Holland says Messi mega move to Chelsea ‘impossible’

Chelsea have distanced themselves from the prospect of making a £500 million (€640m) move for Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi.

The Premier League leaders have been linked with Messi following claims in Spain this week that the 27-year-old’s relationship with Barca coach Luis Enrique has broken down.

Assistant-coach Steve Holland believes the sums involved in luring Messi away from the Nou Camp make the transfer impossible for any club.

Facing the media in place of absent manager Jose Mourinho, Holland said: “Jose has made it quite clear that in this window his expectation is that nobody comes and nobody goes.

“I recall him this time last year saying a similar thing, but a couple of things happened that made us reactive. Manchester United made a huge bid for Juan Mata. Sometimes you have to react.

“When you look at the numbers being mentioned around the Messi deal, I think it’s almost an impossible deal for any club working within the restraints of financial fair play.”

Holland spoke to the media after Mourinho had withdrawn from the press conference to preview today’s Premier League clash with Newcastle at Stamford Bridge in response to be being charged with misconduct by the FA.

Mourinho faces possible disciplinary action for the comments made about match officials after last month’s 1-1 draw with Southampton, in which he spoke of a “clear campaign” against Chelsea.

The Portuguese claimed the campaign is being orchestrated by “people, pundits, commentators and coaches from other teams” and labelled the booking of Cesc Fabregas for diving at St Mary’s on December 28 a “scandal”.

Chelsea have seen an eight-point lead at the summit of the Premier League reeled in by Manchester City and now top the table on alphabetical order alone ahead of Newcastle’s visit.

“When you have a lead like we had, people make a lot of it. And when that lead goes, people make a lot of that,” Holland said.

This is the most competitive league. Points can always be dropped ”

For his part, Newcastle caretaker-boss John Carver has insisted he is ready to rise to the “crazy” challenge of leading the Magpies back into Europe.

Carver, who is desperate to be handed the job full-time, said: “The fact I have put my hat in the ring, some people will say I was crazy — but I want to do it.

“We finished fifth a couple of years ago and that was fantastic — so why can’t we push fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth?