Sven in mystery Chelsea link

Speculation was increasing today that Sven-Goran Eriksson met representatives of Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich last week.

And the Football Association pledged it would look into the claims when Eriksson returns from abroad.

The England coach, who is under contract to the FA until after the 2006 World Cup, is alleged to have had a meeting with associates of Abramovich including agent Pini Zahavi, who helped to broker the £140 million takeover deal at Stamford Bridge.

It is believed pictures will be published tomorrow showing the Swede outside the offices where the meeting took place.

The FA refused to comment directly on the allegations today but spokesman Adrian Bevington said: "Sven is clearly a well-known football personality and has many friends socially, involved directly and indirectly in the game.

"Sven is out of the country at the moment and we have nothing to say until we have spoken to him."

Abramovich has promised to turn Chelsea into a footballing force in Europe and the capture of Eriksson as manager would be a real coup.