Kalas - No to Arsenal, I love Chelsea

Chelsea's new wonderkid Tomas Kalas has revealed he rejected a move to Arsenal in favour of Stamford Bridge.

Kalas, who hails from the Czech Republic, is one of the most promising young defenders in the world.

Given Arsene Wenger's love for signing starlets and Arsenal's paucity of defenders, it is no surprise that the Gunners were interested in the 17-year-old.

However, Kalas himself revealed that he had been most impressed by the facilities at Chelsea after making a tour of the Blues and Gunners as well as German sides Bayer Leverkusen and Hoffenheim.

In comments reported by iDnes.cz, he said: "There were rumours flying around already during the spring, but at that time there were more clubs around me.

"It became more specific only after the U-17 European Championship in Liechtenstein in May. Chelsea scouts were present there.

"Then I, my dad and Olomouc (Kalas' former club) were proposed a specific offer. But Mr [Frank, Chelsea's sporting director] Arnesen told me I had been on the list already before the Euro and they had been following me for two years."

Kalas penned a deal that takes him to London from Czech club Sigma Olomouc until 2016.

Commenting on interest in him from elsewhere, Kalas revealed: "Bayer Leverkusen and Hoffenheim from the Bundesliga and apart from Chelsea also Arsenal.

"I have been to both German clubs and also Arsenal, but the best impression was left on me by Chelsea.

"People say that Arsenal are famous for their academy, but from what I could see during my days at Chelsea, that really impressed me.

"Even my dad thought of Chelsea as the best option. Moreover, I have been a Chelsea fan since I was a little kid.

"I am convinced I have made the right decision by joining Chelsea. After all, by this I am making my dream come true."

Kalas goes to a club populated by world-class defenders who have a wealth of experience. Carlo Ancelotti will be hoping the likes of John Terry, Alex and Ricardo Carvalho take the youngster under their wing.

Chelsea make £50million Torres bid

Chelsea have made a staggering £50million bid for Liverpool striker Fernando Torres according to press reports in England.

The move comes only days after the Anfield side rejected a £40million offer for the Spain international and despite Liverpool's hierarchy making it clear that they would not welcome any further approaches for the Kop favourite.
Despite Liverpool's stance, The Sun has quoted a Stamford Bridge insider as saying that neither Liverpool's reluctance to sell Torres, nor the hefty asking price, will deter Blues boss Roman Abramovich from landing his man.
"It's true Liverpool have knocked back the first bid of £40m but it's highly unlikely that will be the end to it," the source said.
"Let's see what happens when an offer of £50million lands on (Liverpool managing director) Christian Purslow's desk."
New Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson has already held talks with Torres in a bid to persuade the 26-year-old to stay at Liverpool.
However, with the Reds deep in debt and not playing in the UEFA Champions League this season, a massive bid from Chelsea may yet tip the balance in favour of the London outfit.
Those close to Torres have nevertheless reiterated that the former Atletico Madrid star is in no rush to decide his future and that they are optimistic the World Cup winner will remain on Merseyside.
"The club were quick to reject Chelsea's £40m bid and tell them Torres is not for sale," one source told the tabloid.
"But the worry is it still won't be the end of it and that Chelsea will be back.
"Fernando could kill the deal stone dead by coming right out and committing himself to the club.
"Hopefully he'll do that sooner rather than later."

Top English football club interested in IPL, says Modi

Lalit Modi, the IPL commissioner, claims a leading English football club is interested in bidding for a new team in the fourth edition of the IPL next year. In an interview to the Times, Modi - also the Champions League Twenty20 commissioner - said he was in talks with the Marylebone Cricket Club who were also apparently eager to become involved in the IPL.

"There is a football club, a very famous football club in the UK, very interested in bidding," Modi said. "[They are] probably one of the most famous football clubs - that's all I can say. Probably top three. They are interested in taking a stake."

Responding to speculation in the Indian media, Modi later said on his Twitter page that the club in mention was not Chelsea. A report in the Sun named Manchester City as the team looking at buying a franchise although the club told Cricinfo they were not involved.

The IPL will include two more teams from the 2011 season and will auction the franchise rights at a base price of $225 million ahead of the third season, which starts in India on March 12, and will invite potential investors this week. That figure - double of what the most expensive franchise was sold for in 2008 and more than four times the base price in that first auction - is, in an uncertain market, a sign of the league's confidence in itself and the Twenty20 format.

According to Modi, the MCC would be a value addition to the IPL and open up the possibility of taking the bandwagon overseas to Lord's. "I have talked [to MCC] last night and they are quite interested," he said.

Keith Bradshaw, the MCC chief executive, did not deny he had been approached but would not confirm to join the IPL. "At the moment, our finances are focused on the redevelopment of the ground," he said.

The league's expansion will see a much longer fixture list - 94 games as opposed to 59 in the first two seasons if the format remains the same - and accommodating it in the 45-day window without compromising players' fitness, and keeping the international calendar in mind, will be a challenge.

Chelsea? or Manchester City?

Time will tell us...

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