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Arjen Robben believes Chelsea were a better side to watch when he was playing at Stamford Bridge.

Bayern Munich’s Dutch winger lifted two titles, two League Cups and the FA Cup before leaving for a two-year spell at Real Madrid in 2007.

Chelsea have won the title and three FA Cups since Robben’s exit.

But many observers believe they have never quite reproduced the kind of swashbuckling football they conjured up under Jose Mourinho.

Robben said: “They’ve changed the system a bit since then and often play without wingers.

“But when I was there we were nice to watch, and with two wingers played some attacking football.

“Maybe tactically they’re a bit more defensive these days. They can still play football, but it’s not always the most technical football like you see at Arsenal or Manchester United.

“It may be a failure, but could also be a strength. A lot of players have been at the club for a long time, which can be a strength. They’ve tried a lot of new players, but not all of them have been that successful.

“I’ve stayed in touch with a few players, but it becomes less and less the longer you are away.

“It’s five years since I left Chelsea, but I still follow the club. I had a great time there and a fantastic relationship with the fans.

“I’m really happy for them that they’re in the final. If we weren’t there I’d be hoping they win it, but now it’s a different story. “They’ve had a difficult season in the league, but since Di Matteo came in they’ve recovered.”

Despite his relationship with Chelsea and some of their players, Robben insists he will not be working as a double agent for Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes – because Chelsea are too well-known for him to need to.

He added: “Chelsea don’t have any secrets. They are a top club in Europe so everybody knows them very well.

“Everybody knows Drogba, Lampard and their qualities. If the manager asks me about little things I’ll be glad to help, but we’ll be very well prepared.

“They have lots of leaders in their team and for a lot of the players it will be their last chance to win the Champions League.

“They’re all getting a bit older with all respect. But that also means they have a lot of experience and lots of leaders. The biggest leader [John Terry] will be missing in the final, but there will be others.

“We want to win it as much as they do. If we win it I will celebrate and be the happiest man on earth.

“I still have great feelings for Chelsea and am happy they’re in the final, but unfortunately we have to disappoint them.

“They’ve come close, and [the Champions League] is still a big target for Mr Abramovich.

“They were in the final four years ago against Manchester United and when I was there we played two semi finals against Liverpool.

“They’ve been close and are always up there, but in the end it’s about winning the trophy. If you want to enter the history books you have to win it. We’re in our second final in three years and for us it’s time to win it.”

Robben has his own motivation for winning tomorrow, with Bayern having been beaten in the final two years ago by Inter Milan.

He went on: “It’s a great motivator and inspiration, but the experience of losing in a final is also important. We can use that experience in this final.

“Sometimes you only get to play a final once in your life. This is the biggest trophy there is in club football.

“If you win it it will stay with you forever. For me this feels like the only trophy that is missing.

“I’ve won the league in four countries, and all the cups. The only one that is missing is the Champions League.

“I told my mum two years ago, ‘If we win the Champions League and the World Cup, you can have my boots, because I’ll stop playing.’ Hopefully we can do it this time.”

Robben admits he was suprised by the act of petulance against Barcelona that earned Terry the red card which keeps him out of Saturday’s final.

“I was surprised by what he did. I didn’t expect it from him, because for me he was one of the best captains I’ve ever played for,” said the winger.

“When I was at Chelsea, he was a great leader and a great personality, and on big occasions he was always there.

“It’s a moment he will always regret and even he won’t understand why he did it.

“But these things happen in football and people make mistakes. It’s a mistake that will hurt him most of all as he won’t be able to play in the game of his life.

“It’s a team game and a squad game so the injured and suspended players should be allowed to join the celebrations. “Until the final they did a great job and it’s important they should be there.

“I don’t know if JT will lift the trophy, that’s a matter for the club. But hopefully it’s a discussion which is not needed!”

Jens Lehmann has tipped Chelsea to pull off a major Champions League shock, writes John Cross.

The former Arsenal keeper believes the
Blues can surprise Bayern Munich because they are perfectly suited for a
big, one-off match.

Ex-World
Cup star Lehmann said: “Chelsea are a team for a day. They can go into a
one-off match and get a result because they have big-game players who have experience, determination and they know how to win.

“I had some problems with Frank Lampard on the pitch, we didn’t always get on. But when you see what he is still capable of with his passing, then you know Chelsea can get a result.

“Bayern are big ­favourites, but Chelsea have already lost one final and will not want to suffer that again.”

Article source: http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/champions-league-final-chelsea-were-837699

Frank Lampard will run out for his second chance at a date with Champions League destiny, after admitting he simply couldn’t see it coming.

The 11-year mainstay of the Chelsea midfield looked to be facing the end of his Stamford Bridge career when his personal fall-out with then-manager Andre Villas-Boas plumbed new depths in Naples in February.

Lampard, along with Ashley Cole, was left on the bench as the Portuguese opted to play a midfield axis of Ramires and Raul Meireles, only to see his Blues ripped apart by Edinson Cavani and Ezequiel Lavezzi to lose 3-1 in the first leg of that last-16 tie.

Within a fortnight though, Villas-Boas was gone, Lampard restored to his rightful place at the heart of the side by Roberto Di Matteo – and the rest could be Chelsea history by midnight on Saturday.

“We were struggling,” conceded the 33-year-old. “And it’s not just because I was sitting watching from the outside.

“You could see that. You wouldn’t have looked ahead of yourselves and seen this – Munich in the final.

“Of course, you’re experienced enough to know things can change, but on that night I don’t think any one of us thought it.

“We were despondent in the dressing room afterwards and it took a big effort in the weeks between the games to turn the things around. The home game was a massive turning point in our season. In fact the major turning point in our season.”

Were he tempted, Lampard might have added that AVB’s sacking was that defining moment.

There is, though, no need.

“Possibly it was my lowest ebb,” Lampard added. “Maybe it was one of the lower times.

“I knew I wouldn’t play 160 games consecutively all the time, these records don’t go on for ever. But it was tough at times for me when I wasn’t in the team and frustrating individually.

“So I sat back at times and got the hump indoors, but I tried to carry on working hard and in the end it has turned around personally.”

It has.

Lampard scored crucial penalties against Napoli and Benfica, helped create Didier Drogba’s home winner against Barcelona, helped pull off the greatest act of defiance in the Camp Nou.

With John Terry suspended – as well as, ironically, the pair who played in his stead in Naples – Lampard will wear the captain’s armband in the Allianz Arena.

He said: “For me, it will be my proudest moment but I have to be captain as I always do, as I tried to do in Barcelona.

“I was probably more vocal than I’ve ever been in Barcelona, because it was such a backs to the wall and trying to direct people around situation.

“This time I’ll try to be vocal, I’ll try to lead by example. I know the players – I’ve been here long enough – I feel the pride of it and you take on the responsibility of trying to lead. But we have got leaders and the occasion will bring out the big boys to lead the team as we go along.”

As one of the players who has been so close, so often, scoring in Moscow – and converting his shoot-out penalty – there would be no more deserved reward.

Lampard said: “Every year we get asked the same questions: is this the year, how inspired are you by the failures of years before. And every year we have failed.
“I do think about it, the near-misses, a little bit. I think about all my successes and failures and sometimes the failures stick in your head as much as the wins.

“But you do move on. I’ve got nice memories of Moscow – obviously not the ending but the occasion itself. So it would be nice to win it this time.

“It’s occupied my mind and I’m sure everyone’s mind, especially considering the season we’ve had.

“We were pretty unfancied to get this far. Against Napoli, then drawn against Barcelona people wouldn’t have fancied us. When you don’t see it coming the fact you are there is even more enjoyable. You’ve still got to go out and win it but it’s been a nice thought the last couple of weeks.”

More than that, although Lampard’s uncle, Spurs boss Harry Redknapp, has admitted family bonds will be broken for 90 minutes, with Tottenham taking the last Champions League spot for next season unless Chelsea win.

Lampard said: “I haven’t spoken to him – but I know he said that.

“To be fair, if he had said anything other than that with a straight face, you wouldn’t have believed him anyway. You wouldn’t expect anything else.

“For the last few weeks that’s been in the back of our minds although it’s not the overall issue. The game and what it means on the day is the first thought. Obviously as a club it becomes more prominent now we are out of the top four.

“Given the circumstances, what we’ve been through, who we have been missing, winning now would be the greatest achievement for sure.

“It would certainly be Chelsea’s best ever feat.”

Article source: http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/frank-lampard-admits-he-didnt-see-837599

Liverpool have begun their quest to replace Kenny Dalglish, by asking permission to speak to Roberto Martinez.

But the Wigan manager will be the first of many as the Reds cast the net across Europe in a search that will determine the club’s future.

The headline name that screams out from that list is Europe’s most admired and desired coach, Pep Guardiola.

But while co-owners John Henry and Tom Werner will gauge the ­feelings of the outgoing Barcelona boss, they are realistic enough to know it is the longest of long shots.

Swansea have also been approached about Brendan Rodgers, while Premier League manager of the season Alan Pardew, Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp, Chelsea flop Andre Villas-Boas, Norwich’s Paul Lambert and Didier Deschamps of Marseille can all expect a call.

“It’s absolutely critical we get it right and move forward,” said Anfield MD Ian Ayre.

“You can only live on history of success for a certain amount of time.

“Spend time in Asia and you will see that Liverpool and Manchester United dominate the landscape, but it doesn’t last for ever.

“That is why it is so critical. We are looking for progress that will get the football club back where it needs to be.”

Latics owner Dave Whelan has reluctantly given the green light for talks to go ahead, but did add that he feels Martinez could be making a big mistake.

He wants his Spanish coach to stay at the DW Stadium and argued Liverpool are a club with problems because they have had the heartbeat ripped out of them.

“They have undergone some massive changes in the past two or three years and have to settle down as a football club,” he said. “When we went there a couple of months ago, there was no heart in the club, no heart in the boardroom.

“I told Roberto there is no heart beating at the moment, and as soon as they get one again and start playing football, the better.”

Over the next few weeks, Liverpool plan to change their senior management model, so that the manager spends more time concentrating on coaching.

Ayre confirmed they want a candidate who can delegate responsibility and work within a broad team, which appears to rule out a return for former boss Rafa Benitez – despite his backing from a large section of the Anfield support.

While Martinez remains a live choice, Klopp seems the most qualified after winning consecutive Bundesliga titles and completing a domestic double this season by thrashing Champions League finalists Bayern Munich in the German cup final.

However, he is reluctant to leave his homeland.

Article source: http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/next-liverpool-manager-roberto-martinez-838147

Tottenham have made a shock move for Ivory Coast striker Arouna Kone.

The 28-year-old is a free agent after a successful season-long loan from Sevilla to fellow Spanish side Levante, where he scored 15 goals.

Spurs have made an enquiry to fend off interest from Stoke, Atletico Madrid and Levante themselves, who want to sign him up permanently.

It is understood the Londoners have asked Kone to delay any decision until they know whether they have reached the Champions League or not – which depends on Chelsea losing to Bayern Munich in Saturday’s European Cup Final.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp will have more cash to spend if they get into Europe’s elite competition.   

Article source: http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/tottenham-eye-arouna-kona-the-sevilla-838070

Fabio Capello has held talks with Chelsea over becoming their next manager.

The former England boss has been sounded out by representatives of owner Roman Abramovich, led by Portuguese super-agent Jorge Mendes, and has made it clear he wants the job.

Capello, 66, is looking for a three-year deal worth around £6million per season to become Abramovich’s ninth manager since 2004.

And while Guus Hiddink is also understood to be in the frame if he quits Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala, it means the shadow of Capello will be looming over Roberto Di Matteo as Chelsea board their flight to Munich this morning.

Capello, alongside ex-Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez, was approached by Abramovich in February when the ­decision was made to sack Andre Villas-Boas.

Both men refused the offer of a short-term contract to the end of the season, leading the Russian billionaire to install Di Matteo as “interim first team coach”.

But despite leading Chelsea to tomorrow’s Champions League final with Bayern Munich and lifting the FA Cup, the sixth-placed finish has proved fatal for the former Blues midfielder, who faces the axe whatever happens in the Allianz Arena.

Capello, still angry at his departure from the England job when he quit after FA chairman David Bernstein ordered him to strip Blues skipper John Terry of the captaincy, is understood to be keen to show up his former bosses at Wembley.

And with Abramovich still blaming the players for the failure of the Villas-Boas project – he tore a strip off his entire squad the day the Portuguese’s reign was ended – it emerged that Capello agrees a wholesale overhaul to revamp the dressing room is needed.

Capello’s stature within the game – he has won titles with AC Milan, Juventus, Roma and Real Madrid as well as landing the Champions League for the San Siro side – ensures he will be bigger than what is notoriously the strongest dressing room in football.

That will allow him to oversee what is likely to be a brutal rebuilding process, starting with summer exits for Didier Drogba, Florent Malouda, Salomon Kalou and other senior members of Di Matteo’s Munich squad – perhaps paving the way for Abramovich’s long-term target, Pep Guardiola, to come in with a more malleable group of players in 2014.

Capello, who also has had negotiations about becoming boss of the United Arab Emirates’ national side, has yet to receive a formal offer from Chelsea, who have also kept in contact with former caretaker boss Hiddink, who’s thought to be looking to leave the Russian club he only joined in February.

But Capello has asked for – and received – a full debrief on the technical, medical and training facilities at Chelsea’s Cobham base, which is believed to have been forwarded to his trusted former England backroom men Italo Galbiati and Franco Tancredi.

The veteran coach resisted a £17m, two-year deal from Chinese side Ghangzhou Evergrande – who appointed his long-term friend and rival Marcello Lippi on Thursday – because he felt the final job of his career could be in London, where he has stayed since leaving the FA in February.

Chelsea would fit his bill perfectly, especially as he has forged a solid working relationship with the club’s England quartet of Terry, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole and Gary Cahill.

Sources in Italy have suggested an appointment could be made as early as next week.

Drogba, meanwhile, does seem set to cross the Bamboo Curtain, joining up with Lippi in Ghangzhou on a two-year deal worth up to £250,000 per week, with Chelsea declining to offer him the new contract he craves.

Article source: http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/fabio-capello-has-talks-with-chelsea-over-837958

Patrick Vieira has taunted Arsene Wenger by claiming Arsenal have left it too late to keep Robin Van Persie, report Mike Walters and John Cross.

Gunners legend Vieira, who is now Manchester City’s football development executive, warned there will be a posse of big clubs chasing Van Persie because he is now down to the last 12 months on his contract.

City are favourites to land him, and after Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas quit the Emirates last summer, Vieira risked his old mentor Wenger’s wrath by claiming: “I think losing Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas last year was a big shock for Arsenal – and if they lose Robin this year, it will be a trauma.

“When Samir and Cesc left, you could say, ‘OK, but we still have Van Persie and Jack Wilshere at the club.’

“But if Robin leaves, that means next year it may be Theo Walcott, next year it’s Wilshere, and it’s going to be difficult for Arsenal to keep their top players.”

Talks between Arsenal and Van Persie stalled this week, with the Dutchman telling the club he is not ready to sign a new contract, despite them offering £130,000-a-week on a three-year deal.

Newly-crowned Premier League champions City are prepared to double that by lining up a monster £12million-a-year deal to land the Dutchman.

Vieira added: “I’m quite surprised they have waited until he has only a year left on his contract to talk to him. It’s difficult to find players of Robin’s quality anywhere in the world with only a year left – especially strikers who can score 34 goals in a season. It’s difficult to understand.

“Robin wants to win trophies – and Arsenal have to prove he can do it with them.

“We know that Robin loves Arsenal. That is not the question – the real question is how Arsene Wenger will convince Robin they can win trophies.”

Read John Cross’ latest column: If van Persie moves abroad he’ll still be an Arsenal legend; go to Manchester and he’ll be hated as a traitor

Vieira, promoting ITV’s Euro 2012 coverage in London, admitted: “I’m not the right person to tell him what he should do but, knowing Robin, I don’t think it will be only City who would like this kind of player.

“I don’t think you have many talents like Robin who have just one year left on their contracts – I think there will be a lot of teams who want a signing like him.”

Juventus are willing to pay £180,000-a-week but they fear Van Persie has already made up his mind about leaving Arsenal and that City will be his most likely destination.

Manchester United are also keen but City lead the chase and are desperate to get the deal done.

They have made Van Persie their number one target ahead of AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Athletic Bilbao target-man Fernando Llorente.

Van Persie had talks with Wenger and Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis on Wednesday and then left the UK to report for duty with the Dutch squad for the Euros.

“It will be as difficult (for Arsenal) as when they lost Cesc Fabregas or Samir Nasri last summer. And if they lose Robin now, who is left behind? That is a big question for Arsenal,” added Vieira.

“Of course, it is going to be difficult to keep him or convince him to stay, but I don’t know what is the plan for them.

“From Arsenal’s point of view, I think this is something they should have closed a long time ago, but Arsenal don’t need me to tell them what to do. That’s the way it is and they will have to deal with it.”

Meanwhile, Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere will fly to Sweden in the next 48 hours to undergo minor surgery on his knee.

Article source: http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/robin-van-persie-refuses-to-sign-837983

England fans are famed for invading Europe in their hordes, outnumbering other supporters as they bring a party atmosphere to football matches.

But for the first time in a major ­competition, Three Lions supporters will not be the dominant force at Euro 2012.

In fact, more Russians have got tickets to see our crunch tie with Ukraine next month.

And the Swedes will outnumber England fans when Roy Hodgson’s men face the ­Scandinavians in Kiev.

A Mirror survey reveals the shocking drop in the number of England supporters buying tickets for the ­competition in Ukraine and Poland.

Of the 16 nations bidding for glory, eight teams have sold more than us.

They also include Poland, Germany and the Republic of Ireland. England fans – who have bought 21,000 tickets – limp in ninth in the crowd league.

There will be 4,000 England supporters cheering on the team against Ukraine in Donestk while the Russians have snapped up 5,000 tickets.

Fans groups blame the prosept of a difficult and costly journey to Ukraine.

Football Supporters’ Federation international director Kevin Miles, who will run an England fans’ embassy at Euro 2012, said: “I must admit I am shocked at the Mirror’s figures on the Russians, and the ticket sales overall.

“It is strange to think there will be more of them at the Ukraine game than our supporters.

“But the figures suggest, as we suspected, that geography and logistics are proving the major factor in attendances.”

The Football Association sold less than a third of its allocation, a total of 7,000.

Figures obtained by the Mirror combine those sold via the FA with those on the Uefa website.

Poland top the fans table with 291,000 tickets sold for the contest, the Ukraine come in second on 168,000, and third is Russia with 100,000 sales.

There will be 12,000 Ireland fans at their opening game against Croatia in Poland on June 10.

Greece, Spain, Italy, Croatia, Portugal, Denmark and even world champions Spain have sold fewer tickets than normal, but organisers Uefa insist the stadia will be full for nearly all matches.

France sold the least tickets at 8,000.

It means the English will outnumber French by two to one in our opening match, with 4,377 sold to our support, and 2,483 to the French.

A spokesman said: “It takes some time and has been a bit slow for some matches in Ukraine, including England versus France.

“But we have no concerns that the stadia will be full.”

It’s not just England fans who are snubbing the games. Winger Theo Walcott’s family are not going because of the threat of racist attacks in Ukraine.

The Arsenal star’s brother Ashley tweeted: “There is the fear of confrontation.”

Article source: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/more-russian-than-english-fans-buy-838189

David Beckham is not guaranteed a place in the Team GB squad at this summer’s Olympics, says London 2012 chairman Seb Coe.

Becks, 37, is hopeful of being selected as one of three over-23 players allowed to compete, alongside former Manchester United team-mate Ryan Giggs.

But Coe denied claims that organisers were desperate for manager Stuart Pearce to pick the former England captain in a bid to boost ticket sales.

Coe said: “We have put absolutely no pressure on Stuart Pearce at all. Stuart has to pick the team that he thinks can lift that trophy.

“I wouldn’t expect any coach to be operating on any other basis whether it’s wrestling or Olympic football.

“I think the coach has to be in pole position, you can never put pressure on coaches to choose people for any particular reason other than skill and merit.

“But it is entirely up to Stuart.

“Of course to have David around the Olympic programme is a fantastic thing but that’s not for anybody other than Stuart to decide.”

Other stars believed to be in contention to play include on-loan Lille star Joe Cole, Aston Villa’s Darren Bent and Liverpool’s Craig Bellamy.

Beckham, who met US President Barack Obama at the White House this week with his LA Galaxy team-mates, will tonight attend the official handover ceremony of the Olympic Flame in Athens.

The star was part of London 2012′s winning bid team to stage the Games and will fly the Flame back to the UK tomorrow with Princess Anne.

Beckham will be joined by five young people from schools and colleges which are part of London 2012′s Get Set education network for tonight’s ceremony at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens.

Coe insisted it was “absolutely right” that Beckham was involved thanks to his dedication to helping London stage the Games.

He added: “David has been with us from the beginning, he was there when the evaluation team were with us, he travelled independently for us getting our message across, he was there in Singapore and even a few weeks ago in Los Angeles he was helping me. It’s absolutely right that he should be here.”

Article source: http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/london-2012-david-beckham-not-836990

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been backed to snub Manchester City and stay at AC Milan by his clubmate Stephan El Shaarawy.

Roberto
Mancini wants to be reunited with his former Inter Milan hitman at the Etihad and is reportedly lining up a £25million offer.

El Shaarawy claims Ibrahimovic will remain at the San Siro because he will want to make up for this season’s disappointing
campaign when Milan finished second to Juventus in Serie A.

“Ibra always wants to win,” said the Italy Under-21 striker. “I think that he will stay here with us at Milan.

“We can beat Juventus next season, that is a definite possibility. We’ll certainly give it a go.”

Here’s a look at some of the goals that have convinced City to offer a reported £300,000 a week for the Sweden international’s services.

Article source: http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/zlatan-ibrahimovic-will-snub-manchester-city-837020

Roberto Di Matteo is set to be offered the job at Lazio if he is sacked by Chelsea this weekend.

The caretaker Blues boss needs to win the Champions League final in
Munich on Saturday night to have any chance of remaining at Stamford Bridge.

But now an escape route has emerged for the 41-year-old who signed for the Blues from Lazio in 1996.

The
Rome club have parted company with coach Eddy Reja after failing to qualify for the Champions League this season despite finishing in fourth
place.

Lazio have also spoken to Di Matteo’s former Chelsea team-mate Gianfranco Zola about taking the job.

Gianluca Nani, the former technical director at Upton Park when Zola was manager, said: “I don’t know if he (Zola) will go to Lazio, but
I can only speak highly of him and his football. I brought him to West Ham when he  didn’t have much experience on club benches. He did very well with us and finished eighth in the first year with players who now can’t get a game in a lower division.

“He is ready to be a Coach in Italy, as when a tactician is good then he can make it in any League.”

Article source: http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/lazio-set-to-offer-chelsea-manager-837034