Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Chelsea seek "solution" to sign Benfica's David Luiz

Chelsea are still searching for a "solution" in their bid to sign Benfica defender David Luiz, according to the Blues manager Carlo Ancelotti.
Chelsea are thought to have had a £17m bid for the Brazilian international, 23, rejected at the end of December.
Speaking after Chelsea beat Bolton 4-0 on Monday, Ancelotti said nothing had been agreed between the two clubs.
"He is the only signing we are trying to make but if it's not possible, nothing changes," stated the Italian.
"He's a very good young player but we have not agreed anything."
A centre-half who can also play at right or left-back, Luiz is valued by Portuguese side Benfica at £25.5m.
Were he to join Chelsea, he would link up with fellow Brazilians, defender Alex and midfielder Ramires.
First-half goals from Didier Drogba and Florent Malouda, coupled with second-half strikes by Nicolas Anelka and Ramires secured the win at the Reebok.
The result means Ancelotti's side are seven points behind Premier League leaders Manchester United, who play their game in hand on Tuesday when they face Blackpool at Bloomfield Road.
After seeing Chelsea record the same scoreline over Bolton away from home as they did last season, Ancelotti said his title holders had "turned the corner".
"We are playing good football with a good attitude and a good mentality," added Chelsea's Italian manager. "The performance was very good and now I think we are coming back to fight for everything.
"It is not easy to close the gap but we have to try. We are playing well and are in good condition, so we will try to do everything to close the gap."
The Blues manager hailed striker Drogba after he scored his ninth league goal of the season with a fine effort.
"He has trained very well and has had a fantastic attitude in the last week," said Ancelotti. "He deserved this performance and scored a fantastic goal."
Bolton boss Owen Coyle said he could have had two goalkeepers in the net and they would not have kept Drogba's strike out.
But while Coyle acknowledged the quality of Chelsea's finishing, he was disappointed with his team's defending as they fell to only their second home defeat of the season.
"We gifted them each and every goal," stated Coyle. "We've had as many chances as them but they're clinical and that's why they're champions.
"It's hard to take but you can either feel sorry for yourself or get up tomorrow morning ready to do something about it. That's what we'll do. Take nothing away from Chelsea, their finishing was top class - but there was no way four goals between the teams."
Story from BBC SPORT

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