Mourinho confirms Carson interest

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has confirmed his desire to beat Liverpool to the signature of Leeds goalkeeper Scott Carson during the transfer window.

England Under-21 international Carson is out of contract at the end of this season and, having rejected a new deal at Elland Road, he is wanted by both Chelsea and Liverpool.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez has played upon the fact that the 19-year-old keeper might find an easier route into the first-team at Anfield as Petr Cech is in such fine form for the current Barclays Premiership leaders.

However, Mourinho is still looking to strengthen his squad, even if Carson’s potential arrival may push second-choice keeper Carlo Cudicini into a summer exit.

Both clubs have tried to tempt Leeds with deals, which – including appearance targets – are worth between £500,000 (€718,685) and £1m (€1.44m), although Carson must also decide on his next move.

Asked about Carson, Mourinho told Chelsea TV: “We don’t need another goalkeeper. We have a great group of keepers, but the reality is that we need the best players in the country, especially English ones.

“If a very young goalkeeper is available, we can think about it for the future of the club, instead of having Lenny Pidgeley as the [only] young goalkeeper. We could have both of them and maybe send one on loan.”

Carson has just three first-team appearances behind him for Leeds, all of which came last season, but he has already shown his rich potential.

Benitez, who has lost Chris Kirkland with a serious back injury, recently insisted: “Carson is our first option. I don’t think he’s definitely going to Chelsea.

“Chelsea have a very good keeper [Cech] in their team who is young, so Carson would have more opportunities here.”