Young Chelsea midfielder Marco van Ginkel insists his relationship with the Chelsea manager is nothing but positive in an interview with Voetbal International.

The young Dutchman is convinced he has a good relationship with Blues boss Jose Mourinho, who didn't forget about him during his time on the sidelines. Van Ginkel overcame a serious knee injury that limited his action last season but managed to make the bench for Chelsea towards the end of the campaign.

"The contact with Mourinho is good. During my rehabilitation, he showed interest. This gives me a nice feeling. I was also at the end of the season on the bench for the first team," said Van Ginkel.

The young Dutchman targets full fitness in pre-season by planning on arriving in London a week before his Stamford Bridge teammates join him for official preseason work.

"Preseason begins on July 9. But I'm going back to London a week earlier to train. I want to be fully fit to start the new season. Before my injury I was on schedule. I want to pick up the thread again."

The 21 year old made only four appearances for Chelsea in all competitions last season, with just one start which took place in the famous 2-1 home loss to FC Basel in the UEFA Champions League.

Van Ginkel arrived in London as the second signing, after Andre Schurrle, of Jose Mourinho's second reign as Chelsea manager. He came from Eredivisie club Vitesse Arnhem, where in his last season he scored eight goals in 32 league appearances.

- by Julian Boland