Chelsea last night completed the signing of Sevilla defender Daniel Alves for £21.4 million.
Alves, whose fee could rise by £2.7m based on performance-related factors, is equally comfortable in defence or midfield and should be available for Sunday's Premier League clash against Liverpool.
The arrival of the 24-year-old Brazil defender, who is free to play in the Champions League, is likely to signal Arjen Robben's move to Real Madrid after the Spaniards opted to pull out of the race for Alves in return for Chelsea agreeing to a fee of about £22m for the Holland winger.
Chelsea meet Reading at the Madejski Stadium tonight but rival bosses Jose Mourinho and Steve Coppell expect no fall-out from last season's incidentpacked game there.
Goalkeeper Petr Cech suffered a fractured skull when he was clipped inadvertently by Steve Hunt's knee.
Mourinho hit out at Reading's emergency procedures and the efficiency of the ambulance service but Reading boss Coppell yesterday said: "We don't want to make an issue of the situation, there will be no special effort. It is something that has happened that we regretted at the time. The welcome is there if Jose wants to come in for a drink."
Mourinho added: "For us it is just a game, a difficult game, but only a game, nothing else."
The possible return in Chelsea's midfield of former Reading favourite Steve Sidwell adds further spice.
Coppell said: "I would like to think he'll get a good reception. Even though he knew he was going, he played his heart out last season."
It appears there will be no place for Glen Johnson after one game back following his loan to Portsmouth. Mourinho has brought Paulo Ferreira into the squad while Brazil defender Alexwas also unveiled yesterday.
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