Chelsea chief Frank Arnesen celebrated the capture of Lens teen Gael Kakuta.
"I've just landed the best kid in France," Chelsea's academy boss told his employers in a meeting at Stamford Bridge.
The capture of exactly the kind of player he was desperate to deliver. The Dane was under pressure, according to sources at the club. Not least because many of those he had recruited since joining in a controversial move from Tottenham in September 2005 were not deemed to be of the necessary standard, says the Daily Mail.
"Arnesen was so pleased with himself," said one club insider. "But it was a big relief for him to get the boy."
Now Chelsea must appeal against the transfers ban handed down by FIFA yesterday over the manner of signing the French youngster.
