Robben's joy as he lands five-year deal

The Dutchman's father and agent Hans Robben has said he does not expect 'any big problems any more' in negotiations, even though the two parties are a small way apart on wages.

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The last set of talks were held two weeks ago and no more are planned yet but the 23-year-old has said publicly he wants to stay and a deal is expected to be completed by the end of June.

An important factor in the optimism is the opinion of head coach Mourinho who, privately, had been critical of Robben.

The winger has two years remaining on his contract and, a few months ago, was unsure whether he would prosper under the Portuguese.

Robben believed he was considered "soft" by Mourinho after a series of injuries disrupted his Chelsea career and knew he had been unavailable too often for the manager's liking.

Their relationship was very cold but it has thawed considerably after the Holland international played when not fully fit in recent big games.

He has been repeatedly praised as "brave" by Mourinho since playing at Liverpool in the Champions League semi-final three weeks ago and appearing against Manchester United in Chelsea's 1-0 FA Cup Final victory on Saturday.

Robben is still recovering from a knee injury but showed the character and approach required and was greeted with hugs from his boss.

Mourinho said: "What Robben did for me was brilliant. His attitude was brilliant, giving his help and playing more than I could wish."

This has given the winger confidence in his Chelsea future and, after marrying his school sweetheart Bernadien Elliert on 9 June in Holland, he expects to finalise a new contract.

The head coach is still enduring speculation about his future after a difficult season and appears to have been granted a stay of execution because of a lack of viable alternatives.

But, after claiming a cup double, the Portuguese is brimming with confidence. He said: "I carry on. It is what I want, what the club wants, what the players want, what the public want and it is what the fans of the other clubs do not want. I am going to stay."

Mourinho will assemble his squad in America on 9 July and is hoping Joe Cole returns fully fit. The 25-year-old is close to being 100 per cent again after a season dogged by injuries to his knee and foot and hopes to face Brazil in a friendly at the new Wembley on 1 June, followed by Estonia in a Euro 2008 qualifying match five days later.

Cole said: "It is not so much fitness, it is just a case of getting my body right. I've got enough to play these two games for England, have a break, keep ticking over and get my body right. I just want to go out there and play for England now."

Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko and former Tottenham and West Ham forward Sergei Rebrov have been omitted from Ukraine's squad to play the Euro 2008 qualifier against France.

Coach Oleg Blokhin left out the pair after they were injured in recent weeks. Owen Hargreaves, meanwhile, expects his £17million move to Manchester United to be completed by the end of the week.

Bayern Munich have confirmed Hargreaves is leaving. The midfielder was due to feature for England B against Albania at Burnley on Friday but coach Steve McClaren is now expected to rest him so he is available for next week's friendly with Brazil and the key Euro 2008 qualifier with Estonia.

Such a move would leave Hargreaves free to complete the final stages of his United move and the player confirmed further details should be known by the end of the week.

"It has been one of the longest transfer sagas," he said. "I am sure this week we'll hear some new information."

With Ferguson due to watch the Champions League Final between AC Milan and Liverpool in Athens tomorrow and chief executive David Gill heading out to Malaysia in an attempt to smooth the anger which erupted over United's summer tour, the deal may not actually be concluded until the end of the week.

But, having identified Hargreaves as one of the key new signings, of which there are expected to be two or three more to take the club forward following their Premiership title triumph this term, the United boss will eventually tie up the Calgaryborn player on a four or five-year deal.