Blues sign Courtois.
New Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas has confirmed the Blues have agreed a fee with Belgian champions Genk for teenage goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. The 6ft 6” Belgian international Courtois would become new boss Villas-Boas first signing since taking over at Stamford Bridge. Genk’s 19-year-old does not believe he will go straight into the London outfit’s side though. He told Sky Sports: “Chelsea see me as the successor to Petr Cech. It won’t happen in one or two years, but in three, four or five years.”
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Portsmouth friendly win.
Chelsea made it two wins from two in pre-season as they beat Portsmouth 1-0 at Fratton Park. Former Blue Tal Ben-Haim scored an own-goal after five minutes which proved to be decisive as he directed Fernando Torres’ cross past ‘keeper Jamie Ashdown. The home side also missed a penalty midway through the second-half as reserve Chelsea goalkeeper Hilario produced a superb save to deny Pompey’s new signing Luke Varney. The Blues now travel out to Asia with a 100% start to pre-season and having not conceded a goal.
New Modric bid.
Luka Modric, long-term Chelsea transfer target, has handed in a transfer request according to Sky Sports. The Croatian international currently in South Africa with the rest of the Tottenham squad has made no secret of his desire to leave White Hart Lane but Chairman Daniel Levy has vetoed any idea of him leaving. Having had their recent bid of £27m turned down by their London rivals Chelsea are readying a bid of over £30m for the midfielder to try and tempt Spurs to sell him.
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