Chelsea Striker Franco Di Santo A Cut-Price Target For Bolton Wanderers

Bolton Wanderers manager Owen Coyle is weighing up a bargain move for Chelsea outcast Franco Di Santo, according to reports.

The giant Argentinean striker spent last season on loan at Blackburn Rovers and is understood to be surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge. Despite only scoring one Premier League goal for their Lancashire rivals, Bolton are set to compete with Dutch champions FC Twente to secure his signature, say The People.

The former youth international has struggled to feature for Chelsea since joining from Chilean outfit Audax Italiano two years ago, making just eight scoreless league appearances.

With Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka ahead of him in the pecking order, along with youngsters Fabio Borini and Daniel Sturridge, first team chances would be severely limited again next season.

My Favourite Games: Petr Cech

Today we launch a new feature for the summer, where Chelsea players tell us about their favourite matches played in, and watched.

First up is number one, Petr Cech, who with the absence of World Cup action this summer will have the opportunity to take in plenty more games on TV.

The goalkeeper has hundreds to pick from for his favourite game ever played but the most enjoyable match he ever watched may have slipped many fans' minds, despite its nine goals and two red cards.

It was a meeting in 2001 between a team from the banks of the Mersey and a lesser-known Spanish side.

When Liverpool reached the Uefa Cup Final nine years ago, not many expected their opponents Alaves to compete against a side with such impressive credentials in Europe.

But the game that unfolded is one of the most memorable clashes in recent times and it took Liverpool until stoppage time, and a fifth goal, to seal victory after Alaves came back from being 2-0, 3-1 and 4-3 down to force extra-time.

That's when experience shone through for the eventual winners after Alaves had two men sent off and Liverpool's nerves held to net the winner, albeit indirectly, when Delfi Geli deflected a Gary McAllister corner into his own net.

'It is hard to choose my favourite game to watch because there were a few games I loved watching,' explained the shot-stopper, 'but one of them is definitely the Uefa Cup Final when Liverpool beat Alaves in 2001, it finished 5-4. It was such a great game.
'It must have been a great game to play in as well because the game was changing every minute, nine goals in a final is great.

'Nobody ever expected Alaves to be in the final of the Uefa Cup but they came so close and they really fought for the glory but it was one of those games. They scored four goals but it was not enough.'

Cech's favourite game to play in is another match which unfolded on the European stage and is a game that remains vivid in many Chelsea fans' minds.

Reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League is never easy, but in 2005 Chelsea overcame one of the biggest obstacles in club football when we hosted Barcelona at the Bridge.

At the time everyone, neutrals and fans alike, expected a phenomenal game of football but no one could have predicted the entertainment that unfolded.

Chelsea raced into a three-goal lead thanks to strikes from Eidur Gudjohnsen, Frank Lampard and Damien Duff but when Paulo Ferreira handled in the area, Barcelona were given the chance to pull one back.

Ronaldhino converted the spot-kick to make it 3-1 before a magical flick from the edge of the box by the Brazilian made it two for the visitors.

But a John Terry header 14 minutes from time sealed the win for Chelsea as we went on to the quarter-finals of the competition.

'My favourite game I ever played is definitely the Chelsea v Barcelona second leg in 2005, when we won 4-2 and made it through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League,' Cech explains.

'This was simply a great game to watch for everyone and it was a great game to play in and be involved in.

'For neutral fans and fans following the teams it was a brilliant game of football with a lot of chances, a lot of goals and a lot of great football and the atmosphere was outstanding.

'We were 3-0 up then it went to 3-2 before we got the winner, so it was full of emotions.

'The emotions of everyone on the pitch were changing constantly and we all worked so hard for the result. There were some fantastic goals also. It was just a very special game.'

Father Of John Terry Spared Jail For Drug Deal

The father of England and Chelsea defender John Terry was spared jail on Tuesday for supplying cocaine to an undercover reporter after a judge said he was a victim of entrapment.

Edward Terry, the 56-year-old father of the former England captain, admitted supplying 3.5 grammes of the drug to the journalist from the News of the World when he appeared before magistrates last month.

"Employees of a national newspaper decided to mount what was in effect a sting operation against Mr. Terry to ascertain whether he could or would supply class A drugs," prosecutor Paul Scothern told Basildon Crown Court on Tuesday.

The court heard the reporter, Dan Sanderson, had befriended Terry at a wine bar he frequented near his home in Essex, over a six-week period.

On November 5 last year, Sanderson, who was posing as a chauffeur, asked Terry where he could buy cocaine for his boss and his friend.

Terry said he could supply it and agreed a fee of 120 pounds while he also asked for 40 pounds for facilitating the deal. He left the bar and returned about 15 minutes later with the cocaine, the Press Association reported.

"Mr. Terry would not have acted in the way he did and committed this offence but for being enticed by the journalist who befriends Mr. Terry, meets with him on a couple of dozen occasions at the minimum, simply for a tabloid story," Terry's lawyer Neil Saunders said.

Terry was sentenced to a suspended prison term of six months and ordered to do 100 hours of community service.

"It is a very, very clear case of entrapment solely to create a newspaper story," said Judge Christopher Mitchell.

John Terry, 29, was stripped of the England captaincy in February following newspaper reports about his private life.

Arsenal Consider Signing Chelsea Playmaker Joe Cole

Arsenal has inquired about the possibility of signing Chelsea and England midfielder Joe Cole on a free transfer, according to a report from The Daily Mail.

The playmaker has also apparently been courted by Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur who, like current club Chelsea, have been dissuaded from offering Cole a deal by his reported £120,000-a-week wage demands.

But the Gunners are still interested, according to the report, as are Manchester United.

Cole, whose contract at Stamford Bridge expires at the end of June, is expected to hold further talks this week with potential suitors.

Juventus Playmaker Diego Rejects Chelsea Link

Juventus midfielder Diego has distanced himself from recent reports claiming that he is a summer transfer target for Chelsea.

The Brazilian instead has insisted that he remains committed to Juventus, where he wants to help make amends for what was a disappointing season for the Serie-A giants.

“Me move away from Juventus? No, I won’t be going,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“I made a choice a year ago, and I don’t change my ideas just because the season was bad. But the club must think the same, as if I stay without playing it is not a good investment for anyone."

The 25-year-old signed a five-year deal with Juventus last summer after moving from Werder Bremen in a deal worth just over £20 million (€24.5m).

Chelsea Target Shakhtar Donetsk Full-Back Darijo Srna

Chelsea has made Shakhtar Donetsk's Croatian international Darijo Srna a summer transfer target, according to reports.

The 28-year-old, who can play in midfield but is predominantly an attacking full-back, is apparently hoping to complete a switch before pre-season training starts at Stamford Bridge.

He is valued at around £14 million, but is in the final year of his contract with Shakhtar and so could be available for less. Bayern Munich and Tottenham Hotspur are also believed to be in the hunt for the player.

"The deal is not done yet," Srna is reported as saying.

"I must get together with the Shakhtar president as we cannot discuss such matters over the phone."

Chelsea To Sign Benayoun To Replace Cole

Rumours are gathering pace that Chelsea will sign Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun this summer as a replacement for Joe Cole who will be allowed to leave Stamford Bridge.

It has been reported that the Reds have already rejected a £4million bid from Chelsea for the Israel international and are believed to be holding out for £6million.

Talks with Cole's representative over a new deal are believed to have broken down and he has been linked with a summer switch to Tottenham Hotspur.

Cole has struggled to break into Carlo Ancelotti's first-team plans since recovering from serious injury.

Benayoun, who has also been linked with West Ham United and Spurs, said last week while on international duty: "Ancelotti wants me for next season and now everything depends on Liverpool.

"Chelsea will have to pay some £6million but, I believe that, in the end, I'll be moving there."

Thirty-year-old Benayoun has scored 29 goals in 81 starts and 53 substitute appearances for Rafa Benitez's team in the last three seasons.

Yaya Toure Favours Move To Chelsea

Want-away Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure is believed to favour a move to Chelsea this summer, despite interest from Manchester City and Arsenal.

The 27-year-old, who signed a new contract last season, is ready to quit the Camp Nou after failing to hold down a first-team place last season, according to the Daily Mail.

The Ivorian’s brother, Kolo, currently plays for Manchester City, but the robust defensive midfielder still appears to prefer a move to west London after already ruling himself out of any possible swap deal involving Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas going in the opposite direction.

Barca coach Pep Guardiola and outgoing president Joan Laporta insist Toure is a valued member of the playing staff, but the former Monaco player is not prepared to play second fiddle to Sergio Busquets and the attempted signing of Cesc Fabregas from Arsenal could limit his opportunities even further.

Guardiola would like to keep Toure at the Nou Camp, but because of the player’s preference for first-team football, Barcelona could let him leave if the suitable offer surfaces.

Chelsea was reported to have already had a £17 million bid for the player rejected by the Catalan giants.

Manchester City officials reportedly met with Toure at the end of last week and are said to have also discussed a £17m offer.

Paulo Ferreira: Portugal Can Do 'Something Beautiful' At The 2010 World Cup

Chelsea right back Paulo Ferreira has declared that Portugal can go all the way at the upcoming World Cup if they negotiate their so-called 'group of death'.

Carlos Quieroz's side has been drawn against Brazil, the Ivory Coast and North Korea in one of the toughest groups at the tournament. After struggling to qualify for the trip to South Africa, Portugal will receive a boost if they make it to the knockout stages.

Speaking to Chelsea's official website, Ferreira believed his nation can get to at least the semi-final stage at the competition if they concentrate on progressing beyond the opening round.

"People in Portugal are always asking what do you think when we reach the quarter-finals, can we reach the semi-finals?" Ferreira said.

"We have a good team, we have top players and we can do something beautiful in this competition but we have first to think about the group stage because sometimes when you put the expectation too high, the worst can happen.

"We need first to think about the group stage and then anything can happen."

Terry Big On Joe

John Terry is hoping club team-mate Joe Cole will be joining him on the plane to South Africa as Fabio Capello prepares to name his 23-man England squad for the World Cup.

Terry, along with fellow Chelsea men Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard are sure to start England's first game of the finals against USA on June 12, but playmaker Joe is less assured of his place, despite an impressive second-half showing against Japan on Sunday.

Speaking after the game, Terry was full of praise for the 28-year-old, who missed the start of the 2009/10 campaign through injury.

'On a personal level with Joe he's been great for Chelsea towards the end of the season as well so I'm delighted to see him given the chance,' he said.

'He causes defenders all sorts of problems when he floats in between the midfield and the front men and can pick the passes - you've seen with the ball through to Ash as well, so he's made a big impact and we'll have to wait and see.'

Terry suffered a knock on his calf during the game in Austria, England's last friendly before heading out to South Africa.

Other Chelsea men still have plenty of action before the tournament kicks off however, with no fewer than eight friendlies still to come involving Stamford Bridge-based players. You will, of course, be able to keep up with their progress here on our special dedicated World Cup page.

Ballack: Nobody From Chelsea Has Talked To Me About A New Contract

Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack has rejected reports he is in contract talks with the club and is uncertain where he will be playing next season.

The injured German international midfielder's deal with the Blues runs out this summer and he has yet to be offered fresh terms. Despite being eager to extend his four-year stay, he has accepted Chelsea's decision to leave negotiations on hold.

Speaking to the News of the World, Ballack said: "I am not having talks with Chelsea right now. We spoke in February and March but they put everything on ice with every player and that is still the situation.

"It's not easy but I am just a player so I accept this. I respect the club and I want to carry on at this club.

"But at the moment nobody has talked to me."

Ballack made 32 Premier League appearances last season, proving an important cog as the club won the first league and cup double in its history.

Asian Star: Two More Impress

Two more winners were announced in our Asian Soccer Star search on Monday, completing the Cobham-based competition for another year.

Ahsanuallah Nawazi in the Under 12s and Yusuf Ali in the Under 13s both received an invitation to return to our Surrey training ground later in the summer for a week-long trial in the Chelsea Academy, and are pictured with Brendan Batson MBE and musician Jaz Dhami, who have both supported the campaign.

Also pictured is last year's Under 12 winner A'ameer Kstantin Murphy, who has earned a place in Leyton Orient's Academy as a result of his endeavours at Chelsea.

Ahsanuallah, a striker, likens himself to Wayne Rooney due to his fast play and lack of height. He attributed today's success to a pair of borrowed socks, which will now become his lucky pair.

Yusuf, a midfielder, was delighted to emerge victorious on a day when a number approaching 200 hopefuls took part in the trials.

'I am shocked, I didn't know I was going to win it,' he said. 'There were some other really good players but people were telling me I was going to win.

'I'm a skilful player and good at dribbling and passing,' he said , before admitting to being an Arsenal fan.

Former Arsenal, Cambridge and West Brom defender Brendan Batson was taking in the action in his role as an ambassador for the FA, for whom he is aiming to help raise the numbers of ethnic minorities involved in football, particularly the coaching side. He believes Chelsea's campaign is a superb idea.

'This is a really good initiative, and I know other clubs are looking at doing the same. I think it sends out a great message to the Asian community that football wants to invite them into the game.

'Talent is a limited resource and clubs are scouting worldwide looking for talent, so there should be no reason why if lads start playing young enough that they can't break through. It is a real mystery why we haven't seen in the Asian community what has happened before with black players.

'I came to England as a nine-year-old and had never played it, it just so happened I fell in with a group of lads who played football and was lucky enough to have a half-decent career in the professional game.'

He identified the importance of starting to play young enough as a potential barrier.

'I do a lot of stuff with the FA to find the barriers preventing Asian youth from getting through. There are some issues to address and football has to be mindful of that,' he said.

'One of the big problems is maybe not starting to play young enough, they say you need 10,000 hours to reach the top of any profession, whether it's sport or the arts or anything, so unless you start at a young age, you are falling behind your peers.

'At a club like Chelsea the standard is very high, and these sorts of things can only help. It is good to see so many parents here because at a young age kids need parental support.'

So after a long weekend of footballing tests and matches, the competition draws to a close for another year, but has hopefully once again created a pathway for Asian youngsters to get into the game.

The six lucky winners from the three days will return over the summer, and we will have news when it arrives of how they fare.

Internationals: Clifford Nets Again

Conor Clifford scored the winner for the second time in as many games for Republic of Ireland's Under 19s on Monday.

The Chelsea youth team captain, who also netted the winning goal in the FA Youth Cup at the beginning of the month, ended it with a penalty against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Ukraine this afternoon.

The midfielder, who also skippers his international side, scored the game's only goal against the hosts of this Uefa European Under-19 Championship qualifier on Saturday, and this penalty also proved decisive, though Ireland did not qualify for the finals in France.

That was because England earned a 1-1 draw against Ukraine to claim top spot in the group, thanks to a late equalizer from Tottenham's Dean Parrett. Chelsea man Jacob Mellis was an unused sub.

England Players Can Be Proud Thanks To Fabio Capello - Frank Lampard

England midfielder Frank Lampard has maintained that manager Fabio Capello is the cause behind the Three Lions' renewed self-belief.

The confidence among players in the national team had hit a new low following the failure to qualify for the European Championships in 2008 under Steve McClaren.

However, the former Real Madrid boss' appointment has galvanised the Three Lions squad and after a stellar World Cup qualifying campaign, confidence is now sky-high going to South Africa.

A more solid looking team recently registered a 3-1 victory over Mexico at Wembley and now the Chelsea goal-ace believes they are heading to football's biggest event with their heads held high.

"We are going into this World Cup with a very good mindset, especially when you compare where we are to where we were," Lampard told the Daily Mirror.

"There was a time when we played for England when we didn't believe we could beat anybody, almost. Now there is a real belief when we run out on to the pitch.

"We were a group of individuals who were not doing what we were capable of doing but he [Fabio Capello] brought us into line from the start."

England are in Group C, and will play USA, Algeria and Slovenia in the hope of booking a place in the knockout stage of the showpiece event in South Africa.

No Tension Between England Pair Rio Ferdinand And John Terry

England captain Rio Ferdinand has revealed there will be no hard feelings from his defensive partner John Terry should he lift the World Cup this summer.

Former Three Lions striker Ian Wright indicated in his column for The Sun that there would be tension between ex-skipper Terry and Ferdinand, if the Manchester United man steered England to glory in South Africa.

Yet Ferdinand is adamant being part of the side to win football’s biggest prize for 44-years would make up for any disappointment the Chelsea captain may harbour.

"That is not a source of tension. When you win the World Cup, I don't care who actually lifts the World Cup," Ferdinand told reporters at a press conference ahead of Sunday's match with Japan.

"As long as I get to say I've got a medal around my neck that says I've lifted the World Cup, then great.

"If Wrighty [Ian Wright] feels he'd feel like that, which is down to him. I am sure JT [John Terry] wouldn't care who lifted the World Cup.

“I wouldn't care because you would go down in history as one of the best teams, one of the best players who has played for your country.

"The players who won it [the World Cup] in 1966 are still being wheeled out to do appearances because it is such a big thing and means so much to this country."

Terry was stripped of the captain's armband by manager Fabio Capello when news of his off-field antics were revealed.

Manchester United centre-back Ferdinand was handed the responsibility, although he confessed it was a burden he was happy to shoulder.

"I feel comfortable as captain. I'm one of the experienced lads, I've been in the squad for years," he added.

"All the young lads know me and all the senior lads have grown up with me.

"If there is something to be said in the changing room I've never been afraid to speak my mind on anything, anywhere. It is the same as being captain.

"I don't really behave differently. You get more people coming to you saying 'Can you ask about this?' or 'What you think about this?', but I don't look upon it as a pressure.

"It is part of the job and you've got to deal with it.

"I do like the responsibility. It is nice. Everyone wants to grow up wanting to be the captain of their club.

"This is England and there is no prouder accolade than to be captain of your country. But it won't mean as much if we weren't to win anything."

Manchester United And Chelsea Monitoring Atletico Madrid Stopper David De Gea

Manchester United and Chelsea are both tracking the development of Atletico Madrid’s emerging shot-stopper David de Gea, according to reports from the English press.

The Daily Mirror comments that the 19-year old, who was an integral figure in Los Colchoneros’ Europa League triumph, is being watched by the Premier League giants, who are preparing an offer to prise him from the Vicente Calderon.

It is understood that the La Liga side would command a fee in the region of €30m for De Gea, who was selected for Spain coach Vicente del Bosque’s provisional 30-man squad for the World Cup in South Africa.

Both English sides have received glowing scouting reports on the young goalkeeper, who burst onto the scene this season, displacing Sergio Asenjo as Atletico Madrid’s first choice midway through the campaign.

However, a stumbling block may be the excessive transfer fee, which may prompt both sides to search for alternative targets as they build for next season.

Manchester United keeper Edwin van der Sar recently signed a one-year contract extension, while Petr Cech remains Chelsea’s number one.

Buck - No Real Deal For Lampard

Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck insists there is 'no chance' Jose Mourinho will take Frank Lampard to Real Madrid.

Former Blues boss Mourinho is reportedly targeting 31-year-old Lampard as a potential signing when he takes over at the Bernabeu next week.

Star midfielder Lampard enjoyed a good relationship with the Portuguese boss during his time at Stamford Bridge, but Buck is adamant the England international is 'going nowhere'.

"Lampard is a great player," Buck told the Daily Star Sunday.

"But you can't possibly imagine Frank Lampard wearing anything other than the Chelsea shirt."

Jose Mourinho May Offer Kaka In Exchange For Frank Lampard And Ashley Cole

Chelsea face a fight to keep their Double-winning team together this week as former manager Jose Mourinho intensifies his efforts to recruit Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole for Real Madrid.

Mourinho's agent Jorge Mendes, who is negotiating transfers for the Spanish club, is planning to visit London in a bid to persuade Chelsea to allow the England pair to leave.

Chelsea will do their utmost to retain Lampard and Cole, who signed four-year contracts in 2008 and 2009 respectively.

Real Madrid will raise the possibility of a player-exchange, with Brazil superstar Kaka, who worked with Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti at AC Milan, and Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain in the frame.

Ancelotti is consulting his bosses over the make-up of his team for next season and while he is understood to be considering changes to his backroom staff, with Ray Wilkins' future as assistant coach under review, he would be reluctant to lose two such crucial players.

Mourinho, who left Chelsea in 2007, is to be installed as Real Madrid manager tomorrow following last Saturday's triumph in the Champions League with Inter Milan. He will want a number of his former players around him at what promises to be his most testing role to date in transforming Real after two years without a trophy.

He is already negotiating to take Inter Milan right-back Maicon to the club but wants to add a left-back and a midfielder. Cole is understood to be ready to consider a move after his pop star wife Cheryl filed for divorce last week, although Real may baulk at improving his wages of £120,000 a week and are tracking Lazio's Aleksander Kolovov as a contingency.

Lampard would find it difficult to resist the lure of rejoining former mentor Mourinho.

However, neither Ancelotti nor Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich would want to lose such an iconic player, who signed his current four-year deal when Mourinho attempted to recruit him for Inter Milan.

Lampard is 32 next month and Mourinho's interest represents his final chance to make the move abroad which he has always said he would like to experience before his career ends.

Asian Star Search On The Way

The first day of Chelsea's groundbreaking search for an Asian Soccer Star kicked off on Saturday with two winners in the Under 8 and Under 9 age groups.

Local boy Adam Aziz was the overall winner of the U9s whilst Kai Bhullar from Norwich was victorious in the U8s

Both boys will join the club's Academy for their summer trials and will hope to repeat last year's winners who have gone on to play for professional academies

Aziz was overjoyed with his result.

'I've been paying for four years, the trials were quite hard but I'm really happy,' he saud.

His mother Shamim said, 'I'm really proud of my son and all the effort he's put in. I've been out in different weathers all through the season and parents should be getting their boys out there.'

Bhullar's father Rajpreet was delighted with the result.

'I'm extremely proud - football is his [Kai's] life and we're really happy that all the hard work has paid off.'

Internationals: Stoch Selected In Warm Up

Miroslav Stoch was the one Chelsea player in World Cup warm-up action on Saturday.

He played for the first half of a 1-1 draw for Slovakia against Cameroon in Austria and had a big part in Kamil Kopunek's fifth-minute opener, receiving a pass, turning well inside the area and laying the ball back for a 25-yard finish.

Slovakia, who will be the only team appearing for a first time in the World Cup Finals, conceded the equalizer on 82 minutes.

Serbia were in action on the same day in the same stadium in a match affected by crowd trouble, however Branislav Ivanovic was not involved. Serbia went down to World Cup outsiders New Zealand by a single goal following a mistake from Nemanja Vidic.

On Sunday, John Terry, Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard started for England against Japan in Austria, while Joe Cole was on the bench.

Also in action are France against Tunisia, Ivory Coast against Paraguay and Nigeria versus Colombia at Milton Keynes.

The Nigerian FA have reported: 'John Mikel Obi arrived at the camp Friday morning after completing his rehabilitation exercises with medics of Chelsea.'

Also on Sunday England Under-17s aim to become European champions by beating Spain in Liechtenstein. Chelsea Academy products Josh McEachran and Nathaniel Chalobah have played a big part in the team reaching the final.