Jose Mourinho has made his second free transfer acquisition this summer, Tal Ben Haim has joined Steve Sidwell at Stamford Bridge. Ben Haim will give Mourinho the defensive options that he missed when John Terry and Carvalho were missing for periods of last season.

The Israeli defender had been on his former manager Sam Allardyce’s shopping list but there was no chance of Newcastle competing for Ben Haim’s signature. The deal will see Ben Haim at the bridge until 2011.

Both Sidwell and Ben Haim will have to work hard or hope for miracles if they are to feature regularly for the blues next season.