Alves courts Chelsea move

Jose Mourinho's side have been unusually quiet in the transfer market, and with the club enduring a major injury crisis they desperately need reinforcements.

"My objective is to play for another team," Alves told Arena Sportv. "I have been at Sevilla for five years. Now I think it's the moment to give a step forward in my career and play at a European giant.

"I won everything that could have been won at Sevilla so I feel that this is the moment to continue my career in another place."

Alves is one of the stars of the Sevilla side that claimed a treble last season, winning the UEFA Super Cup, UEFA Cup and Copa del Rey, while finishing third in La Liga to secure a Champions League berth.

The Brazilian would appear to be the ideal option for Chelsea at right-back, a position of particular weakness at Stamford Bridge.

Mourinho appears to have lost faith in former Porto stalwart Paulo Ferreira - who is injured anyway - while stand-in options Geremi and Khalid Boulahrouz have left the club, the latter on loan to Sevilla.

Lassana Diarra and Michael Essien have also filled in at the problem position, but both are markedly better in midfield and it seems ludicrous that a club of Chelsea's resources do not have a recognised specialist.