Claudio Ranieri's efforts to strengthen his Chelsea squad took him to the basement of the First Division last night with a surprise move for Sheffield Wednesday's Dutch midfielder Wim Jonk.
The new Chelsea manager has contacted his Wednesday counterpart Paul Jewell with a view to signing Jonk on loan until the end of the season.
Ranieri is looking for a midfielder to fill the void left by Roberto di Matteo suffering a broken leg in last week's Uefa Cup defeat against the Swiss side St Gallen but his choice is bound to arouse much debate.
Jonk will be 34 next week and has been hugely disappointing during his two years at Hillsborough after signing for £2.5m from PSV Eindhoven. From having a reputation as one of Europe's finest playmakers, with 48 caps for Holland, his form has deteriorated to the point where he is no longer guaranteed a starting place at a club propping up the First Division.
Jonk has played only twice this season because of a back injury and in 70 games for Wednesday he has scored five goals. He has asked for time to consider the move but it would seem unlikely that he would turn down the chance of playing in the Premiership again.
Wednesday, meanwhile, are holding out for a fee for Gilles de Bilde after refusing to let the striker return to Belgium on a free transfer to Genk.
Paul Bracewell yesterday took over as manager of the league's bottom club, Halifax.
