Trophies From Amsterdam

The final whistle has blown on Chelsea match action for the season with even more silverware won.

A team of young Blues were victorious in the Copa Amsterdam Under-19 tournament played over three days in Holland and with international call-ups and injuries cutting significantly the number of players available, it was a sign of strength-in-depth in the junior ranks.

Major clubs from Europe and South and Central America were represented and in the first group game, a Chelsea side that was predominantly a youth team beat Chivas Guadalajara 2-0 with goals from Ben Gordon and Daniel Philliskirk.

Botafogo of Brazil were then defeated in the last minute by a goal from guest player Aleksander Trajkovski, guaranteeing a place in the semi-final. The squad was rotated for the third group game which was lost 1-0 to AZ Alkmaar of Holland.

The semi-final presented the tough challenge of playing Ajax in Amsterdam. The tournament was held in the city's Olympisch Stadion which is that club's former home.

Chelsea won 1-0 thanks to a Billy Clifford goal and Sevilla knocked out another Dutch team, AZ, in the other semi.

Following a final against the Spaniards that ended goalless, the first 13 takers in the penalty shoot-out kept their nerve, but then Sam Walker saved to give Chelsea victory 7-6 on penalties.

Walker the keeper for the recent FA Youth Cup triumph, won best goalkeeper of the tournament and Chelsea centre-back Rohan Ince won player of the tournament.

'It has rounded off a fantastic season for the club at all levels,' reports reserve team manager Steve Holland.

'It is a tournament we look back on with a great deal of satisfaction because it doesn't just highlight the fact we have talented young players at the club, we knew that anyway by the lads that made their first-team debuts this year and the success of the youth team, it also shows what depth we have.

'We were without 13 players who could have been available to us and to enter a tournament of this standing without players like Fabio Borini, Gael Kakuta, Jacob Mellis, Josh McEachran, Conor Clifford, Jacop Sala, Jeffrey Bruma and Danny Mills Pappoe and still win is great testament to the strength that we have.

'Billy Clifford did very well,' Holland adds. 'He played mainly at full-back for the youth team in the Youth Cup but with Conor Clifford, McEachran and Sala away on international duty, Billy moved into midfield and scored the vital winner in the semi.

'The cup we won is huge. It takes two people to lift it an inch off the ground!'

Terry Looks Back Over The Season

Chelsea TV hears from four influential first teamers this week as John Terry, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole and Michael Ballack review the season.

Double Winner begins with Terry on Tuesday as the captain gives a personal account of an historic campaign with the Blues.

Lampard's views air on Wednesday at the same time before Cole and Ballack have their say on Thursday and Friday respectively, all at 6.45pm.

You can hear the four stars talking about the season's greatest moments, the turning points and the highs and lows as they speak openly and honestly about the last 10 months.

Also, as we prepare for the world's biggest competition, the club's official television channel looks ahead to the tournament with the World Cup Preview Show at 6.45pm on Wednesday evening.

That program includes the opinions of every first team player who is taking part in this summer's World Cup in South Africa.

Michael Ballack Confirms 'Miracle Cures' Will Not Get Him To World Cup 2010

Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack has reiterated that there is no chance of his playing for Germany at the World Cup finals in South Africa.

There had been reports that he was set to undergo 'wonder treatments' for the ankle injury he sustained in the FA Cup final against Portsmouth.

Last week Ballack revealed that there was no possibility that he could feature for Joachim Loew's squad this summer and he has confirmed once again that there was never any chance of him travelling.

"A few wonder-healers have contacted me, but I don't believe in miracles," he said on Germany's ZDF television.

"The World Cup is forgotten.

"I have a fantastic doctor whom I trust wholeheartedly. It would be defying nature to treat a torn ligament differently - there is no chance."

Ballack, who currently has 98 caps for his country, has no plans to call time on his international career though.

"I will be back," he affirmed.

Jose Mourinho Makes Chelsea Defender Ashley Cole His Top Target To Join Him At Real Madrid

Jose Mourinho will make Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole his top target when he leaves Inter Milan to take over at Real Madrid this summer.

The former Blues boss is anticipating completing a move to the Bernabeu on Monday when he meets with Real president Florentino Perez.

The ‘Special One’ hopes to bring Cole and Inter right-back Maicon with him to Madrid next season, according to the Daily Mail.

The England international, who Mourinho brought to Chelsea from Arsenal four years ago, is valued at about £25 million.

Cole returned to action late in the campaign after breaking his ankle in February and helped Chelsea secure a Double this season.

The 29-year-old has four years remaining on his £100,000-a-week contract at Chelsea and the Blues will fight to keep him at Stamford Bridge.

Michael Ballack Set For New Contract Talks At Chelsea This Week

Michael Ballack is set to hold talks with Chelsea about a possible new contract, according to a report from German daily Bild.

The German international, who has been ruled out of the World Cup after sustaining an ankle injury in the Blues' FA Cup final win over Portsmouth, has made no secret of his desire to stay at Stamford Bridge.

His current deal is set to expire very shortly though, and there has been reported interest in him from his homeland, with Schalke 04 apparently keen on securing his services.

According to the report, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich will this week hold discussions with the player, who scored four goals in 38 games during the Blues' Double-winning campaign.

Ancelotti Hopes To Complete Summer Move For Bojan

Chelsea will reportedly attempt to sign Barcelona youngster Bojan this summer. Carlo Ancelotti is looking to spend big in order to bring some more young talent to Stamford Bridge and has earmarked a move for the Spanish international.

Pepe Guardiola has attempted to inject more youth into his Nou Camp side but whereas the likes of Pedro and Sergio Busquets have been handed more first team football this season 19 year old Bojan has found his time in the starting eleven limited.

With the arrival of David Villa and emergence of Pedro, the teenager may well feel the time is right to leave the Catalan giants even though he is much loved by the clubs fans he could well see a move to the Premier League as the best way to ensure his career progression is not stuttered warming the bench. Giovani dos Santos felt the need to make a similar move two years ago, and whilst his time in the Premier League was problematic, Bojan is a cut above the Mexican and could be ready to jump straight into the Chelsea first team if he did indeed make such a move.

Given that Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka are both over 30 years of age and with Daniel Sturridge still very rough around the edges a move for the young striker may well make a great deal of sense.

Chelsea & Arsenal To Step Up Pursuit Of Barcelona Youngster Gai Assulin

Chelsea and Arsenal are both interested in signing Israeli starlet Gai Assulin from Barcelona, according to a report from Spanish daily Sport.

The attacking midfielder made his debut for his national team at the age of 16 and has been tipped for a major future on the world stage.

However, first team opportunities at Camp Nou have become limited and the 19-year-old's contract is set to expire soon, making him available on a free transfer.

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti is keen to add fresh legs to an ageing midfield at Stamford Bridge, whilst the Gunners had been linked with the player earlier in the season.

Chelsea Eye Cut Price Darijo Srna As Shakhtar Donetsk Prepare To Cash In On £20m-rated Croatia Defender

Shakhtar Donetsk are deciding whether to cash in on Chelsea target Darijo Srna as the captain of the Ukainian champions enters the final year of his £65,000-a-week contract.

The Blues made a move for the Croatia right back last summer only to be put off by a hefty £20million valuation and were also rebuffed in January.

But faced with the prospect of losing him for nothing next summer, Shakhtar are deciding make cash in on the 28-year-old for a more reasonable fee.

'I'll find out if I'm moving to another club in the next 10 days,' said Srna. 'I wouldn't be upset if I stay in Donetsk, but I want to try my hand at another level.'

Doubts remain over the Stamford Bridge futures of Portugal pair Jose Bosingwa and Paulo Fereirra, while Juliano Belletti has played his last game for the club.

Branislav Ivanovic was voted the best right-back in the Barclays Premier League by his fellow professionals but would prefer to play at centre half.

Bayern Munich are also interested in Srna, while Vedran Corluka has urged Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp to enter the bidding.

His agent Damir Stimac said: 'If Shakhtar want to complete a successful transfer of Darijo to one of Europe's top clubs, it would be best to do so this summer. He will be happy to remain in Donetsk or have the opportunity to play in the top league.'

Fabio Capello Must Use Joe Cole's Magic Feet For England

It was nice of Graeme Le Saux to speak up for his mate. Allow me to join the chorus of approval for Joe Cole. There must be a place for Cole when Fabio Capello names his World Cup 23 next week.

Le Saux is biased, of course. He spoke of Cole's talent and the need to use his inclusion in the initial squad of 30 to drive his case home. I disagree. Cole has been making his case from the moment he laced a boot.

Capello has two genuine No 10s in his squad. One is Wayne Rooney. The other is Cole. Ten is football's magic number, the shirt managers throw to the men who can make a difference, to players not bound by convention, who see the pass and the gap that others do not, in whose imaginations a different game plays out.

The news coming out of Austria ahead of tonight's fixture against Mexico was that Capello is flush with new thought, that Rooney is to slip anchor and replicate his club role at the point of the attack supported by Steven Gerrard. This is to be welcomed and adds even more weight to Cole's case. If Rooney is to be a lone striker in a more advanced position, the need for magic feet to operate behind at some point in a match is met by Cole.

The champagne moment of 2006 – and there weren't many, on the pitch at least – was Cole's strike against Sweden, a masterful dispatch that drew awed gasps. Cole sent the ball on its way with the kind of geometry few can trace. He has it in him to change the course of a match, not necessarily from the start, rather to make an impact when legs are tiring and the game is stretched.

Capello is committed to a starting line-up that precludes Cole's inclusion, whichever formation he chooses. The coupling of Gerrard and Frank Lampard is seen as inviolable, despite the tension that remains in that dynamic. Capello has inched closer than any to a compromise that frees both to duplicate their club roles, but since they fill essentially the same slot at Liverpool and Chelsea, their impact with England is never quite what it is in the Premier League.

There would be some irony were Cole to be excluded by a coach hired to add continental sophistication to a yeoman template. There is a well established English distrust at international level of mercurial feet that reaches all the way back to Sir Alf Ramsey, the World Cup reference point that Capello is seeking to match. Ramsey famously left out Jimmy Greaves for Geoff Hurst in the 1966 final, placing his trust in utilitarian values rather than art. Victory validated his choice and snuffed out the argument for decades.

In one sense, Ramsey's high point may have done more harm than good, for it serves as the eternal justification for the selection of willing legs over creativity. Selection is, of course, never that simple. The coach is required to blend a multiplicity of qualities. However, the list of high-class victims is too long to dismiss entirely the idea that Roundhead thinking has held England back.

I waged war in the playground on behalf of Sheffield United's Tony Currie, who was persistently overlooked in the Seventies. Alan Hudson was another talented playmaker considered ill-fitted for international demands. Shamefully Curry was capped only 17 times, Hudson just twice. Their exclusion explains in part why England failed to qualify for the World Cup in 1974 and 1978. That, and in 1973 a Polish goalkeeper called Jan Tomaszewski.

Glenn Hoddle's international career is one long lament over what might have been. His 53 caps short-changed, with the possible exception of Paul Gascoigne, England's greatest post-66 talent. When Spurs import Ossie Ardiles finally mastered English, one of the first questions he put to Hoddle was why he hadn't won 100 caps. Michel Platini said that had he been born French, Hoddle would have won 150. Johan Cruyff asked for his shirt after a Uefa Cup match at White Hart Lane. Plaudits do not come much higher than that.

Players such as Hoddle, Hudson, Currie and Cole need to be encouraged, to be told how brilliant they are, not to be told to tuck their shirts in, as Ron Greenwood once ordered Hoddle to do. The shirt out was the trigger that freed Hoddle's swagger, a subtle token that spoke of individualism, of romance, of creativity, attributes too often misunderstood in our game. Let's not see the trend continue with the suppression of Cole. Rooney escapes censure because he marries Cole's ability to classic English attributes, an iron will and indefatigable effort. Rooney is the first to acknowledge Cole's technical range. Capello must do likewise.

Le Saux Joins The Search

Graeme Le Saux believes the club's search for an Asian soccer star is going to reap some impressive rewards this weekend.

As many youngsters with Asian backgrounds prepare to take part in this weekend's event at our Cobham training ground, former Blue Le Saux is excited by the prospect.

'We're creating a wonderful opportunity for people to come and see what the club has to offer,' said Le Saux, 'and it's on the bank holiday weekend so it's going to be great and a full house.

'Last year there were two players who achieved professional contracts and the turnout was phenomenal.

'So this year we are just saying, come along, experience it, enjoy the facilities, and if you're good enough there's a chance you could come and join the Academy.'

It's any young footballer's dream to become part of the Chelsea youth system and this weekend aspiring players from the Asian community will be judged on a series of matches and tests.

Each test is designed specifically by the Chelsea Academy to examine speed, skill and ability.

Players from Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan and Bangladeshi backgrounds between the ages of eight and 13 will take part in this weekend's initiative, as six lucky players strive for the chance of winning a week-long trial with the Blues.

The initiative is the first of its kind ever undertaken by a professional football club and is designed to give a much needed boost to Asian participation at all levels of the game.

Last year's initiative saw 350 young people attending the Cobham training ground and the three winning players training and turning out for Chelsea teams during the summer. Two of last year's winners have since gone to be signed by Leyton Orient and Southend.

'We are the first club to create this specific opportunity and it's great,' added Le Saux.

'It was so successful last year; the rewards and the energy that went into it were phenomenal, now we want it to be as successful this year.'

Chelsea Football Club's Search for an Asian Soccer Star campaign is delighted to have signed up leading Asian Channel Zee TV as a supporter of the campaign.

'Being a pioneer in showcasing new young talent, Zee is committed to initiatives that allow Asian youth an opportunity to perform at a national level. Zee is proud to support Chelsea's Asian Soccer Star program and hopes more of the country's leading clubs follow with similar schemes. This is undoubtedly a commendable program and Zee will do what it can to encourage its young stars,' said Govind Shahi, business head, Zee Europe.

Head of CSR at Chelsea Simon Taylor said: 'It's fantastic news that Zee TV have agreed to support the campaign and we welcome them on board.

'For a leading channel like Zee to sign up to the campaign shows how far the Asian Soccer Star program has progressed in just one year and we look forward to repeating the success of last year.'

Frank Lampard Pays Tribute To Avram Grant

Frank Lampard has paid tribute to former boss Avram Grant for kick-starting his career and helping turn him into a Double winner with Chelsea.

Grant was controversially appointed boss at Stamford Bridge in September 2007 and faced the almost impossible job of replacing the Special One, Jose Mourinho.

Lampard admits he was going through a difficult period in his career at the time and thanks Grant for reinventing him for both club and country.

He said: “I’ll be honest. It was a little bit messy when Jose Mourinho left and Avram took over. But he managed to steer us to a Champions League final.

“He’s now managed to reach another final with Portsmouth and, in the circumstances they were in, he managed to create a positive atmosphere around the place.

“I’ve got a lot of time for Avram. He was brilliant with me. He was at Chelsea at a very difficult time for me personally and he was a top man in those times.

“I couldn’t have asked for any more from him. Some people look down on his time at Chelsea because he came from nowhere to take the job.

“But I’ve got nothing but nice things to say about him.”

Lampard knows too from that single season he had working with Grant that the Israeli will be a huge success at his next club West Ham.

He said: “He’s a good manager. He’s not a coach who stands and dictates every training session.

“But as a person he’s a very clever man and he’s good with people. He’s diplomatic and I think in bad moments you need someone who can bring things together.

“He’s the perfect man to speak to people individually and sort things out.

“He did that at Chelsea and, with hindsight, it’s much easier to see the results which came from him doing that.”

Lampard Backs Hot Cole To Fire

Frank Lampard believes Chelsea team-mate Joe Cole could provide England with the star turn they need to triumph at the World Cup.

Cole was named in Fabio Capello's 30-man provisional squad for the tournament in South Africa but it is uncertain whether he will make the final cut.

Seven players have yet to be trimmed by the Italian supremo and Cole's place in the final party could be under threat after a frustrating season at Stamford Bridge.

Despite finding form towards the end of the campaign, the winger has been blighted by injury problems and used mainly as a substitute by Blues manager Carlo Ancelotti.

But fellow midfielder Lampard says his former West Ham colleague deserves a place on merit, and that the player will be fresher going into the tournament after being out of the side.

Lampard said in the Sunday Mirror: "I hope Joe will be in the squad because he is my mate and he is a great player. He is the sort of player who gives a team something different.

"Even though he has not played that many minutes this season, there is an argument to say that makes him fresh and more dangerous.

"Joe has that little bit of magic, that little turn of pace and ability to beat a man that make all the difference.

"Not many people can bring that to a team in top-class international football but he has it, so I hope he makes it because he deserves that."

Lampard also reckons Cole's contribution in helping Chelsea win the league and cup Double will mean he has the momentum behind him to cause England's opponents problems.

He added: "Maybe that will give us a little edge, having Joe so fresh. It can't harm any of the Chelsea players to be going to the World Cup full of so much confidence after winning the Double.

"Even Joe, who has been coming on for 20 minutes or half-an-hour in games, has been looking sharp."

Cole may no longer be playing with Lampard following the World Cup as the 28-year-old is out of contract and could be free to move on in a free transfer.

The likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham are said to be keen on capturing his signature but Lampard hopes Cole remains in London.

"I don't know if he will stay at Chelsea, that is completely up to him, but Chelsea want him to stay," said the 31-year-old. "He has been a great player for us and we hope he will stay."

Chelsea Set To Spark Bidding War For Milner

Chelsea are reportedly set to enter the race for England and Aston Villa ace James Milner.

The versatile midfielder was the subject of a £20million bid from Manchester City earlier in the week, and Roberto Mancini is now believed to be willing to add a player to his offer.

Chelsea bosses have now set their sights on Milner, however, and, mindful of how they lost out on Robinho to City two years ago, now seem poised to spark a summer bidding war for his services.

A Chelsea insider reportedly said: "Losing out to City for Robinho was embarrassing at the time, even if it did turn out to be a lucky escape.

"But we are determined to get our man this time and we are very confident it will happen."

Ribery Snubs Chelsea And Man United To Sign Monster Contract At Bayern Munich

French winger Franck Ribery is set to finally end speculation surrounding a move to the Premier League by signing a massive new contract at Bayern Munich.

Chelsea and Manchester United have both been linked with the controversial star but sources in Germany claim Ribery will sign a mega-deal worth a reported £130,000 a week after tax following Saturday night's Champions League final.

Ribery is expected to confirm his decision to stay at the Allianz Arena for another four years - and become the highest-paid player in Bundesliga history - when Bayern parade their season's silverware in Munich on Sunday.

Chelsea Tipped To Beat Manchester City In The Race For Sergio Aguero

A report in Spanish newspaper Marca claims today that Chelsea will beat Manchester City to the signing of Atletico Madrid striker for around 45 million euros.

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has targeted Aguero, but will face competition from the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Real Madrid.

Aguero’s termination clause at Atletico Madrid is 60 million euros plus VAT but the executive committee of the Europa League winners will likely settle for less and will not sell to local rivals Real Madrid.

The Argentine striker is attracted to Chelsea’s participation in the Champions League next season and would boost Carlo Ancelotti’s intention to freshen up the squad.

Manchester City could though trump the Blues with an offer that is closer to Aguero’s release clause.

Chelsea Set To Bid £20m For Liverpool Midfielder Mascherano

Liverpool midfield hard-man Javier Mascherano could be on his way to Chelsea if Carlo Ancelotti has his way.

The Chelsea boss is prepared to bid £20million for the Argentine to strengthen his midfield, The People reported on Sunday.

Contract negotiations between Mascherano and the Anfield outfit have stalled, and although he had reportedly been holding out for a transfer to Barcelona, the La Liga champions’ bid to secure the services of Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas has dented the Argentine’s hopes of playing at the Nou Camp.

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez is keen to keep Mascherano, but a significant transfer fee will be difficult to turn down.

The midfielder made 47 appearances for Liverpool in the Premier League and European competition last season, scoring one goal and picking up 11 yellow cards. His contract is up in two years.

Chelsea are expected to boost their midfield this summer with the exits of Michael Ballack , Joe Cole and Deco on the cards.

Joe Cole Closing In On Spurs Switch

Tottenham are closing in on England midfield star Joe Cole, who has yet to agree a new contract with Chelsea and will be available on a free transfer.

He has been frustrated by the lack of progress in talks over a new deal and is aware of Tottenham’s interest.

Cole knows a move to White Hart Lane would be hard for Chelsea fans to accept, but has always held Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp in high regard.

It was Redknapp who have Cole his debut as a teenager at West Ham.

Chelsea Eye £26m Tottenham Midfielder Luka Modric

Chelsea are about to launch a £26million bid for Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric.

Connections of the 24-year-old Croatia midfielder have been in London this week for discussions with his club aimed at sounding out his future at White Hart Lane.

But he has emerged as a top target for the newly-crowned Double winners with manager Carlo Ancelotti, backed by director of football Frank Arnesen, acutely aware of the need to bring in younger blood if they are to maintain their place at the top of English football.

Another important factor is Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich's determination to win the Champions League, an ambition he is prepared to support by slugging it out with Manchester City in what will be a multi-million pound transfer battle this summer.

Both clubs have made no secret of their desire to sign Liverpool striker Fernando Torres.

Modric suffered after being switched to a deep-lying role by managerial flop Juande Ramos after a £16.5million move to Spurs in the summer of 2008 and it was only after the Spaniard's successor Harry Redknapp utilized his passing and vision in a more attacking role that the Croat and Spurs blossomed.

Now the Spurs boss looks likely to get the call he dreads - when Chelsea come knocking for Modric.

John Barnes: Joe Cole Should Be Guaranteed A Spot In The World Cup Squad

John Barnes reckons Joe Cole is guaranteed a spot in Fabio Capello’s World Cup squad.

The Chelsea star has struggled with injuries all season and was thought to be at risk of not even making England’s 30-man training squad.

The Italian has to cut that number by seven by June 1 – and Cole is sweating on making the plane.

But Barnes, who won 79 caps for England, has told Cole that his experience will see him get the nod to play an important role in South Africa.

Barnes, speaking at an event organised by England team sponsors Nationwide Building Society, said: “Joe will be in the 23-man squad. He has struggled with injuries this season and hasn’t had the impact he has had in previous years.

“But he is still a fantastic player and will be in the squad – though he possibly won’t be in the starting XI.

“To have a player of Joe’s quality and experience – and he is a very experienced player – is what England need.”

And Barnes reckons Cole, 28, can reform the left-sided partnership with namesake Ashley Cole that worked so well in Germany four years ago.

“Look at what Joe did in the last World Cup and you will see it was a great success,” explained the former Liverpool and Watford winger.

“That was because Ashley is probably the best attacking left-back in the world, so we don’t necessarily need an out-and-out winger there.

“Joe has played there and it has worked with him coming inside and Ashley going outside him.”

And Barnes has backed Jermain Defoe, 27, to shine in South Africa as he believes the Tottenham striker is the best natural goalscorer England have.

“I love Defoe and I think he is the best natural finisher England have, better even than Wayne Rooney,” said Barnes of a player who has scored just twice in his last 13 games for club and country.

“Rooney is an all-round player, he plays wide, he can drop short, whereas as a No.9 Jermain is the one you know will put the ball in the back of the net.”

Mourinho's Tears For Chelsea

Jose Mourinho has revealed he cried after Inter Milan knocked Chelsea out of the UEFA Champions League and now wants to see Massimo Moratti shed tears of joy.

Inter are preparing for Saturday's Champions League final against Bayern Munich in Madrid having knocked out Mourinho's former club Chelsea earlier in the competition.

Mourinho masterminded a 1-0 win in the second leg of the last 16 tie at Stamford Bridge and admits he was overcome with emotion at the end of the game.

"At Stamford Bridge I cried because during the 90 minutes I wasn't thinking that I was playing against friends, but after the game I realised that my friends were out of the competition," he reflected.

"But that was crucial for Inter, without that victory we wouldn't be here today - it was a difficult emotional situation."

Success in the Santiago Bernabeu would crown Inter champions of Europe for the first time in 45 years and it is a trophy Mourinho is determined to win for the club's owner Moratti.

He added: "Defeat or victory, it will be unforgettable, but Moratti is a very special person for me.

"I would love to see him cry (with joy), I would love to see him with the cup in his hands, I would love to see him in a picture next to his father; I would love to give my little contribution to help make that happen."

Mourinho continued: "45 years is 45 years - it's a long time.

"Many of Inter's fans cannot remember that far back and many were not even born when the club last won the European Cup.

"The Champions League final is always important and you want to win it even if you won it last year, but I imagine that for these fans it will be even more special after such a long wait."