FORMER Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho yesterday
refused to rule out plundering his old club as he took charge at
Inter Milan.
Michael Essien, Didier
Drogba and Frank Lampard have already been linked with moves to
Inter now that Mourinho has been installed as their new coach.
England midfielder Lampard is understood to be in discussions with
Chelsea about a new long-term extension to his current deal, which
expires next year. Lampard is believed to want to stay at Stamford
Bridge, but Chelsea will have to improve his wages if they are to
keep him – and also impress him with their choice of new coach.
There was no hiding
Mourinho’s esteem for the players he had at Stamford Bridge and he
admitted he would be willing to buy – if Chelsea are willing to
sell. “I think it is normal as a consequence of the relationship
with my players,” he said. “Almost all of them want to work with me
again in the future – and the same goes for me.
“I have a great
relationship with almost all of my players and it is normal that
these rumours spread. “But it depends on whether Chelsea want to
sell – there has got to be a relation between what one club want
and what another club want to do. “The president knows what I would
like, but I am not discussing names with the press.”