Posted January 9, 200916 yr Chelsea are ready to give Luiz Felipe Scolari the additional attacking threat that the manager believes he needs to fulfil the squad’s potential by launching a summer bid for Ãngel Di MarÃa. Scolari would prefer to sign the Benfica winger during this month’s transfer window because he is concerned about a lack of width in his side, but with the club reluctant to sanction any additional spending as they strive for self-sufficiency, the Brazilian has accepted that he must wait until the end of the season. Scolari is in full agreement with Chelsea’s new policy of signing young players on modest wages with a potentially high resale value. He has identified Di MarÃa, 20, an Argentina international, as among the best of the next generation and made him one of his principal transfer targets. Benfica bought Di MarÃa from Rosário Central in July 2007 for ¤8 million (then about £5.4 million) and, after two good seasons in Portugal, his transfer value has increased to £15 million. Di MarÃa has also attracted interest from Real Madrid, but Chelsea are confident that their links with his agent, Jorge Mendes, will help them to complete the deal. Mendes sprang to prominence through representing José Mourinho, the former Chelsea manager and now Inter Milan coach, and has become one of the most influential agents in Europe and South America, while retaining a close relationship with the London club. Related Links Chelsea want Ballack to take pay cut Scolari's beautiful game loses its sheen Chelsea are planning an overhaul of their squad at the end of the season, regardless of what they win in the meantime. Di MarÃa made his name by helping Argentina to win the Under-20 World Cup in 2007 with a series of outstanding performances that alerted Benfica and elevated him to the full national squad. He has won two caps and scored the only goal in the gold-medal match against Nigeria at last year’s Olympics in Beijing. Chelsea's shortage of wide players was highlighted when Robinho opted to join Manchester City last summer, with Florent Malouda and Salomon Kalou likely to pay for their poor performances by being sold at the end of the season. timesonline
January 9, 200916 yr Chelsea are ready to give Luiz Felipe Scolari the additional attacking threat that the manager believes he needs to fulfil the squad’s potential by launching a summer bid for Ãngel Di MarÃa. Scolari would prefer to sign the Benfica winger during this month’s transfer window because he is concerned about a lack of width in his side, but with the club reluctant to sanction any additional spending as they strive for self-sufficiency, the Brazilian has accepted that he must wait until the end of the season. Scolari is in full agreement with Chelsea’s new policy of signing young players on modest wages with a potentially high resale value. He has identified Di MarÃa, 20, an Argentina international, as among the best of the next generation and made him one of his principal transfer targets. Benfica bought Di MarÃa from Rosário Central in July 2007 for ¤8 million (then about £5.4 million) and, after two good seasons in Portugal, his transfer value has increased to £15 million. Di MarÃa has also attracted interest from Real Madrid, but Chelsea are confident that their links with his agent, Jorge Mendes, will help them to complete the deal. Mendes sprang to prominence through representing José Mourinho, the former Chelsea manager and now Inter Milan coach, and has become one of the most influential agents in Europe and South America, while retaining a close relationship with the London club. Related Links Chelsea want Ballack to take pay cut Scolari's beautiful game loses its sheen Chelsea are planning an overhaul of their squad at the end of the season, regardless of what they win in the meantime. Di MarÃa made his name by helping Argentina to win the Under-20 World Cup in 2007 with a series of outstanding performances that alerted Benfica and elevated him to the full national squad. He has won two caps and scored the only goal in the gold-medal match against Nigeria at last year’s Olympics in Beijing. Chelsea's shortage of wide players was highlighted when Robinho opted to join Manchester City last summer, with Florent Malouda and Salomon Kalou likely to pay for their poor performances by being sold at the end of the season. timesonline Sounds promising , but why cant we do the deal now now NOW!?
January 9, 200916 yr someone mincing about going by the name of angel can't be any good. We should sign a Bob or a Bert!
January 9, 200916 yr someone mincing about going by the name of angel can't be any good. We should sign a Bob or a Bert! give me an angel over a soloman! Edited January 9, 200916 yr by bjd
January 10, 200916 yr I think Jorge Mendez is C. Ronaldos agent so I wouldn't read too much into this article since he's been known to make up stories from time to time. Edited January 10, 200916 yr by ph0bolus
January 10, 200916 yr This is the guy who won the Olympics for Argentina. He looked a half-decent player. His goal was a really good finish. What position is he? Left wing? Striker? Central Midfielder? Because LFS says we need a left winger, I agree, we only really have Malouda (garbage!) and we need another one. If he is a left winger then I wouldn't half mind.
January 10, 200916 yr He is a winger. Blackburn and Newcastle were sniffing around him last summer but there was nothing concrete in their interest. Then a few months ago they slapped a £25m price tag on his head when it was rumoured that we and Real Madrid were interested in him. It would appear he will be moving on fairly however it won't be cheap!
January 11, 200916 yr I've bought him on FM09 and he's been an awesome buy! Highest assists this season and a few goals under his belt. I only got him for £12million aswell
January 14, 200916 yr I watch him week in week out. He's not ready yet (and don't know when he will be). Has the potential, pace, flair, but lacks consistency, his decision making is - at the very least - disastrous, his shooting is pathetic and needs to learn to raise his head. He played as left winger/wide forward for the Argentine Olympic team and did very well there. However, for Benfica he's been nothing short of a disapointment. He's not and orthodox winger, despite having a precious left foot and in my humble opinion his best spot is as 2nd forward/wide forward/free forward. If you want to have a term of comparison, think of a worse/younger Robben.
