Latest Chelsea transfer news: Willian in, Mata out, Rooney on show

By all accounts, especially those of Jose Mourinho, the Brazilian Willian belongs to Chelsea and not Tottenham Hotspur.

That may ease Chelsea’s striker problems. None of their forwards have scored yet in the Premier League – all goals have come from defenders and midfielders.

With a talent like Willian in the squad the pressure will be on Fernando Torres, Demba Ba and Romeulu Lukaku. That is also an enviable forward attack, at least on paper, in term of options.

Which raises the future of playmaker Juan Mata who has now been linked to Manchester United.

Mourinho may want to trim his wage bill after Willian and may stick with Lampard, Oscar and Hazard.

For all talk about Mourinho chasing Wayne Rooney, it could be David Moyes who springs a transfer shocker and pulls Mata from Stamford Bridge. Moyes has yet to make a major signing and himself was quoted in the UK press as saying it may not even happen.

Cesc Fabregas is set to stay at Barcelona.

Mata at Chelsea could be just the kind of tonic the nervy Red Devil army needs to soothe their nerves about the future of the club under Moyes.
Moyes has also revealed that Wayne Rooney could start Monday's Premier League showdown with Chelsea.

Rooney, who has been the subject of two failed bids from Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, has been suffering from hamstring and shoulder injuries.
But the 27-year-old came on as a second-half substitute in last weekend's opening win at Swansea, setting up goals for Robin van Persie and Danny Welbeck.

"Wayne has recovered and has a good chance of starting," Moyes said.

Earlier Friday, Moyes reaffirmed United's stance that Rooney will not be sold to Chelsea.

Mourinho has suggested he will make a third bid for the England international following Monday's game at Old Trafford.

But when asked if there had been anything further on Rooney's future, Moyes said: "We have said it haven't we? It is still the same message." 

Moyes vs Mourinho

David Moyes admits he is relishing the prospect of pitting his wits against Jose Mourinho as the new Manchester United manager faces the first major test of his reign against Chelsea.

Just a week into the new season, the Premier League will witness the first blockbuster clash of the campaign when champions United entertain Mourinho's Chelsea at Old Trafford on Monday.

United began their title defence with an impressive 4-1 win at Swansea City last weekend, but Chelsea's visit marks the start of a testing four-game sequence that includes matches against Liverpool and Manchester City.

Chelsea won 2-0 against Hull City on Mourinho's return to Stamford Bridge last weekend and followed that up with a gritty 2-1 success at home to Aston Villa on Wednesday.

It means Mourinho's men can open up a six-point lead over their title rivals by winning at Old Trafford.
But for Moyes it is also an early chance to prove United were right to hire him from Everton instead of appointing Mourinho once Alex Ferguson announced his retirement.

"I've not seen him (Mourinho) for a long time," Moyes said. "Our paths have not crossed, probably because I was never in the Champions League, we have not had any reason to meet.

"I am looking forward to seeing him again though. He is probably the best of the young, modern coaches in the world.
"He is the one who has had the most success. He deserves all the plaudits he gets."

Moyes wrote to Mourinho following his dismissal by Chelsea to wish him good luck for the future. And he insists it is good for the Premier League that his colourful rival is back on the Chelsea bench.

"He was enjoyed by the media. Chelsea supporters obviously enjoyed him," Moyes said.
"From that point of view I would say yes the Premier League has missed him."

Although it is early in the season, Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech knows that a positive result in Manchester would give his side an early advantage in the fledgling title race.

"We've won games at Manchester United and we've lost games there. It's always tight," Cech said.

"It's still at an early stage of the season, but any advantage you can gain over your rival is always good."
 

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