St. Louis: Chelsea players seem pleased Jose Mourinho appears headed back for a second stint as manager, even after he failed with Real Madrid. Midfielder Juan Mata said Wednesday prior to the first of two U.S. friendlies against Manchester City that the 50-year-old Mourinho is among the best coaches in the game.
"We don't know what's going to happen but if he comes he's welcome because he's one of the best," Mata said. "Chelsea always wants to be a top squad and if he comes we're going to be happy to have him." Mourinho was officially removed as Madrid manager on Monday, and while a move back to Chelsea is widely expected, there has been no official announcement.
Mata wasn't about to judge Mourinho's shortcomings with Real Madrid. He won the 2011 Copa del Rey and the 2012 league championship, but couldn't deliver the European Cup trophy the club craved. "You have to be there to understand everything," said former Valencia player Mata. "What I know is Madrid is a massive club and there's a lot of pressure, and it shouldn't be easy. All I can say is if he comes, we're going to try to do our best with him or with whoever to win the title."
Defender Branislav Ivanovic - who headed in the goal that won the Europa League final last week - said "for every player it's a big challenge to play for the big managers and to do everything, but all these
04:34 PM, May 23, 2013
Jose Mourinho will leave Real Madrid at the end of the season having once again produced some golden quotes. Here are some of the Portuguese coach's most memorable utterances over the years as well as what others have said about him. WHILE PORTO COACH: "The only thing that I want to say is that we are the best ones and in normal conditions we are more than the best ones....
09:00 AM, May 21, 2013
Madrid: Jose Mourinho will leave Real Madrid at the end of the season after three years at the Spanish club, paving the way for his expected return to Chelsea. The Portuguese coach's final season at Madrid has been blighted by divisions and a lack of trophies, but he is free to leave three years early from his contract after the final match on June 1 without any compensation involved. "To...
11:42 PM, May 20, 2013
Tottenham Hotspur will still be able to attract top players even if they do not qualify for next year's Champions League, manager Andre Villas-Boas said on Friday. The north London club's hopes of qualifying are hanging in the balance with them needing to win their final Premier League match of the season at home to Sunderland on Sunday while hoping bitter rivals Arsenal fail to beat Newcastle United. Tottenham, who...
10:41 PM, May 17, 2013
London: Only hours after helping Chelsea with another European title, Frank Lampard was given a one-year contract extension by the Premier League club. The 34-year-old Lampard, the club's all-time leading scorer, had initially been told he was not wanted beyond the end of the season. But Chelsea, who added the Europa League title to their Champions League win from last season, said Thursday that Lampard has signed a new deal....
05:48 PM, May 16, 2013
Amsterdam: Midfielder Ramires said he felt much calmer helping Chelsea to a 2-1 win over Benfica in a tense Europa League final than he had watching last year's Champions League victory from the stands. The Brazilian international, a tireless runner, told Reuters in an interview that Wednesday night's victory at the Amsterdam Arena provided a blessed relief after he was forced out of the 2012 penalty shootout triumph over Bayern...
05:45 PM, May 16, 2013
Amsterdam: Chelsea landed their only silverware of a gruelling campaign by beating Benfica 2-1 in the Europa League final on Wednesday but assistant coach Boudewijn Zenden believes the triumph only partially atoned for a string of failures. The European champions started their season in August dreaming of a possible seven-trophy haul with the Community Shield, European Super Cup, World Club Cup, Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup...
04:46 PM, May 16, 2013
Amsterdam: Benfica coach Jorge Jesus hinted he may leave the club following the heartbreak of their 2-1 injury-time defeat by Chelsea in the Europa League final on Wednesday. The 58-year-old, who has been in charge for four years, said the Lisbon team were the better side for most of the match and that defeat was hard to bear. After an emotional tribute to the quality of his players, Jesus said...
10:20 AM, May 16, 2013
Amsterdam: Frank Lampard suggested he was on the verge of signing a new contract with Chelsea after leading the London club to a 2-1 victory over Benfica in the Europa League final on Wednesday. The 34-year-old midfielder, who broke Chelsea's all-time scoring record when his double against Aston Villa on Saturday took him past Bobby Tambling's tally of 202 goals, looks like getting the new deal he has craved all...
10:05 AM, May 16, 2013
Amsterdam: Matchwinner Branislav Ivanovic said Chelsea deserved to win the Europa League with a 2-1 success over Benfica on Wednesday after a "difficult season". The Serbian defender headed a stoppage-time winner from a corner to secure a second successive European trophy for the Premier League side after they won the Champions League for the first time last season. "This team deserved this, because we have had a very difficult season...
09:59 AM, May 16, 2013
Amsterdam: Chelsea captain John Terry suffered cup final heartbreak for the second time in 12 months when he missed out on selection for Wednesday's Europa League showdown against Benfica. The former England centre half was left out of the starting lineup after failing to recover from a twisted ankle he sustained in Saturday's 2-1 Premier League win at Aston Villa. Terry also missed last season's Champions League final victory over...
09:42 AM, May 16, 2013
Amsterdam: A stoppage-time header from Branislav Ivanovic helped Chelsea become the first English club to win all three of UEFA's major trophies as they beat Benfica 2-1 in the Europa League final on Wednesday. The Serbian defender sent the London club's fans wild with delight when he climbed high at the far post to meet a Juan Mata corner and place a header back across helpless goalkeeper Artur into the...
02:51 AM, May 16, 2013
London: The Premier League could go into extra time. After the final round of matches on Sunday, Arsenal and Chelsea could have to contest a play-off to determine who finish third and claim an automatic Champions League qualification place. Chelsea currently have a two-point lead over Arsenal. But if Arsenal beat Newcastle 2-1 and Chelsea draw 0-0 with Everton on Sunday, the teams would be level on points and have...
04:36 PM, May 15, 2013
Amsterdam: Chelsea could be without captain John Terry and playmaker Eden Hazard for Wednesday's Europa League final against Benfica. After winning the Champions League title last year, Chelsea failed to reach the knockout stage this season and has long been a non-factor in the Premier League title chase. That means only victory in the lesser of Europe's two cup tournaments can salvage a disappointing season for the London club. Both...
09:27 PM, May 14, 2013
Frank Lampard became Chelsea's all-time leading goalscorer on Saturday with two trademark strikes against Aston Villa, providing another demonstration of his value with his future at the European champions still uncertain. Lampard, who made his Chelsea debut nearly 12 years ago, struck in the 61st and 88th minutes at Villa Park to give his side a 2-1 victory in the Premier League that virtually ensured Champions League football for the...
10:48 PM, May 11, 2013
Birmingham: Frank Lampard became Chelsea's all-time leading scorer with a double against Aston Villa on Saturday that clinched a 2-1 victory and pushed his club closer to Champions League qualification. From midfield, Lampard has now scored 203 goals during 12 years with Chelsea - surpassing the record held by Bobby Tambling. "It means everything, it's amazing," said Lampard, who is out of contract at the end of the season. "The...
07:36 PM, May 11, 2013
London: Chelsea's 8-0 thrashing of Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge in December will have no bearing on Saturday's Premier League return fixture, the London club's interim manager Rafael Benitez said on Thursday. Victory will all but clinch Chelsea's place in next season's Champions League but Benitez believes improving Villa will provide a stern test especially as the home team's relegation fears have not yet been completely dispelled. "I don't think...
12:03 AM, May 10, 2013
London: A late equaliser from substitute Gylfi Sigurdsson earned Tottenham Hotspur a 2-2 draw at Chelsea in a pulsating London derby on Wednesday that prolonged a three-way battle for two Champions League places. The Iceland international shot low past Petr Cech on 80 minutes to deny Chelsea, who were twice ahead, a victory that would have effectively guaranteed the hosts a top four finish and Champions League football next season....
03:47 AM, May 09, 2013
Cobham: Interim Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez has dropped a massive hint that Jose Mourinho will be returning to Stamford Bridge this summer. Benitez confirmed on Tuesday he would be leaving his temporary role with Chelsea at the end of the season by saying "the next year there will be another manager here. The Spaniard then added "I think everybody knows who will be here." The momentum behind Mourinho's probable return...
11:14 PM, May 07, 2013
