Calderon confident of sealing Robben capture

REAL MADRID president Ramon Calderon remains optimistic about the prospect of bringing Chelsea winger Arjen Robben to the Bernabeu this summer — but only if the price is right.

Robben, who has two years left on his contract at Chelsea but has yet to agree a new deal at Stamford Bridge and has been linked with a £16m move to Madrid as the Spanish champions look to strengthen their title-winning squad.

Calderon has confirmed that they are looking at the 23-year-old Dutchman and, although he admits there is no agreement in place with Chelsea at present, the Madrid president believes a deal could be struck.

“It is a negotiation which will take place in the coming days or weeks and if the situation is favourable, by which I mean financially, I think that he is a player who could be brought in,” Calderon said.

But despite Calderon’s confidence in securing a deal, Blues boss Jose Mourinho has insisted he is happy to retain the services of the winger.

Robben, 23, played 45 minutes in the 1-0 victory over Suwon Bluewings at the Home Depot Centre in Carson, California, Tuesday night as Chelsea continued their winning start to the pre-season with a solitary Didier Drogba strike.

After the match Mourinho said: “The latest with Robben is that he played the game. I cannot tell you more than that.”

Meanwhile, Mourinho has told his Chelsea squad it is time to get serious if they want to start the season as first-choice players.

The Blues coach, intent on regaining the Premiership crown lost to Manchester United last season, has got off to a winning start in pre-season with two victories in a row in California.

Mourinho used 22 players in Tueday’s match, the second time in as many matches at the start of this pre-season campaign that he has made wholesale changes at half-time.

The Portuguese coach said, however, that his plans for the new season were taking shape and that selection policy would change this weekend when the FA Cup winners take on Los Angeles Galaxy in the final game of their American tour on Saturday night.

“I think the work we are doing is clear in the way we play,” Mourinho said. “Of course, some players are not at their level and when I mix the players and give them 45 minutes each – I want to give them the same chances to improve – I think collectively it is not the best.

“I am quite happy with the way we played in these two matches and the next one against Galaxy will be the first time I don’t play two teams.”

Mourinho said the time had now come when he had to start picking teams on merit.

Mourinho said he hoped David Beckham would be fit enough to play a part in Saturday night’s game at the Home Depot Centre, in what would be the England star’s Galaxy debut.

“I think it would be good for the game if he played and good for Beckham too. It is his first game in the US playing for his new club and if he can do that against Chelsea, a club from his country, it would be nice for him and nice for the game.”