Off to States again

Last updated : 21 April 2006 By Paul Lagan

Chelsea will tour the USA this summer in preparation for next season's assault on the Premiership.
Mourinho's side will play the Major League Soccer's All-Star team on 5 August as the main attraction on a trans-Atlantic tour.

"I am very happy to be coming back to the United States again," said the Chelsea manager.

"This will be our third year preparing for the new Premiership season in America and it is ideal preparation."

The All-Star team will be made up of the best players in the MLS and could feature teenage sensation Freddy Adu, who is being tracked by several European clubs including Chelsea.

"This time we will have a very tough game against the best players in the MLS," said Mourinho.

"Last year we played DC United and I was very impressed with the standard of American players then.

"We have several in England and, of course, the US national team have qualified for the World Cup again.

"It will also be great to come to Chicago for the first time.

"The American fans are very welcoming and knowledgeable about English and European soccer, and in Europe we all know about Chicago's famous sporting history, with the Chicago Bulls and Michael Jordan."