Mata of cover: Chelsea to rob City of Roma's Rossi

Chelsea are considering lining up a bid for Italy midfielder Daniele de Rossi who is a target of Manchester City.

Roberto Di Matteo is likely to swoop on the unsettled Roma skipper in January as a back-up for Juan Mata.

The Blues boss is concerned that without his creative midfielder Chelsea struggled to a 1-1 draw against Swansea.

City’s pursuit of the £30 million-rated De Rossi was one of the sagas of the summer, according to The Sun (https://bit.ly/Sp3DJU).

De Rossi opted to stay with his Serie A club, leading Roberto Mancini to sign Javi Garcia from Benfica instead.

Now De Rossi, 29, has fallen out with Roma coach Zdenek Zeman and his future is again in doubt.

General manager Franco Baldini said: “In the summer there was an offer made by Manchester City. We listened to that offer and considered it.

“If we were to get another offer we would listen again.”