Kaladze set to seal move from Milan to Chelsea

AC MILAN’S Kakha Kaladze believes he will become a Chelsea player next week.

Kaladze, who can play in defence or midfield, is seen by Chelsea as the answer to their problem spot on the left side of defence.

He said last night: “I have agreed everything with the Chelsea management. It is necessary to wait for them to reach an agreement with AC Milan and I think I could become a Chelsea player next week.”

Asked why he did not wish to stay with AC Milan, he continued: “Last season I spent a lot of time on the bench and I do not want that with any team. With AC Milan I have won many trophies, now it would be desirable to make it with Chelsea.

“It’s my fifth year in Milan and I have a lot of friends here. I have got used to it but I would like a change of city and London is probably the main city in Europe at the moment.

“It has been quite a journey - I have moved from Tbilisi to (Dynamo) Kiev to Milan and now to London. I thank God he has given me the chance to live and work in such cities.”

Kaladze knows he is not guaranteed a starting spot with the English champions.

He said: “I am self-assured even if there will certainly be competition for places in Chelsea. It was not the same at AC Milan where there is a structure that dictates whether you will play or not.

“I am captain of the Georgia national team and this arrangement did not suit me and I wish to achieve more, which is another reason to move to Chelsea.”

Asked why he did not play for Milan more often, Kaladze said: “Probably, because it was not the coach who picked the team but other people. I do not want to say who did.”

Carlo Ancelotti is the AC Milan coach although club owner Silvio Berlusconi, also Italy’s prime minister, has made his views known on which players should start for the Rossoneri.

The versatile Kaladze said: “The Chelsea boss has told me that he sees me as a left-sided defender but he knows I can also play in the centre.”

Kaladze believes that AC Milan will let him go in order to persuade Chelsea to let Hernan Crespo stay at the San Siro after a successful loan spell from the London club.

“When Chelsea made their bid to AC Milan they did not wish to sell me and offered me a new deal. I am not in the team and have to sit on the bench and I refused to stay. I don’t think Milan can keep hold of me and if they do not let me go then in six months’ time I could go for nothing.”

JOSE Mourinho will be honoured tomorrow with Portugal’s highest order. President Jorge Sampaio will bestow the Order of Infante Dom Henrique, High Officer, in a Portugal Day ceremony in Guimaraes.

Mourinho, a native of Setubal, Portugal, will be among about 60 people to be decorated on Portugal’s national day.

Tottenham have turned down a £4.5m bid from West Brom for Fredi Kanoute.

The 27-year-old Mali striker has been targeted after scoring nine goals in 41 appearances for Spurs last season.

Southampton have confirmed they have turned down a £5m bid - believed to be from Liverpool - for striker Peter Crouch.

Saints chairman Lowe refused to say whether it was the Reds who tabled the offer but he did reiterate the club’s desire to keep hold of 6ft 7in Crouch.