A round-up of news and views relating to Chelsea over the last 24 hours.
In demand forward Stevan Jovetic looks likely to leave Fiorentina this summer after the Italian side’s general manager Sandro Mencucci said the Montenegrin was looking for a new challenge. Jovetic is rated at around £25million by Fiorentina. Arsenal had looked the favourites to sign him, but recent reports suggesting they had baulked at his price-tag could give Chelsea a chance to swoop for the 23-year-old.
Jose Mourinho has reportedly begun assembling his coaching team for when he makes his expected return to Chelsea this summer. The Portuguese coach is expected to bring in Rui Faria and Silvino Louro, and could keep Rafa Benitez’ appointment Bolo Zenden at the club.
Former Chelsea forward Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has backed Mourinho to be a success in his second spell at Stamford Bridge, saying that he has unfinished business and that the Blues could not have picked a better man for the job. Hasselbaink himself was named Royal Antwerp manager today.
Chelsea and Manchester City’s hopes of signing Edinson Cavani have been dealt a blow by the striker’s admission he dreamed of playing for Real Madrid or Barcelona as a child. Cavani also suggested that staying a Napoli was an option for him, having fired them into next season’s Champions League.
Napoli’s new manager, Rafa Benitez, might yet have a say in Cavani’s future, and he is aiming to thwart both Manchester City and Chelsea by keeping the Uruguayan in Italy.
Ashley Cole is captaining England tonight to celebrate his 100th cap, and the Mirror has a piece charting the highs and lows of his career. Frank Lampard has paid tribute to his Chelsea and England team-mate, saying that having the captaincy is a deserved reward for his commitment to the national side.
Reports in Spain have suggested that Barcelona are still considering a move for Chelsea defender David Luiz as they look to bolster their squad for next season. Jose Mourinho is rumoured to be happy to sell Luiz despite his fine season at Stamford Bridge.
Former Rangers and PSV goalkeeper Ronald Waterreus has said that Chelsea currently have the best keeper in the world on their books, but he was referring to Thibaut Courtois rather than Petr Cech.
On HITC today we look at whether Rafa Benitez might try and take Fernando Torres with him to Napoli.
image: © Jason Bagley
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