Chelsea sign striker Kezman in £5m deal from Eindhoven

CHELSEA have signed striker Mateja Kezman from PSV Eindhoven after the Serbian was granted a work permit.

Kezman completed his move, believed to be for a fee of around £5 million, and joined Russian Alexei Smertin in training yesterday.

Smertin has been on loan at Portsmouth, but returned to Stamford Bridge to greet new arrival Kezman.

Twenty-five-year-old Kezman said: “I’m very glad that I’m here. It’s a fantastic club with a great history and a good team.

“I’ve got the best record in the history of the club. I just need some time, and supporters need to be patient, but I’m sure it’ll be okay.”

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said of Kezman: ``I like Kezman because he is a team player. He has the motivation to come to the top league in the world and that, along with his scoring record, makes him a good player for me.

“Gudjohnsen is a great player, Mutu has top motivation as do Duff and Robben, so we have a lot of good attacking players.”

Another Blues striker, Carlton Cole, moved to Aston Villa yesterday on a season-long loan, but Mourinho was quick to point out that the 20-year-old remains part of his future plans. “I think it is good for him. I have worked with him for a week and was impressed. I have no doubt that one day he will be a Chelsea player.”

The completion of Kezman’s move came on the same day Mourinho revealed he had given Hernan Crespo 10 days to decide if he wants to remain at the club.

The Portuguese coach was unimpressed by Crespo’s late arrival for pre-season training and wants the Argentinian striker to be fully committed to the club before the Blues set off for their US Tour on July 21.

It is expected Mourinho will move for Marseille striker Didier Drogba if Crespo opts to move on.

Mourinho said: “I didn’t understand why he (Crespo) was arriving late (for training). He was making excuses. But everything is okay with him now. I want to go to the US with my squad decided. The only doubt is whether Crespo stays or is leaving. If Crespo is leaving we will buy another striker.

“It’s up to him (Crespo). I don’t want players who are not 100% ready to stay. If he has 1% of doubt I don’t want him to stay.”

Mourinho suggested Drogba would be a worthy replacement if Crespo’s response was negative. “I see the qualities of power and speed in him. Also his control on the first touch and the way he fights for the team. He is a player who can achieve great success.”