Bosingwa exit looks more than likely

Chelsea's willingness to match Liverpool stride for stride in the running for former full-back Glen Johnson could spell the end for Jose Bosingwa.

Johnson looks all set to move to Liverpool for £18million, a fee which the Blues also matched suggesting that Carlo Ancelotti has reluctantly allowed Bosingwa to move on.

The Portuguese right-back signed from Porto last summer for £16.3million and had a useful first season in the top flight.

German giants Bayern Munich were alerted by his displays and are intent on luring the 26-year-old to the Bundesliga and Bosingwa has had his head turned by the determination of the Bavarian outfit.

Munich president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has said he is 'hopeful' of a deal, claiming the only stumbling block was Chelsea's reluctance to let the player leave, which suggests the player himself is happy with prospect of the transfer.

It seems as though new boss Ancelotti has resigned himself to losing Bosingwa and his bid for Johnson and talk of Inter full-back Maicon suggest Bosingwa will be gone before the start of the season.

But Maicon, 27, is a distinct possibility to replace the Portugese star and he certainly doesn't lack class, however that comes with a hefty price tag. Inter are looking for over £20million for the Brazil defender, who is apparently 50/50 to stay with the Serie A side.

"Maicon is the best right-back in the world," said his agent Antonio Caliendo.
"However, the man who decides is [Inter] president [Massimo] Moratti. I would be happy if Maicon stayed at Inter to win the Champions League.
"Moratti says there is a 50 per cent chance of Maicon staying."

Bayern up ante on Bosingwa deal

Jose Bosingwa's impressive first term in English football has interested Bayern Munich and now the German giants are understood to be prepared to offload a trio of stars to make room for the Portuguese ace.

Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has confirmed the Portugal defender was one of new coach Louis van Gaal's primary targets and that an approach had already been made.

Chelsea are believed to be keen to keep the £16.3million Porto recruit but Bayern seem intent on raising the finance for the 26-year-old by selling Tim Borowski, Christian Lell and Andreas Ottl.

"We are holding talks, but we still need the approval of Chelsea," Rummenigge told Kicker magazine.

"He is one of the best right full-backs around."

Bosingwa, who has been handed a four-match ban by UEFA - one of which is suspended for two years - after his comments after the controversial Champions League defeat by Barcelona, featured 34 times for the Blues last term, scoring two goals.

New Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti is currently running the rule over his inherited squad and although he is unlikely to want to offload Bosingwa, an offer of around £20million could tempt him to allow the full-back to leave.

Youngster Branislav Ivanovic emerged in the right-back role at the end of the season and with Ancelotti believed to have targeted a top-class striker as his number one summer transfer target, the money for Bosingwa could come in useful.

Bosingwa set for Bayern Munich switch?

Bayern Munich general manager Uli Hoeness has confirmed the club are interested in Chelsea defender Jose Bosingwa.

Could the Portuguese defender have played his last game in a Chelsea shirt?

Bayern have already moved to sign Mario Gomez and Danijel Pranjic this summer and, while Hoeness says they have already completed most of their work in the market, he has confirmed rumours he is interested in Bosingwa.

“Our transfer activity is basically complete,” he told Tz.

“We are now only looking at possibilities for right backs.

“We are interested in Bosingwa, that’s true.”

Bosingwa, 26, joined Chelsea from Porto for £16.3 million last summer.

Bosingwa, Drogba and Blues in hot water

Jose Bosingwa and Didier Drogba are in hot water after UEFA started disciplinary proceedings against the Chelsea duo. The club are also in the dock after the angry scenes at the end of the Champions League semi-final second leg against Barcelona at the start of the month.

Blues players confronted Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo at the final whistle after he failed to award a penalty after four separate appeals on the night.

Chelsea felt hard done by as Barcelona edged through on away goals after rescuing a late 1-1 draw. And Bosingwa, like the rest of the squad, was left fuming and questioned whether Ovrebo was a referee or a 'thief'.

He was clearly quoted in the aftermath of the disappointment and quickly retracted the comments, but that hasn't pulled the wool over UEFA's eyes and they are poised to throw the book at Bosingwa, Drogba and the club.

A UEFA statement read: "The club are charged with the improper conduct of their players and the throwing of missiles by their supporters, while Drogba and Bosingwa are accused of being in breach of the principles of sportsmanship by insulting the referee by making offensive comments. "

The club and the individuals concerned have been requested to file a statement by Friday, May 29. The UEFA control & disciplinary body will deal with the case on 17 June. Both players can expect Champions League bans, while the club could face playing a game or games in Europe next season behind closed doors. As for Ovrebo, who was sneaked out of the country, he appears to have escaped without punishment despite admitting after the event he made 'several mistakes' on the night.

Maicon to replace Bosingwa at right back?

It has been reported that should AC Milan coach Ancelotti become Chelsea manager that he would want to sign Brazilian right-back, Douglas Maicon.

Maicon, who currently plays for Inter Milan has been priced at £22 million. The Daily Star have indicated that the "Italian boss is understood to have handed Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich a transfer wish list headed by the South American."

However, the arrival of Maicon would put Bosingwa at risk of dropping to the bench, or leaving Stamford Bridge. It would be very difficult to accommodate two world-class right-backs in the same team.

But do Chelsea really need Maicon? Bosingwa has played very well this season and many would say that he is the most solid player to occupy that position since Steve Clarke. Transfer funds would be better spent elsewhere, particularly on bringing in younger players.

Bosingwa slams 'thief' ref

Jose Bosingwa has slammed referee Tom Henning Ovrebo and branded the controversial Norwegian a 'thief' after Chelsea were sent crashing out of the Champions League on Wednesday.

The Blues were on course for another Champions League final showdown with Manchester United until Andres Iniesta's stoppage-time goal upset the football odds and earned Barcelona a 1-1 draw and sent the Blues out on away goals. But it was Ovrebo who hit the headlines for the wrong reasons as the Blues were denied three penalties at Stamford Bridge including two blatant handballs.

"This referee was bought. I do not know if he is a referee or a thief. There are no words to describe the person that was on the pitch here," Bosingwa told RTP after the game. "The way he refereed the match was not the most correct one. He should never referee again.

"We are all sad, but we have to raise our heads high again. There is nothing to say about Barcelona's goal, but there were penalties that were not awarded".

They are strong words indeed from the Portuguese star and ones which could find Bosingwa in hot water with UEFA. However UEFA themselves have also come under fire for appointing Ovrebo in such a key match with critics suggesting the Norwegian, who officiates in the Norwegian league, was not able to cope with the pressure on the big stage.

Didier Drogba was also left fuming at the final whistle, calling Ovrebo a 'disgrace' and he also is set to be hauled in front of the UEFA suits.

Bosingwa or Cole to mark Messi?

Bosingwa done an excellent job marking Messi on Tuesday night. However, Ahsley Cole returned to occupy the left-back position in Chelsea's 3-1 win over neigbours Fulham.

Ashley Cole would be the preferred choice you would think. He is a natural left-back, has pace and can offer attacking possibilities on the left going forward, as Bosingwa can do just as well on the right.

It is a position that Hiddink will think long and hard about. Including both Ashley Cole and Bosingwa in the game would surely be the strongest option. However, Ivanovich has been playing well of late and kept Henry quiet in the first leg.

It was good to see Anelka and Drogba working well together up front in the game today, with both netting a goal.

As this post is published the half-time result in the big Spanish game is Real Madrid 1 Barcelona 3. Hopefully Real Madrid can come back in the second half and achieve at least a draw. The last thing we want is Barcelona playing with confidence after giving Real Madrid a good old thrashing. Update: Oh dear, Barca won 6-2!