Chelsea Wrap Up Mata - Modric to Follow?

As Andre Villas-Boas prepares his Chelsea side for today's game against West Brom with the likes of Didier Drogba, Fernando Torres, Nicolas Anelka and Romelu Lukaku as his attacking options, he will be satisfied with the knowledge that goals will be scored. Worryingly for Chelsea's Premier League rivals the Spanish star, Juan Mata will soon be added to that impressive attacking list of players.

The 23 year-old Spanish winger's move to Arsenal fell through miserably, but Chelsea's new Portuguese manager is confident that he can get a deal tied up soon worth £23.4 million and £2.6 million in add-ons.

Spanish journalist, Guillem Balague announced on Twitter that he has met with Villas-Boas and that the Chelsea manager was positive about a deal, believing it could be wrapped up by Sunday. Balague claimed that the fee has been agreed as well as personal terms with the player.

It is certainly an exciting signing for Chelsea; a young, talented attacker, who has been chased by several top sides, and with bags of potential - it is a big step forward for an older Chelsea side, especially when you consider the recent signing of Lukaku.

Mata will be linking up with his fellow countryman Fernando Torres, with everyone involved with Chelsea hoping that the younger Spaniard will help the elder, former Liverpool star with his goalscoring form. Mata is a tricky, creative and clever winger, who will fit well in Chelsea's 4-3-3 system with two wingers, and with the vision on the ball he holds, goals may be flying at Stamford Bridge.

Even more so if Luka Modric finally agrees to leave Tottenham. Spurs have been consistently persistent with the fact that they will not sell their prized asset, but there is revived talk that a move is on the cards. Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson also added fuel to the fire, by saying he has "a feeling" that Tottenham will sell the Croatian midfielder if the right bid were to come in.

We all know Modric's qualities in the midfield. He's one of the best at what he does in the Premier League and has been chased by Manchester United too, but he has set his heart on a move to Chelsea, and the London club are more than happy to take him in.

Modric's quick thinking and creativity as well as his amazing ability to control a game would make Chelsea the team to beat in the Premier League if all goes well for them. Manchester United have been reluctant to buy in midfield, and Arsenal have lost Fabregas and are about to lose Nasri - two of their most influential players.

If Chelsea can get hold of Mata and Modric, they will have a fantastically talented, creative midfield, and add the old with the new at the club, it may turn out to be a formidable combination.

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Lukaku Headed To England

He was the Belgian League's top scorer at the age of only 16, and has only continued with his prolific form from then, with another 20 goals and 6 assists this season. With his imposing presence and power up front, he has been compared to Chelsea's Didier Drogba as well as being tipped for worldwide success and stardom in the world of football.

He has therefore been linked to Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham but the agent of the player has, although telling of definitive interest in Lukaku confirmed there was no concluded agreement with anyone. Christophe Henrotay said:

"I know nothing of Roma, so I could not confirm whether they have been watching him or not." 

"I can confirm that the English clubs are in pole position, but we have not already concluded an agreement with a particular team." 

"We have talked with several teams, and their names are no secret." 

"With his physical and technical characteristics, Lukaku would be perfect for the English football, but, again, there is still nothing done. At the end of the season, we'll see what happens."

Lukaku will turn 18 on the 13th of this month, but he has already began to rack up his own personal awards including the Belgian Ebony Shoe award  - an award given annually to the best African player (or of African origin) in the Belgian Pro League. Two current successful Premier League stars have achieved that award in the past, including Manchester City's Vincent Kompany and Everton's midfielder Marouane Fellaini.

However, Lukaku will not come cheap, something which may well put Arsenal off with Wenger reluctant to spend. £26 million is one fee quoted by some sources, with Anderlecht, Lukaku's club looking for the best deal possible. Arsenal may well be looking for a new striker considering Nicklas Bendtner's comments recently and Marouane Chamakh's poor performances this season.

The "superb all round striker" would be a fantastic addition to any clubs strike-force, but few clubs have the spending power to facilitate a move - a move to England does look likely though.

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Lukaku Targeted by Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool

Romelu Lukaku has generated a lot of excitement over his abilities, and at the young age of 17, has already been compared to Chelsea striker Didier Drogba.

He has been linked with major clubs including Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Juventus and Chelsea, and now Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool have been added to the list, but according to some sources, Liverpool are "in the driving seat" to sign the player.

The Belgian striker currently plays at Anderlecht, and finished last season as the Belgian Leagues top scorer - at the age of only 16 years and 10 months. Okay, so the Belgian League isn't quite the English Premier League, and the quality may not be any where near as high, but you must be pretty special to be scoring goals for fun at such a young age against players much older and experienced than you.

Rumours in the summer of 2010 suggested that Tottenham had a £17.5 million bid rejected for Lukaku, while Chelsea's Didier Drogba apparently spoke to the Belgian striker and tried to persuade him to join Chelsea.
Real Madrid admitted their interest as manager Jose Mourinho said:

'It is true we wanted Romelu, but he has a very clever dad. He wants Romelu to stay at Anderlecht for one more year. I wish all dads were like this."

While Cristiano Ronaldo was full of praise for the young man:

“He has to make his own choice but I’m sure that he will have a great career.

“At 17 when he is not playing in a major championship, he has managed to make himself known to many people like me. I think that he’s a really fantastic young player.

“I’m curious to see what he will do in the coming months or at the end of the season. But Lukaku is on track; he must continue to work this way.”

Liverpool and the other English clubs certainly have stiff opposition in the competition for the players signature on a contract from top teams from all over the world, but Chelsea seem the team who Lukaku sounds keen to join. On a school trip to Stamford Bridge, he was photographed in a Chelsea shirt and said whilst there:

"I'm very pleased to be here – unfortunately, I didn't meet Drogba. If ever one day I will cry, it will be when I sign for Chelsea."

This player is a genuine talent. Standing at over 6 foot and 3 inches and weighing in at over 14 stone, Lukaku is immensely strong for his age - out muscling the opposition regularly in tussles,while his aerial ability is described as "awesome". He is quick, clever on the ball, intelligent in positioning and has the finishing of an expert. His abilities are vast, while his age is the opposite.

It seems too good to be true.

Lukaku Targeted by Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool

Romelu Lukaku has generated a lot of excitement over his abilities, and at the young age of 17, has already been compared to Chelsea striker Didier Drogba.

He has been linked with major clubs including Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Juventus and Chelsea, and now Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool have been added to the list, but according to some sources, Liverpool are "in the driving seat" to sign the player.

The Belgian striker currently plays at Anderlecht, and finished last season as the Belgian Leagues top scorer - at the age of only 16 years and 10 months. Okay, so the Belgian League isn't quite the English Premier League, and the quality may not be any where near as high, but you must be pretty special to be scoring goals for fun at such a young age against players much older and experienced than you.

Rumours in the summer of 2010 suggested that Tottenham had a £17.5 million bid rejected for Lukaku, while Chelsea's Didier Drogba apparently spoke to the Belgian striker and tried to persuade him to join Chelsea.
Real Madrid admitted their interest as manager Jose Mourinho said:

'It is true we wanted Romelu, but he has a very clever dad. He wants Romelu to stay at Anderlecht for one more year. I wish all dads were like this."

While Cristiano Ronaldo was full of praise for the young man:

“He has to make his own choice but I’m sure that he will have a great career.

“At 17 when he is not playing in a major championship, he has managed to make himself known to many people like me. I think that he’s a really fantastic young player.

“I’m curious to see what he will do in the coming months or at the end of the season. But Lukaku is on track; he must continue to work this way.”

Liverpool and the other English clubs certainly have stiff opposition in the competition for the players signature on a contract from top teams from all over the world, but Chelsea seem the team who Lukaku sounds keen to join. On a school trip to Stamford Bridge, he was photographed in a Chelsea shirt and said whilst there:

"I'm very pleased to be here – unfortunately, I didn't meet Drogba. If ever one day I will cry, it will be when I sign for Chelsea."

This player is a genuine talent. Standing at over 6 foot and 3 inches and weighing in at over 14 stone, Lukaku is immensely strong for his age - out muscling the opposition regularly in tussles,while his aerial ability is described as "awesome". He is quick, clever on the ball, intelligent in positioning and has the finishing of an expert. His abilities are vast, while his age is the opposite.

It seems too good to be true.