

His cross presented Kyle Martino, unmarked at the far post, with the simplest of headers, but somehow he contrived to miss the target, nodding tamely wide of Cech's right hand post.

In the 22nd minute, Malouda's raking past from the left put Salomon Kalou in on goal, but he too wasted his opportunity, failing to trouble Cannon in the Galaxy net, instead driving wide when well placed.

The French winger was beginning to find his range, and as another of his curling crosses was nodded away, Wright-Phillips was on hand to fire in a stinging half volley, which flashed past Cannon's post and behind the goal.

By the half hour mark, Chelsea's domination was such that a goal never looked far away, and when Ricardo Carvalho played a one-two with Ben-Haim inside the Galaxy box, it looked as though he had broken the deadlock, but his toe poke hit the side netting.

The next opportunity fell to Kalou, who beat Xavier with ease but was guilty of holding on to the ball too long, allowing Cannon to narrow the angle before he could get a decent shot away.

From the resulting corner, Terry headed well over when unmarked 12 yards out.

If Xavier was dangerous at his own end, he posed an equal threat in the Chelsea box. Donovan's 39th minute inswinging free kick found the blonde defender, whose header was goalbound before Cech used every inch of his 6'5 frame to tip the ball over the bar.

The second half saw Chelsea change to an attack-minded 4-3-3, with Essien and Malouda dropping back into defence, as John Mikel Obi and Joe Cole replaced Paulo Ferreira and Tal Ben Haim.

Andriy Shevchenko joined Kalou and Drogba up front as Shaun Wright-Phillips made way, and Carlo Cudicini replaced Cech in goal.

José Mourinho's changes had an immediate effect, as after 48 minutes Joe Cole's drive deflected to John Terry, who instinctively drove an unstoppable low effort in off Cannon's left hand post.

It was the captain's second goal of pre-season, and was the perfect catalyst for the Blues to press on and score more.

Less than a minute later Kalou could have doubled the lead, but his powerful header was directed straight at the keeper.

In the 54th minute, Chelsea set about creating the dream goal, as Shevchenko beat his man before playing a one-two with Kalou and squaring for Drogba, who slotted into the empty net.

Sadly the officials saw an offside somewhere, though the decision looked dubious, and we were denied a breathtaking second goal.

By the three quarter mark, the game had slowed and was waiting for one of two things to happen, though a second Chelsea goal and the introduction of Beckham still proved elusive.

Drogba headed over from close range, while Beckham tied his laces and jogged up and down the touchline.

In the 70th minute Galaxy skipper Landon Donovan missed the chance of the game, heading over from six yards as Cudicini remained stuck to his line.

With quarter of an hour to go, the crowd, much of it standing, began to grow impatient, chanting for the introduction of the Galaxy's latest signing, and they were finally rewarded two minutes later when he replaced Alan Gordon, slotting into central midfield.

The screams were deafening, and the flashes of a thousand cameras frantic. All that was missing was the firework display to welcome in the most high-profile player the MLS has yet to see.

This proved to be the final meaningful action of the game, ensuring the Blues sealed another victory and a clean sheet, and the crowd finally got to see their man.

All that was missing was the trophy to take home to England.

Chelsea (4-4-2): Cech (Cudicini 45); Ferreira (Mikel Obi 45), Carvalho, Terry ©, Ben-Haim (J Cole 45); Wright-Phillips (Shevchenko 45), Essien, Lampard (Sidwell 73), Malouda (Johnson 73); Drogba (Hutchinson 88), Kalou (Makelele 60).

Goal Terry 48

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Milan set to drop Shevchenko bid

AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi believes the club have been priced out of a move to take Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko back to the San Siro.

Shevchenko, 30, scored four Premiership goals in his first season after his £30m switch from AC Milan and has often been linked with a return to Italy.

Berlusconi told the club's television station: "We don't feel able to make any offer which can please Chelsea.

"There are insurmountable obstacles tied to the player's value."

Berlusconi added: "I'm very tied to Sheva and I have always expressed my approval for his possible return."

No one has yet signed for Milan this summer, despite the club saying they would buy one of Samuel Eto'o, Ronaldinho, Didier Drogba, Andriy Shevchenko or Brazil youngster Alexandre Pato.

"With the current squad we have we could say that we will do well next season. However we are in talks about two attackers, two champions, and we are confident at least one can play with us," Berlusconi said.

Earlier this month Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho insisted Shevchenko can be a key player for the Blues next season.

Mourinho told BBC Five Live: "If he performs and shows me match after match he deserves to play, I'm very happy.

"I hope Sheva can do it. If Sheva plays magnificently I have to play him and Didier Drogba together, that is no problem for me."

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Mourinho plans to mellow out

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has vowed to take a calmer approach to management this season.

The Portuguese tactician has never been out of the spotlight at Stamford Bridge since arriving at the club in the summer of 2004.

Mourinho has courted controversy during his time in charge at Chelsea with a number of high-profile spats with the likes of Arsene Wenger, Rafa Benitez and Sir Alex Ferguson.

The former Porto chief is determined to shed his bad-boy image and he insists he will be more mellow in the new season.

"I want to be more mellow this year," Mourinho told The Sun. "I am what I am but, at the same time, people use my personality to create something that is not true.

"It is normal if I am emotional or if I react to something that is not fair.

"But people have an image of me that's incorrect and now I want it to be different.

"I won't hug Arsene Wenger because he's not a close friend. But he can say what he wants about us.

"He can complain about a lot of things as he did in the past. I'm not ready to react. I just want to do my work and concentrate on that.

"I look at our opponents because I need to know the way they play but I'm not interested in what they say.

"My relationships with other people will not change. My bottle of wine with Ferguson will still be a bottle of wine, my handshake with Wenger will still be a handshake."

Mourinho also reiterated the fact that he is content with life at Chelsea and is in no hurry to leave the club.

"This is the first time I have started a fourth season with the same club and I feel great," added Mourinho. "I am happy with what we've done.

"I am happy with the relationship I have with my players and with the people who work with me. It's the best place to work so I am happy to be part of the Chelsea future. I didn't want to move.

"I think I did a good job at Chelsea for three years but I want to do more.

"I am loved in Portugal but my life is better in London.

"The way people approach me is different. In London, you have more space. My life is a simple life."

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Jose: Pizarro will be a hit

Jose Mourinho insists Claudio Pizarro will be a great success at Chelsea.

The 28-year-old former Bayern Munich striker trained with his new team-mates for the first time this week and is in line for a debut in Wednesday's friendly against Feyenoord.

And Mourinho is convinced the Peruvian will be able to adapt quickly to life in the Premier League.

"He is what you used to call a typical British striker - intelligent and holds the ball well. He is not the kind of selfish striker who only likes to shoot, is good in the air and scores goals," said the Chelsea boss.

"And I hope I can give him some of my qualities as a coach. I think I can make him better. He is not a young boy but there is always place for an improvement and my competitive and aggressive qualities can make him even better.

"He has South American qualities but, at the same time, has played in Europe for eight years. Eight years of German football have made him a player with a European touch and that's important.

"The fact he had played for a long time for Bayern also means he knows how to play in a big team, how to play under pressure, how to play with other very good players and how to win trophies.

"I'm convinced he will have success here. I always like players with the mentality he has shown.

"He wanted to make a change in his life. For sure, he could have stayed in German football but he decided to move and I am very happy to have him."

Pizarro said he is confident he would be able to command a regular place in the Blues starting line-up.

"I know there is a lot of competition for a place but a club like Chelsea always has lots of games to play, sometimes twice a week, so the manager will probably adopt a rotation policy which will give me opportunities," Pizarro added.

"Then it is up to me to make it difficult to be left out of the side. I know there are lots of players here of excellent quality but I aim to play well when I get the chance.

"My eight years in Germany have given me experience of European football so the transition period is not going to be so complicated."

Meanwhile, Petr Cech says he will be ready to face Feyenoord.

The keeper came off at half-time against LA Galaxy after hurting his wrist, but has declared himself fit to face the Dutch side.

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JT signs on

Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce that John Terry has signed a new five-year contract.

The Chelsea and England captain put pen to paper at the Cobham training ground earlier today (Friday, July 27).

Terry said: 'I'm really happy this has now been concluded. There has been a lot of speculation but these things take time and I never had doubts that I wanted to stay at Chelsea and that the club wanted me to stay.

'I hope the fans can see that we are all trying to build something special here, both for now and for the future, and I want to be a part of that. I have been at Chelsea all my career and have the privilege of being captain.

'Now it's time to look forward to the new season which we are all very confident about.'

Terry had just over two years to go on his previous deal, which is now superseded by the new one.

Kenyon said: 'This is an important day for Chelsea. This was the right deal for us and for John. As a club we are committed to try and keep our players together on long term deals and this was a natural progression from last season when other players also committed themselves for the long term.

'As captain, John is clearly a key player for Chelsea and also a great symbol of the club so naturally we are pleased this has been agreed.'

[Seapok]

Schuster keen on Ballack

Real Madrid boss Bernd Schuster has revealed he is interested in signing Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack.

Schuster is a big admirer of his fellow German and would like to bring him to El Santiago Bernabeu.

Madrid have held a long-term interest in Ballack, but lost out to Chelsea last summer for the midfielder's signature.

Ballack endured a difficult first season at Chelsea last term failing to live up to expectations and Jose Mourinho raised doubts over the German's future earlier in July by claiming Ballack could not guaranteed a place in his side.

Schuster, who is also chasing Chelsea's Arjen Robben, believes Ballack would be a suitable addition to the Real side.

"With his class, he fits perfectly to Real Madrid," Schuster told German public television station ARD.

"I can very well imagine him playing for my team. "I thought about Michael before he went to Chelsea.

"He was linked with Real back then, when it was clear [Zinedine] Zidane was leaving.

"He would be the link between midfield and attack and would really be perfect."

Schuster also claimed Chelsea's asking price and Ballack's salary would not be a problem for Real.

It remains to be seen however, whether Chelsea would be willing to let Ballack move as they look to assemble a squad capable of wrestling the Premier League crown back from Manchester United next season.

[Seapok]

Rangers sink Chelsea in Glasgow

Nacho Novo and Filip Sebo cracked in late goals to give Rangers a 2-0 win over Chelsea in their Ibrox friendly.

The runners-up from Scotland and England last season put on an entertaining show, full of good chances and a few crunching tackles.

Novo found the net via a post on 86 minutes with wonderful strike from 20 yards after good work from Chris Burke.

A minute later, Sebo made up for an earlier glaring miss with a deflected strike from similar range.

The win sets Rangers up perfectly for the first leg of their Champions League second-round qualifier against FK Zeta on Tuesday.

Both sides made eight substitutions during the game but the game managed to flow more than most pre-season games.

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba flashed a header across the face of goal and past the upright and his new team-mate Florent Malouda tried his luck with a long range strike in the first half Sebo, a much-maligned figure last season, somehow then managed to mis-kick in front of goal from eight yards.

Rangers defender Carlos Cuellar did well to block a point-blank shot from Claudio Pizarro on the line before the new Chelsea recruit tested Roy Carroll with a stinging effort.

Rangers finished strongly and a surging run from Burke set up Novo for his impressive strike.

Sebo then sent Ibrox into raptures with a thunderous effort, albeit one which took a big deflection.

[Seapok]

Terry: We can rule europe

John Terry is determined to lead Chelsea to UEFA Champions League glory this season.

Terry has helped Chelsea win the Premier League on two occasions and has also been victorious in the FA Cup and Carling Cup.

He has become England captain as well and is proud of his achievements, but insists there is still a burning desire to lift the Champions League trophy.

"The Champions League is the unfulfilled dream for me," Terry said in the News of the World.

"When I look at my trophies, the Champions League is the one that is missing.

"I've won pretty much everything apart from that and I've also been lucky enough to realise every ambition I've ever had.

"Football's a short career and I don't want to look back in 10 years and say I didn't give it everything to win everything I possibly could."

Arsenal and Liverpool have progressed to recent Champions League finals but Chelsea have yet to make it past the semi-finals.

But Terry believes The Blues are equipped to have their best run in the competition this season.

"We've got a big enough squad to cope with the group stages, and then it comes down to the big games later in the competition," said the defender.

"We've come so close in the last few years - three times in the semi-finals.

"Now we've got to go that bit further and win it."

[Seapok]

Carragher most wary of Chelsea

Jamie Carragher believes Chelsea are still the team to beat in the Premier League.

Manchester United ended two years of Chelsea dominance by winning the title last season and Carragher accepts they will still be a major force, especially if they complete the signing of Carlos Tevez.

But Carragher thinks Chelsea will be much stronger this season if they can steer clear of injuries, and has singled Jose Mourinho's side out as the favourites

"Manchester United are the champions, but Chelsea are the ones you have to see as the yardstick," the Liverpool defender told the News of the World.

"Petr Cech is back and he is a top goalkeeper. And John Terry fully fit and available will make a big difference.

"The team who finish above Chelsea will win it.

"United are a great side and have strengthened again.

"Carlos Tevez would make a big difference to their chances, so hopefully they don't get him."

Carragher is delighted with the signings Rafa Benitez has made this summer and thinks Liverpool now have a squad to compete with Chelsea and United.

But he admits the new players must find their feet quickly if Liverpool are to have any chance of claiming the title.

He explained: "I've never known a squad as strong. Every position has two international players and it's going to be a tough decision for the manager who to play in that first match.

"The way Manchester United and Chelsea have started the last couple of seasons, we have probably been out of it after 10 games.

"We have done well in the last seven or eight years, winning a lot of trophies, but the Premiership is the one we are desperate for."

[Seapok]

Brondby 0 - Chelsea 2

It was back to winning ways on Tuesday night, as Didier Drogba bagged a brace in Copenhagen.

In truth it was not the most entertaining of affairs ahead of Sunday's Community Shield showdown at Wembley, but José Mourinho will be pleased with the physical test afforded to his team by the home team.

Several of Mourinho's key men got another 90 minutes under their belt, with the likes of Frank Lampard and Pizarro impressing, not to mention two-goal Drogba, who takes his pre-season tally to three.

Just like Saturday at Ibrox, there was a fantastic atmosphere inside Brøndby Stadion well before the kick-off.

The stadium, highly reminiscent of somewhere you would find in the Premiership, was buzzing largely thanks to the terraced home supporters at one end, singing loudly and constantly, cheering their heroes' every move, considerately translating their more offensive efforts into English.

Chelsea started tentatively, and it was Brondby who registered the first effort after six minutes, with Martin Ericsson picking up a rebound and volleying wide from outside Cudicini's area.

After a quarter of an hour it was forward Morten Duncan Rasmussen's chance to scare the Blues, decked out in our new third kit for the first time.

His long drive was fisted away by Cudicini, and although we were having plenty of possession, it would be hard on our Danish hosts to suggest they weren't on top.

Our first chance came half way through the first half, as Wright-Phillips linked with Lampard before hitting a low cross shot.

It flashed across goal towards Didier Drogba, but his outstretched leg couldn't quite connect, and the ball skimmed away to safety.

Two minutes later the two England internationals combined again to release the overlapping Glen Johnson.

The pacy full back got to the ball first, and with a bouncing ball and advancing goalkeeper, he went for the lob, but his effort fell a couple of yards wide. It was though promising and showed we were capable of unlocking the home defence.

After half an hour, Mikel was forced to retire, and was replaced by Pizarro, who slotted in alongside Drogba up front, changing the formation to a 4-4-2.

By that point, with the game lacking any real tempo, the atmosphere had begun to flatten, but, inspired by the booking of Sidwell for not retreating at a free kick, the Brøndby faithful were reborn, bouncing on their terrace cacophonously.

Right at the end of the half, Pizarro and Malouda combined well, with the Peruvian beating several players before releasing a perfectly weighted ball into the Frenchman's path.

Cruelly, he was cut down right on the edge of the area, for which Rasmussen received a caution. From the resulting free kick, Drogba bent one round the wall, but it was comfortably held by goalkeeper Stephan Andersen, formerly of Charlton.

At half-time, Mourinho opted to make two changes, with Cech replacing Cudicini in goal, and Joe Cole coming on for Malouda.

Things were still disjointed though, and it took a further quarter hour before any real action, with Drogba's drive deflecting off an opponent, and up on to the roof of Andersen's net.

Two minutes later and we were in front, with Drogba adding his second of pre-season.

Pizarro had won the ball before laying off to Wright-Phillips, who waited patiently before laying into the path of the overlapping Johnson.

Johnson's cross was floated high, and as Drogba jumped with the goalkeeper many expected a free kick to be awarded, but the Ivorian's challenge was deemed to be fair, and his headed effort dribbled across the line.

The goal seemed to lift us, and we were well in control, with Johnson and Joe Cole linking well down the right flank, and Cech untested on a chilly Copenhagen evening.

Brondby began to press with time ticking down, and Kasper Lorentzen was guilty of misfiring his first-time shot at the far post, when he was unmarked with only Cech to beat.

We wrapped the game up with six minutes remaining, as Joe Cole took the ball and ran at the defence, finding the feet of Drogba who played a smart one-two with Pizarro before lashing a thunderous half volley into the net.

In the final minute Joe Cole nearly made it a third, unleashing a powerful free kick from fully 30 yards towards the top corner, but sub keeper Tørnes was equal to it.

From the resulting corner Pizarro should have scored, but again the keeper pulled off a superb save, pushing his header onto the crossbar and away.

It was a comfortable win in the end, but it didn't look so simple after a difficult opening hour, and despite the result there was still no silencing the home crowd.

[Seapok]

Blues target eyes move

Chelsea target Daniel Alves has revealed he wants to leave Sevilla.

The highly-rated Brazilian's future has been the subject of intense speculation for some time with a number of Europe's top clubs credited with an interest in his services.

Chelsea are thought to be lining up a move for Alves as they look to bring in a new right-back for the start of the new season.

Sevilla are determined not to lose their prize asset, with the player contracted to the club until 2012.

However, Alves has indicated that he feels the time is right to move on and he has set his sights on joining a top European club.

"My objective is to play in another team," Alves told Arena Sportv.

"I have been at Sevilla for five years and now I think it's the moment to give a step forward in my career and play at a European giant.

"I won all what could be won at Sevilla so I feel that this is the moment for following my career in another place.

"In one year we changed Sevilla's history. We won three titles in one year and that hasn't happened for a long time."

[Seapok]

Lampard suffers injury blow

Sky Sports News understands Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has broken a toe on his left foot.

It is believed that Lampard picked up the problem during Chelsea's first training session in America three weeks ago.

The extent of the injury was not then revealed until he was sent for an x-ray on Thursday afternoon.

With a number of other Chelsea players also sidelined, news of Lampard's broken toe will come as an especially major blow to Jose Mourinho.

Although Chelsea have yet to confirm how long Lampard will be out for, he is set to miss the Community Shield against Manchester United on Sunday.

He is also expected to miss the start of Chelsea's Premier League campaign the following weekend.

Lampard has been a virtual ever-present in the Blues side in recent years and speculation of a move away from Stamford Bridge recently died down after he was offered a big pay rise.

[Seapok]

Chelsea target Alex earns permit

Chelsea have moved a step closer to the capture of Brazil defender Alex after he was granted a work permit.

Alex has been at PSV Eindhoven for the past two seasons after he was deemed ineligible for a permit, but should now complete a permanent move to the Blues.

A statement on the Chelsea website said: "At a hearing today, Alex was granted a work permit.

"He still has to agree personal terms with Chelsea Football Club and have a medical."

Alex arrived at Heathrow on Sunday only to then return to Brazil, despite being granted permission to enter the country by immigration staff.

Permit rules require a player to have played for his country in at least 75% of their competitive 'A' games in which he was available for selection, during the two years preceding the date of the application for the permit.

Alex has played in eight of the 14 Brazilian games he was available for in the last two years and was not selected for the others.

[Jockstar]

£20m Alves 'Flattered by Chelsea interest

Brazil full-back Daniel Alves has admitted he is interested in a potential move to Chelsea.

The 24-year-old has been linked with a £20million switch from Sevilla to Stamford Bridge.

Alves claims he is happy to stay with the Spanish club but would have to give consideration to any good offers.

He said: 'I am flattered that Chelsea is interested in me. The career of a footballer is very short and it's necessary to take advantage of all the opportunities that come your way.

'I always said that I wanted to leave Sevilla by the front door, especially after the great season we've had. It's not that I want to leave, but I cannot turn down the opportunities that I have.'

[Seapok]

Charity Shield: Chelsea v Man Utd

Sunday 5 August

Kick-off: 1500 BST, Wembley

Listen: 1500 BST, Radio Five Live/online

Highlights: Match of the Day, 2220 BST, BBC ONE

Chelsea assistant boss Steve Clarke says the Community Shield date with Manchester United will have an edge.

Clarke said: "If you are asking will it have any bearing on the season I don't think it will. The season starts with the Premier League.

"But when you play someone like Manchester United, one of our main rivals for all the trophies, it gives the match an extra meaning.

"We want to win it and I'm sure they want to win it as well."

Clarke also believes Chelsea, who lose out in the Premier League title race to United last season, are much stronger this time around.

He added: "Football is about evolution. You can't go year on year with the same squad of players because then they grow old and stale together so we have to keep freshening things up and give yourself a chance to challenge for all the trophies again.

"Our squad is stronger than last year. We have better alternatives. Now we can play with a flat 4-4-2.

"Maybe with the diamond last year we were very hard to beat. The manager Jose Mourinho spoke a lot last year about survival football and the diamond was conducive to playing that way very well. We want to be a little bit more expansive this season.

"We spoke about it during last season but we didn't have a team to lock it down."