Mutu dreams of Chelsea clash in Champions League final

ROMANIAN striker Adrian Mutu was finally unveiled as a Juventus player yesterday and reiterated his dream to face Chelsea in May’s Champions League final.

The 25-year-old, who was sacked by Chelsea last year after failing a drugs test, has signed a five-year deal with Juventus after the Turin club received the player’s registration from the English FA.

Mutu will not be allowed to play until May 18 as a result of the seven- month ban imposed by the FA after he tested positive for cocaine.

However, that will still allow him enough time to return for the end of the Serie A season, and would give him a chance of a dream date against Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea, should both clubs progress to the Champions League final on May 25.

“I hope I can play the last two Serie A games of the season and the Champions League final,” I am thinking about a Champions League final against Chelsea. After everything that has happened to me, my life now has a meaning. I want to thank Juve for the opportunity they have given me,” said Mutu.

Mutu has plenty of Serie A experience, having played for Inter Milan, Verona and Parma before moving to Stamford Bridge in 2003. However, despite a bright start to his career with the Blues, things soon turned sour for the Romanian international and he is delighted to be back in Italy.

Mutu added: “It’s not I had problems with team-mates at Chelsea.

“In fact the first six months at Chelsea were fantastic, then the problems began.

“This experience has changed me. I know the mistakes I have made and I have drawn my own conclusions. My mistakes have made me mature.”

Mutu insists he only wants to look to his future with Juventus, but a potential legal battle against Chelsea, who have intimated they might seek compensation, is still on his mind.

“I want to win the Scudetto with Juve because I think it’s the price that I deserve. The only problem that has been resolved has been getting the transfer from the English FA. But the other problems have yet to be resolved. I am worried about the legal problem with Chelsea but I don’t think what Chelsea request is fair.”

They are seeking to recoup a chunk of the £15.8million which Mutu cost when he arrived at Stamford Bridge from Chelsea, and may opt to pursue compensation through the courts in what would almost certainly the first case of its kind in the game.

Meanwhile, Juventus coach Fabio Capello is confident that the club will provide the ideal place for Mutu to revive his career.

He said: “Mutu slipped on a banana skin. Now he has to recover his mental strength. If there is a club than can help him find his way and revive his career, Juve is the ideal one.”