Manchester United plots Mata swoop

Manchester United are trying to prise Juan Mata from Chelsea for £37 million but it looks more likely that the Spain international will head to Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid on loan.

David Moyes is prepared to break the club's transfer record in an attempt to sign the player, who is willing to move so he can boost his World Cup hopes

Chelsea were on Monday night braced for a possible bid for Juan Mata from Manchester United.

A deal, which would break United’s transfer record, has been discussed with intermediaries. United would have to offer around £37 million for the 25-year-old Spain international in the hope of pushing a deal through.

United sources insisted on Monday night that no bid had been made but it is understood that the club do admire Mata and might consider a move.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has stated that he does not want Mata, who has been linked to a host of clubs throughout Europe, to leave this month but it is understood the midfielder does now want to go.

Mata has dropped down the pecking order at Chelsea with Mourinho having decided that Oscar, Eden Hazard and Willian will form his attacking trio behind a central striker.

Mourinho lied- De Bruyne

Former Chelsea player, Kelvin De Bruyne who joined Wolfsburg recently, has accused his former gaffer at the London Club, Jose Mourinho, of creating a false image of him after the Blues boss suggested the winger was not working hard in training.

De Bruyne claimed he was persuaded to remain with the Blues during the summer, despite interest from high-profile European clubs, but has since made a January move to Wolfsburg.
"In the summer he [Mourinho] convinced me to stay, although there was a nice bid from [Borussia] Dortmund on the table," De Bruyne told Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws.

"I also talked to Atletico Madrid. It was a good option, but I wasn't sure I would be playing there.
"I didn't leave Chelsea because I have to go to the World Cup - it could be over after three games - but just because I lost my joy."

Mourinho publicly criticised De Bruyne for his performances in the Capital One Cup victory over Swindon, and the Belgian also denied claims of a lack of effort in training.
"My pre-season was good, my first game too, but I still don't know why I lost my place after the game against Manchester United.

"I've also never asked Mourinho. He has never told me: 'Kevin, you don't train well.'
"It's a pity he told a press conference that I wasn't doing well on the training pitch. That's not me. I'm always a player who gives the full 100 per cent in training. Those remarks created a wrong image."

Mourinho recommends Omeruo for Boro

Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka has revealed Kenneth Omeruo was recommended to him by Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho.

He said: “Kenneth’s a defender from Chelsea. I know him, Jose told me about him and told me he’s a good player to have.

“Jose and I are friends, so always since I have arrived here it (Boro signing Chelsea players) has been talked about.

The young defender has impressed at international level with Nigeria and is hoping to feature for the Super Eagles in this summer’s World Cup.

He also said the Chelsea defender won't be Boro’s only signing in the January transfer window as he is assessing options in several positions.

He confirmed after Saturday’s 2-0 home defeat to Hull that Omeruo will join Boro for the remainder of the current season on Tuesday.

“We have been working on a deal and he will be with us on Tuesday and staying for the rest of the season,” said Karanka.

“He’s a strong defender and we need to improve at the back and we need a strong defender and Kenneth is a strong player a very good player, he can play at centre-back and right-back.

“We are looking for many positions but we need to be very smart with the players that come here because I’m very happy with my squad.”

Boxing Day war: Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Man City battle top spot

There will be no exchange of gifts in the English Barclay Premier league today as most teams will seek to keep opponents away from their boxes.

Manchester City versus Liverpool leads the pack. Perhaps one of the most crucial games of the season for both teams as they battle it out to be the best in the league going into 2014.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says he is down to 17 fit players as Jon Flanagan battles a hamstring problem ahead of the Boxing Day trip to Manchester City.

Captain Steven Gerrard, who has a hamstring problem, and striker Daniel Sturridge, who is recovering from an ankle injury, are both out until January. And the Premier League leaders are struggling for numbers as they prepare to visit a City side who have won all eight of their home games in the competition this season.

Arsenal travel to East London on Boxing Day to play a West Ham side who are struggling to stay above the relegation zone, after a 3-1 defeat to Manchester United last weekend.

Chelsea will be hoping for a late Christmas present on Thursday with victory over Swansea and results going their way could see Jose Mourinho’s team return to the top of the tree for the first time since September.

Monday’s goalless draw between Chelsea and Arsenal demonstrated this might be the tightest Premier League season ever, as with Mourinho’s men currently occupying the final Champions League spot, only two points separate the top five after 17 matches.

Chelsea starts ‘Mikelgoal’ promo

Chelsea Football Club has started a promo to celebrate the first EPL goal of John Obi Mikel.

The club announced the promo on its twitter handle (@chelseafc); “to celebrate his goal at the weekend, we are offering one signed John Mikel Obi picture... Using #MikelGoal we want you to send us your commentary of Mikel’s goal against Fulham on Saturday, in no more than 140 characters with #MikelGoal included. We will pick our favourite #MikelGoal tweet later in the week. Good luck!” the tweet reads.

Nigerian midfielder Mikel Obi scored his first-ever goal in the English Premier League (EPL) for Chelsea FC seven years after joining the premiership on Saturday and it was celebrated by his entire family.

The goal was scored during Chelsea FC's match against Fulham at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea’s home grounds. Mikel struck in the 84th minute, giving the North London club a 2-0 derby win over Martin Jol’s Fulham in week five of the league.

Ebere Obi, Mikel's elder brother, said that the whole family was excited at the first-ever goal.

``I feel great, it is a thing of joy for him to be playing for a club like Chelsea, playing week-in, week-out, without scoring. But he kept on working and hoping that one day, he will score and now, he has made it, I’m so happy for that,’’ Ebere said.

Ebere, a second-choice goalkeeper with Heartland FC of Owerri, added that there was a lot of merriment at home on Saturday as the Obi family saw the goal as a thing to celebrate.

Chelsea’s Manager, Jose Mourinho, said after the match that it was good for the Nigerian midfielder and for the club, adding that it will add to his confidence.

``Good for him, good for us. It’s good for his confidence. He played well, giving balance to the team,’’ Mourinho said.

Mourinho added that Mikel’s first EPL goal would definitely spark a flurry of congratulations for him.

Mourinho is in the heart of Chelsea supporters - Ivanovic

Serbian international, Branislav Ivanovic has said Jose Mourinho was always in the heart of all Chelsea supporters and expect the fans to always be behind the coach who rejoined the club after five years of leaving the post.
'I think he was in the heart of all Chelsea supporters all these years. Everyone expected him to be back and as I said before we are very happy he is here and he can improve us,' Ivanovic said. 'For the first week we really enjoyed it and it has been impressive but we have to stay focused from the first to last day and we have to prove to him every day we can play hard games. A lot of things depend on the manager and us on the field.'

Also alongside Ivanovic at the team hotel was Marco van Ginkel, who is just over a week into his Chelsea career, and also enjoying life under Mourinho.

'I think from this manager you can learn everything,' the 20-year-old said. 'He is one of the best in the world. I came from Vitesse, a small club. If you can go to Chelsea it's really good and I am very proud to be part of this team, and these players can [teach] me a lot. They are more experienced than me.'