Chelsea

Kenyon rules out sacking Mourinho
Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon has revealed the club have no plans to sack boss Jose Mourinho in the summer. Speculation over the Portuguese coach's future at Stamford Bridge - and his relationship with owner Roman Abramovich - has been rife all season. But Kenyon has denied the club have been looking at potential replacements. "Jose's got a contract until 2010 and we're not going to sack him. He's got the full support of the board, that's really important," he told Chelsea TV. "We've been linked with something like 14 managers now I think, but we've not got a list and we're not looking." Mourinho has masterminded back-to-back Premiership titles since arriving at the club from Porto in 2004. He has also won the League Cup twice, including this season, and is still fighting for silverware on three fronts this term. However, Mourinho has grown frustrated at the lack of transfer funds made available to him this season, particularly in the January transfer window when he was desperate to bring in defensive reinforcements. And the big-money summer arrival Andriy Shevchenko, thought to be a close friend of Abramovich, is also believed to be a bone of contention between owner and coach. But the pair shared an embrace after the tense FA Cup semi-final victory over Blackburn, in a move interpreted by some as a sign of a thawing in relations between the two.

My future is clear, says Mourinho
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is hopeful that speculation over his future at the club is now at an end. Chief executive Peter Kenyon said on Friday that Mourinho would be in charge of the club next season. Mourinho said after Sunday's draw at Newcastle: "It as the end of it. I want to stay, the board wants me to stay. "I think I have in front of me honest people - when they meet me and tell me I'm Chelsea manager for next season it is completely over." Mourinho added that the board had made it clear to him that they were pleased with the work he had done with the club. "They are happy with the contribution (I have made) to the club," he added. "The board cannot go into the media with a new statement every day - for me it is the end of it, everything is clear." Speculation over the Portuguese coach's future at Stamford Bridge - and his relationship with owner Roman Abramovich - has been rife all season. But Kenyon said on Friday: "Jose's got a contract until 2010 and we're not going to sack him. He's got the full support of the board, that's really important. "We've been linked with something like 14 managers now I think, but we've not got a list and we're not looking." Mourinho has masterminded back-to-back Premiership titles since arriving at the club from Porto in 2004. He has also won the League Cup twice, including this season, and is still fighting for silverware on three fronts this term. However, Mourinho has grown frustrated at the lack of transfer funds made available to him this season, particularly in the January transfer window when he was desperate to bring in defensive reinforcements. And the big-money summer arrival Andriy Shevchenko, thought to be a close friend of Abramovich, is also believed to be a bone of contention between owner and coach. But the pair shared an embrace after the tense FA Cup semi-final victory over Blackburn, in a move interpreted by some as a sign of a thawing in relations between the two.

Chelsea star held on drink charge
Chelsea star Michael Essien has been arrested on suspicion of drink-driving. The 24-year-old footballer was released on bail pending further inquiries after he was pulled over by police on the Old Kent Road, south London, on Monday. It is reported the midfielder, who is suspended for the Champions League clash with Liverpool, had been driving a black Range Rover. Scotland Yard confirmed a 24-year-old man had been stopped in Southwark and arrested by officers. A Scotland Yard spokeswoman said: "At approximately 0510 BST yesterday morning officers in Southwark stopped a vehicle driving in the Old Kent Road. "Officers spoke with the driver and subsequently arrested a 24-year-old man on suspicion of drink-driving. "He has been bailed to July pending inquiries."

Chelsea win key judgement on Mutu
Chelsea may be able to revive their plans to sue former player Adrian Mutu after winning a key appeal in their battle for compensation. Chelsea sacked the striker after he was found guilty of drug-taking in 2004. And the SSB has learnt Chelsea have won an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport against Fifa's decision they were not entitled to compensation. Chelsea will decide upon their next step after the judgement is delivered, which is expected to be next week. The Premiership champions might not only seek to get money back from Mutu, but also from Juventus, who signed the Romanian on a five-year contract after his sacking and before his suspension for drug taking had ended. Chelsea felt Mutu had brought about his own downfall and wanted to recover the money they had lost on his transfer fee and wages. The Premier League backed Chelsea's view, but world governing body Fifa turned the club down. Chelsea have now succeeded in their appeal against that verdict. In 2005, Mutu lost an appeal to CAS against his sacking by Chelsea.

Ranieri doubts Mourinho's future
Former Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri says the future of Blues manager Jose Mourinho will be in doubt if they only win the Carling Cup this season. "Roman Abramovich wants to win the Champions League," Ranieri told SSB. "He wants Chelsea at the top of the world. "Jose Mourinho is working very well but I don't know what could happen." Asked whether the Carling Cup would be enough to satisfy Abramovich, Ranieri said: "No, I don't think so." As Mourinho's third season in charge nears a conclusion, Chelsea have won two Premiership titles and the Carling Cup twice under the Portuguese manager. But his team drew with Bolton last Saturday to severely dent their hopes of retaining the Premiership and lost their Champions League semi-final at Liverpool on Tuesday. Mourinho's team are in the FA Cup final, against Manchester United at Wembley on 19 May. Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon appeared to end speculation over Mourinho's future by stating on 20 April: "Jose's got a contract until 2010 and we're not going to sack him." But Abramovich was not in attendance at Anfield on Tuesday - prompting questions over Mourinho's future. And when the Chelsea boss was asked about the situation after defeat to Liverpool, he said "The speculation? Again? More? "I thought we had cleared this all up. We will keep going. There is always a next chance, next season is another season. "I feel we deserve to be in a final, three times now in four seasons we get this close, we deserve a final. "We are strong characters, but we have had such a difficult season ahead of this situation because of our injuries, and that is because of our character. "Next season the group will be little different to the group we have now. Our intention is to keep a big percentage of these players, maybe two or three changes which is normal in a club like us."

Mourinho salutes Chelsea courage
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says the courageous manner of his side's title defence has made him prouder than their Premiership successes in 2005 and 2006. Chelsea's 1-1 draw with Arsenal at the Emirates ensured United claimed the title for the first time since 2003. "I have to say maybe I'm prouder now than when we were champions," said Mourinho. "All season my players have been heroes against everything. "This was a game to remember and showed how big Chelsea are as a club." Mourinho offered his congratulations to Manchester United, but could not bring himself to say that the best team had won the title. "It doesn't matter, what matters is the team with more points is the champion," added Mourinho. "I have to congratulate the champions, the players, the manager, the fans, the board; all the people that helped them to be champions. Mourinho pinpointed Chelsea's lack of defensive cover for centre-back Ricardo Carvalho as why the defending champions had failed to win the Premiership for a third successive time. "We had a big problem only to play all season only with Carvalho at centre-half but now is not the moment to talk about that. "I'm very proud of my players. Normally when a team has a lot of success and loses a championship it's lack of motivation, not the same spirit or ambition, but it was exactly the opposite. "My team was brilliant."

Shevchenko to miss FA Cup final
Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko will undergo groin surgery on Tuesday, meaning he will miss the FA Cup final against Manchester United on 19 May. The operation had initially been scheduled to take place at the end of the season but the club's medical staff decided to bring it forward. Shevchenko, 30, will also miss the last two Premiership games of the season. On Wednesday the Blues face Cup rivals United, who won the Premiership crown on Sunday when Chelsea drew at Arsenal. Chelsea then play Everton at home in the final league game of the season next Sunday. Shevchenko, a £30m signing from AC Milan, has scored 14 goals in his first season for Chelsea. His groin injury forced him to miss the Champions League semi-final exit at the hands of Liverpool as well as the draw at the Emirates Stadium.

Mourinho refuses to up squad size
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has ruled out increasing the 24-man squad he prefers to operate with, despite the club's injury troubles this season. "It is impossible to have a squad of 35 players," he told The Guardian. "What we have to do is pray as the situation we have in terms of injuries is not possible to be repeated. "Maybe next season I have big, big problems to chose a team because I have 24 players ready to play and everybody is fit." He added: "It is something we cannot control and I think the numbers we had this season were correct." Mourinho will also lose a strong contingent of his squad during the African Cup of Nations next season. Strikers Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou, midfielders Michael Essien and Mikel Jon Obi as well as Geremi are likely to be unavailable to Chelsea but Mourinho is philosophical about their loss. "The competition is between 20 January and 10 February, so it about 20 days long," he said. "By the rules the players have to go eight to 10 days before that, so it is around a month. "That's one month when there are some Carling Cup and FA Cup games, so I don't think it is a period with seven Premiership matches. "I think there will be three, maximum four league games. "We have to look at it like a moment when the players are injured and we cannot use them."

Mourinho vents anger at ref Poll
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has hit out at Graham Poll, describing him as a "referee Chelsea have no luck with". Poll, who sent off John Terry against Tottenham earlier in the season, upset Mourinho again in Wednesday's 0-0 draw with Manchester United. Mourinho said: "With Mr Poll and Chelsea there are so many incidents. "We don't like to have Mr Poll. We have to accept decisions, but if you ask me if I jump with happiness when I know Mr Poll is our referee? No." Mourinho lost his temper in the second-half after United winger Chris Eagles was only booked for a two-footed challenge on Shaun Wright-Phillips and then a Wes Brown challenge left Scott Sinclair with a broken metatarsal bone. The Chelsea boss launched a furious tirade at Poll and initially thought he had been sent off, before realising his mistake. "I was telling Mr Poll a couple of things I have had in my heart since the Tottenham game at White Hart Lane. But it was nothing special. I was cleansing my soul," said Mourinho. "I thought I was being sent off but I wasn't. I walked to the stands but then my assistants were saying 'you can stay in your position.' "I think he (Poll) was what he is always. He had a normal performance when he is refereeing a Chelsea match."

Mourinho cautioned after dog row
Jose Mourinho was arrested and cautioned by police over a row about his dog, it has been confirmed. A spokesman for Mourinho said: "The incident occurred because of a misunderstanding over documents required for veterinary regulations. "Mr Mourinho would like to make it clear that his pet dog was bought in England from a reputable breeder and has had all its necessary inoculations. "Full co-operation will be given over any animal health issues." Mourinho, 44, was attending Chelsea's player-of-the-year awards when he was called to his home on Tuesday, according to reports. The Portuguese manager of the Stamford Bridge club is believed to have refused to allow the police to take the Yorkshire terrier. Scotland Yard, which stressed that the operation was led by the Animal Health and Welfare Service, confirmed the dog was to be seized under the Animal Health Act of 1981 and Rabies Order Act of 1974. "A 44-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of obstructing police and was taken to a west London police station," said a police spokesperson. "He subsequently received a caution for obstructing police."

Chelsea rule out big-name moves
Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon says the club will not be making any major signings over the summer. "I doubt we'll have big-name signings because I don't think we need it," he told SSB. "We're in the region of moving three out and bringing three or four in. We're looking for some cover." Kenyon denied Andriy Shevchenko and Michael Ballack, who have had disappointing debut Premiership seasons, would be among those leaving. "We've brought both these players in for three or four years - we didn't bring them in for a season," he said. "I'm confident they're going to be here as big players with Chelsea next season. "They want to contribute a lot more, they feel they have a lot more to give. It takes time to settle in. "They are two fantastic professionals. It's an exciting prospect to see those two guys on top of their game for us next season." Kenyon said Chelsea's results this season - which included winning the FA Cup and Carling Cup - showed the squad did not need a major overhaul. "We're looking for some cover. I think we're looking for central defence, a midfield and a striker," he said. "They'll be good players who can contribute to the team and the squad. "We've got to bear in mind that we're losing potentially four players for the African Nations Cup in January next year which is going to be a challenge for us. "You've got to look at where we finished this year - two domestic trophies, (Champions League) semi-finalists and (Premiership) second. It's not a bad team."

NFA unhappy with Blues over Mikel
The Nigeria Football Association (NFA) has ordered Chelsea to release John Mikel Obi for next Saturday's Nations Cup qualifier against Uganda. Chelsea have written to the NFA telling them Mikel is undergoing treatment following a hamstring injury. But the NFA want Mikel to be assessed by their team of doctors. "The NFA is not satisfied with the club declaration hence we expect Mikel to be in Uganda for the game," NFA spokesman Ademola Olajire told SSB. Olajire added: ""If our medical team confirm that he's not fit to play then will surely he'll be rested. "We've made it clear that due process be followed and the said player be released immediately according to Fifa rules." The Nigerian camp has been ravaged by injury as midfielders Yusuf Atanda Ayila and Seyi Olofinjana have been ruled out due to injury. Meanwhile, Nigeria coach Berti Vogts has ordered Obafemi Martins to report to the team's camp in Kenya or forget about playing for the national team in the future. The Newcastle striker failed to join the rest of the squad in Kenya as expected over the weekend, claiming that he is injured. But his absence has drawn the ire of the German coach, who has ordered the striker to join the team before they depart Kenya on Thursday. "Instead of joining the team here he travelled to Nigeria which is very disappointing," Vogts said. "This camp was organised mainly for the England based players as their league ended three weeks ago. "We have to instil discipline to set a standard, the message is clear and if international football is important for him, then he should come here."

Mourinho mobbed by fans in Ghana
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho was mobbed by Ghanaian fans as he arrived in the country for a five-day visit. Mourinho is leading a delegation from the club on a visit to Ghana inspecting projects run by Right To Play, Chelsea's global charity partner. It took him over an hour to leave the Kotoka International Airport in Accra on Tuesday night. Mourinho said: "I'm thrilled to be here for the charity, as my life is all about supporting the less privileged." The fans turned up to greet the Portuguese coach and the rest of the delegation despite the fact that local hero Michael Essien was not on the same flight. Essien is expected to join the delegation on Wednesday in the club's first visit to Africa. "It's also great to come to the country of Essien, who is a very important for us," Mourinho added. "It is a good feeling to come to Africa as I believe I am part of the continent because my wife comes from Angola. "I hope that this visit can bring a lot of hope of many under-privileged children not only in Ghana and Africa but across the world." During his trip Mourinho is expected to conduct training sessions for children in Accra and Tamale. He will also hold coaching demonstrations for the Right To Play coaches who are integral to the charity's purpose of raising awareness about disease, war and poverty through sport.

Essien set to receive BBC award
Ghana midfielder Michael Essien will receive his 2006 BBC African Footballer of the Year Award in Accra on Monday. The Chelsea ace won the award in January in a vote cast by listeners of the BBC World Service's African sports programme Fast Track. Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is in no doubt that Essien deserves the award. "I didn't make Essien Africa's most expensive player, but nobody regrets the money Chelsea spent he's a high-performance player," he said. "People like to speak about Essien because they think he is a great football player but I prefer to say that he is a great man. "We're very happy to have him with us and I think Ghana should be very proud about him not just because he is a great player but also he has got good behaviour which is good for society." Both Mourinho and Essien are in Ghana on a charity visit. The 25-year-old midfielder adds his name to the roll of honour that includes Ghana's Sammy Kuffour, Senegal's El Hadji Diouf and Nigeria's Jay Jay Okocha, who won the award twice. Egyptian Mohammed Barakat was the first north African to win the award after clinching the 2005 trophy. Fast Track presenter Farayi Mungazi is also in Accra to organize the presentation of the award to Essien. "We at the BBC take pride in this award because it is the only one decided exclusively by the fans," Mungazi explained. In a live public vote in January, Essien received nearly twice as many votes as Ahly and Egypt playmaker Mohamed Aboutrika and Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba. For the first time in the history of the prize, the winner was decided live during the BBC World Service's flagship African sports programme Fast Track. The BBC award took into account the football calendar from January to December 2006 and includes domestic leagues, continental club competitions and international matches.

Chelsea mull newspaper legal move
Chelsea have threatened to take legal action over newspaper speculation linking striker Andriy Shevchenko with a return to former club AC Milan. Chelsea say boss Jose Mourinho has not given any interviews to European papers over the 31-year-old striker's future. "Chelsea and Jose Mourinho refute any of the comments that have appeared in European papers regarding Andriy Shevchenko," said a Blues statement. "The club and Jose Mourinho are now considering legal action." The statement added: "The manager has not given any interviews to any media outlets on this subject." Chelsea have consistently maintained Shevchenko will remain at the club even though he has struggled to adapt to English football following his £30m transfer from AC Milan last summer. Shevchenko has been continuously linked with a return to the San Siro and only last week AC Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi said he confident of bringing the Ukraine striker back to the club.

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