Chelsea at centre of Dutch FA investigation over starlet Ake
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Chelsea's Abramovich targets Arsenal's new chief scout after bagging Torres and Luiz
On the hunt: Abramovich has his eye on Arsenal's chief scout Steve Rowley
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is continuing his regeneration of the club following the £75million signing of Fernando Torres and David Luiz by trying to poach Arsenal’s chief scout Steve Rowley.
And Dutch legend Marco van Basten is also being considered as a potential replacement if manager Carlo Ancelotti is sacked at the end of the season.
But it is Chelsea’s pursuit of Rowley, responsible for a string of signings, including Cesc Fabregas, Robin van Persie and Thomas Vermaelen, which will alarm their London rivals.
Rowley’s record is unparalleled in England, with a string of young players joining Arsene Wenger’s side after being recommended by his scouting network.
Players such as Alex Song Wojciech Szczesny, Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy were all unearthed as youngsters and signed for small amounts.
Chelsea now want Rowley to do the same job for them after director of football Frank Arnesen leaves in the summer. Stamford Bridge is undergoing something of a revolution since Abramovich took a direct interest again with the big Torres and Luiz deals.
Van Basten is a leading candidate to take over if Chelsea’s indifferent form continues. They travel to neighbours Fulham tomorrow, needing a victory to maintain their position as Champions League qualifiers.
Van Basten, one of the greatest strikers ever then Holland’s coach at the 2006 World Cup and Euro 2008, put himself in the frame by declaring his readiness to return after a two-year break since quitting Ajax.
He said: ‘I am thinking about a nice big club abroad. It’s logical for me.
‘I have been manager of the national team and Ajax and once you’ve done those jobs it’s awkward to manage another club in Holland.’
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Chelsea may live to regret snubbing new Danish sensation
Hot property: Denmark's Christian Eriksen is tracked by England's Gary Cahill in a recent friendly
Chelsea have let one of Europe’s most exciting young talents slip through their fingers.
Danish sensation Christian Eriksen, being chased by Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham, as well as every top club on the continent, was at Stamford Bridge as a 15-year-old but the club failed to press home their interest in the midfielder.
Eriksen, 18, who was recruited by outgoing director of football Frank Arnesen, was allowed to have trials with Barcelona and AC Milan, before settling on a contract with Ajax until 2014.
Fabio Capello changed his tactics during England’s 2-1 win over Denmark last Wednesday, just to curb Eriksen’s influence.
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Originally posted by zocoss:
Chelsea may live to regret snubbing new Danish sensation
Hot property: Denmark's Christian Eriksen is tracked by England's Gary Cahill in a recent friendly
Chelsea have let one of Europe’s most exciting young talents slip through their fingers.
Danish sensation Christian Eriksen, being chased by Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham, as well as every top club on the continent, was at Stamford Bridge as a 15-year-old but the club failed to press home their interest in the midfielder.
Eriksen, 18, who was recruited by outgoing director of football Frank Arnesen, was allowed to have trials with Barcelona and AC Milan, before settling on a contract with Ajax until 2014.
Fabio Capello changed his tactics during England’s 2-1 win over Denmark last Wednesday, just to curb Eriksen’s influence.
they got the dough to get him back, no problem la.
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Chelsea at centre of Dutch FA investigation over £670k signing of Feyenoord starlet Nathan Ake
Investigation: Ake's move to Chelsea has sparked fury in Holland
Chelsea are set to be investigated over their pursuit of 15-year-old Feyenoord starlet Nathan Ake.
The promising youngster agreed a move to the Barclays Premier League champions in a deal reported to cost as much as £670,000.
But strict rules in Holland prevent children under the age of 16 dealing with agents, and Dan Kramp of the Forza Fides agency is alleged to have played a key role in the deal.
According to the Sun, Kramp reportedly took Ake to Chelsea during the Christmas holidays with the defender, who turns 16 on Friday, even bragging on his Twitter account about 'heading to London,' and staying at 'a good hotel'.
The deal has caused uproar in Holland, with Dutch Labour MP Tjaeerd Vekken raising the issue in parliament.
'The rules clearly state that agents can't do anything with children under 16,' Vekken said.
'Yet this agent turns up with a 15-year-old at Chelsea so the FA has got to tackle this issue.'
Treading on thin ice: Chelsea found themselves in hot water over the signing of Kakuta
A spokesman from the Dutch FA added: 'It's a transfer involving a player who is not yet 16 so our integrity unit is going to take a look at it.'
Chelsea denied any wrong doing over the Ake pursuit in December. A spokesman said: 'We've kept Feyenoord abreast of our interest from the very beginning and as a result have agreed terms with the club for the player's transfer to Chelsea in July.'
Having been at the centre of controversy with the Gael Kakuta scandal last year, Chelsea were thought to have made their approach for Ake as above board as possible, making regular contact with Feyenoord's sporting director Leo Beenhakker to ensure they were not accused of any misdemeanours.
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Should have atleast raised the bar to 18 though, 15 is seriously way too young.
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normally, once bitten twice shy, but in this case, they got the "POWER".. so y scare..