Ibrahimovic agent pestered by big clubs claim

Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s agent, Mino Raiola, claims that Chelsea and Manchester United are among the clubs constantly monitoring the situation of the gangly Swede:

“Chelsea, Manchester United, Barcelona and Real Madrid are in constant contact with me.

“They are the only teams capable of taking someone like Zlatan.

“Until proven otherwise he will go ahead with Inter because he is under contract with the Nerazzurri club," he said.

“If we do move it will be to another great team. Otherwise he will stay and try to win the Scudetto and Champions League with Inter next season."

Who knows if there is any substance to this story – although it cannot be denied that Ibrahimovic’s agent is certainly doing his job.

The 27-year-old has had his best season to date in Serie A, with 21 goals in 32 games but if he were coming to Chelsea, who would be the one to make space for him? 

Drogba appears to be indispensable despite any baggage; Anelka has had an excellent season and is looking as sharp as ever whilst Di Santo is a youngster who is presumably ear-marked for the future.

Kalou?  Years ahead of him but even shipping out the Ivorian would involve severe congestion problems in the queue for attacking options between those that remain.

As for Manchester United, Ferguson’s intent re Ibrahimovic would seem very doubtful considering he spent £30million on Dimitar Berbatov last season.

Ancelotti assured Chelsea in for Zhirkov

Up next is long-term target CSKA Moscow star Yuri Zhirkov. 

Avram Grant was the first to reveal that we were looking seriously at the “Russian Ronaldinho” during an Israeli radio interview just after he was sacked.

The media claim that the deal will happen and that Carlo Ancelotti has been assured to that effect.

So Ancelotti is definitely coming?  Who knows?  Although there is a lot of smoke for there not to be any fire on this one.  A few weeks ago respected journo Gabrielle Marcotti claimed he knew who was going to be our next manager and has just done a piece in The Times extolling the virtues of the Italian.

It should be noted however, that Ancelotti himself has pretty much constantly issued firm denials that he is leaving Milan.

Ancelotti to bring the kitchen sink with him

The Telegraph claim that Carlo Ancelotti has “booked his place on the Chelsea bench for next season” and that “he will take Andrea Pirlo and Kaka with him”. 

Milan owe a fair bit of dosh but I can’t see Berlusconi permitting all of the above to happen. Kaka has said the following:

"My future is here with Milan and their project, and I hope it is a future with Carlo Ancelotti as coach."  

Oh and by the way, “Super” Ray Wilkins has apparently been reassured that he forms part of the clubs plans in the coaching staff for next season.

Gourcuff the toast of west London? 

The next rumour is with regard to a player whom I particularly rate – Yoann Gourcuff.   

Many will remember him from our matches against Bordeaux earlier this season in the Champions League. 

Gourcuff is quick footed, intelligent and very skilful but his situation is a bit of a tangled web; he is actually a Milan player on loan to Bordeaux.  The French club have first option and if they want the player they must write out a cheque for 12m to Berlusconi by 31^st May.

It is unclear if Bordeaux are prepared to splash out what is a lot of money for them.  Would it be a case of Bordeaux buying and then immediately selling to us or bearing in mind our good relationship with Milan, would Abramovich just step over the monkey and deal directly with the organ-grinder?

 

The great Quaresma mystery

Closer to home now, what is going to happen with Quaresma? 

The latest rumours are that the currently injured Carvalho and Deco are wanted by Mourinho at Inter – and in return we would keep Quaresma.

The Portuguese winger has impressed me during the short time he has featured for Chelsea but it appears that Hiddink wasn’t prepared to invest too much time in the player as he was cup-tied for the Champions League. 

I hope we keep him. 

Moyes in for Mancienne 

Finally, David Moyes is reported to have already made a loan request for Michael Mancienne. 

I would hope he would steadily feature for us next season – especially if we are going to lose Carvalho, that said, we do have Terry and the impressive Alex and Ivanovic in the queue in front of him. 

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Ibrahimovic, Zhirkov, Ancelotti, Gourcuff, Quaresma..rumours

Posted by: 50 Years Over 100 Years (IP Logged)

Date: 13/05/2009 14:56

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.

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Re: Ibrahimovic, Zhirkov, Ancelotti, Gourcuff, Quaresma..rumours

Posted by: Brian Stylez (IP Logged)

Date: 13/05/2009 21:08

i think it would be amazing if these transfer where to happen..
If it was possible i would want Hiddnik to remain coach because of the dicipline he brings to the team.. but I guess that cant happen considering the circumstances..But I hear he(Hiddnik) might be coming back in a more administrative capacity..That would be a smart move by Chelsea so that if carlo Ancelloti were to be another scolari in disguise we could easily replace him without hassel..Dont know if Ibrahimovic would come to Chelsea just because he would not be guaranteed starting shirt considering Drogba wont be allowed to leave next summer..I would have loved to see Ballack leave whilst we got Gouchuff..He is going to be amamzing very soon..Ballack to me is in the twilight of his career and even if He were to remain a Chelsea player he should not be guaranteed a starting berth in every game..I agree his experience will be invaluable to the young players like mikel and Gouchuff if we Chelsea were to land Him..One trade i would have loved Chelsea to make would be a Ribery to Chelsea transfer..That would finally end our Left mid-fiels issues we have had since Robben left for Real Madrid..Malouda has done relatively well this season..I just think he is too mechanical..Ribery would be perfect for the left of the Chelsea mid-field..[size=medium][/size]

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Re: Ibrahimovic, Zhirkov, Ancelotti, Gourcuff, Quaresma..rumours

Posted by: terry kenny (IP Logged)

Date: 14/05/2009 13:18

Totally agree with your opinion about Ribery,would be a truly great signing. Although i do feel you've been a bit too complimentary about Malouda. Despite him having 1 or 2 SATISFACTORY games towards the end of the season, i would with great reluctance even refer to him as a winger.

Never have a iseen a so called winger with so little pace and ability to beat a man. He seems to be in that mould of a 'mourinho winger' where defending is his main priority rather than attack.

I would like to see Ribery along with a young energetic creative central midfielder, perhaps Van der Vaart or Higuan from Real as the central midfield has become too 'mechhanial' and predictable in my opinion with the lack of ability to get around the pitch quick enough, which was clear enough against Barca.

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Re: Ibrahimovic, Zhirkov, Ancelotti, Gourcuff, Quaresma..rumours

Posted by: Since 66 (IP Logged)

Date: 14/05/2009 13:39

Ever since Malouda missed about six chances against Hull at the KCC (even though he did score) his performances under Scolari dipped big time and I was one of his greatest critics... however under HUSS he has improved tremendously and he his playing well.

Trouble is how will he react when the news boss comes in

DONT GO HUSS

---

100% Risk Free Betting





6th May 2009

Chelsea v Barcelona

NEVER FORGOTTEN

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Re: Ibrahimovic, Zhirkov, Ancelotti, Gourcuff, Quaresma..rumours

Posted by: dixon9 (IP Logged)

Date: 15/05/2009 13:26

I wouldn´t sell Malouda now. During the last month, he´s been the player we thought he would be.

---

"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.

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Re: Ibrahimovic, Zhirkov, Ancelotti, Gourcuff, Quaresma..rumours

Posted by: chelseafc (IP Logged)

Date: 17/05/2009 07:13

chelsea should really sign gourcuff.we need youngsters at chelsea and this guy can replace ballack.besides he is damn good and is considered to be the new zidane

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