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Jose Mourinho jets in to seal Chelsea deal, to be new manager by Wednesday

Dzeko would fit the mould of the kind of powerful, tall striker that Mourinho favours while Jovetic offers versatility, being able to also play behind the main forward. Both are keen to leave their present clubs.

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Jose Mourinho is expected to be confirmed as Chelsea's new manager by Wednesday. The 50-year-old Portuguese flew into London yesterday (Sunday) for further discussions with the club after agreeing a deal to return to Stamford Bridge six years after he was sacked. Mourinho's first task will be to recruit a top-class striker - with Manchester City's Edin Dzeko and Stefan Jovetic, previously wanted by Arsenal, now on his list of targets.

Dzeko would fit the mould of the kind of powerful, tall striker that Mourinho favours while Jovetic offers versatility, being able to also play behind the main forward. Both are keen to leave their present clubs. Chelsea have attempted to sign the Bosnian striker in the past and it remains to be seen what the club would do with Fernando Torres should either Dzeko, Jovetic or another forward be signed.

Chelsea still remain hopeful of adding Bayer Leverkusen attacker Andre Schurrle to the squad this summer. Mourinho is not expected to make wholesale changes although Benfica midfielder Nemanja Matic - who Chelsea sold to the Portuguese club as part of the Luiz deal - and 22-year-old Porto centre half Eliaquim Mangala have also been suggested as possible targets.

The Premier League was hasty yesterday when it announced on its website that Mourinho had been appointed by Chelsea. It was stated that he had signed a contract of "xx years" in duration. As it quickly withdrew the article, the Premier League apologised to all concerned for its impatience.

The Madrid players were talking about his next move after his final game in charge at the Bernabeu with such conviction, it was as if they had all read the Premier League's announcement. Take Ricardo Carvalho, the former Chelsea defender and a Mourinho stalwart since their time together at Porto. "I am sure that Chelsea will improve when Jose goes back there," said Carvalho.

"It's important for them to win the Premier League again and with Jose in charge I think they will do that." It is likely when he does return that Mourinho will receive the kind of unanimous welcome from the Chelsea faithful that was conspicuous by its absence at Madrid.

Throughout his final match in charge on Saturday, supportive chants were whistled by other fans who had grown weary of his provocative turns and theatrics. For a man used to accumulating silverware, the last year was frustratingly barren.

Alvaro Arbeloa, the Madrid defender, suggested the players should not be immune from criticism for the failure to land a trophy. "I feel that we could have achieved a lot more because of the potential of the squad and the coaching staff," Arbeloa said. "Mourinho has won trophies everywhere he has been and it seems strange to me that this squad, which is the best, is the place where he's won the least."

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