Chelsea Transfer News: Sergi Roberto Blow, Zlatan Ibrahimovic Hails Blues Boss

Chelsea's interest in Barcelona midfielder Sergi Roberto has led the Blaugrana to seek contract talks with their academy product, plus Zlatan Ibrahimovic has leaped to the defence of former mentor Jose Mourinho.  

The Blues have been one of the clubs linked with Roberto in recent weeks, but the Sunday People reported Barca hope to increase the player's release clause in their bid to ward off attention (h/t the Daily Star's Marc Williams).

Daniel Ochoa de Olza/Associated Press

The midfielder's current clause is set at £21.5 million, but Williams' report mentioned the club is hoping to boost that figure closer to £32 million to deter Chelsea from making their move on his signature.

Mourinho's squad has been lacking an assured midfield presence this season as both Cesc Fabregas and Nemanja Matic have struggled to find the form that made them one of England's best partnerships last term.

La Masia academy product Roberto has found a more prominent place under manager Luis Enrique this season, and he started in 14 of his 17 appearances, but some of those outings have come at right-back and on the wing.

That being said, the 23-year-old has showcased his worth as a terrifically versatile asset during the Blaugrana's injury crisis, cementing his place as one of La Liga's prime puppeteers, per Squawka Dave:

Roberto's ability to play in several positions is a valuable commodity and one that Mourinho may also take an interest in, but the promise of increased playing time at his boyhood club will likely prove decisive.

Spanish football writer Sergi Dominguez suggested Roberto should even be in Enrique's starting XI before Ivan Rakitic based on this season's recent form:

This term has been something of a breakthrough campaign for Roberto, but Chelsea may still think twice about forking out such an extravagant sum for a player with relatively limited first-team experience.

Meanwhile, Ibrahimovic has hit back at any of those critics who suggest Mourinho should be handed his marching orders at Stamford Bridge, per Paul Hetherington and Tony Stenson of the Daily Star: "I had Guardiola and then I had Mourinho and he is the masterbrain, the mastermind. He knows what he needs to do to win. And I learned a lot there. If I was Abramovich would I keep him? Who doesn’t want to have Mourinho?"

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A horror start to the 2015-16 season has seen Chelsea win just four of their 14 Premier League games this season, sitting 14th in the standings and with their title defence seemingly dead in the water.

Ibrahimovic worked under Mourinho for one season at Inter, where they clinched the 2008-09 Serie A crown before the Sweden striker completed a move to Barcelona. Mourinho also believes his side can turn their form around, stating Sunday's 0-0 draw at Tottenham Hotspur was a very positive result, per the Premier League:

Mourinho is now being asked to recover from circumstances foreign to him as a manager, having grown accustomed to constant title races and chasing the biggest trophies in European football.

Chelsea have no guarantees that a change of management would bring them improved results on the pitch, and owner Roman Abramovich has so far agreed to give Mourinho time to rediscover the winning stride Ibrahimovic vouches for.