OMEN
01-20-2009, 09:09 AM
British broadsheet The Times claims that Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari is plotting a move for either Benfica's Angel Di Maria and Wigan Athletic's Luis Antonio Valencia.
The Blues are looking light on the flanks at the moment, especially now that Joe Cole will miss the rest of the campaign after sustaining ligament damage in his knee.
Salomon Kalou and Florent Malouda represent the West London club's only wide options at present, and neither have set the world alight this season.
It was reported earlier that Scolari had pegged Liverpool's in-demand winger, Jermaine Pennant, and Tottenham Hotspur's £15 million flop, David Bentley, to fill the flanks until the end of the season.
However, this latest news suggests that the Brazilian boss will attempt, for the third time in as many weeks, to convince his higher-ups to release some funds for a long-term investment.
Di Maria came to the world's attention last summer when he starred in Argentina's successful defence of their Olympic title in Beijing. He is expected to leave Portugal soon, and Real Madrid have been heavily linked with the 20-year-old.
Los Blancos have also inquired after Valencia, who has established himself as one of the Premier League's hottest prospects since joining Wigan on-loan from Villarreal in 2006.
It is possible, though, that Chelsea could wait until the summer before beginning their pursuit of these South American starlets.
Goal
The Blues are looking light on the flanks at the moment, especially now that Joe Cole will miss the rest of the campaign after sustaining ligament damage in his knee.
Salomon Kalou and Florent Malouda represent the West London club's only wide options at present, and neither have set the world alight this season.
It was reported earlier that Scolari had pegged Liverpool's in-demand winger, Jermaine Pennant, and Tottenham Hotspur's £15 million flop, David Bentley, to fill the flanks until the end of the season.
However, this latest news suggests that the Brazilian boss will attempt, for the third time in as many weeks, to convince his higher-ups to release some funds for a long-term investment.
Di Maria came to the world's attention last summer when he starred in Argentina's successful defence of their Olympic title in Beijing. He is expected to leave Portugal soon, and Real Madrid have been heavily linked with the 20-year-old.
Los Blancos have also inquired after Valencia, who has established himself as one of the Premier League's hottest prospects since joining Wigan on-loan from Villarreal in 2006.
It is possible, though, that Chelsea could wait until the summer before beginning their pursuit of these South American starlets.
Goal