Neymar Boost For Chelsea As Starlet Hints At Santos Departure

Brazilian wonderkid Neymar has opened the door on a move to Chelsea by refusing to commit his future to Santos.

The gifted 18-year-old insists he is happy at the Sao Paulo-based side, but admits he might not be there by the time the transfer window closes at the end of August.

Just three weeks after saying he wanted to stay at Santos, Neymar admitted on Sunday: 'I don't know what will happen to me. I continue to fulfil my contract at Santos and while I'm here I will be happy.'

Chelsea had a a £17million bid for Neymar rejected, while West Ham were met with the same response when bidding £12m earlier in the summer.

Santos insist they will not do a deal for less than the near-£30m release clause written into the forward's five-year contract, but investors who own 40 per cent of the player's rights are said to be keen to strike a deal.

Neymar confirmed that his father Neymar Silva and Santos president Luis Alvaro de Oliveira Ribeiro held talks at the end of last week, but he said: 'I know they talked, but I was with the team, so I haven't spoken yet to my father.

'We don't talk much on the phone, so I don't know yet what happened in the meeting.'

Although many have questioned whether it is too soon to go to Europe, Neymar is confident he will not be another flop like team-mate Robinho, who is determined to stay on loan at Santos after disappointing at Manchester City.

After helping Santos to a 1-0 win against Sao Paulo in Brazil's Serie A, he said: 'I think nothing changes much whether you play in Europe or here. The ball is round, it's the same.'

Manchester City have first refusal on Neymar, while Barcelona and Real Madrid are also monitoring his availability.

Chelsea Offer Former Barcelona Official Begiristain Role As New Sporting Director

According to Spanish daily 'Sport', Chelsea has submitted an offer to secure the services of former Barcelona technical secretary Txiki Begiristain.

The 45-year-old is a former Barcelona player and Spanish international. He was brought into the Nou Camp as technical secretary in 2003 in order to end a barren four seasons without a trophy and has since helped bring incredible success for the Catalans.

Begiristain has overseen the transfers of influential stars such as Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto'o during his time at the Nou Camp.

His last contribution to the club was the summer signing of David Villa. Begiristain left the Nou Camp following the end of Joan Laporta's term as president.

Now, 'Sport' reports that Begiristain has received "a significant offer" from Premier League champions Chelsea to become the club's sporting director.

Chelsea is desperate to capture the Champions League and would hope that Begiristain can help Carlo Ancelotti strengthen his squad in order to do so. The Stamford Bridge club reportedly wants an answer from Begiristain by September.

Mancienne Seeks Stability

Michael Mancienne is keen to put down roots, and accepts he may need to leave Chelsea in order to do so.

The former England Under-21 international remains on the Blues' books despite spending the last two seasons on loan at Wolves.

The versatile 22-year-old has been forced to look elsewhere after finding his route to the first-team at Stamford Bridge blocked.

He now faces a tough choice at a crucial stage of his career, with it unclear where he figures in Carlo Ancelotti's plans.

Mancienne knows that in order to produce his best he needs to feel settled and comfortable in his surroundings.

That is not the case at Chelsea at present and he accepts that a summer switch may now be his best option.

Wolves, who have been impressed by him over recent years, are reported to be keen to strike a deal and Mancienne has hinted that he would be open to such a move.

"I've been at Chelsea since I was a kid and I'd love to break into the first-team, but it's hard for any young player knowing how much quality they've got," he told the Daily Express.

"I've had two seasons on loan at Wolves and had regular games and really enjoyed it. Now I want to be settled at one club."

While Mancienne has opened the door to a move, he could yet be offered an opportunity to prove his worth under Ancelotti.

Chelsea are set to be without Brazilian centre-half Alex for the start of the new season, while Ricardo Carvalho has expressed a desire to join Real Madrid, leaving a vacancy alongside John Terry at the heart of the back four.

Mancienne Seeks Stability

Michael Mancienne is keen to put down roots, and accepts he may need to leave Chelsea in order to do so.

The former England Under-21 international remains on the Blues' books despite spending the last two seasons on loan at Wolves.

The versatile 22-year-old has been forced to look elsewhere after finding his route to the first-team at Stamford Bridge blocked.

He now faces a tough choice at a crucial stage of his career, with it unclear where he figures in Carlo Ancelotti's plans.

Mancienne knows that in order to produce his best he needs to feel settled and comfortable in his surroundings.

That is not the case at Chelsea at present and he accepts that a summer switch may now be his best option.

Wolves, who have been impressed by him over recent years, are reported to be keen to strike a deal and Mancienne has hinted that he would be open to such a move.

"I've been at Chelsea since I was a kid and I'd love to break into the first-team, but it's hard for any young player knowing how much quality they've got," he told the Daily Express.

"I've had two seasons on loan at Wolves and had regular games and really enjoyed it. Now I want to be settled at one club."

While Mancienne has opened the door to a move, he could yet be offered an opportunity to prove his worth under Ancelotti.

Chelsea are set to be without Brazilian centre-half Alex for the start of the new season, while Ricardo Carvalho has expressed a desire to join Real Madrid, leaving a vacancy alongside John Terry at the heart of the back four.

Carvalho Claims Blues Release Clause

Ricardo Carvalho has revealed he has an agreement with Chelsea which will see him quit the club this summer and is keen on joining Real Madrid.

Carvalho followed new Real coach Jose Mourinho to Chelsea in 2004, after winning the Champions League with him at Porto.

The Portugal defender was repeatedly linked with a move to Inter Milan during Mourinho's two years in charge at the San Siro and is now desperate to be reunited with him in Madrid.

"If there was a possibility to sign for Madrid, I would go there right now swimming or running," Carvalho told Spanish sports newspaper AS.

"Chelsea have a commitment with me to let me go this summer, for reasons which those responsible at the club and I know.

"It would be a dream to be able to play for Madrid, which for me is the best club in the world, and to do so under the orders of the best coach in the history of football.

"With Mourinho I experienced two marvellous periods at Porto and Chelsea. To have the opportunity to win another Champions League with him at Real Madrid would be something tremendous."

After helping Chelsea to three Premier League titles and three FA Cups, Carvalho believes his time at Stamford Bridge has come to an end.

The 32-year-old has not played for Chelsea since March after picking up an ankle injury - from which he recovered in time for the World Cup - but insists that despite his advancing years he is in the prime of his career.

"I find myself in the best moment of my career, because physically I am at the top and moreover I have a great experience," continued Carvalho.

"I spent six spectacular years at Chelsea and I had the opportunity to experience a glorious period of this club, but I repeat that to sign for Madrid would be a dream.

"I'm very grateful to Roman Abramovich for signing me and making me part of the Chelsea project for six years. He was a very important person for English football and Chelsea, who became one of the best teams in the world."

Reports suggest Chelsea would agree to release Carvalho for a cut-price 6million euros (£5million).

Borini Hoping For Bright Future

Fabio Borini plans to concentrate on fighting for a place in the starting lineup at Chelsea FC after Italy's UEFA European Under-19 Championship challenge was ended by Spain. Italy forward Fabio Borini revealed that, although his team's exit from the UEFA European Under-19 Championship was difficult to take, he still has high hopes on the international stage.

Despite collecting just one point from their opening Group B games with Portugal and Croatia, the Azzurrini's chance of reaching the semi-finals remained intact prior to Saturday's encounter with Spain at the Stade du Hazé in Flers. Following two defensive lapses in the space of six first-half minutes, however, Massimo Piscedda's side were 2-0 down, Rúben Rochina and Daniel Pacheco taking full advantage of their opponents' slips. "We came up against a fantastic team in Spain and we just have to take our hats off to them; they played really well," Borini told UEFA.com. "We have to say that at the moment they are too good for us."

An Ezequiel Calvente penalty in the second half compounded the 2003 winner's misery but it was a tournament the Chelsea FC striker felt never got going for Italy. "We're really disappointed with the result and of course for not achieving qualification for the [FIFA U-20] World Cup," Borini said. "In our first [defeat] to Portugal we lost our composure a bit; we really felt we dropped three points there. In the draw against Croatia we did our best to play our game but it's not easy trying with ten players for half an hour.

"I did my job as I always do as a professional player," added the Italy captain, who scored twice in three qualifying appearances but failed to find the net in the finals. "I tried to push the team to the maximum level but it's a difficult time for us as it's just the beginning of the season. We're not as fit as we would be in the middle of the season."

Borini – who began his career with Italian side Bologna FC – made his Premier League and UEFA Champions League debuts for Chelsea last season and the 19-year-old is now planning to focus on winning a regular place in Carlo Ancelotti's side. "I'm hoping for the best with Chelsea, where I want to win a spot in the first team and of course to score goals. I would also love to be involved in the World Cup with Italy in four years, which would be something incredible. I want to achieve everything I can and to win trophies."

Sturridge: Goal No Satisfaction

His finish for Chelsea's only goal in Amsterdam was the highlight of the team performance and his manager complimented young players' efforts against experienced opponents, but Daniel Sturridge remained troubled by the friendly game defeat.

The 20-year-old didn't hesitate when the ball came his way after Josh McEachran was tackled, lashing it past World Cup finalist Maarten Stekelenburg from outside the area for his first goal of the pre-season program.

It was a first-half equalizer but two minutes later Ajax scored again and then last season's Dutch runners-up made it 3-1 in the final moments of the game at the Amsterdam ArenA.

'I was upset not to score in the last game [at Crystal Palace] and in this game it was good to score but I am devastated the team didn't get to win because whatever I am playing in I want to win,' insisted Sturridge following the game.

'I am upset that we lost even if it is a friendly. I am gutted but the next game is coming soon so hopefully we can go out there and play better next time.'

Despite his unhappiness with the display, Sturridge didn't lose focus on the principal reason for the fixture, especially as he was one of three Chelsea players to last the full match.

'The only positive is that we have come away with more fitness. It was a very hard game and we all worked hard out there. Everyone coming off that pitch will feel a lot fitter from playing such a game.

'Of course it felt a lot more of a test than the previous game. You could see the difference out there in the way Ajax passed the ball and the movement they had out there.

'I think they had played five more games than us, this was only our second game, so they were a lot fitter, but we tried to play as we can. Obviously it would have been a lot better if we could have won the game.

'I played three different roles,' he explained.

'I played up front with Franco [Di Santo] first half and then I played on the right second half and then I went to centre-forward and I was up front on my own towards the end.

'You have to do these things to have some versatility in your game and to be a better player, and to be on the pitch for 90 minutes is what I enjoy doing.'

We're Not Just A Business

As we celebrate the launch of our Foundation, various figures from around the club have had their say on the importance of our charity work.

Present at the launch were our first team goalkeepers, chairman Bruce Buck, Foundation coaches from our various soccer schools, and around 40 youngsters from our Mini Kickz, Mini Kickers and disabled programs. They were joined by four of the Foundation's trustees, Chris Alexander, John Devine, Alan Shaw and Emma Wilkinson.

Bruce Buck, club chairman:

'Generally speaking the world doesn't appreciate how much football clubs give back to their communities in the way of charitable activities, and I think what Chelsea does is a lot for a business our size. It's something the club recognizes as a responsibility, and we are doing it.

'It's certainly important to pick your projects carefully and not just do anything and everything. The fact we have a dedicated social responsibility team means we are looking into every project before we fund it or engage in it. That's obviously the right thing to do

'We've been doing charity work for a long, long time, but we think it was important to put it all under one umbrella.

'Football clubs are not just businesses, we have a responsibility to our communities and we recognize and support that.'

Petr Cech, first team goalkeeper:

'I think the kids are the most important. If you want to bring somebody to play football you start with the kids, you don't start with the teenagers or the adults. Kids are the most gracious people on the planet, so you can see the smile and the happiness on their face and that makes your day as well.

'I think as the motto says, the charity should be in safe hands and that's why they have us three keepers here so I hope it is going to be. It's always great to be part of a good charity which includes every kind of charity you can imagine all in one, which I think will make for a lot of good work.'

Casey Stoney, Chelsea Foundation coach and captain of Chelsea Ladies:

'It's a dream come true for a kid to come along and have a kick around at the training ground of one of the best teams in the world and meet some of the best goalkeepers in the world. I didn't have many opportunities as a girl and the more chances we can provide to children at younger ages the better.'

Rob Seale, Chelsea Foundation football and development officer:

'It is such an honour to not only be working with disabled kids and adults every day of the week, but to have things going on on the weekends and evenings as well, it is difficult to tear yourself away.

'It is a very special feeling, and these specific kids don't always get these opportunities so to see these smiles is fantastic. For them to come in here and meet some Chelsea players don’t just make their day, it is so important for them.'