Champions Chelsea eye big-name duo

LONDON, Apr 30 (Reuters) Chelsea, not content with winning their second successive domestic title, could step up the relentless pursuit of their Champions League holy grail by signing two of the biggest names in world football.

The club are already in advanced talks with Germany midfielder Michael Ballack and despite Andriy Shevchenko pouring scorn on the idea last month, media reports continue to link the Ukraine striker with a move from AC Milan to Stamford Bridge.

Frustrated by his team's recent Champions League failed challenges, manager Jose Mourinho looks certain to freshen up his squad in the hope of bringing the cup with the big ears' to west London next season.

Chelsea have flattered to deceive in Europe's elite club competition since billionaire Russian owner Roman Abramovich took charge in July 2003.

The Blues were rated favourites when they reached the semi-finals in 2004 and 2005 but were surprisingly eliminated by Monaco and Liverpool respectively.

This season, Chelsea were undermined by the red card shown to Spain defender Asier Del Horno early in the first leg as Barcelona emerged triumphant in their first knockout round clash.

Another Premier League title success will not have blinded Mourinho to the fact his squad needs improving and players such as Del Horno, Hernan Crespo, Didier Drogba, Damien Duff, Arjen Robben and Shaun Wright-Phillips may be wondering what lies in store for them in the close season.

LOAN SPELL Del Horno, a 12 million euros (14.52 million dollars) buy from Athletic Bilbao last June, has been in and out of the first team all season.

His position will be further undermined if England left back Wayne Bridge, getting back to form and fitness with Fulham after a long injury absence, returns after his loan spell at Craven Cottage.

Centre back Ricardo Carvalho, who followed Mourinho from Porto in 2004 could also be on the move after a public falling out at the start of the season and newspaper reports that Spanish clubs were interested in him.

Strike pair Crespo and Drogba have attracted criticism for not scoring enough goals while wingers Duff, Robben and Wright-Phillips have sometimes underachieved this season.

Mourinho, however, is keeping his plans close to his chest.

''It is normal you will look for one, two, three players to improve (the squad) and normally there are one, two or three players who are keen to make a move and have a new direction,'' the Portuguese coach told the club's website.

''It is normal what will happen at Chelsea in the summer.'' Talks with 29-year-old Ballack, who is out of contract at Bayern Munich at the end of the season, have gone well. German media reports say a contract has been agreed.

''I would like him to come. In a very good team he will be a plus,'' Mourinho said.

''We already have a very good squad and very good midfield players. If he comes it is a big plus, if not we can survive.'' Ballack, slotting in beside England stalwart Frank Lampard, might leave little space for some of this season's more fringe midfielders such as long serving Icelander Eidur Gudjohnsen or Maniche whose short contract runs out at the end of the season.

Mourinho can afford to be phlegmatic about signing the German playmaker, knowing if the Ballack deal fell through it would mean the vast transfer budget put at his disposal by Abramovich would simply be diverted elsewhere.

REUTERS RL VC0850