Chelsea challenge excites Jarošik

Czech midfield player Jirí Jarošik told uefa.com that he is relishing an "incredible challenge" at Chelsea FC as his transfer from PFC CSKA Moskva nears completion.

Title triumphs
The 27-year-old has spent the last two seasons in Moscow having joined from AC Sparta Praha, where he won four championships, for a then Russian record fee of €3.7m, and helped CSKA to the Premier League title in 2003. Chelsea's chief press officer, Helen Wood, confirmed that the player is having a medical today, while Jarošik said he has agreed a two-and-a-half year contract which the Londoners can cancel after six months.

Mourinho meeting
"I don't want to start my Chelsea career afraid of something like that," said Jarošik, who has won 20 caps for his country but missed out on a place in the squad for UEFA EURO 2004™. "This is a massive opportunity for me and I want to do my best to be successful." The player met José Mourinho yesterday, with the coach telling the Czech he would have "a run-out in the FA Cup" against Scunthorpe United FC on Saturday.

Midfield reinforcements
Mourinho had been keen to reinforce his midfield following Scott Parker's long-term foot injury, which left the London club short of cover. Mourinho's side hold a seven-point lead at the top of the Premiership and, having won Group H, face FC Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League first knockout round. Jarošik, however, will be ineligible for that tie having appeared in five of CSKA's six games in the same section.

'Little nervous'
Jarošik continued: "I must admit that I am little bit nervous. I know that I will start from square one in London and two wonderful years in Moscow will count for nothing. I can't speak English well and I can't drive a car on the right-hand side of the road. But such a big opportunity like this may only come once in my career. It is an incredible challenge for me."