Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 5 Num 1107 Thu. July 12, 2007  
   
Sports


Mourinho likes Beck's chances


Jose Mourinho, who is leading his Chelsea club on a three-game tour of California starting this week, said David Beckham and Major League Soccer are a good fit.

"It's a big moment for Los Angeles and for US soccer and I think they couldn't choose a better player to achieve what they want to achieve," Chelsea boss Mourinho said here Tuesday.

English football star Beckham is expected to make his MLS debut in a pre-season friendly against Chelsea at the Home Depot Centre in the south central Los Angeles suburb of Carson on July 21.

Chelsea wraps up its tour against the Galaxy that is likely to mark Beckham's North American debut.

The Blues will face Mexican side Club America in Stanford on Saturday night and South Korean side Suwon Bluewings next Tuesday but all the talk in Los Angeles is about the clash against Beckham's Galaxy.

And the Portuguese boss is convinced the former England captain will raise the profile of soccer in the America.

"I think it's a pity for European football that a good player like him is gone but we all in Europe want soccer in the US to go up," he said.

"It is a market that if it does then it is good for everybody and they couldn't choose a better player for their objectives because he is more than a player. If it is the game for David Beckham with LA Galaxy against Chelsea I will be very happy to participate in this way."

Mourinho also insists he is happy with the balance of his Chelsea squad as he plots to wrestle the Premier League title from Manchester United's grasp next season.