Malouda Targets Trophy Treble

France winger Florent Malouda is hungry for more success at the World Cup after his season of glory with Chelsea.

Malouda helped the Stamford Bridge outfit claim their first-ever double as they triumphed in both the Premier League and FA Cup.

And the midfield maestro, who has been an integral member of Carlo Ancelotti's side this season, now wants to help France silence their critics in South Africa.

"When you have such a great season, where you've shared so much with the fans, you want to experience the same thing with the national team," Malouda told the Daily Mirror.

"We don't want to go back to our clubs with our heads down. When you win titles with your club, you become more ambitious."

Les Bleus endured a rocky road in qualifying for the summer showpiece, only scraping through after their controversial play-off victory over Republic of Ireland.

But Malouda, who is now back in favour with Raymond Domenech after falling out with the departing coach, believes they can silence their critics.

"It's all down to what we do on the pitch, the attitude we have, and above all the results," he added.

"There's a certain amount of responsibility when you play for the French team, but the players feel like they're ready to take up the challenge. The context wasn't easy before, but we've tried to change things.

"What I like about the new system is that it's more attacking, I have more freedom and I'm not just a defensive midfielder like at Euro 2008.

"I'm someone who enjoys responsibility. It was quite painful for me the last couple of years when I was on the (France) bench. I did my best to turn the situation around, and I'm very happy."

José Mourinho Offers A Real Haven For Ashley Cole

It is the special relationship that has endured. José Mourinho is long gone from Chelsea; he is poised, indeed, to make his latest managerial move from Internazionale to Real Madrid. But the Portuguese continues to cherish the bond that he formed with the core members of his playing squad during those glittering three years in west London.

In the time since his departure from Stamford Bridge in September 2007, Mourinho has stayed in touch with Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard, among others. A text here, a phone call there; sometimes to chew the fat, on other occasions to deliver a pep talk. There is the slightly draconian view that Mourinho ought not to contact players who are no longer his, a school of thought coloured, no doubt, by paranoia and the potential for tapping-up. Yet there is no employment law concerning friendship.

When Mourinho's Inter hosted Chelsea in the first leg of the Champions League last 16 in late February, Cole was not only nursing a serious ankle injury but he had suffered from an eruption of lurid headlines related to his private life. Mourinho's comments were interesting. "I called Ashley Cole a few days ago," he said at the time, "because I care about him and I wish him a quick recovery. And because I like him very much, my advice is: 'Don't leave England.'"

It was put to Mourinho that Cole might benefit from a move abroad, given that the player's off-the-field indiscretions could make him a target for opposing fans. "I watched Ashley Cole play until the moment of his injury [on 10 February]," Mourinho replied, "and I watched him play superbly. So, if he has problems, they are for sure not on the pitch.

"[Carlo] Ancelotti [the Chelsea manager] must give him advice, his family must give him advice and he must think for himself. If he wants my little opinion, my opinion is: 'Stay in England.'"

Mourinho spoke with Cole's interests at heart, recognising also that the left-back, who many observers rate as the best in the European game, was enjoying his football at Chelsea. But, in the helter-skelter world of 21st century football, little stands still for long and, as Mourinho name-checked Cole, together with Lampard and Liverpool's Steven Gerrard, as possible Real recruits, Cole was beginning to wonder whether he could continue to live in England. Mourinho, fully abreast of the situation, would offer him a velvet-lined escape route.

Installed as public enemy No1 following his split from his pop star wife Cheryl, Cole feels hounded. He loves Chelsea, where he has three years of his contract to run, but he cannot tolerate the manner in which his marriage breakdown has been reported. He feels that there have been grave inaccuracies and, with each one, his blood becomes hotter.

Yet the situation is compounded, in his eyes, when he considers the news reporters' quest for their next line. They have been camped outside Cole's house, his mother's house and even his nephew's school, in the hope of snaring a fresh angle. Friends of Cole believe that with every passing day the notion of his departure becomes more likely. Quite simply, he cannot live his life.

Chelsea would resist any Real bid for Cole, as they would for Lampard, but Mourinho's imminent arrival at the Bernabéu has cast long shadows. When Cole was asked in the build-up to the FA Cup final two weeks ago whether Arsène Wenger, his one-time mentor at Arsenal, or Mourinho had been the best manager he had worked for he plumped, without hesitation, for Mourinho.

Real's current left-back options are Marcelo and Alvaro Arbeloa. Mourinho said he normally played with "two offensive full-backs like Ashley Cole and [Inter's] Maicon" and, while Marcelo is attack-minded, there have been questions raised about his defensive prowess. Cole, by contrast, offers the complete package and Mourinho, lest it be forgotten, likes his defenders to defend first.

Lampard has never hidden his affection for Mourinho, and he came close to joining him at Inter in the summer of 2008. "At the time, if I am honest about it, I did have thoughts about going to Inter," he said. "It was a difficult time for me in my life after the death of my mother and everybody knows how I feel about José Mourinho."

Lampard stayed put to sign a new five-year contract, a decision he has not regretted, and he has said that he is determined to finish his career at Chelsea, not least as it is the wish of his family. Mourinho would face a challenge to persuade him otherwise.

Gerrard appears slightly less settled after a traumatic season at Liverpool. Real's interest in the midfielder is long-standing while he came close to joining Mourinho at Chelsea in the summer of 2005, only to have an eleventh-hour change of heart. Like his team-mate Fernando Torres, who is a target for most elite clubs in Europe, Gerrard has grown weary of the boardroom strife at Anfield, which has been destabilising, while it has also been reported that his relationship with the manager, Rafael Benítez, is strained.

Mourinho could be prepared to exploit any uncertainty.

Obi Mikel Joins Up With Nigeria

John Obi Mikel joined the Nigeria squad on Friday for the first time since knee surgery last month and will be fit for the World Cup, officials said.

The midfielder has been out of action since a minor operation last month and missed Chelsea's run-in to the English Premier League title as well as the London club's victory in this month's FA Cup final.

"He has completed his rehabilitation at Chelsea," a Nigerian Football Federation spokesman said.

Nigeria are training near Maldon in the English county of Essex and play a friendly against Colombia at Milton Keynes on Sunday.

Nigeria's opening World Cup Group B match is against Argentina in Johannesburg on June 12.

Frank Lampard Admits He'd Consider Move To MLS

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has admitted that he could be tempted by a move to the MLS in a few seasons as his career draws to an end.

Lampard, 31, still has three years to run on his current deal at Stamford Bridge but acknowledges that he might one day follow in the footsteps of his international team-mate David Beckham.

"It's his [Beckham's] decision, isn't it? When he went, I thought, maybe he's gone too early, but the more I thought about it, I thought, if that's what he wants to do, let him do it," Lampard told The Sabotage Times.

"I'd like to go and play in America when I'm 36 or 35 but you can't take away someone's right to go and play where they want."

Lampard, perhaps surprisingly, has also asserted that he has no interest in remaining in football once he has finished playing, either in coaching or the media.

He is also keen to have a meaningful career after football rather then living on his past glories.

"The first thing is after I finish I don't want to be involved with football, not as a manager, coach, agent or in the media. Not interested," he stated.

"I've been getting to know a lot about property, not just for me to live in, but as a business.

"I have a family to support, I know that might sound strange when you consider the money that's mentioned but I want to have a career after this, I don't want this to be everything.

"I don't want to spend the rest of my life just living in the past."

Stamford Bridge Hosts Charity Events

Stamford Bridge has played host to several football tournaments over the past two weeks, helping to raise money for worthy causes.

The first event to take place saw the likes of Angus Deaton, Alistair Campbell, DJ Spooney and Ben Shepherd all help raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

There were also charity events for Help a London Child and Right To Play before Thomas Cook took control of the hallowed turf for their day of fun.

Thomas Cook Sport gave Chelsea fans from all over the UK a chance to play inside their beloved ground as a prize, as two teams of 11, made up of Thomas Cook employees and competition winners, took to the pitch.

'After 30 years of watching games at Stamford Bridge, I was excited and nervous at the same time about playing here,' said competition winner Kevin Hyatt from Milton Keynes. 'It's an honour to be able to say I've followed in the footsteps of footballing legends and the experience is something I'll never forget.'

Then, yesterday, former Blue Gareth Hall took part in the Oil Aid pitch event, alongside fellow past players Ken Monkou, Keith Dublin and Garry Stanley, as they helped raise funds for Chelsea's community work.

Carlo Ancelotti: Chelsea Were Never Affected By Speculation About John Terry & Ashley Cole's Private Lives

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has revealed that the club were not affected by the media speculation surrounding John Terry and Ashley Cole’s private lives last season, as they secured a Premier League and FA Cup double.

The Italian said that, despite the English media’s interest in off-field issues and not tactics, the club managed to keep focused — for which they were rewarded with the first double in the club's history.

“Always we kept the private lives of the players outside of the press conference and outside of the training ground,” he told Chelsea’s official website, noting that in his homeland the media would not have been at all interested in Terry and Cole's off-field problems.

"In Italy the press conference is always focused on the line up. If you tell them the line up, it is finished," he said.

"Here they are interested in the private lives. I am not interested in that. Always we kept the private lives of the players outside of the press conference and outside of the training ground."

As well as praising his club’s efforts in securing their first league and cup double, Ancelotti also offered some advice towards the likes of Alex Ferguson and Rafael Benitez, by insisting that he is only interested in talking about his own team during press conferences.

“I don't like to use mind games in press conferences,” he stresses.

“I want to give something of our philosophy, how I want to manage the club, how I want to manage the players. Only this. I am interested in explaining my kind of behaviour in managing the team.”

Coach Milovan Rajevac Moans Over Michael Essien’s Absence

Ghana Coach Milovan Rajevac says he has to quickly put behind him Michael Essien’s unavailability for the World Cup and adopt a strategy for the team.

“I am really disappointed that Michael Essien will not be at the World Cup for Ghana as a player,” Rajevac told the Ghanaian FA website.

“He is an important player on and off the field but we can’t use him this time. Essien brings lots of advantages; he brings so many things to the team and always gives us options.”

The Serbian has rallied his charges to lift up their game and show a united front ahead of the global football showpiece this summer.

He said: “It’s most unfortunate. But I hope and believe that the other players will give their best.

“We want to achieve with this team and must work hard. We will focus on the task ahead and hope we have a good World Cup. I hope the past experiences with injuries, though unfortunate, will help us stay united and fight for each other.”

Ghana are paired in Group D with Australia, Germany and Serbia.

Chelsea Continue Search For An Asian Football Star

Chelsea's initiative of trying to find an Asian football star will see them hold trials between 29 and 31 May.

It is the scheme's second year and six players will get the chance to win a week-long trial at the club's academy.

The tournament is open to Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan and Bangladeshi players aged between eight and 13.

"This is a huge opportunity to come to Chelsea and enjoy the best coaches and the best training ground,' said Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti.

"Everyone with a love for the game should sign up and see what they can do.

"It will be great fun and a good way to make new friends and who knows, perhaps one day we will see one of them at Chelsea."

Chelsea launched the first project of this kind last year and have increased the number of places available on the week-long trial from three to six.

The Stamford Bridge outfit had 350 participants at their Cobham training ground in 2009, with two of the winners having been signed by Southend United and Leyton Orient.

"My life has changed quite a bit after winning the trials," Jordan Sidhu, who was signed on a youth contract by Southend United, told BBC Asian Network.

"I'm now playing a high standard of football and am happy that I've got a chance to realise my dream of becoming a professional footballer."

The youngster explained that he only entered because of his mum.

"I came home from school and my mum said she had signed me up for a competition," he added. "I didn't expect anything from it but I went along and ended up winning it.

"The trials are very good because they are a lot different from what I was used to. There were big training grounds, nice facilities and I met Florent Malouda, Petr Cech, Nicolas Anelka and other Chelsea players.

"At first I was a bit starstruck, but I got used to it."

Chelsea have teamed up with Asian Media Group, Kick It Out and bhangra singer Jaz Dhami to help get the Asian community involved.

"I have been working very closely with a number of sporting bodies in encouraging more Asians to get involved in football," said Dhami.

"I want to help break down boundaries and encourage more Asians to get involved in the game."

Carlo Ancelotti Admits He Learned A Lot From A Positive First Season At Chelsea

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has acknowledged that his first season as a manager in the Premier League has taught him a lot.

The Italian steered the Blues to their first ever League and FA Cup double but admits that he still picked up some vital things along the way.

He also learned that English football, although at times distinguished by some very naive defending, is a much more exciting product than that served up by Serie A.

"I try to change something in the play but for me it was a very good experience this year," he told his club's official website.

"I learnt a lot of things, not only tactically but physically.

"For example in Italy, in training, we used to physically work without the ball. Here we work always with the ball - and here I learnt this. This is a very good thing.

"Technically, I think the small teams have more knowledge in Italy. Defensively, it is impossible in Italy to have a score 7-0 or 9-1 because the small teams stay back to defend and only do counter-attack.

"Here you can say that small teams play good football, they attack. Here it is different.

"Before I had good knowledge about the top four but not the small teams. I learnt that here."

Ancelotti also enjoyed the celebratory bus parade which marked the Blues' triumphs this season, treating supporters to a song on the way round.

"We did also in Italy the celebration with the bus," he added.

"I like to sing but I didn't prepare anything so I tried to sing a famous Italian song, 'Volare', and I think it was good for the atmosphere.

"It is very good to have a celebration with our fans, there was a fantastic atmosphere and this improves the relationship between the fans and the team. In the future it will be important to have this good relationship.

"But I don't know why they threw to us celery."

Ancelotti also concedes that his time as a player at AC Milan alongside the likes of Ruud Gullit and under the management of Arrigo Sacchi was a massive influence on the way he works now.

"Gullit was my friend. We played five years together, we shared a room, I have a very good relationship with him and he was a fantastic, attacking striker," the Italian explained.

"For me and also for a lot of players Sacchi was a fantastic teacher because also in that team there was a lot of players who have since done jobs as manager - Gullit, Van Basten, Rijkaard, Tassotti, Galli, me - there are seven or eight players from that squad who are coaches."

Croatian Defender Srna Wants Chelsea Move

Experienced Croatian defender Darijo Srna wants to make a step up and move to Chelsea.

The 27 year-old has been at Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk since 2003 and has led the Ukrainian club to three championships and a UEFA Cup victory. Srna is a very experienced player and has amassed an impressive 73 caps for Croatia.

He has previously been linked with Tottenham, but according to Croatian tabloid 'Index', he has set his sights on Chelsea.

Srna said, "Chelsea is a club that suits my style and my style of play suits them. I want to make a step forward, to play in the Champions League with such a famous club. In general, Chelsea is the best option for me."

According to 'Index', Srna would only leave for a fee of at least 20 million Euros. The Croatian tabloid added that Srna's agent described talk of a move to Stamford Bridge as "just speculation."

Srna is a versatile player and can play either in defence or midfield on the right hand side, providing an attacking threat through crosses and set-pieces. With Juliano Belletti probably leaving Chelsea, there could soon be room for a right-sided player such as Srna at Stamford Bridge.

Blues Caught In Cole Crisis

Chelsea are facing a desperate battle to hang on to tormented star Ashley Cole.

The England defender faces the bleak prospect of becoming public enemy No 1 next season following his bitter split from national sweetheart Cheryl Cole.

The Sun exclusively revealed yesterday that the Girls Aloud star has filed for divorce in London.

Cole is now certain to suffer a terrace backlash - with his life on and off the pitch continuously under a microscope.

That has alerted Europe's biggest clubs - and especially new Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho, who has never hidden his love for his former Chelsea player.

A Madrid source confirmed: "The feeling is Ashley will have a terrible time if he stays in England next season.

"Clubs like Real are hoping Chelsea will sympathize with Cole's plight and let him escape all the abuse and find a new life - hopefully with us."

Cole has become increasingly worn down with life in England, although he has never fallen out of love with Chelsea, where he has three years left on his current contract.

There is no doubt the Double winners want to keep their prized defender - but even Stamford Bridge insiders realize they face a tough battle.

One said: "Everyone at Chelsea can see Ashley loves the club, his team-mates and the fans. There's no doubt about that.

"But who could blame him for not wanting to live in England any more, especially after his divorce from Cheryl?

"We can all imagine what kind of abuse he'll face from away fans next season. Who'd want to put up with that?"

There will be no shortage of offers for Cole, widely regarded as the world's best left-back.

While Mourinho will be at the front of the queue, Real's rivals Barcelona would also be keen to capture the Three Lions star.

AC Milan, Roma and Bayern Munich are also said to be monitoring events.

Di Santo`s Dutch Choice?

After a season playing his football up on the delightful cobbled streets of Blackburn, Franco Di Santos has returned to Chelsea.

Whispers that Blackburn might try to sign him on a permanent basis fizzled out in a similar manner to which the impression Di Santo was making at Blackburn did.

Therefore the young Argentine, clearly behind Fabio Borini and Daniel Sturridge in the pecking order at Stamford Bridge, has a decision to make.

Does he persist with trying to make a breakthrough at Chelsea, does he look for another spell out on loan or would a move away from SW6 be more beneficial?

According to one red-top Franco is looking at the latter of those three options with a move to FC Twente seemingly on the cards with the whisper that, for Franco, regular first team football is of paramount importance as he seeks to develop his career.

Chelsea Consider £16m Move For Everton Youngster Rodwell

Carlo Ancelotti is reportedly ready to make a big money offer for Everton teenager Jack Rodwell as the Chelsea boss looks to inject more youth into his aging squad. The Chelsea boss has earmarked the England Under-21 international as a player he could build his side around in the future and hopes that an offer of around £16m will tempt the Toffees into accepting their advances.

Last summer the Stamford Bridge side showed their intention to pick up talented English youngsters ahead of the forthcoming ‘homegrown’ ruling set to come into operation in the Premier League next season. Chelsea brought in Ross Turnbull and Daniel Sturridge as players for the future and they have now set their sights on the highly rated Goodison Park midfielder.

Rodwell had an assured season last term where he showed his growing maturity as he was given far more playing time. The 19 year old was handed 25 starts and impressed many and has been linked with moves to the likes of Man United and Man City but Ancelotti hopes he can beat those potential suitors to the teenagers signature this summer.

Kaka Keen To Leave Real Madrid For Chelsea And Carlo Ancelotti

Real Madrid midfielder Kaka is ready to quit the club to join up with his former manager Carlo Ancelotti at Chelsea, according to reports.

Italian newspaper Tuttosport have reported that the 28-year-old, already unsettled at the Santiago Bernabeu, is concerned about Jose Mourinho's prospective arrival as Real Madrid's new manager this summer, and would thus consider leaving the club after just one season there.

The former AC Milan playmaker would welcome the opportunity to link up with Ancelotti again — especially considering that the Blues are prime contenders for Premier League and Champions League glory next term.

Ancelotti worked with the Brazilian midfielder for six years at Milan, where they won a Champions League and Serie A title together.

After Ancelotti left the club last summer — going on to win the Premier League and FA Cup double in his first season in England — Kaka also exited San Siro for Real in a then-world record £65 million deal. But after a season affected by injury and poor form, the Spanish club might be open to an offer that allows them to recoup some of the money spent on the 2007 Ballon d'Or winner.

Kaka made 25 La Liga appearances for Real last season, scoring eight goals and providing six assists.

Ghana's Injured Essien Out Of Finals

Ghana midfielder Michael Essien has been ruled out of the World Cup finals after failing to recover from a knee injury, the country's FA said on Thursday.

"An evaluation by a combined team of medical experts from the Ghana Football Association and Chelsea Football Club revealed that Essien will not make full recovery until the end of July," Ghana's FA said on its website (www.ghanafa.org).

The Chelsea midfielder has been recovering from a knee injury picked up at the African Nations Cup in January. He played just 45 minutes at the tournament in Angola after suffering a hamstring injury in the Champions League in November.

His loss is a blow to Ghana whose coach Milovan Rajevac last week described Essien as the leader and engine room of his team. Rajevac is due to decide on his final 23-man squad on Tuesday.

Ghana open their World Cup campaign against Serbia on June 13 and also play Germany and Australia in Group D.

Essien is hugely popular in Ghana and his image is pasted up all over the country.

He has scored seven times in 50 appearances for his country and played at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

Essien hinted several weeks ago he might not be fit for the tournament in South Africa, which kicks off on June 11.

"The last thing I want is to rush back and cause more problems down the line. If I make it for the World Cup then great -- if not, I have my whole career ahead of me," he told the Chelsea website.

Ghana are still unsure of the fitness of two other key players, Stephen Appiah and John Mensah.

Joe Cole Closer To England Exit With Likely Snub

Joe Cole’s chances of going to the World Cup hang in the balance after he was not guaranteed to start against Japan on Sunday in England’s final warm-up game before the tournament.

Cole and his three Chelsea team-mates in the England squad sat out the 3-1 victory over Mexico on Monday to allow them to recover from the FA Cup Final nine days earlier, even though Cole appeared only as a 70th-minute substitute in his club’s 1-0 win over Portsmouth at Wembley.

Unlike Frank Lampard, John Terry and Ashley Cole, Joe Cole has not been told that he will start against Japan in Graz, Austria. That would leave him clinging to the hope that a potential substitute appearance and his performances in training will be enough to convince Fabio Capello that the 28-year-old is worth a place as one of England’s creative midfield players.

England lacked guile against Mexico but Cole’s case for inclusion is weaker than it might have been because injury forced him to miss much of England’s World Cup qualifying campaign and Chelsea’s title-winning Barclays Premier League season. He last played for the national team in their 4-1 World Cup qualifying victory over Croatia in September 2008.

Cole faces tough competition for a place as a left-sided player from Adam Johnson, the 22-year-old winger, who has been fast-tracked into the England set-up after impressing with Manchester City since joining them in January transfer window. He made his international debut as a substitute on Monday and has been praised for his performances in practice with England.

Capello could be taking a risk by putting Ashley Cole in his starting XI against Japan because it would mean the position of understudy left back would remain uncertain. Leighton Baines was poor against Mexico while Stephen Warnock, the other candidate for the role, would ideally need to add to his one international cap before going to the tournament.

David James, the Portsmouth goalkeeper, is likely to feature against Japan having missed the Mexico game but Ledley King will take no part on Sunday after playing the full 90 minutes on Monday. A chronic knee injury prevented the Tottenham Hotspur centre half from playing more than one game a week for most of last season.

Frank Lampard Believes That The Chelsea Fans Play A Huge Role In Team's Success

Frank Lampard believes Chelsea fans' loyal support played a huge part in their success this season.

The Blues landed their first-ever double after following up securing the Premier League title by scooping the FA Cup.

While some fans are quick to get on players' backs if things are not going according to plan, Lampard is pleased the Stamford Bridge faithful have never singled out anyone for criticism.

Things have not been so rosy at rival clubs as Emmanuel Eboue has been blasted by Arsenal fans while Dimitar Berbatov has come in from criticism from Manchester United supporters.

However, Lampard believes Chelsea fans are different and that having come from the background of Division Two football that they are more appreciative of the team's current success.

"I've never heard them get right on someone's back, boo them and destroy them. Never," explained Lampard.

"Don't get me wrong, they can moan and groan a little bit but that's normal. We all get upset watching games.

"But they are always there, they travel fantastically well and the main thing is that they don't get on anyone's back.

"Some clubs, given what we've been given and being elevated to where we are now, would be moaning and thinking: 'We should be winning' after 20 minutes at 0-0.

"But Chelsea fans are a little bit different. Probably because they've been through a lot before I was here, where they've sat down and watched a Division Two team in a stand that was 30 yards away from the pitch.

"So now they can't believe what's happening here. They go with it and, like me, they think it's fantastic."

Chelsea Must Keep Stars, Says John Terry

John Terry has urged Chelsea to keep hold of their top stars.

The Blues skipper admits it's just as important that Carlo Ancelotti keeps the squad together as it is bringing in new recruits.

Last season Terry named David Villa and Franck Ribery as potential buys - transfers which never became a reality. But this season he is being more coy about naming possible targets.

“I’m definitely not going to get caught up in that one again!" he said.

“Honestly, when I signed my deal last year I stressed that it was important that Didier (Drogba) and Lamps and these kind of people stay here. I think it’s really important once again.

“And I stress it again - that Joe Cole and Nicolas Anelka’s contracts are on the verge of being up - Nico has got a year left, and Joe is up in the summer.

“It’d be nice if we can keep these players. We’re linked with a lot of players because we are a big club.

"I think that the bottom half of the Premier League has closed the gap on the big four, and it’s time for all of us to spend."

Young Internationals Star On European Stage

The club football season may have ended, but whilst the World Cup looms large in the foreground, the UEFA Under-17 and Under-19 ranks are in action as well. As usual, Chelsea are well represented at the business end of things.


In Liechtenstein, Josh McEachran and Nathaniel Chalobah are with John Peacock’s England team as they seek to win the European Under-17 Championships. Many people’s favourites for the tournament, they started with a 3-1 win over the Czech Republic last week. After going 1-0 down, Everton’s Ross Barkley equalised, with McEachran adding a second and Arsenal’s Benik Afobe a third immediately afterwards. Josh was Man of the Match and was involved in everything England did going forwards, capping his performance with a sumptuous goal which you can watch here.

Chalobah, the youngest player in the tournament by almost 100 days (from Portugal’s Bruma, an apparent Chelsea target), played alongside Andre Wisdom at centre-back and was by far the more accomplished performer, doing his job well defensively and striding forward into midfield with confidence. The Blues pair both started again in Friday’s 1-0 win over Greece to seal a place in the Semi Finals, but were then given a rest on Monday night for the final group fixture with Turkey. A 2-1 win secured a final four match against France on Thursday, when both Josh and Nathaniel will be back in the team, looking to secure a maiden trophy at this level.

One age group up, meanwhile, and the Under-19 generations are competing in the Elite Round of qualifying to try and seal one of eight berths in France this July. One of the first teams to join the hosts was Croatia, who were backstopped by Matej Delač. Despite being a regular at Under-21 level and an occasional senior team squad member, Delač dropped down to give the Croatians a strong chance of making it through. Three wins from three sealed the deal, but Matej played just nineteen minutes of football. A nasty head injury inflicted whilst dealing with a free kick temporarily knocked him unconscious but despite suffering a mild concussion, he is none the worse for wear and should keep goal this summer ahead of potentially joining up with Chelsea in late August, after he turns 18.

Also heading to France are Italians Fabio Borini and Jacopo Sala, who featured in all three group matches against the Czech Republic, Northern Ireland, and Russia. Captain Borini, another regular Under-21 player, grabbed the second goal in a 2-0 win over the Czechs with a finish from the edge of the area, and helped as a Mattia Destro brace secured their qualification in a 3-2 win over Northern Ireland. The Azzurrini lost their last match 3-1 to Russia as our man scored another in consolation, whilst Sala’s three appearances saw one assist in outings where he was twice replaced at half time and once with a quarter of an hour remaining.

The trio will be joined by either Jacob Mellis or Conor Clifford, who are competing for the Group 3 winner’s spot along with the Ukraine and Bosnia. England and Ireland kicked things off in Kyiv earlier today with Noel Blake’s boys taking a 1-0 victory through Dean Parrett’s free kick. However, Ireland were comfortably the better side and will hope the remainder of this week’s fixtures take them through to the finals. Mellis had a decent game in direct competition with his team-mate, as the duo shared a number of tackles, and was replaced with fifteen minutes to go.

Looking forward to the Finals, with Holland and Portugal both also confirmed, there is a chance that Jeffrey Bruma and Kaby may increase club representation but with neither featuring on the road to France, it would be unlikely.

Barcelona Want Chelsea To Pay £25m For Midfielder Yaya Toure

Barcelona are demanding that Chelsea pay £25 million if they want to buy midfielder Yaya Toure this summer.

The Ivory Coast international could be set to leave the La Liga champions as his agent has mentioned the Blues as the ideal team for the defensive midfielder.

Chelsea initially bid about £17m for the 27-year-old, but that offer was reportedly turned down by the Catalan giants, who are seeking £25-30m for the Ivorian, according to The Mirror.

Toure signed a new contract with Barcelona last season, but with manager Pep Guardiola unable to guarantee the midfielder a regular place in his starting XI next season.

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