Chelsea deny 'showdown' reports

Chelsea have denied a report that club director Eugene Tenenbaum held "showdown talks" with Jose Mourinho over Michael Ballack and Andriy Shevchenko.

A national newspaper claimed Tenenbaum, who it claims was acting as the "link man" between manager Mourinho and club owner Roman Abramovich, was called to a meeting at the training ground this week which Shevchenko also attended.

But a statement from the club read: “Contrary to a media report this morning, there has been no meeting at the training ground or anywhere else between Jose Mourinho and Chelsea FC plc director Eugene Tenenbaum about the futures of Michael Ballack and Andriy Shevchenko.”