Chelsea Ready To Open Their Cheque Book With Sensational £100 Million Swoop For Kaka And Fernando Torres

Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti is reportedly ready to swoop for Brazilian ace Kaka and Liverpool's Fernando Torres in an audacious £100 million double transfer deal.

According to The People, the Italian hopes to be reunited with Kaka following their successful stint together in Milan, and it speculated that the highly regarded playmaker is ready to quit Spanish giants Real Madrid after just one season.

Despite leading the Blues' to a domestic double winning campaign last season, Ancelotti has convinced Russian owner Roman Abramovich he needs to strengthen the squad this summer in order to launch a bid to achieve the elusive Champions League success.

Kaka has hinted he believes he might not fit into new manager Jose Mourinho's tactical style of play and would possibly welcome a move away from the Bernabeu.

This has alerted Chelsea, who will be first in the queue to sign the Brazilian with an offer of around £50m, with Ancelotti confident he can bring the best out of his former protege once more.

The only stumbling block to any deal will be Mourinho requesting one of his former players moves in the opposite direction as part of any deal.

The Blues' have a huge hole to fill in the centre of their midfield following the release of Michael Ballack, Joe Cole and Deco. Having lightened the books with three top-earners ushered through the exit, it is believed Ancelotti will have money to spend this summer.

Opening up their coffers to Ancelotti could also see Liverpool's resolve tested to keep stellar striker Torres. Despite Roy Hodgson's appointment at Anfield, it is speculated the Merseyside outfit are still suffering from financial difficulties and any big money offer would be too much of a temptation to resist.

Ancelotti Sets Sights On Thomas Muller

Sources in Germany are claiming that Bayern Munich man Thomas Muller is now Carlo Ancelotti’s number one summer transfer target. The young attacker has had a fantastic World Cup thus far, scoring four goals to help the Germans to the semi-finals.

The 20 year old adaptable attacker was a relative unknown until this season when he established himself as a crucial part of Louis Van Gaal’s side, scoring 19 goals during the Bavarian club’s double winning success. He has followed up with some superb performances for his country to make himself indispensable to Joachim Low’s plans.

Ancelotti has been looking at various potential targets as he looks to freshen up his somewhat ageing Stamford Bridge side and has reportedly earmarked the powerfully built youngster as a signing he is very keen on making. He may have his work cut out however as Muller has only recently signed a new contract keeping him at the Allianz Arena until 2013 however the allure of a move to the Premier League may tempt the talented Munich man.

Roman Abramovich has stated that he would back Ancelotti’s attempts to bring in new faces following the departure of Michael Ballack and Joe Cole and the likely exit of Portuguese veteran Deco and would be more than happy to fund a move for the player thought to be valued at around £22m.

Previous reported interest in Muller: Manchester United and Chelsea have both reportedly made tentative enquiries about Bayern Munich star Thomas Muller.

Chelsea Ready To Open Their Cheque Book With Sensational £100 Million Swoop For Kaka And Fernando Torres

Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti is reportedly ready to swoop for Brazilian ace Kaka and Liverpool's Fernando Torres in an audacious £100 million double transfer deal.

According to The People, the Italian hopes to be reunited with Kaka following their successful stint together in Milan, and it speculated that the highly regarded playmaker is ready to quit Spanish giants Real Madrid after just one season.

Despite leading the Blues' to a domestic double winning campaign last season, Ancelotti has convinced Russian owner Roman Abramovich he needs to strengthen the squad this summer in order to launch a bid to achieve the elusive Champions League success.

Kaka has hinted he believes he might not fit into new manager Jose Mourinho's tactical style of play and would possibly welcome a move away from the Bernabeu.

This has alerted Chelsea, who will be first in the queue to sign the Brazilian with an offer of around £50m, with Ancelotti confident he can bring the best out of his former protege once more.

The only stumbling block to any deal will be Mourinho requesting one of his former players moves in the opposite direction as part of any deal.

The Blues' have a huge hole to fill in the centre of their midfield following the release of Michael Ballack, Joe Cole and Deco. Having lightened the books with three top-earners ushered through the exit, it is believed Ancelotti will have money to spend this summer.

Opening up their coffers to Ancelotti could also see Liverpool's resolve tested to keep stellar striker Torres. Despite Roy Hodgson's appointment at Anfield, it is speculated the Merseyside outfit are still suffering from financial difficulties and any big money offer would be too much of a temptation to resist.

Should Carlo Look To Uruguayan As The Ideal Foil For Drogba?

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Uruguay forward Luis Suarez has been catching the eye of many during his side’s World Cup campaign in South Africa and Chelsea are just one of the club’s linked with the Ajax man, could he be the perfect foil for Didier Drogba?

Manchester United has previously had the strongest interest in Suarez, but many feel that at £30+ million the Red Devils have been priced out of the market for him.

Suarez joined the list of top scorers in South Africa after his brace against South Korea in the second round took him to a total of three. It is not just his goal scoring that has impressed, but his relationship with fellow Uruguayan forwards Diego Forlan and Edinson Cavani.

It would seem as though Suarez’s performances have caught the eye of Carlo Ancelotti according to reports. Ancelotti thinks that the 23-year-old Ajax forward could be a long term successor for Blues’ hitman Drogba, but there’s no reason to suggest he couldn’t be the perfect foil for the Ivorian considering he isn’t always the main man for his country and performs well with the likes of Forlan.

At Ajax Suarez had been used in a more supporting role for both Klass-Jan Huntelaar and Marko Pantelic, it is only since the arrival of Martin Jol he was made captain and became the focal point of the Dutch club’s attack.

So, he can play a supporting role, but he is also pretty prolific as well scoring an incredible 49 goals in 48 games as well as his three World Cup goals.

However, the Eredivisie can often flatter to deceive and if there is any truth in the links then the Stamford Bridge faithful will be hoping that Suarez is more of an Arjen Robben (a player many Chelsea fans feel they still have not successfully replaced) and less of a Mateja Kezman, who came to west London with an impressive goal record in Holland but failed to make an impact in the Premier League (not for the want of trying though).

It is thought that Ancelotti believes that Suarez has what it takes to achieve on a bigger stage, rather than just the fairly average Dutch league and that he could operate in either 451 or the former AC Milan chief’s preferred diamond formation. Also, Chelsea will have to start thinking about successors for the likes of Drogba and Nicolas Anelka, who are 32 and 31 respectively.

It is not the first time that Suarez has been linked with Ancelotti’s side as there were many rumours circulating ahead of the January transfer window. Many quarters in the Dutch press had suggested that the Uruguayan had signed a pre-contract agreement with Chelsea in December 2009 and was due to move there during the winter transfer window, but the deal never came to pass.

Chelsea may face some competition if they wish to sign the young forward as Manchester United remain in the frame despite financial worries and also Barcelona, who are willing to buy players out of spite if you believe the stories in the press.

Chelsea - Transfer Targets And Rumours!

Are we worried about the lack of noise in the press about players coming to Chelsea?

All I have read so far this summer is about players leaving the bridge and very little about players joining us.

Even Florent Malouda has asked the question about Joe Cole leaving, a player I am gutted to see go, he was then quick to speak about the youth that are coming through and how this is a good thing for the club. I personally agree with him that youth is the way we must go.

I would rather see Chelsea not win a trophy for the next couple of seasons than spend stupid, unsustainable sums of money on more established players while we sell off or release our young players without giving them a chance.

Stoch is a player that I am also very sad to see go, yes he played a few games for the first team and didn't light the place up instantly but after the season he's has had at FC Twente and then the great displays in the World Cup we have surely let a player with massive potential go for probably a small fee (undisclosed is how it's being described).

I do think that the current first team squad needs a couple of new additions, a striker and a more creative player in the midfield, but I also think that these players can come out of the youth ranks, Kakuta for instance looks like a great prospect.

Or do we need to sign a Schweinsteiger and a Dzeko or even a Milner instead of promoting from the youth ranks.

I am, as we all are, aware that some of the youth team have been promoted into the first team but if we go out and buy these big name players then the game time will surely be limited to the odd cameo and cup chance rather than that of a serious first teamer.

I want to know what other fans think of the situation, while the noises from the club are that we are looking to youth is what other fans want or do you still feel that big transfers are the way forward.

Real Madrid Ready To End Ashley Cole's Chelsea Misery With £30m Offer

Real Madrid have stepped up their efforts to sign Ashley Cole from Chelsea, believing the England left-back is ready to depart the Premier League after a turbulent last year.

According to the Mirror, the La Liga giants are lining up a £30 million offer for the 28-year-old, who signed a four-year contract extension last September.

However, the former Arsenal defender is reportedly unhappy with his life in England after his split from wife Cheryl Cole and would relish a fresh start in Spain.

Should the move happen, the defender would link up with his former boss Blues' boss Jose Mourinho.

Real Madrid are confident they can offer Cole a better deal than his current £120,000-a-week wage, and his strong relationship with Mourinho may be another incentive to move to the Bernabeu.

Cole is alleged to have sent a text message to his friends after England’s humiliating 4-1 defeat to Germany at World Cup 2010, which read: “I hate England.”

Steven Gerrard is also linked with a move to Real Madrid, although the appointment of Roy Hodgson may be enough to convince the Liverpool captain to stay at Anfield.

Harry Redknapp Still Confident Of Tempting Joe Cole To Tottenham Hotspur

Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp has not given up hope of signing Joe Cole on a free transfer this summer, despite Goal.com UK exclusively revealing that he had agreed to join Arsenal last month.

The England international is out of contract after failing to agree terms on a new deal with Chelsea, and despite a move on the cards to join the Gunners, Redknapp is still confident of tempting the midfielder away from their north London rivals.

“I have spoken to Joe [Cole]. I thought he would have done a deal with another club but I don’t think he has. If it’s possible to get him I would like him,” Redknapp told Talksport.

“I think there’s a good chance. Three weeks ago I didn’t think it could happen. He’s got lots of options; quite a few clubs want him. It won’t be easy but we’ve got as good a chance as any.

“I had a good relationship with him as a kid. He’s still got that enthusiasm.”

Manchester United have denied any contact with the 28-year-old former West Ham United player, and recent reports have linked the midfielder with a move to Serie A

Nicolas Anelka Should Never Play For France Again - Jean-Pierre Escalettes

Outgoing French Football Federation president Jean-Pierre Escalettes believes Nicolas Anelka should never play for his national side again.

The Chelsea striker was disgracefully sent home during the World Cup by Raymond Domenech after he refused to apologise for his half-time dressing-room bust up with the former coach.

This event triggered a mutiny within the French camp, with players refusing to train in support of Anelka.

Les Blues went on to lose their final group game against hosts South Africa.

Escalettes, who resigned from his post in the wake of France’s woeful campaign, was speaking to the Cultural Affairs Committee of the National Assembly, which has held an inquest into France’s disastrous World Cup tournament.

“Neither I nor my successor, nor the future coach will forget what happened and everyone will ensure that he can not play for France," Escalettes said at the meeting.

Escalettes found out about the dressing-room incident during France’s second World Cup game against Mexico from reading L’Equipe.

"As soon as I knew, and having made a minimum of checks - a player told me that the remarks were worse than reported - I immediately punished the perpetrator of this insult," he said.

Domenech, who was also at the hearing, was required to explain why he refused to shake the hand of South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira following their defeat.

At the time, Domenech said he was reacting to Parreira’s comments regarding Thierry Henry’s handball against Ireland, which helped them to qualify for the tournament.

"The whole of France being well-meaning and so quick to make moral found no fault with the accusations of Mr Parreira," said Domenech.

"It is important for me to defend the image of the France team. I probably did not measure the negative media coverage of my gesture.

"I probably should have told him directly and discreetly."

Florent Malouda Blasts Raymond Domenech For Failed Tactics In South Africa

France international winger Florent Malouda has revealed that former coach Raymond Domenech did not listen to the players during their disastrous World Cup campaign and that their entire playing system collapsed in South Africa.

Les Bleus suffered a humiliating first round exit from the 2010 World Cup as they finished bottom of their group. Raymond Domenech, who has since then been replaced by Laurent Blanc, was heavily criticised by the media and fans alike for his tactics and strategy.

In an interview with L'Equipe, winger Malouda revealed that the players did not share a good relationship with Domenech and that they were not happy with his tactics and decisions, adding the system failed.

"It's the failure of a system that led to the debacle," the Chelsea winger said.

"The players who play for Chelsea, Barcelona, (Bayern) Munich or (Olympique) Lyon need a high-level environment to blossom.

"It was difficult for me to accept the way the national team functioned compared to a great club like Chelsea. Every time I was called up to the national team, it was back to negative stories and bad vibes".

The 30-year-old continued, "With France, I came to play where I was asked to and that was it. We didn't even try to see the coach to talk about the tactical system, 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1.

"It was just 'put yourself there and no arguments'. We did not look for explanations. Never in the last few years did my words have any influence on the coach.

Franz Beckenbauer Feels Sympathy For Frank Lampard

Franz Beckenbauer has expressed sympathy for the controversial manner in which England bowed out of the World Cup and called for the introduction of technology to prevent such injustices in future.

Although Beckenbauer has repeatedly criticised England's tactics during the World Cup, at one stage labelling Fabio Capello's men a 'kick and rush' team who had gone backwards under the Italian, he admits he felt sorry for them after Frank Lampard's strike was not given.

The inexplicable decision not to award Lampard's 'goal', after the ball bounced off the underside of the bar and landed a clear two feet over the line, has been described in some quarters as German revenge for England's third goal, scored by Geoff Hurst, in the 1966 World Cup final at Wembley.

Yet Beckenbauer, who was the victim on that occasion, does not see the comparison. He accepts there will never be a definitive answer to whether Hurst's shot crossed the line or not. Everyone knows Lampard's did.

'I was sorry for England that Lampard's goal was not spotted,' Beckenbauer told the South African Times. 'There is no comparison here to the famous Wembley goal scored by England in 1966 in the final against West Germany.

'Whether or not that shot from Geoff Hurst crossed the line is something you can still debate today, even if computer projections have shown that it wasn't a goal. 'That Lampard's shot landed behind the line is much clearer.'

Having ruled out the use of technology to assist match officials, FIFA president Sepp Blatter has conceded the matter has to be looked at again.

The influence of outside forces may end up being strictly limited, but any assistance is a good thing as far as Beckenbauer is concerned.

'I am pleased that the FIFA president wants to open the discussion again on perhaps using videos or microchip technology in the ball,' said Beckenbauer.

'There is also talk of additional match officials behind the goal. 'Whatever helps the cause of justice is also good for football. Just as long as it doesn't get too complicated.'

My Favourite Games: Ray Wilkins

With more than 500 appearances to his name in a career spanning over 20 years, Ray Wilkins has plenty of games to pick from when choosing his favourite.

As for those he watched, it is World Cup season, and he takes us back to a classic in 1982 - one Deco also selected earlier in the week.

Favourite game played:

Not many sides come from two down in a European tie to beat Barcelona, particularly when that Barcelona side contains one Diego Maradona and the West German Bernd Schuster, who would go on to coach Real Madrid, but that is what Manchester United achieved in 1984.

A Uefa Cup Winners' Cup quarter-final first leg had seen the Catalans win 2-0 before having to return to Old Trafford, where they found Wilkins, Norman Whiteside, Bryan Robson and co. in fine form inside a bubbling Old Trafford.

England captain Robson had opened the scoring before adding another after Wilkins's shot had been blocked by the Barcelona goalkeeper, and then Frank Stapleton added a third to send United into the semis.

'My favourite game was for Manchester United against Barcelona in the Cup Winners Cup in March 1984,' he explains. 'We were 2-0 down from the first leg and it could have been 102, against the Maradonas of this world, and seven Spanish internationals, then we played them at Old Trafford with 60,000 people there, and scored the third goal with about two minutes to go and beat them 3-0.

'Steve Holland tells me he was there! We had young Graham Hogg pretty much making his debut and marking Maradona, it was a nerve-wracking experience but a great night, and we went on to lose in the semi-final against Juventus.'

Favourite game watched:

How often do you see the favourites eliminated early when they look nailed on to win? That is exactly what happened to Brazil at the World Cup in 1982, when a Paulo Rossi hat-trick for Italy sent one of the greatest sides of all time crashing out of the tournament, despite the presence of Falcao, Socrates and Zico in a star-studded line-up.

'Probably the best game I've ever seen was Italy and Brazil in 1982, it was a classic football game going one way and another, an Italian smash and grab against one of the best Brazilian sides to have played,' Wilkins recalls.

'Paolo Rossi scored a hat-trick and Brazil didn't really have a centre-forward, the big lump's name at number nine was Serginho, a huge guy, and that cost them a little bit.'

Chelsea Seal Yossi Deal

Chelsea has completed the signing of winger Yossi Benayoun from Liverpool.

The Israel international, who is viewed as a direct replacement for Joe Cole, has signed a three-year deal for a fee believed to be in the region of £7 million.

"I am very excited to come to a club like Chelsea, it is a big club and I think it is a dream for every player," Benayoun told Chelsea's official website. "Hopefully we will be successful."

Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti feels he has got his hands on a classy recruit.

"We are happy to have this new player," the Italian said. "Yossi has a lot of quality in midfield and can play in lots of positions. I like his behavior on the pitch and he will do a great job for us next season."

Agent: "I Can Confirm There Is Interest In Eljero"

Sport.co.uk understands Dutchman Eljero Elia is attracting interest from a number of Europe’s elite clubs with Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton and Tottenham Hotspur all reportedly monitoring the player’s impressive performances at the World Cup.

Elia, 23, joined German club Hamburg in 2009 for a fee of 8.9 million euros after winning the 'Johan Cruyff Award’ given to the best young player in Dutch football that year. The talented winger was being closely monitored by Arsenal scout Gilles Grimandi and Chelsea Director of Football Frank Arnesen before moving to Germany, and now reports suggest the Premier League pair are impressed with his World Cup performances, while Everton and Tottenham Hotspur have also reportedly joined the list of Elia’s admirers.

Sport.co.uk can confirm there is intense interest in the Dutch winger, however Elia’s representative Mr. S.Vink informed us that Hamburg were only interested in keeping the pacey winger, rather than entertaining offers for the talented forward.

Mr. S.Vink told Sport.co.uk: “The situation at the moment is that whenever a player is performing well they are attracting interest, and I can confirm that there is interest in Eljero (Elia). But the player is contracted to Hamburg, so at this point in time he is still with Hamburg.

Elia’s representative was then asked if the Premier League clubs in question were tracking the Dutch winger. He said:

“Clubs are interested but I can’t say too much at this moment in time. You never know in football what happens next, things can move quickly. If Eljero (Elia) has a good game for Holland you never know what will happen.

“People must remember that it is not only Eljero (Elia), there are three parties involved in a transfer. If his club doesn’t want to let him go he will stay at Hamburg this summer. It is simple, as all three parties need to agree or he cannot leave his club.

“He is happy at Hamburg, but you know how football is, sometimes transfers move fast.”

Bale Wants Joe Cole At Spurs

Gareth Bale has urged Tottenham to do everything they can to bring Joe Cole to White Hart Lane.

Arsenal and Spurs are thought to be the front-runners in the race for the England midfielder after his contract with Chelsea expired.

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp has been quiet in the transfer market this summer although he has made no secret of his desire to sign Cole, who he brought through the youth ranks at West Ham.

And Bale believes the 28-year-old would be a fantastic addition as Spurs embark on their first Champions League campaign.

"I think he is a great player and would be a great signing for us," said Bale.

"If he did come obviously we would welcome him with open arms and he would be an important asset to the squad.

"His Champions League experience would be an important asset for us. The more experience we have the better.

"A few of our guys have been in the Champions League before but for most of us it will be a new experience that we are looking forward to and if he can bring us more experience then that would be handy."

Bale has been linked with a move away from Spurs this summer, with Serie A winners Inter Milan, their rivals AC Milan, and La Liga champions Barcelona linked with the 20-year-old.

He signed a new four-year contract in May, though, and insists he is not thinking about leaving White Hart Lane.

"I am absolutely committed to Tottenham," he said.

"I have just signed a new deal. I don't know anything about the rumours, to be honest. It's just paper talk."

Bale is excited at the prospect of playing in next season's Champions League and has targeted the knockout stages.

"I think we're definitely good enough to get into the knockout stages," he said.

"You don't want to there and fall at the first hurdle. We want to get as far as we can.

We know it will be difficult but we will be ready for it.

"It's a massive stepping stone that has made us a bigger club. If we can qualify and play at the highest level then the whole team will improve."

World Cup Ace Hints At Blues Move

Chelsea are being linked with a move for Mesut Ozil and the Germany World Cup ace has hinted at a move to England.

The 21-year-old has been one of the star performers at the World Cup so far as Germany have progressed to the quarter-finals and it comes as no surprise to see him being linked with a move away from Werder Bremen.

Chelsea are thought to be in the hunt and the midfielder admits he would be tempted at a move to Stamford Bridge once Germany's participation in the tournament is over.

"The World Cup is all that matters at the moment," he revealed. "When I get back we can think about my future, but for now it's not something I want to give a lot of thought to. To the top players the Premier League is attractive.

"You look at what Manchester United and Chelsea have achieved over the last five years and you see it would be easy to be successful at two clubs like that.

"I see what Michael Ballack achieved at Chelsea and the quality of players he played with and the temptation becomes obvious. Trophies are what matters to me. There are two teams in England always at the top and of course that's attractive. But the same is true for La Liga.

"They're the strongest leagues in the world."

Peterborough Swoop For Chelsea Free Transfer

Peterborough have claimed a major scoop with the capture of young defender Seth Nana Ofori-Twumasi from Chelsea on a free transfer.

The 20-year-old attracted a host of suitors having, but Gary Johnson came out on top and persuaded the youngster to pen a three-year deal at London Road.

The Posh boss told the club's official website: "He is a strong lad, a quality player and is a fantastic inclusion to our squad. He has a good future ahead of him.

"He can play right-back, left-back, in midfield, at centre-half - even though he is not the biggest - and I think he is a player for all positions."

Former Chelsea Midfielder Joe Cole Likely To Remain In England

Joe Cole's agent, David Giess, has poured cold water on a potential move to AC Milan, maintaining that he is still trying to work out a way in which his client can play for a Premier League club.

The midfielder has been linked with a number of moves having become a free agent after running his contract down at Chelsea, and there had been speculation that the Italian club were in line to offer him the chance to perform in Serie A.

However, the 28-year-old's representative has labelled that as "pure press speculation" while conceding that it is unlikely that the former West Ham United player would move away from England.

In the meantime, however, Giess has maintained that Cole's priority is to join a club that will compete in the Champions League next season.

"Football is the most important thing to Joe and continuing to play in the Champions League is high on his priorities," he told ESPNSoccernet.

Demichelis Has A Dig At Terry

Defender Martin Demichelis claims he would not be able to return to Argentina if he plays as badly against Germany as John Terry did last weekend.

Argentina and Germany are preparing to meet in the quarter-finals of the World Cup having eliminated Mexico and the Three Lions, respectively.

Germany cruised past England after a 4-1 win over Fabio Capello's side and Terry has come in for criticism following his unimpressive defensive performance.

Argentina and Germany have been exchanging fierce words ahead of Saturday's match but they have also both been taking swipes at England, and Demichelis has ripped into Terry.

The Argentina centre-back said of the Chelsea captain: "Seeing the way Terry played against Germany, if I was Terry I wouldn't be able to go back to my country.

"I'm strong but I'm not a masochist so I don't read every criticism about me.

"I know that when the team is playing well there are always people who look for a weakness, for example me, but I know I can overcome this bad moment."

Rumours Of Rift Between Steven Gerrard & John Terry Within England's World Cup 2010 Camp Ruled Out

England stars Steven Gerrard and John Terry did not have a falling out over issues relating to their private lives at the World Cup, according to several newspaper reports.

Internet rumours have spread in the wake of the Three Lions' exit from the World Cup that the pair headed opposing factions in the England camp at the tournament.

Terry's public expression of unhappiness at a press conference during the campaign was reported to have angered Gerrard and his Liverpool team-mate Jamie Carragher, with rumours of a wider split between Liverpool and Chelsea players also appearing.

There was apparently a confrontation between the two relating to remarks later made by Gerrard about Terry's comments at the press conference undermining team morale.

Gerrard is also believed to have been unhappy at what he perceived as Terry's attempts to undermine him as skipper.

However, according to a number of tabloid newspapers, the issue did not relate to the private lives of the players and they have subsequently spoken about the situation and are keen to dismiss the rumours as mere speculation.

My Favourite Games: John Terry

The latest in our series of player memories sees the captain recall two of Chelsea's most famous European nights, one in which he starred and the other which he watched as a starry-eyed youth team member.

Favourite game played:

John Terry scored the final goal in his favourite game played but that probably isn't the only reason he ranks the fixture so high on his list of greats.

When Chelsea hosted Barcelona in the Champions League second leg back in 2005, a fixture of truly epic proportions unfolded in front of the home fans.

It all began with the Blues securing a three-goal lead over one of the greatest sides in world football, a side who boasted names including Ronaldhino, Samuel Eto'o, Andres Iniesta, Victor Valdes and the eventual Blue Juliano Belletti.

Eidur Gudjohnsen struck first, Frank Lampard added the second and Damien Duff made it three, all inside the opening 20 minutes, but before half-time arrived, Ronaldhino returned twice for the visitors.

The first was a penalty, the second was a phenomenal flick from the edge of the box, but it was all the Catalan club could muster and when Terry headed home a Duff corner in the second half, our place in the semi-finals was sealed.

'Beating Barcelona 4-2 in the Champions League five years ago really stands out,' explains the Chelsea captain.

'We played some brilliant football and ripped them apart at times, then to score the winner was a special one, but it was just a great team performance.'

Favourite game watched:

Around 20,000 fans travelled to Sweden to see the match Terry considers top of his list for favourite games watched.

After FA Cup domination during the 1996/97 season, which ended with a 2-0 win over Middlesbrough in the final, Chelsea made our way to the Cup Winners' Cup Final the following season.

It took a 4-0 thumping of Slovan Bratislava, followed by a 9-4 win over Tromso and a 5-2 triumph over Real Betis in the quarter-finals to get there.

The final game before the meeting with Stuttgart was a 3-2 win over Vincenza, while the German side won their place in the final with a 3-1 victory over Lokomotiv Moscow.

By the time Chelsea reached the tournament's ultimate game, the feeling inside the Chelsea camp was one of excitement.

And why not? Think of the line up. There was Ed de Goey in goal and Dan Petrescu, Frank Leboeuf and Steve Clarke were just three of the names in defence.

The Chelsea midfield boasted Dennis Wise, Roberto Di Matteo and Gustavo Poyet while Tore Andre Flo and Gianluca Vialli headed the attack.

It was always going to be a great game from Chelsea's perspective, and the above names don't even include the winning goalscorer, Gianfranco Zola.

In fact, Zola didn't come on until the 71st minute and scored with what was practically his first touch, feeding off a Wise through ball to seal Chelsea's first European trophy since 1971.

For a young Terry, who watched from the sidelines as an Academy player, the memories are still strong.

'The Cup Winners' Cup Final in 1998, when Zola scored the winner, was great,' says Terry. 'I was there as part of the youth team and remember it well.'