Nakata Chelsea link resurfaces

Nakata was brought in to Ennio Tardini as one of the summer's major acquisitions, but has not had the expected impact following his big money move from Roma and has now found himself behind Johan Micoud in the pecking order.

The link to Chelsea is an obvious one, with manager Claudio Ranieri's knowledge of the Italian game, and the financial side of the deal would make his arrival lucrative.

Nakata is perhaps the best known Japanese footballer in the world and his superstar status in the Far East would literally open up whole new markets for The Blues.

It is not the first time that Ranieri's outfit have been linked with a move for the former Perugia man - with planetfootball revealing interest back in October.

Brescia are beginning to look for a replacement for legendary forward Roberto Baggio - and view Nakata as the perfect man to step into the fantasista role.

Baggio picked up a major injury that will prevent him realising his dream of going to a fourth World Cup finals with Italy, and has admitted he is seriously considering quitting the game altogether.