Chelsea Join Race To Sign Hearts Star Driver

Chelsea are one of five clubs to inquire about Hearts winger Andy Driver in recent weeks following discussions between Roman Abramovich and Vladimir Romanov over a potential £5million transfer.

The Chelsea owner and Hearts' majority shareholder have been in talks regarding an initial loan agreement for Driver, which would include the option of a subsequent £5m move. The player's contract runs until 2013 and he may be reluctant to move to England's double winners where competition for first-team football is intense, but the approach from one of the world's most illustrious clubs says much for his reputation south of the Border.

Wigan Athletic, Burnley, Middlesbrough and Holland's FC Twente have also been in contact with Hearts as they monitor the 22-year-old closely. Officials at Tynecastle have confirmed interest from two English Premier League clubs, two Championship clubs and a European-based club. To date, only Chelsea's valuation of Driver has matched that of Romanov's.

Burnley have submitted a £1.5m bid but have been informed that offer must double for any business to be done. Chelsea, the English double winners, are keen to increase their quota of home-grown players in line with UEFA regulations. Abramovich and Romanov both believe Driver could thrive in England and a proposed loan agreement with the option of a £5million deal thereafter appeals to Romanov.

The player's fitness is steadily improving following a persistent thigh complaint which restricted him to just 14 appearances last season. He is expected to begin pre-season training on 7 July, although club medics are considering sending him to Sweden for additional treatment.

Hearts were preparing to parade pre-contract signing Darren Barr at Tynecastle, with assistant manager Billy Brown promising that the club are working diligently to add to the captures of Barr and striker Kevin Kyle.

"We are trying but getting good players – and the right types of players in – isn't easy," he explained. "We know what our aims are, whether we can get them or not we don't know."

Brown believes Kyle harbours the potential to revive his Scotland career if he proves himself with Hearts.

"If he can get back to the form he showed at that time (at Kilmarnock] I think Craig (Levein] will be looking at him."

John Terry Happy With Fabio Capello's Experiments

England's John Terry said he was happy with Fabio Capello's late experiments in defence as the manager sought a solution to the absence of injured captain Rio Ferdinand.

"I don't think we have anything to worry about with that -- it's the way the manager does things," the former England captain told reporters.

"He chops and changes people week in and week out and on a daily basis as well, so we all get used to different people."

Terry, who has won 60 England caps, played alongside Ledley King in Monday's World Cup warm-up game against South African premier league team Platinum Stars.

King and Terry were replaced by the uncapped Michael Dawson, who flew out to replace Ferdinand, and Matthew Upson, in the second half of England's 3-0 win, when Robert Green went into goal in place of Joe Hart.

"I think we all know each other well enough now, and how we all play, for it to be no problem," Terry said about Capello's changes.

"It's not a time now for getting used to players, but for creating a unity and a feeling that we are all sticking together and that's the most important thing now."

Ferdinand was ruled out of the World Cup finals after injuring his knee in the squad's first training session in South Africa last Friday. Capello has appointed Steve Gerrard as captain in his place.

England open their World Cup campaign with a Group C match against the USA in Rustenburg.

The 39-year-old David James had been expected to be the first-choice goalkeeper but he did not make an appearance against Platinum Stars.

Terry, who was stripped of the England captaincy in February after newspaper revelations about his private life, said he had no opinion to offer on who should be the first-choice goalkeeper.

"I don't want to get drawn into that. It's a decision for the manager and it is a big decision, but that is what he's paid for. I just think we have three great players here and they are all here for the right decisions after doing what they did in the league last season.

"But it is typical of the manager. You know you can never read him and know what he is thinking and I think that's what people like about him."

Harry Redknapp Wants Joe Cole At Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has admitted he is interested in taking Joe Cole to White Hart Lane.

Cole, who scored in England's 3-0 World Cup warm-up victory against Platinum Stars on Monday, is out of contract at Chelsea this summer and has been linked with a number of clubs, notably Spurs, Arsenal and Manchester United.

"Yes, I am prepared to declare my interest in Joe Cole," the Spurs boss told the Daily Express.

"Why not? He is a great player, his contract is up and he is on a free transfer.

"When he returns I would love to talk to him about coming to Spurs."

Redknapp's statement contradicts his comments last week when he claimed he believed the 28-year-old would leave Stamford Bridge this summer but his destination would be somewhere other than Tottenham.

"It looks to me someone's going to make a great free transfer, if he doesn't stay at Chelsea,'' Redknapp had told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"I genuinely don't know who that is. I don't think it's going to be Tottenham. I've got a feeling, I may be wrong, that he's already agreed a deal with someone, and it's not Tottenham.

"I'm not saying if he hadn't agreed a deal with someone and he was available and didn't stay at Chelsea that we wouldn't be interested.

"I'm a big fan of Joe's, but the feedback we've had is that he might well have already done something.''

Michael Ballack Could Follow Fabio Cannavaro To The Middle East

Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack could be the next superstar to swap Europe for the Middle East, according to The Guardian.

Ballack, 33, has emerged as a target for several teams in Dubai - including Al Wasl and Al Shabab - as his current contract with the Blues expires this summer. If he moved to the Gulf, he would follow in the footsteps of Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro, who signed for Al Ahli last week as they gear up for an assault on the Asian Champions League.

A source from the UAE Pro League said: "The clubs here know there are some top names from the Premier League who have reached the end of their time there and are looking for a final move. They are ambitious.

"Michael Ballack has been approached and he is now the No. 1 target for clubs. In Italy the chance of bringing [Gennaro] Gattuso here from Milan is being looked at and Cannavaro coming will help that.

"Inquiries have also been made about Guti at Real Madrid."

Ancelotti Sets Sights On Dutch Master Huntelaar

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti is reportedly interested in making a summer move for AC Milan striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar. The former Real Madrid man has had a stuttering first season at the San Siro where injury and poor form have restricted the 26 year old’s first team opportunities.

With Leonardo’s exit from the Serie A side it seems that the Dutch international may face an even tougher task to push his way into the starting line up and the uncertainty at AC Milan may play into Ancelotti’s hands as he looks to bring in further attacking options.

The Premier League champions have been indebted to the striking services of Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba but both strikers are over 30 and with Daniel Sturridge still very raw a move for an established goalscorer makes a great deal of sense.

Huntelaar has seen the last two seasons potter along as he had to convince successive managers of his worth whilst failing to get a real good run in the first team. That being said he has still managed 15 goals in 41 matches for Real Madrid and AC Milan and its worth remembering that at Ajax the well built forward was a veritable goal machine scoring 76 goals in 92 Eredivisie starts and has the physical presence that could well suit a move to the Premier League.

Andy Carroll Won’t Be Leaving Newcastle - Hughton

Chris Hughton has revealed he has “no intention” of allowing Andy Carroll to leave Newcastle United.

The Geordie striker has been linked with Premier League champions Chelsea, with reports in the capital suggesting that the 21-year-old is the subject of a potential £7m bid from the Stamford Bridge side.

But while the Blues can offer Carroll both Champions League football and the chance to enhance his international ambitions further with England under Carlo Ancelotti, Hughton firmly believes that the Gateshead-born starlet can realise his full potential at St James’ Park.

Carroll – who has been re-bailed in October after an assault charge – is understood to want to extend his stay at United, despite having three years left on his current deal.

However, that has not stopped his performances from last season catching the eye of some of Newcastle’s Premier League counterparts, with Stoke and Birmingham last week also linked with Carroll.

Hughton told the Chronicle today: “I can say 100% that I have not heard anything from Chelsea, to me that is just speculation.

“We’ve got no intention of seeing Andy Carroll leave Newcastle United.

“The reasons for that are he has the right profile, he’s a young player and he’s got a big future here with us.”

Hughton is back behind his desk after his summer holiday and, with less than a month to go until pre-season training, is on course at least to have the basis of the squad that won the Championship with him on July 5.

Toon fans are anxious to see new additions to what many of them believe is a squad that lacks depth for the top-flight challenge ahead next season.

And Hughton today offered them reassurance that new signings would be added to bolster the current roster.

He said: “It’s the time of year when work behind the scenes is being done each day.

“By the time next season begins I am confident there will be new players at the club.”

Talk in Glasgow is that Rangers star Kris Boyd is set to be Newcastle’s first summer signing, with the player actively seeking a new club.

Boyd is an boyhood fan of the Magpies, and the fact he is available on a Bosman means he fits the bill for United.

Hughton says: “Kris Boyd is a good player, but I can categorically say that there have been no talks at this stage.

“There has been no correspondence and no communication.

“You never want to say 100% no, but it’s a non-starter at this moment.”

Joe Cole Nets In England Warm-Up

Joe Cole played the full 90 minutes, while his three Chelsea team-mates played one half of England's 3-0 win over South African club side Platinum Stars on Monday afternoon.

The game, an unofficial friendly, which will not count towards players' cap counts or goals records, was used as a final warm-up game before the World Cup kicks off on Friday, with England's involvement beginning on Saturday when they meet USA.

Cole netted England's second goal, which came after John Terry, Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole had been substituted, the Chelsea number 10 the only man to play on after half-time with manager Fabio Capello making 10 changes. Terry, Lampard and Ashley Cole were all withdrawn having made low key appearances.

Spurs forward Jermain Defoe converted captain Steven Gerrard's pull-back three minutes in to open the scoring, after former Chelsea man Shaun Wright-Phillips had put the Liverpool man through, before ex-Blue Glen Johnson gave away a penalty, missed by the Platinum forward.

Joe's extended spell on the pitch paid off midway through the second half, as he converted England's second following a fast England breakaway, Wayne Rooney laying the goal on.

The Manchester United man added a third himself with a sharp volley after James Milner had crossed.

Summary Of A Season: Paulo Ferreira

Like Joe Cole, Paulo began the season working his way back from cruciate ligament damage, suffered during training in early March last year.

To return in a little over six months, as he did when he played 90 minutes against QPR in September, showed tremendous commitment to a professional career that had slowed in recent times.

The signing of Ferreira's compatriot, Jose Bosingwa, in the summer of 2008 and the emergence of Branislav Ivanovic and even Michael Essien as viable right-back alternatives meant the 31-year-old's first-team opportunities would be most likely on the left, where he has played regularly over the last couple of years for Portugal.

Then came the arrival of Yury Zhirkov, also capable of playing in the back four, and suddenly Ferreira's chances of a game looked slim.

Juliano Belletti was preferred to start against Blackburn in October, though Ferreira did come off the bench for the final half-hour, starting the next two games with Ashley Cole out injured.

The quiet defender continued to figure in the League Cup, and even found the net from close range at Blackburn, only his second goal in a Chelsea shirt (his first being against Colchester United in 2005/06) and the third of his career.

Limited appearances followed between Christmas and February, including a fine game against Cardiff in the FA Cup, culminating in a pinpoint cross for Salomon Kalou to nod home the fourth goal.

Had he been registered for the Champions League, where the squad is limited to 25, and must include a quota of home-grown players, Paulo would surely have seen further action in the San Siro, where Florent Malouda played at left-back in a 2-1 defeat to Inter.

It was at this point that both Cole and Zhirkov were absent through injury, and Ferreira could make a significant contribution after waiting so patiently. Injury to Ivanovic at Blackburn however meant it would be on his favoured right side where he made the most impact.

Despite being beaten in the air for an important looking equalizer at Ewood Park, he continued to plug the gap in big wins over Portsmouth and Aston Villa, and then played a crucially disciplined defensive role in the win at Old Trafford.

Ten straight starts in domestic games had seen him let nobody down, and although he played no part after the 7-0 thrashing of Stoke in late April, he had done enough to more than earn his two winners' medals, and goes into the World Cup as one of Portugal's few form players.