Chelsea target open to summer switch

Brazilian forward Hulk would be interested in a switch to Chelsea this summer after the Confederations Cup has finished, according to the Daily Mail.

The 26 year old is in his native country on international duty as the Confederations Cup kicked off last night.

Chelsea have lodged a reported £34.9million bid to Zenit St Petersburg but the Russian club want to receive nearer the £51million that they paid Porto for his services this time last year.

Hulk has not enjoyed his first season in Russia and is hoping to make a summer switch with London the target.

Mega rich French club Monaco are keen on signing the forward and can match or beat Chelsea’s financial offer in order to partner Hulk with new signing Radamel Falcao.

Hulk will wait until the Confederations Cup is over before he pushes through a move but Chelsea could have their bid accepted before that.

‘Seven days’ and Chelsea will find out sensational wonderkids destination!

Isco intends to make a decision on his future in the next ‘seven days’, amid speculation he could be snapped up by new Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.

Isco is giving little away when it comes to his next move, with his focus locked on the pursuit of international glory – with Spain having booked a final date with Italy in Israel.

He is, however, ready to bring an end to months of speculation by revealing the identity of his preferred transfer destination.

Isco said: “In seven days I will decide my future.

“After the U21 Euros I will analyse my situation and make the best choice for my future.

“At the moment I am calm and focused on my work with the national team.” (Sky Sports)

The blues do have strong competition from Manchester City and Real Madrid for his signature, but Mourinho can be very persuasive and Isco could decide that his next destination is Stamford Bridge.

Welcome to Chelsea Football Club, André Schürrle!!

Official Statement:

"Chelsea Football Club and Bayer 04 Leverkusen have reached an agreement for the transfer of André Schürrle, subject to the completion of legal documentation and related matters, including personal terms and passing a medical."

Edinson Cavani 'talking to Real Madrid and Manchester City'

Napoli's star striker Edinson Cavani is in talks with Real Madrid and Manchester City, according to his mother.

The Uruguay international is one of the most sought-after forwards in the world and is also thought to be wanted by Chelsea.

But it would appear Real and City are leading the race for Cavani as they aim to activate his reported £53million buyout clause.

She added: "In two or three weeks, we will know their fate and be able to say more.

"In any case, I assure you Edinson loves Naples and, if he goes, he will never forget the love and affection of the people."

Porto defender Eliaquim Mangala shrugs off links with Chelsea

Reported Chelsea target Eliaquim Mangala is focusing on his career at Porto despite talk linking him with Stamford Bridge.

Jose Mourinho looked at the French defender while in charge of Real Madrid and is still thought to be interested following his return to Stamford Bridge.

Mangala helped Porto clinch their third Portuguese title in row by one point from rivals Benfica, and has subsequently made his debut for France.

The 22-year-old, who joined Porto from Standard Liege in 2012, has also been linked with Paris St-German and Manchester City,

"I not am preoccupied about my future," said Mangala. "There have been many rumours in the papers in the last few days, but I am very calm.

"My objective is to work each day and to progress in my club. I am only thinking about to follow up for Porto the next season.

"I was also very happy with my debut for France, my dream is to play in the World Cup 2014."

Chelsea agree on £7.5m fee for Dutch sensation

Jose Mourinho is keen to start things afresh at Stamford Bridge. The Portuguese is giving serious consideration to building a strong team at Chelsea which could turn out to be a formidable force in Europe in the coming years. Merely hours after reports of the Blues’ signing ‘Super Serb’ Lazar Markovic, The Daily Star has reported that the West London is closing in on a deal for Vitesse Arnhem midfielder Marco Van Ginkel.

The Blues are reported to have left Ajax behind in the bid to acquire the signature of Van Ginkel after it was revealed that the club would not be willing to even consider a deal with their Dutch Eredivisie rivals. The player’s agent Karl Jansen was quoted saying: "Chelsea are interested, we don't deny it. But there are more clubs. Ajax had made official contact with Vitesse, but they don't want to talk with them. The situation is that we wait until after the European Championships and then will look for the best step. Marco still has two years under contract, so we don't know if he will leave Arnhem but there isn't an agreement right now."

Van Ginkel made 41 appearances for his side last season, scoring a noteworthy 12 goals whilst providing the same number of assists. The 20 year old made his senior team debut for the Netherlands National Team in November last year, coming on as a late substitute in their friendly against Germany. He is currently in Israel for the Under-21 European Championships, where he is an important part of the Dutch youth squad.

Van Ginkel was also awarded with the Dutch Football Talent of the Year award for his stellar performances for Vitesse this season which saw the side finishing 4th – their highest league finish since 1998. He has a contract with the Vitas till June 2015, but it is unlikely that he would stay at the club for long especially given all the hype surrounding him courtesy of his exceptional performances. Chelsea are being reported to have agreed on a £7.5m transfer fee for the Dutchman and there is every chance that we might see Van Ginkel in a Blues shirt next season.

Mourinho's first press conference

As he spoke to the media for the first time since being appointed Chelsea manager for a second time, Jose Mourinho expressed his delight at returning to Stamford Bridge, and his hope that it is the start of a long period in charge.

Seldom has an introductory press conference been greeted with such interest, with supporters outside in the hope of catching a glimpse of the Blues boss, camera crews reporting in the area since the early hours and the attendance inside as large as anyone could remember.

Mourinho cut a calm, composed figure as he discussed his appointment at length, and having been nicknamed 'The Special One' following a comment made at his first Chelsea press conference, he had an updated suggestion for those eager for a quick headline.

'I'm the happy one,' he said. 'Time flies, it looks like it was a couple of days ago but it was nine years ago and since then a lot has happened in my professional life.

'I have the same nature, I am the same person, I have the same heart and the same kind of emotions related to my passion for football and my job. In this moment I would describe myself as a very happy person. It's the first time I've arrived at a club where I already love the club.'

The Portuguese delivered our first title for 50 years in his debut season at the club, following it a year later with another Premier League triumph. He also won the 2007 FA Cup and two League Cups, as well as reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League on two occasions before his departure in the September of his fourth season. He is confident of more achievement at Stamford Bridge.

'I always trust my work, I know many of the people that belong to the club and I know the ambition and mentality that people have.

'My career was built and based on success, and in every club I was able to reach success, win trophies and leave a different kind of legacy, so I have to believe in that.

'The normal message to my players is to work hard, with quality, and that the club is much more important than ourselves. Normally, with hard work success arrives.

'I read and keep hearing I was fired, sacked and that we had a complete breakdown in our relationship, which isn't true,' he said of his departure in 2007.

'It was a mutual agreement at the time and we felt it was best for me and the club. It was a sad moment but I don't regret the decision because after I went to Inter where I had probably the best moment of my career.

'After that I went to Madrid where we have the record for the best team in Spanish history. For Chelsea things went well too, they were European champions for the first time.

'It was only because of the fact it was a mutual agreement and that there was no break in the relationship that I'm here today, it wouldn't have been possible if there was a complete break in the relationship.

'I'm back because we feel we are in a moment where we are ready to work together again, and in better conditions to work together, succeed and achieve what this club wants, which is stability.'

Mourinho was clearly more eager to look forward rather than dwelling on past achievements.

'We all want the same, we are heading in the same direction and it is a moment when there is maturity, a very good feeling and we have the same perspective for the future,' he said.

'My area is the sports area, but more now in the world of football you have to be deeply connected with other areas in the club, and I think we have the same kind of vision.

'I want to be respected for what I did in the past, of course, but I want to be loved for what I can do in the future, and the fans can know that I come here to do my best.'

Today marks a national day of celebration in Mourinho's native Portugal, with the country celebrating their rich history and culture.

Since leaving his homeland in 2004, his career has spanned three different countries, but after an exciting period, which has seen him lead his respective sides to countless trophies, the time has come, as he explained, to lay down some firm roots.

'I am Portuguese and I always love adventure like the Portuguese ones in the past,' he said. 'I am a bit of a navigator and I did what I wanted to do. I needed a special family, which I have, and they gave me the chance to move around.

'I wanted to do it, I wanted to win the three most important leagues and cups and I did it. People have other good things but the culture in football is something very important for the manager, and six or seven months ago I wanted to go to somewhere I enjoy it very much.

'It is up to me to show the club that I deserve to be here a long time, I hope I can go to the last day of this contract and if the club want for me to be here longer I will be very happy.

'You have to learn with experience. Sometimes people speak about older people in a negative way and I think experience in life is very important, especially if you use it in the right way.

'I analyse myself every day and I try to improve. I am the same but nine years is a big difference and when I arrived in 2004 I was pushed a lot in that first press conference to have a strong approach.

'Now you know me and my history and now I don't need that approach, I want to be calm and work the best I can and I think I am in the best moment in my career. I am so sorry the pre-season does not start tomorrow.'

Mourinho: Lukaku, De Bruyne ready for Chelsea

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has revealed that Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku are likely to feature in next season's first-team squad.

Lukaku joined the London club from Anderlecht in 2011 for a reported fee of 10 million pounds, but, after failing to gain regular action, spent the 2012-13 campaign on loan at West Brom.

De Bruyne has also been loaned out from Stamford Bridge since joining in January 2012, spending time with Genk and Werder Bremen over the past one-and-a-half seasons.

However, Mourinho has now hinted that the Belgian duo have earned a place in his reckoning as he prepares for a second stint in charge at Chelsea.

"First of all, I want to meet them," he said. "I think it's fair that the players are the first ones to know about their future and to know about their future by their manager and their club ??? not by the media.

"So I'm not just speaking in relation to Kevin or Romelu. I???m speaking generally. I've had the chance to speak to some of them and some others I didn't.

"I need to take my time and meet them and we need to make a decision which is best for me, the players and especially for Chelsea. The club is more important than me ??? than the players.

"(De Bruyne and Lukaku) are the profile of players who Chelsea invested a lot in the past. It is my job to extract the best out of them. I think both of them are ready to come and be part of our squad."

Lukaku scored 17 goals in 35 appearances at the Hawthorns last term, helping Steve Clarke's side to a best-ever Premier League finish of eighth.

De Bruyne, meanwhile, netted on 10 occasions in 33 outings for Bremen, despite the German club narrowly avoiding relegation from the Bundesliga.

Chelsea agree €8.5m deal for first Mourinho signing

Chelsea are reported to have agreed a deal for the first signing of Jose Mourinho's second spell at the club, with Vitesse midfielder Marco van Ginkel set to complete a transfer to Stamford Bridge.

According to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, Vitesse have accepted an offer of €8.5 million from Chelsea for the highly-rated Netherlands under-21 star with the transfer set to be finalised when the window opens next month.

Van Ginkel scored 12 goals and contributed 12 assists last season as Vitesse finished in an impressive fourth place in Eredivisie, and the youngster now appears set to be rewarded with a move to west London.

All that remains for is for Chelsea and the player to agree personal terms - something that is not expected to be an issue - with Van Ginkel set to become the club's first acquisition of the imminent transfer period.

The influence of Mourinho on the deal is likely to have been minimal with Chelsea reported to have been tracking the 20-year-old for a number of months, but will be the first player to arrive during the new tenure of the Portuguese.

Mourinho was officially unveiled as Chelsea manager on Monday afternoon, with the former Real Madrid boss giving a press conference to around 250 accredited members of the media.

The 50-year-old was required to field a number of questions about his current playing staff, and insisted that he intends to keep club captain John Terry - who has been linked with a summer exit - at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea plotting move for teenage sensation

New Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has made Schalke starlet Julian Draxler one of his top summer transfer targets, according to reports from the Daily Star.

The ‘Special One’ is believed to be in the market for a number of new players following his return to Stamford Bridge, as he looks to build a squad capable of challenging for thePremier League title.

19-year-old Draxler is thought to be a player the Portuguese coach is looking at closely, after being impressed by his performances in the Bundesliga.

The teenager only penned a new contract that runs until 2018 recently, but rumours suggest that a £38million release clause was written into the deal.

Mourinho is no stranger to spending big, and could offer that figure in order to force through a move for the starlet.

The sum would be extremely high for such a young player, but Draxler is widely regarded as the best rising star in his position in Germany, and somebody who could eventually develop into a world-class player.

Chelsea may even offer Kevin De Bruyne as part of any deal, with the Belgian – who spent last season on loan with Schalke’s domestic rivals Werder Bremen – having been impressive in German football.

Mourinho is believed to see Draxler as a potential long-term successor to Frank Lampard.

Could Julian Draxler be Chelsea’s next big star? Or should the Blues focus on producing their own talented youngsters?

Chelsea own £25 million wonderkid claims President !

There has been a report on the Sky Sports website which have revealed Chelsea own Partizan Belgrade youngster Lazar Markovic, despite him heading to Benfica for a medical.

Chelsea have long been linked with the Serbia international midfielder, and the teenager enjoyed a tour of Stamford Bridge earlier this year when he held talks, although he insisted at the time he had not agreed a deal with the Blues.

Then a few weeks ago it emerged that Benfica were favourites for his signature and he looked set to seal a switch to the Estadio da Luz.

And while Markovic does appear set to sign for Benfica, according to Partizan president Dragan Djuric it will actually be via Chelsea.

Djuric says the Premier League club plan on loaning Markovic – who he says they already own – to Benfica for two seasons, but he hopes that Partizan may get him back at some point.

“It is true, Chelsea will send Markovic out on a loan for two years,” Djuric told Sportski Zurnal. (Sky Sports)

The lad is rated as one of the best talents in Europe and it is no surprise to see Chelsea buy a youngster and then loan him out for the next two years.

Chelsea released and retained list

Yossi Benayoun and Florent Malouda are among eight players Chelsea have released following the end of last season.

The Blues were asked, like every club, to submit a list of players they are releasing and retaining to the Premier League on the third Saturday of May.

Published today, the list shows that Ross Turnbull and Paulo Ferreira have also been let go by the Stamford Bridge club while 55 have been kept.

Jose Mourinho will be looking to add to his squad over the next couple of months, with Hulk the latest to speak about a move to the club.

And Edinson Cavani is also thought to be high on his list after Napoli's president Aurelio De Laurentiis said the Blues were looking to get in contact with the club.

Released players
Affane Amin
Benayoun Yossi
Deen-Conteh Abdul Aziz
Ferreira Paulo Renato Rebocho
Hilario Meireles Alves Sampaio Henrique
Malouda Florent Johan
Nkumu Archange
Turnbull Ross
Retained players

Retained:

Ake, Nathan Benjamin - Retained
Azpilicueta, Tanco Cesar - Retained
Ba, Demba - Retained
Baker, Lewis Renard - Retained
Bamford, Patrick James - Retained
Bertrand, Ryan - Retained
Blackman, Jamal Clint-Ross - Retained
Cahill, Gary James - Retained
Cech, Petr - Retained
Chalobah, Nathaniel Nyakie - Retained
Clifford, Billy - Retained
Cole, Ashley - Retained
Courtois, Thibaut - Retained
Davey, Alex James - Retained
Davila, Plascencia Ulises Alejandro - Retained
De Bruyne, Kevin - Retained
Delac, Matej - Extended
Dos Santos Emboaba Junior Oscar - Retained
Essien, Michael - Retained
Feruz, Islam - Retained
Hazard, Eden - Retained
Hazard, Thorgen Ganael Francis - Retained
Hutchinson, Samuel Edward - Retained
Ivanovic, Branislav - Retained
Kakuta, Gael - Retained
Kalas, Tomas - Retained
Kane, Todd Arthur Lucien - Retained
Lalkovic, Milan - Offer
Lampard, Frank James - Retained
Loftus, Cheek Ruben - Retained
Luiz, Moreira Marinho David - Retained
Lukaku, Romelu Menama - Retained
Marin, Marko - Retained
Mata, Garcia Juan Manuel - Retained
McEachran, Joshua Mark - Retained
Mikel, John Obi - Retained
Moses, Victor - Retained
Musonda, Lamisha Chashi - Retained
Musonda, Tika Kafusha - Retained
Nditi, Adam Eric Richard - Retained
Oliveira, Dos Santos Wallace - Retained
Omeruo, Kenneth - Retained
Osmanovic, Anjur - Retained
Pappoe, Daniel Mills - Retained
Piazon, Lucas Domingues - Retained
Pirez, Araujo Jhon Alexander - Retained
Santos, Do Nascimento Ramires - Retained
Saville, George Alan - Retained
Swift, John David - Retained
Terry, John George - Retained
Torres, Sanz Fernando Jose - Retained
Van Aanholt, Patrick John Miguel - Retained
Van Homoet, Bruma Jeffrey Kevin - Retained
Vidal, Oriol Romeu - Retained
Walker, Samuel Colin - Retained

Scholars

Beeney, Mitchell Ryan - Retained
Christensen, Andreas Bodtker - Retained
Cole, George - Retained
Conroy, Dion John - Retained
Dabo, Fankaty Sheikam - Retained
Gnahore, Ambrose Gnahoua - Retained
Houghton, Jordan - Retained
Kandi, Chike - Retained
Killip, Ben - Retained
Kiwomya, Andrew Alexander - Retained
Mitchell, Reece Steven - Retained
Muleba, Jonathan - Retained
Ssewankambo, Isak Ssali - Retained
Starkey, Jesse Aaron - Retained
Wright, Kevin - Retained

Chelsea ‘make bid’ to land Brazilian sensation ?

There has been some reports on the Daily Star website which have claimed Chelsea have made a bid to land highly-rated Roma and Brazil sensation Marquinhos in the summer window, but he has stated he is leaving everything upto his agent.

“I still have four years on my contract and I don’t think about the market.

“It is normal that offers and rumours come in for me.

“But I leave it to my agents. I think only to play.”

The talented defender is tipped for big things and will be seen as John Terry’s replacement in the long-run. But it will take a massive bid to persuade Roma to let him leave and it will be very interesting to see just what happens in the coming months.

Chelsea in battle with Barcelona to land £30 million powerhouse !

Chelsea and Barcelona are in a battle with each other to try and land highly-rated Porto defender Eliaquim Mangala in this coming transfer window.

Chelsea have been extensively linked with the Frenchman, who is highly-rated by new manager Jose Mourinho and wants to strengthen his defence this summer.

But the Special One does not appear willing to pay Mangala’s £30m release clause to land him, which could let in Barca.

According to reports in Spain, the Catalan side have now earmarked him as a summer priority, with their defensive unit in desperate need of reinforcements.

There are so many reports about the young man and it will be very interesting to see just where he ends up in the coming months.

Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois to return to Atletico Madrid on loan

Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has claimed he has been given permission to spend a third season on loan at Atletico Madrid.

Courtois signed for Chelsea in the summer of 2011 from Genk, but the Belgium international has yet to make a first-team appearance for the Premier League club.

He has enjoyed two successful seasons with Atletico after replacing David de Gea and has previously expressed a wish to extend his time at the Vicente Calderon.

Neither Chelsea nor Atletico have confirmed a deal has been struck but the 21-year-old said on Saturday he will be heading back to Spain.

He was quoted by media in Spain and Belgium as saying at a national team press conference in Kortrijk: "I've chosen to stay at Atletico.

"I have to continue playing and at Chelsea there's (Petr) Cech who has always been a great goalkeeper.

"At Atletico I'm sure I can play and I can continue to be the first-choice keeper of the Red Devils (Belgium).

"In the course of the season, we will see if I return to London."

Courtois started for Belgium on Friday night as they beat Serbia 2-1 in a World Cup qualifier in Brussels and claims to have the blessing of incoming Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho to remain in Spain.

"I spoke with Mourinho and he told me the best thing is to continue maturing," he added.

In 2012 Courtois helped the Rojiblancos win the Europa League and UEFA Super Cup, while last season he won the Zamora Trophy as the goalkeeper with the lowest goals-to-game ratio in the Primera Division after conceding 29 goals in 37 appearances.

OFFICIAL: MOURINHO APPOINTED

Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Jose Mourinho as First Team Manager.
Mourinho has signed a four-year contract and will return to the club where he won two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and two League Cups between 2004 and 2007.

Ron Gourlay, Chelsea FC Chief Executive, said: 'I am delighted to welcome Jose back to Chelsea. His continued success, drive and ambition made him the outstanding candidate.

'It is our aim to keep the club moving forward to achieve greater success in the future and Jose is our number one choice as we believe he is the right manager to do just that.

'He was and remains a hugely popular figure at the club and everyone here looks forward to working with him again.'

Since leaving Chelsea in 2007, the 50-year-old Portuguese has worked in Italy with Inter and Spain with Real Madrid, lifting three league championships, two domestic cups and the Champions League.

Originally appointed at Stamford Bridge in 2004, immediately after winning Europe's top competition with Porto, he quickly achieved success securing his first trophy for the club as early as February 2005, when we beat Liverpool 3-2 after extra-time in Cardiff to win the Carling Cup. We went on to win the league that season with a record 95 points and a record low of just 15 goals conceded in 38 games.

The club celebrated consecutive championships in our centenary 2005/06 season, secured with a 3-0 win over Manchester United in late April, and the next campaign we were able to add the Carling Cup with victory over Arsenal in Cardiff, and the FA Cup when United were beaten again in the first senior game at the new Wembley.

Mourinho departed by mutual consent in September 2007, going on to develop his already impressive CV by winning the Serie A twice in two years and the Champions League with Inter, before joining Real Madrid in 2010, where he lifted both La Liga and the Copa Del Rey, ending his stay in Spain yesteday.

He brings three coaching staff with him in Rui Faria, Silvino Louro and Jose Morais. Each carries the title of Assistant First Team Coach and will work alongside current first team staff Steve Holland, Christophe Lollichon and Chris Jones.

The new manager will be officially presented in a press conference at Stamford Bridge on Monday 10 June, further details of which will follow in due course.