Chelsea eye Asian stars

Blues trial Player of the Years

By Edwin Chong   Last updated: 27th November 2008

Chelsea eye Asian stars

Djeparov: Asian Player of the Year

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Chelsea have invited Uzbekistan's Server Djeparov and UAE starlet Ahmed Khalil to train with the club.

Djeparov and Khalil were recently named Asia's Player and Young Player of the Year respectively, and now as part of an agreement between the club and the Asian Football Confederation, the pair will spend a month on trial with the Premier League giants

Blues spokesman Simon Greenberg confirmed the club is keen to work with Asia's finest talents and believes the arrangement with the AFC will benefit both parties.

"Subject to getting all the necessary permissions and the players wanting to come, we would be delighted to welcome Server and Ahmed at Cobham," he said.

"Our agreement with the AFC is proof of our commitment to help develop football in Asia and this invitation can only increase the exposure to the world of the quality in Asian football."

Djeparov, 26, is the star midfielder of Uzbekistan champions Bunyodkor and is rated by Brazilian team-mate Rivaldo as "definitely good enough" for one of Europe's top leagues.

Al-Ahli striker Khalil is only 17 but is turning heads after lighting up the AFC Under 19 Championships earlier this month.