CHELSEA NOT BOTHERED BY ALLEGATIONS

From the Torygraph

Frank Arnesen, Chelsea's head of youth development, was yesterday described as "relaxed" over Panorama's allegations of tapping up a Middlesbrough prospect, believing he will be exonerated when his comments are placed in context. Yet directors of some other academies are known to be far from "relaxed" over Chelsea's predatory approach to youth recruitment.

Of all the punches thrown by Panorama in Undercover — Football's Dirty Secrets, the blow that carried most power and accuracy was the one that highlighted Chelsea's aggressive attitude to bolstering their youth set-up. Secretly filmed footage showed Arnesen talking to a discredited agent, Peter Harrison, about the merits and potential availability of Nathan Porritt, one of the stars of England's Under-15 team.

Chelsea feel they have nothing to fear from the investigation launched yesterday by the Football Association and Premier League, primarily because it was Harrison who kept pushing Porritt's name in a 30-minute meeting called to discuss other issues. Arnesen, a hugely likable individual with a great eye for emerging talent, repeatedly asked Harrison whether Porritt wanted to leave Boro.

No follow-up contact was made by Chelsea to Porritt or his parents, according to the champions. Four months later, Chelsea did go through the proper channels and asked Steve McClaren, the then Boro manager, whether Porritt was available. McClaren, understandably, gave Chelsea a firm no. A strong left-winger nurtured at Dave Parnaby's hugely productive academy, Porritt is highly regarded by all at the Riverside.

Boro's ire yesterday was aimed at the agent, not Arnesen. "We are hugely disappointed with the actions of Peter Harrison," Boro's chief executive, Keith Lamb, said. "It was quite clear from the footage shown on the programme that he approached other Premier League clubs to offer Nathan Porritt to them. Harrison was in breach of Premier League rules and regulations in doing so without either our permission or knowledge.

"Clearly, Peter has a lot to answer for to the game's authorities and this football club. Despite the fact that his agent was blatantly touting him around other clubs, Nathan then signed for our academy and we are delighted to have him on board."