Blues News: Ronaldinho and Marco van Basten

I haven't said anything about Jose Mourinho leaving Stamford Bridge yet, but sense I am somewhat of a Chelsea supporter I'd like to say that I am sad to see him go. More so for English football that the club because he brought the best out of everyone, the club, the players, the league, and his competition.

SunSport revealed yesterday that Chelsea have already struck a deal to pay the Brazilian superstar £58million over five years.
Although Ronaldinho has not said he will quit the Nou Camp, Chelsea have already agreed the wage deal with Ronnie’s brother and agent Roberto de Assis.
But boss Frank Rijkaard insists he wants to keep the goofy genius.
Rijkaard said: “It doesn’t even cross my head that he will leave.
“In football, people forget very quickly. He had and still has incredible value.
“He’s working hard to recover as quickly as possible and he’s got great desire to return to the team and there’s nothing behind that issue.”

In other news....

The Sun - MARCO VAN BASTEN has been offered the Chelsea job.
Blues owner Roman Abramovich made his move for the Holland boss at the weekend and is now waiting for his reply.
Ex-Real Madrid chief Fabio Capello let slip the secret by revealing Chelsea technical director Frank Arnesen recommended legendary striker Van Basten to Red Rom.
Capello said: “Arnesen wants Van Basten to take over and has already recommended Marco to Abramovich.”
Capello added: “Frank and Marco know each other well from their time in Dutch football.”
Van Basten, 40, sat behind Abramovich at Old Trafford in Sunday’s defeat to Manchester United.
The Dutchman privately insisted it was just a coincidence and that he was a United guest.
But Van Basten spoke at length with Chelsea’s hierarchy about an offer to succeed Avram Grant, who became Blues boss only last week after Jose Mourinho’s departure.
Ex-AC Milan hitman Van Basten asked for a few days to decide whether to take the job immediately. A close pal said: “Marco is faced with a huge dilemma. He has to think things over and see whether he could leave Holland.”
The Dutch sit joint top of Group G with Romania in Euro 2008 qualifying.

Chelsea wants Ronaldinho, so does Spain

Fox Sports - Chelsea are being linked with an audacious late transfer swoop for Barcelona's two-time FIFA World Player of the Year Ronaldinho. According to a report in The Daily Mail, the 27-year-old Brazil international midfielder's brother and adviser Roberto de Assis Moreira has held two recent meetings with Blues owner Roman Abramovich.

The second is said to have been held at the weekend, with Abramovich flying Moreira to London on his private jet and putting him up at an exclusive Mayfair hotel. With money no object, the Russian billionaire is reputedly prepared to make Ronaldinho the highest-paid player in football and smash the world's transfer record.

A £85million buyout clause is included in Ronaldinho's current contract at Barcelona, which is due to expire in 2010.However, Abramovich is reportedly desperate to inject more flair into the Blues squad and is prepared to eclipse the £47million that Real Madrid shelled out to Juventus six years ago for the services of Zinedine Zidane.

Chelsea would be unstoppable with Ronaldinho, GO BLUES!!!!

AND IN OTHER RONALDINHO NEWS....

MADRID, Spain (Reuters) -- Barcelona's Brazil forward Ronaldinho was granted dual nationality by Spain on Monday, the Primera Liga club said. The move frees up a place for another non-European Union player in Frank Rijkaard's squad.

Mexican forward Giovanni dos Santos is set to take up the vacant slot alongside Cameroon international Samuel Eto'o and Ivory Coast midfielder Yaya Toure in the non-EU berths permitted under Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) rules.However, dos Santos is also expected to be granted dual nationality this week.Barcelona opened its league campaign with a goalless draw away to Racing Santander on Sunday.