Signing Messi 'impossible' for Chelsea

Chelsea assistant coach Steven Holland believes it is "impossible" for the club to sign Barcelona star Lionel Messi due to Financial Fair Play restrictions. Messi's future has been the subject of intense speculation ever since he hinted back in November that he could leave Camp Nou, amid reported tensions with boss Luis Enrique and the Barcelona hierarchy. The Argentine superstar is reportedly unhappy at Barcelona, but Blues assistant coach Steve Holland is adamant that Uefa's Financial Fair Play regulations prevent any deal. The Argentina superstar appeared to fan the flames this week by following Chelsea on Instagram, but Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has since reiterated the club's desire to keep their all-time record goalscorer. Last month Jose Mourinho played down any talk of a potential transfer, insistiing that Chelsea are incapable of meeting the €250 million release clause in the 27-year-old's contract as a result of Uefa's Financial Fair Play regulations.

And filling in for the Portuguese in Friday's press conference ahead of Chelsea's Premier League clash with Newcastle at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, assistant Steve Holland gave the speculation similarly short shrift. "Sometimes a club has to be reactive, but the hope is that nobody leaves or arrives. We're happy with what we have." "Signing Messi [for Chelsea] under FFP is impossible," Holland told reporters.