JOSE MOURINHO is defiantly preparing for next season with
Chelsea despite the threat of the sack. Sun can reveal the Blues
boss has already mapped out the clubs pre-season schedule and
demanded that Argentine striker Hernan Crespo be brought back to
Stamford Bridge this summer.
But Blues owner Roman Abramovich will make Mourinho sweat on his
Chelsea future. A source close to Red Rom said: Roman does not
think the problems with Mourinho are doing any harm. In fact, he is
quite happy that it seems to have bonded the team. The future is up
in the air. It could go either way.
Crespo is on loan at Inter Milan and would prefer to stay in
Italian football. But Mourinho is fearful of losing Didier Drogba
and Salomon Kalou during next years African Nations Cup and has
told the club to get Crespo back.
Crespo endured an unhappy time in England and was allowed to leave
last summer for family reasons. Mourinho said: I understand the
human side of Crespos story but business is business. Its up
to Abramovich and Peter Kenyon now. I have told them my plans.
Crespo is ours and I need a striker.
"Im sure I will lose Drogba and Kalou, who will go to play in the
African Cup of Nations, so I need a striker like Crespo to be at
Chelsea. Chelsea still pay half of Crespos £87,000- a-week wages
despite the fact he has played all season at Inter.
Abramovich snubbed Chelseas memorable 2-1 win against Valencia on
Tuesday night causing further speculation that Mourinho will be
replaced this summer. But the Portuguese coach has already
finalised every detail of the clubs pre-season programme,
including a three-game tour of the USA in July.
Mourinho was also asked by one of Abramovichs close aides if he
would take his team to Russia for a friendly in early August. The
manager said it would not be a problem though he was slightly
surprised that the owner had asked his permission.