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Nigeria: Mikel Confident of Moscow Victory
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This Day (Lagos)
13 May 2008
Posted to the web 13 May 2008
Lagos
Chelsea's Super Eagles' star Mikel John Obi insists the Blues can conjure up another slice of cup glory after failing to pip Manchester United for the Barclays Premier League title.
The Blues' 1-1 draw with Bolton and United's victory over Wigan on Sunday meant Sir Alex Ferguson's men retained their crown. It was Ferguson's 10th Premier League title but Mikel insists Chelsea's eyes now firmly focused on beating United in the final of the Champions League in Moscow a week on Wednesday.
Last season, the Blues lost their league title to United but went on to beat them 1-0 in the first FA Cup final at the new Wembley. Mikel insists his side have set their sights on repeating the feat in Moscow with the Champions League trophy as the prize this time. "There is a sense of frustration but determination among everyone," said Mikel. "At the end of the day, we wouldn't have won the title anyway. We wanted to win and we knew that three points was our only chance of beating Manchester United, but it wasn't to be.
"We were saying to each other afterwards that we would put things right in Moscow. We will keep working hard until the final and make sure we win the Champions League. "Last year, they won the league and we beat them in the FA Cup final. They have won the league again but we know that we're good enough to beat them. "They're a very good side, we all know that, but we have to focus on the day. I think we're going to win it." Mikel is also praying captain John Terry recovers from the dislocated elbow he suffered against Bolton in time to play. Terry underwent another scan on his damaged arm yesterday and, with a period of rest, he is hoping to be fit enough to start.
"John is a very important player for the team," added Mikel. "We all pray and hope he will be fit for the final. When you look at Chelsea, we are all big players, but when people want us to stand up for ourselves, we always do that. "I'm a young player, I respect the big players for what they've done. When we've needed them to do something, they have done. "It has been a very good season, but it can only end on a high if we win the Champions League, and we believe we can." In the meantime, Chelsea has already made a move towards rebuilding their squad ahead of next season and is set to pip United for Portuguese right-back Jose Bosingwa.
The Blues have agreed a fee for the transfer of the Porto defender, who is now in England undergoing a medical. He has yet to agree personal terms. Chelsea issued a statement confirming the deal on their official website, which read: "Chelsea can confirm it has reached agreement with FC Porto for the transfer of Jose Bosingwa. The player is now in England to discuss personal terms and undergo a medical."
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His arrival will place more speculation around the future of Juliano Belletti. The Brazilian has been sidelined in recent weeks, with Michael Essien playing at right-back. Chelsea's other right-back, Portugal international Paulo Ferreira, signed a five-year deal earlier this season and is unlikely to move on.
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