Andy Carroll Won’t Be Leaving Newcastle - Hughton

Chris Hughton has revealed he has “no intention” of allowing Andy Carroll to leave Newcastle United.

The Geordie striker has been linked with Premier League champions Chelsea, with reports in the capital suggesting that the 21-year-old is the subject of a potential £7m bid from the Stamford Bridge side.

But while the Blues can offer Carroll both Champions League football and the chance to enhance his international ambitions further with England under Carlo Ancelotti, Hughton firmly believes that the Gateshead-born starlet can realise his full potential at St James’ Park.

Carroll – who has been re-bailed in October after an assault charge – is understood to want to extend his stay at United, despite having three years left on his current deal.

However, that has not stopped his performances from last season catching the eye of some of Newcastle’s Premier League counterparts, with Stoke and Birmingham last week also linked with Carroll.

Hughton told the Chronicle today: “I can say 100% that I have not heard anything from Chelsea, to me that is just speculation.

“We’ve got no intention of seeing Andy Carroll leave Newcastle United.

“The reasons for that are he has the right profile, he’s a young player and he’s got a big future here with us.”

Hughton is back behind his desk after his summer holiday and, with less than a month to go until pre-season training, is on course at least to have the basis of the squad that won the Championship with him on July 5.

Toon fans are anxious to see new additions to what many of them believe is a squad that lacks depth for the top-flight challenge ahead next season.

And Hughton today offered them reassurance that new signings would be added to bolster the current roster.

He said: “It’s the time of year when work behind the scenes is being done each day.

“By the time next season begins I am confident there will be new players at the club.”

Talk in Glasgow is that Rangers star Kris Boyd is set to be Newcastle’s first summer signing, with the player actively seeking a new club.

Boyd is an boyhood fan of the Magpies, and the fact he is available on a Bosman means he fits the bill for United.

Hughton says: “Kris Boyd is a good player, but I can categorically say that there have been no talks at this stage.

“There has been no correspondence and no communication.

“You never want to say 100% no, but it’s a non-starter at this moment.”

Joe Cole Nets In England Warm-Up

Joe Cole played the full 90 minutes, while his three Chelsea team-mates played one half of England's 3-0 win over South African club side Platinum Stars on Monday afternoon.

The game, an unofficial friendly, which will not count towards players' cap counts or goals records, was used as a final warm-up game before the World Cup kicks off on Friday, with England's involvement beginning on Saturday when they meet USA.

Cole netted England's second goal, which came after John Terry, Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole had been substituted, the Chelsea number 10 the only man to play on after half-time with manager Fabio Capello making 10 changes. Terry, Lampard and Ashley Cole were all withdrawn having made low key appearances.

Spurs forward Jermain Defoe converted captain Steven Gerrard's pull-back three minutes in to open the scoring, after former Chelsea man Shaun Wright-Phillips had put the Liverpool man through, before ex-Blue Glen Johnson gave away a penalty, missed by the Platinum forward.

Joe's extended spell on the pitch paid off midway through the second half, as he converted England's second following a fast England breakaway, Wayne Rooney laying the goal on.

The Manchester United man added a third himself with a sharp volley after James Milner had crossed.

Summary Of A Season: Paulo Ferreira

Like Joe Cole, Paulo began the season working his way back from cruciate ligament damage, suffered during training in early March last year.

To return in a little over six months, as he did when he played 90 minutes against QPR in September, showed tremendous commitment to a professional career that had slowed in recent times.

The signing of Ferreira's compatriot, Jose Bosingwa, in the summer of 2008 and the emergence of Branislav Ivanovic and even Michael Essien as viable right-back alternatives meant the 31-year-old's first-team opportunities would be most likely on the left, where he has played regularly over the last couple of years for Portugal.

Then came the arrival of Yury Zhirkov, also capable of playing in the back four, and suddenly Ferreira's chances of a game looked slim.

Juliano Belletti was preferred to start against Blackburn in October, though Ferreira did come off the bench for the final half-hour, starting the next two games with Ashley Cole out injured.

The quiet defender continued to figure in the League Cup, and even found the net from close range at Blackburn, only his second goal in a Chelsea shirt (his first being against Colchester United in 2005/06) and the third of his career.

Limited appearances followed between Christmas and February, including a fine game against Cardiff in the FA Cup, culminating in a pinpoint cross for Salomon Kalou to nod home the fourth goal.

Had he been registered for the Champions League, where the squad is limited to 25, and must include a quota of home-grown players, Paulo would surely have seen further action in the San Siro, where Florent Malouda played at left-back in a 2-1 defeat to Inter.

It was at this point that both Cole and Zhirkov were absent through injury, and Ferreira could make a significant contribution after waiting so patiently. Injury to Ivanovic at Blackburn however meant it would be on his favoured right side where he made the most impact.

Despite being beaten in the air for an important looking equalizer at Ewood Park, he continued to plug the gap in big wins over Portsmouth and Aston Villa, and then played a crucially disciplined defensive role in the win at Old Trafford.

Ten straight starts in domestic games had seen him let nobody down, and although he played no part after the 7-0 thrashing of Stoke in late April, he had done enough to more than earn his two winners' medals, and goes into the World Cup as one of Portugal's few form players.

Lampard Aims To Have Shoot-On-Sight Policy

Frank Lampard believes he can take full advantage of the new and lighter World Cup ball to help England’s quest for glory in South Africa.

The Chelsea midfielder has already been practicing shooting from long range with the Jabulani ball during England’s training camp in Austria, and Lampard is confident in it being possible to score from almost any distance given the way the ball swerves and moves in the air.

Lampard said: “The ball we will be using does move. I worked on it in Austria.

Mikel - I Couldn't Risk Knee

John Obi Mikel admits he did not want to risk his knee injury after being ruled out of Nigeria's World Cup campaign.

The Chelsea midfielder was scratched from Lars Lagerback's 23-man squad for the tournament in South Africa on Saturday after failing to recover fully from a recent knee operation.

He missed the end of Chelsea's successful season after undergoing surgery, but was hoping to be fit to take his place in Nigeria's World Cup squad.

However, despite training fully with his team-mates on Friday, Mikel has confirmed he is not in a position to play in the World Cup finals.

Mikel told www.kickoff.com: "It is the same knee and I did not want to risk any further damage, also I think it is in the best interest of the team for me to withdraw rather than waste a slot.

"I wish the team good luck and I know that they will surprise people."

Nigeria coach Lagerback has acted immediately to replace Mikel by drafting uncapped Sochaux midfielder Brown Ideye into his squad.

The 21-year-old was one of the unlucky seven players to be dropped from the squad earlier this week when the Swede trimmed his list to 23.

The Nigerians wrap up their preparations for the finals with a friendly against North Korea in Johannesburg on Sunday.

After their opening Group B match against Argentina next Saturday in Johannesburg, Lagerback's team face Greece in Bloemfontein on 17th June before wrapping up their group matches with a match against South Korea in Durban five days later.

Arsenal Will Only Sign Joe Cole If The Chelsea Midfielder Drops Wage Demands By 50%

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will only sanction a move for Joe Cole if the England star drops his £120,000-a-week wage demands, and prove his long-term fitness.

Arsenal have jumped to the head of the queue of clubs lining up to secure Cole’s signature, but the club are unwilling to shatter their salary structure to tie up a deal for a player with a chequered recent fitness record.

Manchester United have also asked to be kept informed of developments and it is understood that Old Trafford would be Cole’s first choice of destination.

But United would be unwilling to give Cole the four-year contract that he is looking for, even though the 28-year-old is available on a free transfer.

The midfielder has already informed Chelsea that he intends to exercise his right to leave under freedom of contract.

Wenger is a big admirer of the player and exploratory talks have been held with Cole’s advisers but the Arsenal manager does not view the player in the same bracket as top earner Cesc Fabregas, who is on £110,000-a-week.

Although the Frenchman has a £45 million transfer kitty this summer, the figure is believed to cover first-year salaries as well as transfer fees.

If Fabregas moved to Barcelona it would remove the club’s highest earner from the wage bill, but Wenger is believed to be willing to sanction a deal that would provide Cole a basic £80,000-a-week with performance and appearance-related bonuses.

There is also concern at the Emirates Stadium regarding Cole’s fitness. The midfielder missed the second half of the 2008-09 season with knee ligament damage and, after missing the build-up to the current campaign, has suffered from a string of minor ailments and struggled to cement a place in Chelsea’s team.

Arsenal rejected the chance to sign Patrick Vieira on a free transfer last season because they were led to believe he would not pass a medical.

Cole has said that he will wait until after the World Cup to sort out his future but it is likely that the deal will be done before that time.

Chelsea Interested In Real Madrid Defender Sergio Ramos

Chelsea are hot on the heels of Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos, according to Sport.

The 24-year-old defender had been expected to be utilized by new Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho as a centre-back as he aims to bring in Maicon from Inter Milan for the right side of the defence.

However, reports in Spain claim that Chelsea are willing to lodge a €30 million offer to snare Ramos, who is part of La Furia Roja's squad for the World Cup in South Africa.

It is believed that Mourinho is reluctant to part with Ramos, but the Spaniard's sale could pave the way for the signing of Juventus' Giorgio Chiellini, a top target for the Special One, according to recent speculation.

Ramos has been with the Merengues since 2005, when he completed a €28m move from Sevilla.

Didier Drogba To Return To Ivory Coast Squad

Didier Drogba will rejoin the Ivory Coast's World Cup squad today after weekend surgery on a fractured arm.

However, it is still not clear whether the African Footballer of the Year will be fit to play in the Group G match against Portugal in Port Elizabeth next week.

Drogba fractured the ulna, or inner bone, of his right forearm in a warm-up match against Japan in Switzerland on Friday. The striker had surgery in Berne on Saturday, an operation doctors described as successful.

"His recovery has been extremely encouraging. It is suggested that, at this stage, all the signs are good and there is great hope the captain of the Elephants will be in action with his team-mates as soon as possible," a spokesman for the Ivorian Football Federation said.

The Ivorians depart for South Africa on Wednesday. They conclude their preparations in Switzerland with a friendly against Lausanne Sports in Nyon tomorrow.

Benayoun Considering Options After Benitez Departure

Yossi Benayoun has made it clear that he wants to sign for Chelsea, and the two clubs are continuing a dialogue over his transfer.

A source close to Benayoun's proposed move to Stamford Bridge told Soccernet: "Talks are ongoing, and Yossi has made it clear that he would like to sign for Chelsea.

"However, who knows how the departure of Rafael Benitez will affect the move from Liverpool to Chelsea.

"The problem though, is that Yossi didn't play all the games at Anfield, and won't play all the time at Chelsea!"

"It is no secret that the player did not get on with the manager, and there was nothing more to it than the fact that Yossi thought he was playing well enough to have been in the starting line up far more often than he was.

"For that reason he wanted to quit Liverpool for Chelsea, but now that Benitez has gone, who knows, he might change his mind?"

It appears that Chelsea have intimated that they would make an initial offer of around £4 million while Liverpool are holding out for £6 million, so with the two clubs apparently close in valuation a deal is likely.

Benayoun is viewed as a replacement for Joe Cole, who cannot agree a new contract at Stamford Bridge.

Cole asked for £120,000 a week in wages but will now be available on a free transfer, with a number of Premier League clubs chasing his signature.

Having said no to Arsenal, Manchester United and West Ham, it leaves clubs like Spurs and Manchester City still in the frame to sign Cole once the World Cup finals are over.

Benayoun has three years left on his £75,000-a-week deal at Anfield, and would be a much cheaper option than re-signing Cole.

The Israel international is due back from a holiday to finalize personal terms with Chelsea next week, along as the Blues meet the £6 million asking price.

Cole Conundrum Continues As Wenger And Ferguson Pull The Plug

According to ESPN, Arsenal FC and Manchester United are no longer in the running for Chelsea FC midfielder Joe Cole. Sir Alex Ferguson and his Premier League counterpart Arsene Wenger have been strongly linked with the 28-year-old Stamford Bridge star, and although there is also interest from Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, early reports suggested the Gunners and Red Devils were the frontrunners.

Reports over the weekend now suggest Manchester United and Arsenal FC have pulled out of the running due to their reluctance to match the Chelsea FC star’s lofty wage demands. Cole is believed to have encountered similar problems while trying to negotiate an extension at Stamford Bridge, but Carlo Ancelotti, like Wenger and Ferguson, has been reluctant to match his alleged £120,000 a week demands. The news will boost Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur’s purported efforts to lure Cole to the City of Manchester Stadium and White Hart Lane respectively, as Roberto Mancini and Harry Redknapp remain intent of signing Cole.

Cole remains resigned to leaving Chelsea FC due in part to the club’s reluctance to match his demands but in the main, the 28-year-old is concerned by his peripheral role under Carlo Ancelotti. With Manchester United’s Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsenal FC’s Arsene Wenger no longer in the running, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur look set for a straight shootout for his coveted signature.

A source close to the player told Soccernet: “My information is that Joe Cole will not be going to Arsenal or to Manchester United, despite being linked with both of these clubs.”

“Joe Cole has a few options, and has not made up his mind, and will do so when he returns from South Africa. It is still possible that he could decide to stay at Chelsea but that is only a small chance.”

Malouda - France Have Problems

Florent Malouda admits France have 'a lot of problems to fix' and believes leaders need to step up.

Les Bleus have enjoyed considerable success at recent World Cups, taking the title on home soil in 1998 and reaching the final in Germany four years ago.

They also tasted European Championship glory in 2000, with their golden generation sweeping all before them.

Serious cracks have started to appear, though, with a dismal showing at Euro 2008 suggesting they are no longer a force to be reckoned.

Success brings with it great expectation and France have failed to live up to their billing over recent years.

Chelsea winger Malouda accepts as much as he readies himself for this summer's World Cup in South Africa, but he is confident Raymond Domenech has enough quality at his disposal to make amends over the coming weeks.

"The problem is, after what we did in 2006 - and of course there was a great generation in 1998 and 2000 - expectations are very high," Malouda told The Guardian.

"And the Euro in 2008 was a disaster. So when you are in a bad situation everything is coming out and people are pointing the finger.

"The World Cup is really close and honestly we have a lot of problems to fix. When there is tension, when there are high-pressure games, you need characters. You need people to come out and say 'I will take responsibility'."

He added: "Honestly we have a lot of problems. We have to talk about a lot of things. But for that you need someone to take the first step. Guys like (Patrick) Vieira and (Claude) Makelele who can take the lead. If they are not there, somebody has to do it."

France will be looking to Malouda to provide an attacking spark this summer, with his domestic form at Chelsea over the second half of the season suggesting he could make a real impact in South Africa.

The former Lyon man believes he is ready to leave his mark on a major tournament, admitting that he finally feels settled at Stamford Bridge after three years in England.

"People had to get to know me and get used to the way I am. And I needed time to show what I can do." said Malouda.

"I came into a squad that had won a lot of titles with Jose Mourinho. To arrive in a team that has had great success but was on a down period, people expect a lot from you. I had to be patient.

"You know, I had five managers here and each time at the beginning they were trying things before I had their full confidence. I am really happy it is happening now and people can show me that love and affection the same as my team-mates."

Chelsea FC Turn Attention To Germany With Sportfive

Chelsea Football Club, winners of the Premier League and FA Cup, have announced two further European pre-season fixtures. The Double winners, who include the likes of England internationals John Terry and Frank Lampard, will play against Eintracht Frankfurt on 1st August and Hamburger SV on 4th August.

The Sports Promoters (TSP), a wholly owned subsidiary of the international sports agency Sportfive, will promote and organize the two German friendly matches. This will also include a mini training camp for Carlo Ancelotti's squad between games in Frankfurt.

Ron Gourlay, chief executive of Chelsea FC, said: "We are delighted to announce our agreement with Sportfive who will be arranging a major part of our pre-season activity. Following the World Cup, it is important for our players to prepare in the best possible environment and playing matches against opponents like Eintracht Frankfurt and Hamburger SV will ensure the team hits the ground running ahead of the start of the new season."

Vincent Tong-Cuong, chief operating officer of Sportfive International, said: "We are very pleased about having signed this agreement with Chelsea FC. They have played an outstanding season and the two friendlies will provide German football fans with another international highlight in this year's football calendar."

Philipp Hasenbein, chief executive, Sportfive Germany, added: "Thanks to our close partnership with the majority of Germany's top clubs we can bring them together with a renowned international opponent like Chelsea and make great events like these friendlies happen. Our subsidiary TSP specializes in the development, execution and organization of sporting events and will be organizing the visit to Germany."

The three European fixtures, including a game against Ajax in Amsterdam on the 23 July, will follow Chelsea's first pre-season match against local London side Crystal Palace on 17 July at the Eagle’s home ground, Selhurst Park.

Summary Of A Season: Joe Cole

The 28-year-old will probably admit it was a frustrating season for him as he struggled to cement a place in the starting 11, but he popped up at important times with some vital contributions, not least his opening goal at Old Trafford in April.

The 2009/10 campaign began with promise, as Joe returned to pre-season training with the rest of the squad in positive mood having recovered well from cruciate ligament damage in January 2009.

A setback was to follow though, and he missed the tour of America, not returning to first-team duty until late September, when he produced a sparkling captain's display against QPR in the Carling Cup, offering 'that bit of fantasy' Ray Wilkins had said he would.

His next three appearances were off the bench before starts against Blackburn and Bolton, both of which were impressively creative.

A first goal arrived in late November as Wolves were pulled apart, and a run of four successive league starts in December and January produced five assists, a goal of his own disallowed at Burnley for offside.

Constant speculation regarding Joe's future perhaps began to take its toll though, and from February onwards he was used more regularly as an impact substitute, his play creating further goals against Man City and Portsmouth before the season's highlight - that delicate, cheeky back-flick that gave us the lead at Old Trafford, before Didier Drogba smashed home to secure three huge points in the title race.

Three late sub appearances in the Premier League, and an FA Cup Final cameo against Portsmouth at Wembley allowed further contribution to a record-breaking Chelsea season, and a late inclusion in Fabio Capello's World Cup squad will have been a huge boost after almost two years out of the national setup.

Drogba Has Successful Operation On Elbow

Ivory Coast captain Didier Drogba has undergone a successful operation on his fractured elbow although his team did not say whether he would be able to play at the World Cup.

"The necessary surgical intervention has been a success," the Ivory Coast football federation said on its website (www.fif-ci.com) on Saturday.

The federation added that medical staff was confident Drogba would make "a rapid recovery" but did not elaborate.

The 32-year-old striker was injured during Friday's 2-0 friendly win over Japan in Sion.

Drogba, a talismanic figure for the Elephants with 43 goals in 67 appearances, limped off after a challenge from Tulio sent him falling awkwardly to the ground after 15 minutes.

If he misses the World Cup it would be a huge blow to the Ivorians, who have been transformed from a middle-ranking team to a major force in African football since Drogba came on to the scene.

Born in Ivory Coast and raised in France, the Chelsea forward has helped them qualify for their first two World Cups in 2006 and 2010.

He was Premier League top scorer this season as Chelsea won the title from Manchester United.

Last Friday, vice-captain Kolo Toure said a dejected Drogba had told team mates in the dressing room he was out of the tournament, which starts on Friday.

"It's obviously very sad, for him he said that the World Cup is finished, we're just waiting for what the doctor says," Toure said.

But coach Sven-Goran Eriksson said as he left the stadium there was still a chance Drogba could play.

The Ivorians, who are holding a training camp in Saanenmoeser in the Swiss Alps, face Brazil, Portugal and North Korea in World Cup Group G.

Chelsea Announce They Want Joe Cole To Stay

Chelsea have announced they are willing to fight to keep Joe Cole at the club despite increasing interest from a number of other Premier League clubs.

The England midfielder is available to leave the club on a free transfer when his contract expires at the end of June and has been attracting interest from a number of clubs including Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham.

Chelsea had been rumoured to have withdrawn their offer of a new contract and turned their attention to signing Liverpool’s Israeli international midfielder Yossi Benayoun as a replacement.

But Chelsea assistant coach Ray Wilkins told BBC Radio 5 Live that contrary to the rumours suggesting otherwise, the West London club are keen for Cole to extend his stay.

"We've obviously been in dialogue with Joe for months now and it's pretty evident that Carlo and myself would love Joe to stay but it's down now to the club to see what we can do.

"We sincerely hope Joe stays with us - he's a smashing guy and he's a wonderful footballer so we'll keep our fingers crossed."

Chelsea Consider Shock Move For Newcastle United Youngster Andy Carroll

Chelsea are considering an audacious move for Newcastle United youngster Andy Carroll. The Stamford Bridge outfit is on the look out for new up and coming options as Carlo Ancelotti plans for the future whilst dealing with a somewhat aging squad.

Having captured the likes of Ross Turnbull and Daniel Sturridge last summer the club is continuing to look for promising ‘homegrown’ players and are rumoured to be impressed by the 21 year old’s performances with the Magpies last season and with Chelsea’s main attacking options, Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka, both being over 30 years of age the west London side is keen to bring in new signings.

Carroll finished top scorer at the Toon Army last season with 19 goals in 35 starts as he helped Chris Hughton’s side to the title. However the Gateshead born England Under-21 international has had a few run ins during his time coming through the ranks at St James’ Park, most notably coming to blows with Newcastle defender Steven Taylor.

Should a bid be made by the Premier League champions it seems highly unlikely that Mike Ashley would accept knowing that doing so would further anger supporters who already enjoy a rather spicy relationship with the club’s owner.

Arsenal Set To Beat Out Manchester City And Sign Chelsea Midfielder Joe Cole

With captain Cesc Fabregas keen to move to Barcelona this summer Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is looking to bring Cole in to help strengthen the Gunners, who have not won a trophy since 2005, according to the Daily Mail.

Both Arsenal and City were believed to be apprehensive to sign Cole due to the Englishman’s £100,000 a week salary demands.

Contract negotiations between Cole and Chelsea have stalled and with the 28-year-old’s current deal set to expire, the midfielder will be a free agent this summer.

Cole believes that he is deserving of a lucrative contract because the club that he would join would not have to pay the £10million transfer fee that he would be worth in the open market.

The former West Ham United midfielder and his family would prefer to stay in London, and after struggling to break into Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti’s first team this season it appears that Cole is on the verge of a move to the Gunners.

Wenger will have around £30 million, plus the amount that Arsenal receives from Barcelona for Fabregas, and the Frenchman could use a portion of that transfer money to bring Cole to the Emirates.

Joe Cole: It's Just Fantastic To Be Back For World Cup

Joe Cole’s second England coming has given the Chelsea star the goosebumps.

Two seasons ago talk of such an outstanding talent not being part of England’s World Cup plans would have been ridiculous.

But the Cockney charmer has been to hell and back following cruciate knee ligament damage in an FA Cup game at Southend 18 months ago.

With Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti also appearing to lose faith with Cole, his international obituary was being written. In fact, Cole’s ambitions of travelling to South Africa rested on what amounted to a critical 45 minute audition on a rainy afternoon in Austria last Sunday.

Cole, 28, proved his qualities and is now in Rustenburg.

He enthused: “Seeing my name on the back of an England shirt on a peg in the dressing room gave me the goosebumps. It means so much playing for England. It is like a second coming. I’m really enjoying my football again.” So Cole is smiling once more after being given the No 11 shirt.

“Before I was looked upon as a regular with 50 caps. Now I’m looking at the England shirt on the peg again. Fantastic. I hate answering questions on the injury. All I want to do is to play in the World Cup finals and help us win it.”

Cole To Get £4.5 Million Divorce Payout?

Singer Cheryl Cole is set to receive a £4.5 million payout when her divorce Ashley Cole is finalized, according to reports.

The Girls Aloud hitmaker walked out on the sports star earlier this year following allegations he cheated on her with four women.

Cole reportedly asked for a quick divorce when she started proceedings last month. She was said to be prepared to allow her former partner keep their marital home in Surrey and not demand any financial support.

But now it has emerged the singer will receive a lump sum from Cole when the divorce is finalized later this year reports The Sun.

A source tells the publication, "He can't believe she will walk away with nothing. She worked as hard as him for their possessions."

Cole will reportedly be granted a decree nisi in early August with the divorce set to be completed six weeks later.

Lampard Retains Penalty Belief

England midfielder Frank Lampard says he will not shirk from his penalty taking duties at the World Cup finals.

Doubts had emerged over Lampard's position as England's premier spot-kick taker after the Chelsea star saw an effort saved in the friendly win over Japan.

Reports had indicated striker Wayne Rooney had tried to oust his team-mate from the responsibility, but Lampard refuted such suggestions.

Lampard also missed a penalty in the Blues' FA Cup final against Portsmouth, uncharacteristically dragging his effort wide.

But the 31-year-old said he would remain in charge should his side be awarded a penalty, insisting he still retained belief in his ability to hit the net.

"Wayne hasn't made an issue of it. Actually, he hasn't said anything. No-one has," said Lampard.

"I heard the manager had said I was still the penalty taker and I am happy with that. I still have the confidence. It is a fact of life that you can miss occasionally.

"I missed in a friendly, which was a little reminder. I will practise them here and go back to basics a bit.

"Despite what has happened I am very confident with myself. I have the inner strength to take it on the chin. When I pick up the ball I believe that I will score."

Lampard's attempts to fire England to glory will be done with the tournament's controversial 'Jabulani' ball, which has come under criticism from various players in the build-up to the campaign.

The altitude of some of the matches in South Africa has also added to the perceived difficulties facing the competition's hopefuls, however Lampard believes it will not prove to be problematic.

He did, however, join the many to voice their opinion on the much-maligned ball, saying the flight could cause extremes between successful strikes and misses.

He said: "The altitude won't be a problem. In terms of the breathing and how it saps your energy, I haven't noticed too much difference to Austria.

"There is a bit of heat out here as well but we will become accustomed to that and it won't be an issue."

On the ball, he added: "But the ball moving around will be an issue because it moves a lot more. The goalkeepers will tell you that.

"You can see it when you strike the ball. There are going to be a lot more spectacular goals and could even be a lot more spectacular misses with the way the ball moves about."

Stoch & Ivanovic Saturday Winners

Chelsea's Eastern European representatives at the World Cup, Miroslav Stoch and Branislav Ivanovic, both enjoyed victories in their final games on home soil before departing for South Africa.

Slovakia were 3-0 winners over Costa Rica on Saturday afternoon, Stoch starting the game on the left wing and playing 77 minutes before being replaced by Erik Jendrisek. The Chelsea man had a part in the first goal having gone close to scoring himself early in the game.

The big news of the game was the ankle injury suffered by Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel, which makes him a doubt for the World Cup. Slovakia's goals were scored through an own goal, Robert Vittek and Stanislav Sestak

Later in the day Ivanovic played the full 90 minutes of Serbia's win although it wasn't the best of evenings for his side's defence. They shipped three goals, coming from behind twice to beat Cameroon 4-3.

Serbia were without Nemanja Vidic and suspension made Samuel Eto'o unavailable for Cameroon. Former Chelsea player Geremi came on for Cameroon at half-time.

Milos Krasic, Dejan Stankovic, Wolves's Nenad Milijas from the penalty spot and Marko Pantelic were the Serbian scorers, all in a first-half that ended 4-2. The African side pulled another back on 67 minutes but the Europeans held on for a welcome victory after a warm-up defeat by New Zealand and a draw with Poland.

Summary Of A Season: Petr Cech

In a season when one of his greatest predecessors, Peter Bonetti, earned a special recognition award at Chelsea, Cech further enhanced his own reputation with a solid season and a major contribution towards a first Premier League and FA Cup Double.

It started in perfect fashion with two penalty saves in the shootout against Manchester United, sealing the Community Shield in Carlo Ancelotti's first game in charge, and was followed by seven straight wins.

A mistake at Stoke was highlighted, however, when he failed to make his mind up on a Glenn Whelan cross, allowing Abdoulaye Faye to head home, and was followed a fortnight later by a red card, the first of his Chelsea career at Wigan in our first defeat of the season.

Suspended in the 2-0 win over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge, he returned to the side at Villa Park but again came under scrutiny - two goals conceded at set-pieces, the second after he had missed another cross - as we suffered successive away defeats.

He bounced back to concede just two more in the next eight games as we entered the Christmas period on top of the league, and while a calf injury at the San Siro prevented him from participating in our Champions League second leg defeat against Inter, causing him to miss five games, he returned for the run-in and had a big say in the direction of the major silverware, earning the Premier League's Golden Glove on the final day of the season with his 17th clean sheet from 34 games.

Cech kept perhaps his most important saves for last. In the FA Cup Final with the scores at 0-0, he first pulled off an amazing instinctive save to prevent Frederic Piquionne from opening the scoring, and then kept out Kevin-Prince Boateng's spot-kick with his feet, moments before Didier Drogba went up the other end and scored a superb free-kick. Just the reminder everyone needed about the goalkeeper's credentials.

Lampard: We Live In Fear Of World Cup Blow

Frank Lampard has admitted the entire England squad live in fear of suffering the kind of injury that ruled Rio Ferdinand out of the World Cup.

Ferdinand was injured in a collision with Emile Heskey in England's first training session in Rustenburg on Friday and is now facing a decision whether to return home or stay in South Africa with the squad.

Lampard feels "sick in the stomach" just at the thought of missing the World Cup so he can only imagine how Ferdinand feels.

"He's very down," Lampard said of the Manchester United defender at a press conference on Saturday.

"It's a huge competition, the biggest competition. It made me feel a bit sick in the stomach so I can't imagine how he feels."

"I was fearful for him because you could see the pain of the fall but also there was an element of fear.

"We all understand that. We've all had moments during our club careers as well where there's big games coming up and you feel you might have done something to put you out of that game.

"I understood straight away that it was potentially a bad one and then it was fingers crossed for the scan and obviously it turned out to be bad."

Injuries have blighted recent England campaigns - David Beckham's metatarsal in 2002, Wayne Rooney's metatarsal in 2004 and Michael Owen's knee injury in Germany four years ago.

And Lampard admits it is a problem which worries the rest of the squad.

He added: "We're very nervous of these things because we have had players injured before but I wouldn't say we're cursed. That's the wrong word.

"What we have to do now is rely on the strength of the group and our players."

Lampard admits the whole camp are disappointed to lose such an important player as Ferdinand but feels that Michael Dawson, who has now joined up with the England camp, is an able replacement.

Steven Gerrard has taken over as skipper and the Chelsea midfielder feels that is the right choice to help them push on.

He added: "We have to keep batting on, we have to be very focused. There's nothing wrong with being disappointed. That's normal. But when we trained today we trained at full pelt

"Dawson's turned up now and he's a lad who fully deserves to get that kind of call up for the player he is and the season he's had. So we have to just focus.

"Yes, we've lost a big player and big leader in our team but we've got to get together.

"I think he (Gerrard) will do the job he does at Liverpool. Which he has done fantastically for years. It'll mean everything to him the England captaincy.

"Steven's got that very quiet way about him off the pitch and everyone respects him for that. He's a player to look up to and that what's a captain's all about."

Meanwhile Lampard has expressed his hope that Ferdinand remains in South Africa with rest of the squad.

"I didn't really know what to say for him," he said. "We just spoke about the injury and how disappointed he was and I just said 'I'm here for you'.

"He's making the decision now whether to stay on or go home.

"I know he'll try and do what's best for him but also what's good for the lads.

"We'll miss him first and foremost on the pitch because of the quality he has as a centre-half. He's one of the best in the world without a shadow of a doubt but we have to keep going."

Lampard Eyes Gerrard Partnership

Frank Lampard believes he can forge a successful partnership with new captain Steven Gerrard in the heart of England's midfield.

Gerrard has been handed the armband for the World Cup after Rio Ferdinand was ruled out with a knee problem on Thursday.

Lampard, who is now the team's vice-captain, is fully behind the decision and has no doubts that Gerrard will thrive on the added responsibility as he does at club level.

"I think he'll do the job he does at Liverpool, which has been fantastic for years," Lampard said on Sky Sports News.

"The England captaincy is a huge thing for anyone who holds it and I think Steven has got that quiet way about him off the pitch that everyone respects.

"He plays with a lot of inspiration and he is a player to look up to, and I think that is what a captain is all about."

Lampard and Gerrard could be asked to line up together in central midfield against USA next Saturday, with Gareth Barry doubtful due to an ankle problem.

Fabio Capello has steered clear of such a tactic after Lampard and Gerrard found it difficult to find their best form for England under previous managers.

But Lampard was encouraged by the way he linked up with Gerrard in the second half against Japan and insists it is a myth that the partnership could not work.

"I do get fed up, it has gone quiet for a while. There has been a nice little two-year break, but it has come back now," he said.

"It is the manager's decision and we have got faith in him.

"I believe we can play together because intelligent players who play as we do for our clubs should be able to play together.

"It is very important for us to work on it. The manager might have different ideas for different games and we have to adapt to that.

"We try to be positive and inject more energy into the team like we did against Japan."

England are expected to progress to the last 16 as Group C winners but USA are likely to provide their stiffest test in their opening game.

Lampard is wary of the threat they will present and does not feel it would be a disaster if England fail to get off to a winning start.

"It is very important. It is not all about winning that first game but if we do win it puts us in a very strong position in the group," he said.

"I have seen many games in tournaments before where that first game does not go the way you expect it to.

"America will be determined to beat us because of the rivalry, so we don't have to make it the be all and end all.

"We don't have to think about the result, just prepare well for the game."

Carlo Praises Anelka

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has hailed the tactical nous of France striker Nicolas Anelka ahead of the World Cup.

Anelka netted 15 times in all competitions for the Blues last term as Ancelotti's side won an historic Premier League and FA Cup double.

And, with the new 4-3-3 organization of the France team, the Chelsea ace is expected to be selected as the central forward in Raymond Domenech's starting XI during the World Cup.

While some fans believe the 31-year-old came into midfield too often during the last two friendlies against Costa Rica and Tunisia, Ancelotti believes the French public should trust in their striker.

He told L'Equipe: "He is very intelligent on a tactical level. Nicolas likes to touch the ball, and be in the centre of the game.

"If he is playing as centre forward and comes back to the midfield, that is no problem. That gives an unpredictable touch to your team's game.

He added: "Nicolas is versatile and can do anything. With me this season, he played in several different positions. Even if Nicolas is good anywhere, I believe his best position is centre forward.

"He is excellent when he got the ball in the gap, his pace hurts a lot. And in the box, he can keep his calm and be very efficient. He has the elegance of Marco van Basten."

The Italian tactician insisted Anelka is one of the very best forwards in the world.

"He is reliable both as a player and as a man. He never betrayed me," he said.

"He is very professional: I believe he is one of the very few players who never came in late to training sessions this season at Chelsea. He doesn't talk a lot but is frank and honest.

"When I came to Chelsea, he was one of the players I knew the least along with Florent Malouda. But by the end, they were my two biggest satisfactions."

Frank Lampard Appointed England's Vice-Captain

Frank Lampard has confirmed reports that he will be England's new vice-captain in the wake of Steven Gerrard's promotion to England skipper.

Fabio Capello has handed the Chelsea man the responsibility and Lampard says he is proud to assume the role.

"I am vice-captain," Lampard told journalists at a press conference.

"I was told by the manager and Franco Baldini [Capello's assistant] yesterday and I am very proud of that.

"Obviously I am very disappointed for Rio. He is a mate.

"But what can I do? I shall just try to give my input as a vice-captain."

Lampard came through the ranks at West Ham United with Rio Ferdinand and as a close friend stressed his deep sympathies for the Manchester United defender.

"I am very disappointed for him to say the least," said Lampard.

"I spoke to him last night and he is obviously very down.

"He is such a good mate and for this to happen in the build-up to the biggest tournament made me feel sick in my stomach."

And personal sympathies aside Lampard knows that England can ill-afford to do without such an important player.

"We will miss him first and foremost on the pitch because of the quality he has on the pitch, he is one of the best centre-backs in the world," he continued.

"He has always had that bubbly character and we will miss that character."

Nonetheless Lampard insists that sympathy for Ferdinand will only increase England’s team unity and backed Tottenham Hotspur’s Michael Dawson to thrive as a replacement.

"It is natural for everyone in the camp to feel disappointed for Rio but when we trained today it was at full pelt," he said.

"Dawson has turned up now and he is the sort of lad that fully deserves the call-up for the season he has had.

"We can use it [Ferdinand's injury], yes, as a little bit of extra bonding. We have lost a big player but we all have to get together."

United And Arsenal To Miss Out On Joe Cole

Soccernet understands that Arsenal and Manchester will lose out on signing Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole on a free transfer, while Manchester City and Tottenham remain firmly in the hunt for his signature.

Speculation has continued to mount over Cole's future, and he seems certain to leave Stamford Bridge as talks over a new contact stalled before he set off for South Africa after making Fabio Capello's final England squad.

Spurs, Arsenal, United and City have all been linked with a move for Cole, though it appears that Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger are unlikely to have the midfielder at their disposal next season.

A source close to the transfer activity told Soccernet: "My information is that Joe Cole will not be going to Arsenal or to Manchester United, despite being linked with both of these clubs. Joe Cole has a few options, and has not made up his mind, and will do so when he returns from South Africa. It is still possible that he could decide to stay at Chelsea but that is only a small chance."

The source refused to rule out Spurs and Man City and while Roberto Mancini's club can offer big bucks, Harry Redknapp has the lure of Champions League football for Cole, and that could be the deciding factor.

Redknapp has made it clear that he isn't looking to make a large number of signings, but instead wants one or two outstanding new players to reinforce Spurs' chances of making past the qualifying stage of the Champions League. And it was Redknapp that gave Cole his debut in the Premier League when they were both at West Ham United.

Cole would be happy to stay at Chelsea, but the club has thus far shown no willingness to improve the contract offer which is still on the table.

With Cole available on a free, his advisors argue that his value in the open transfer market could be £18 million to £20 million, a huge saving for any prospective new club, which would justify an inflated wage packet.

Chelsea Confident Of Benayoun Agreement With Liverpool

Chelsea are confident of closing a deal for Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun in the coming days.

The Daily Mail says Chelsea expect to tie up one deal with Liverpool before the World Cup, with Benayoun set to move to Stamford Bridge for £6m.

Carlo Ancelotti sees the Israel midfielder as an ideal replacement for Joe Cole, who has priced himself out of a new contract at Chelsea by demanding £120,000 a week.

Benayoun, who has three years left on the £75,000-a-week deal he signed last summer, is a cheaper option and is expected to return from holiday in Israel early next week to discuss personal terms.

Chelsea Will Raid Cash-Strapped Liverpool For £70 Million Fernando Torres

Chelsea look set to compound Liverpool’s misery by launching an audacious attempt to land their stellar striker Fernando Torres for a jaw-dropping £70 million.

According to the Daily Mail, the Blues are planning to shatter the British transfer record to bring the Spain international to Stamford Bridge this summer.

Manchester City and Barcelona are also rumoured to be attempting to capitalise on the current turmoil at Anfield.

Manager of six years, Rafael Benitez, left the club by mutual consent last Thursday and was instrumental in tempting the 26-year-old goal-getter to Anfield in the first place for £21 million in July 2007.

No doubt this particular transfer saga will rumble on all summer, but Chelsea are reportedly confident that the Reds will be happy to cash-in on the player given the fact they are £350m in the red.

The main obstacle facing Chelsea is the fact that Torres is hot property across Europe and can cherry-pick his eventual destination if he chooses to leave Merseyside.

Chelsea’s crucial advantage over Premier League rivals Manchester City though in any such Torres transfer, is the fact that they can offer Champions League football next season. However, Torres himself would perhaps prefer a return to Spain and Barcelona.

Torres himself has remained tight-lipped about his future, stating only that he will decide his future after the World Cup.

Yet unless Liverpool quickly secure new ownership and a transfer kitty that allows them to compete with the Premier League’s leading lights, many believe Torres and other stars such as Steven Gerrard could jump ship this summer.

Queiroz Has No Drogba Cares

Portugal boss Carlos Queiroz insists Didier Drogba's injury will not affect his game plan against Ivory Coast.

The star striker will almost certainly miss the Group G clash with Queiroz's side in 10 days' time after fracturing his right elbow against Japan on Friday.

His absence will be a big blow to the Ivorians but former Manchester United assistant manager Queiroz insists he is not bothered about his opponents.

Instead he is focused on his own squad and wants them to impose their style of play on the game.

Queiroz said: "We are not going to change anything in our plans.

"When great players are out of a World Cup - as also happened with my great friend Rio Ferdinand - it's always a shame, a blow for the spectacle.

"But the strategy is to concentrate on our own. The longer we impose our game on the adversary, the more problems you create.

"Our players know what our style is. Our main weapon is our style of play, our way of football. We have to play like Portuguese teams.

"In that sense, I do not care if Drogba plays or not."

Chelsea's John Mikel Obi Ruled Out

Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi has been ruled out of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa with a knee injury.

Mikel joins fellow Chelsea stars Michael Essien and Michael Ballack in missing out through injury, while Didier Drogba is a major doubt.

The 23-year-old underwent minor knee surgery in May and feels he has not recovered sufficiently.

"We have dropped Mikel from the squad after he said he did not want to risk his career," said a Nigeria spokesman.

Nigeria will replace Obi Mikel with the uncapped Brown Ideye, a striker from French club Sochaux.

Mikel has been capped 30 times for his country and was the last player to join up with the rest of the squad at their training camp in Essex.

In South Africa, Mikel cut short his workout with the team on two consecutive days. He also missed the team's two build-up games against Saudi Arabia and Colombia.

On Friday he trained with the rest of the squad for the first time since they arrived at their World Cup base in Durban, but later announced he was not fit enough to play in South Africa.

Nigeria have been drawn in Group B alongside two-time world champions Argentina, former European Championship winners Greece and 2002 World Cup semi-finalists South Korea.

They play a final friendly against North Korea in Johannesburg on Sunday before starting their World Cup campaign against Argentina on 12 June.

Summary Of A Season: Alex

Another of Chelsea's form players in the second half of the campaign, Alex sat out the first three months of the season with a hernia injury.

When he returned to fitness he found regular central defensive pairing Ricardo Carvalho and John Terry in excellent form, and had to be patient , appearing just six times before the turn of the year, and only another five before March.

It was then that Carvalho began to struggle with his own fitness, and he would not play again after damaging ankle ligaments against Portsmouth in late March.

By then Alex had already turned in a number of eye-catching displays at centre-half, notably against Stoke in the FA Cup, where he made two last-ditch tackles and earned a nomination for the quarter-final player of the round award.

Terry himself admitted the Brazilian was giving manager Carlo Ancelotti a selection headache, which may well have eased slightly when Carvalho was ruled out, allowing the burly defender the run of games his form merited.

Excluded from Brazil squads for around 18 months, Alex was again left out as coach Dunga announced his World Cup squad. It was a decision that mystified many around Stamford Bridge.

In Alex's 25 appearances, Chelsea conceded only 14 times, the only one that could directly be attributed to the 27-year-old being against Burnley, where, off balance, he was uncharacteristically outmuscled by Steven Fletcher.

It was an isolated slip in an otherwise brilliant second half to the season, and having surpassed the 100-match mark against Bolton in April, Alex will be looking to kick on after the summer and make that place alongside the captain his own.

Premier League Waits On Chelsea And Man City

The Premier League transfer market is in limbo waiting for big-hitters like Chelsea and Manchester City to begin their spending sprees, reckons Sunderland chief executive Steve Walton.

And until some of the big money starts moving around, Walton believes cash-strapped clubs are likely to keep their cheque books firmly closed.

Few deals have gone through so far this summer, and City boss Roberto Mancini indicated earlier this week that his mega-rich owners may not spend as lavishly as before when he insisted the club would not be held to ransom on fees.

Now Walton thinks supporters who are hungry for transfer news may be in for a long wait.

He said: "There is not a lot going on in the transfer market, and my personal view is that it will remain quite quiet.

"I think that Manchester City and Chelsea will do quite a lot, and what we really need for a good transfer market this summer is for some big money to be injected into the system to oil the wheels.

"Clubs are not awash with cash. It is difficult to borrow money in the wider world, and almost impossible in football.

"You are not going to your friendly bank asking for a few million pounds to buy a footballer now because it is just not happening.

"There is not much money in the system, and I don't believe there will be a huge amount of activity. We have already heard Sir Alex Ferguson say that he may bring in just one more player."

Man City are set to pay £10.5m for Hamburg and Germany defender Jerome Boateng after he revealed he had agreed a move to Eastlands.

Sunderland boss Steve Bruce has only added free transfer Cristian Riveros to his squad so far, and the Paraguay World Cup midfielder is expected to be joined by Belgium U21 keeper Simon Mignolet soon.

The Black Cats have shopped abroad, a policy that could spell problems for the rest of the Premier League, Walton warns.

"My fear is that the big money will go overseas," he said. "You really need some big domestic transfers to go through to help get things moving.

"When Chelsea first started spending big a few years ago they were largely buying in the UK on the likes of Joe Cole, Frank Lampard and Shaun Wright-Phillips.

"That funded a lot of Premier League transfer activity because the money filtered down, but that wouldn't happen this summer if the money goes abroad."

Sunderland's list of targets is considerably shorter than the number of players they are trying to get out of the club right now, and Walton added: "We don't feel we need to do a massive amount.

"I don't think we will see a huge amount of activity like we did last year, when Steve set about strengthening the whole spine of the team.

"Steve is happy he has got a good nucleus now and he is looking at two or three positions."

Chelsea Withdraw Contract Offer For Joe Cole

Chelsea have given up hope of keeping Joe Cole and have withdrawn their contract offer for the England star.

Talks had been scheduled between Cole and the Premier League champions once the season was over, but none have taken place.

Instead there is no longer a deal on the table for the playmaker, who made it clear he was never going to sign the terms being offered.

Now Cole, 28, will use the World Cup in South Africa as the perfect stage to show his talents to the huge lists of clubs queuing up to offer him a free-transfer package.

Cole is not making huge demands and Starsport understands his reluctance to commit to Chelsea had nothing to do with the financial deal on offer.

Instead, he was upset they were only offering a one-year rolling contract and he also feared he would not be a regular under boss Carlo Ancelotti.

Having spent almost a year on the sidelines with a knee injury, the midfielder just wants to play football and felt he was not getting enough opportunities, with Nicolas Anelka often used out wide on the left ahead of him.

There is no shortage of willing takers, with interest both from the Premier League and abroad.

Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham have all made contact, while Real Madrid are also contenders, under Cole’s old boss Jose Mourinho.

A decent World Cup will put Cole in a position to negotiate terms of around £75,000-a-week.

Manchester United And Chelsea Join Arsenal In Race To Sign Barcelona Centre-Back Dmytro Chygrynskiy

Arsenal face competition from Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City to land Barcelona centre back Dmytro Chygrynskiy, according to Catalunya Radio.

The giant Ukrainian is understood to have been made available for transfer after struggling to adapt to La Liga after joining from Shakhtar Donetsk last summer for £22 million. President Joan Laporta is reported to have offered the 23-year-old to Arsenal as a makeweight in the deal to sign Cesc Fabregas.

This bid has led to the Premier League trio and Bayern Munich joining the battle to secure his signature. An impasse has been reached with Barcelona about their valuation, however, as none of the sides are prepared to offer more than £12m.

Michael Essien Signs Two-Year Contract Extension To Remain At Chelsea Until 2015

Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien has signed a new two-year contract extension with the club that ties the Ghana captain to Stamford Bridge until 2015.

The 27-year-old was in scintillating form to start last season with the eventual Premier League and FA Cup champions, but missed almost the entire second half of the campaign through injury. That injury will also keep him out of this summer's World Cup, but that disappointment has at least given the former Olympique Lyonnais man time to sort out his club future.

"I am delighted because the club has shown a very big confidence and interest in me," Essien told the club's official website.

"I am looking forward to coming back and enjoying my football and winning more trophies with the club. That is why I am here. I think it is one of the most important contracts in my career."

The Ghanian has appeared 185 times for the Blues, scoring 22 goals. but his 2009-10 season was cut-short in December when he suffered a hamstring injury in December and then a knee injury while representing his country at the African Cup of Nations in January.

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti insists that he has no long-term fears about Essien's recent injury problems, and the box-to-box midfielder is still an integral part of the west London club’s set-up.

The Italian said, "I am very happy that Michael has agreed to extend his time with us, as it means he will continue to be a very important player for Chelsea long into the future."

Essien first joined the reigning Premier League champions from Lyon in 2005 for £26 million, becoming, at the time, Chelsea’s most expensive player ever.

Ashley Cole: I Feel Stronger Than I Did Before My Ankle Injury

England defender Ashley Cole insists that the broken ankle he suffered in a clash with Everton loanee Landon Donovan has completely healed and he is ready for the World Cup.

The Chelsea left-back was kept out for two months and believes that the time off and the extensive rehabilitation he went through have helped him to return stronger than he was before his injury.

Cole returned and was a key contributor for the Premier League and FA Cup winning Chelsea side.

With England’s World Cup opener against Donovan’s USA team eight days away, Cole is healthy and ready to help lead the Three Lions go far in South Africa.

“I do feel fitter than before, actually,” Cole told Daily Mail.

“I feel sharper than before I got injured and am happy with the rehab.

“The physios were brilliant with me and I have come back very strong.

“At the time I was devastated because I felt I was playing well, I scored a few goals and I wanted to help the team.”

After the accidental clash with Donovan, Cole was worried that he might miss the World Cup but the Blues defender credits his rehab program with his fast recovery.

“I was getting up at seven in the morning and finishing at six at night. I had an hour’s break for lunch and that was it. Basically all day I was getting my rehab in the gym and it was the same when I came back to the training ground.

“I felt I was letting down the team not being there but in the end it turned out well.

“I was supposed to be out for three months and I made it back in two months so I was happy.”

I Did Everything I Could To Be Fit For Ghana - Chelsea Midfielder Michael Essien

Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien has revealed he did everything he could to play for Ghana at the World Cup.

Essien ruptured medial knee ligaments in January's African Nations Cup and was unable to shake off the injury to play in South Africa. Although named in the provisional 30-man squad, he was unable to get fit in time for the tournament.

Speaking to Chelsea's official website, Essien said: "Since my injury in January I had been working hard to come back for Chelsea and Ghana, but it wasn't to be.

"I did everything I could but eventually I succumbed to the injury and had to accept the fact that the body takes its own time to heal and you cannot rush things.

"I had my last assessment over a week ago with the Chelsea and Ghana doctors present.

"It took place at the hotel where all the Ghanaian players were staying and coming out of that meeting was very emotional for me.

"I spoke to Stephen Appiah, the captain, and all the other guys about my inability to join them and you could tell how disappointed they were.

"I have to admit no-one was more disappointed than me but that's life and I have to move on.

"I would like to wish the Black Stars the best of luck in South Africa. They need our support and all Ghanaians should get behind them."

Joe Cole Will Decide Future After The World Cup

Soccernet understands that no decision will be made on Joe Cole's future until the end of the World Cup finals, despite reports that he has already agreed a move to Arsenal.

Cole will officially become a free agent on July 1 when his contract with Chelsea expires and the playmaker, who has been included in England's World Cup squad, has attracted attention from rival clubs.

Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham are all believed to be interested in signing Cole on a free transfer but it is Arsenal who appears to be favourites to recruit the 28-year-old at present.

It was even reported that Cole, who grew up in North London, had agreed a three-year deal with Arsenal and that the transfer would be announced prior to the start of England's World Cup campaign.

But Soccernet understands Cole's main focus at present is the finals in South Africa and that no decision on his club future will be taken until England's campaign has drawn to a close.

If Cole does join Arsenal he will become the fourth player in recent seasons to cross the Arsenal-Chelsea divide. William Gallas and Ashley Cole swapped clubs in 2006 and Arsenal signed Lassana Diarra from Stamford Bridge 12 months later.

Drogba Suffers Arm Fracture

Didier Drogba has fractured a bone in his right arm, during Ivory Coast's friendly against Japan on Friday.

The forward, 32, picked up the injury after a clash with Japanese defender Marcos Tulio Tanaka in the first half of Les Elephants' 2-0 win.

Drogba had flicked the ball over the defender's head before he was caught by a high boot. The striker refused a stretcher but left the field immediately.

Moments earlier he had opened the scoring with a deflected free-kick. Salomon Kalou also played, staying on for the entire 90 minutes.

Drogba is a major doubt for the World Cup, which kicks off in South Africa a week today.

Team spokesman Eric Kacou said that Drogba's fracture was confirmed by doctors after he left the field.

'It is a fracture in his right arm,' Kacou said. 'The doctor hasn't said yet whether he can play in the World Cup.'

'He had a lot of pain,' said Ivory Coast boss Sven-Goran Eriksson. 'Of course I'm worried. He's captain and one of the world's best players. It was unlucky. It wasn't bad or stupid. He (Tanaka) didn't want to hurt anyone. Football is a game of contact.'

Summary Of A Season: Ashley Cole

It was another season of unfaltering consistency for arguably the best left-back in the world, the only negative to his season being the two months he spent sidelined with a broken ankle between February and April.

It was a season of records as he earned a sixth FA Cup winner's medal, no man has as many, and won his second Double, along with Nicolas Anelka the first man to do so with two different clubs.

On a personal level, he scored a record four times in the same season, including the Chelsea Goal of the Season against Sunderland in January, a deft flick after controlling John Terry's long pass expertly and cutting inside his man.

Carlo Ancelotti's tactics certainly helped Cole's natural game, allowing him to get forward as often as possible down the left flank to support attacks, a narrow midfield, particularly in the first half of the season, creating the space needed.

He supplied goals against Stoke and Tottenham, while finding the score sheet in explosive fashion against Burnley, and then Spurs, before twice claiming assists at former club Arsenal in November.

He was as dependable on the back foot as he was offensive on the front, his pace and ability to read the game making it difficult for opposition forwards and wingers, the only blip being an ill-timed challenge inside the penalty area on West Ham's Jack Collison just before Christmas - though a Frank Lampard penalty would later even up the scores.

After fracturing his ankle in a challenge with Everton's Landon Donovan in February, it was thought he could miss the rest of the season, yet dedication and a fast-healing body helped him back before the end of April for the 7-0 win against Stoke ,and he found the net one more time against Wigan on the final day of the league season.

His disappointment will have been being absent for the Champions League games with Inter, yet his recovery will have cheered England fans everywhere ahead of the World Cup, particularly when looking at the possible left-back alternatives.

Ashley's consistency, together with those around him, helped us to 18 league clean sheets during 2009/10, as well as a club record goals tally at the other end, 103 in the league, making it a season to remember for the 29-year-old.

Lampard Gets Le Tissier Backing

Matt Le Tissier has backed Frank Lampard to continue as England's first-choice penalty taker despite his recent misses.

The Chelsea midfielder has a good record from the spot but his miss in the FA Cup final was followed by another in the friendly win over Japan on Sunday.

Former England midfielder Le Tissier was one of the best from 12 yards, converting 48 of the 49 penalties he took during his career.

He said of Lampard: "If he backs himself then you've got to take that on board. Half the battle is if the player wants to be there.

"Obviously if he misses five in a row then you might have to take the decision out of his hands but if he's still confident then let him have them."

And Le Tissier's advice to his countrymen is simply to be positive.

"For me it was a case of getting every negative thought out of my mind," said Le Tissier.

"Coming in visualising the crowd erupting when the ball hit the back of the net was the thing for me and I always looked forward to taking penalties because it was the best chance I was going to get to score a goal in a game."

England's record in shoot-outs is famously woeful but Le Tissier, who won eight caps for England in the 1990s, does not believe that should be a major factor in their fortunes this time.

He said: "It might have an effect because everybody talks about it so much but you just have to try and put that our of your mind.

"At the end of the day, they've got to stand up there and be confident and be arrogant enough to think, 'this is a free shot from 12 yards, surely I'm going to score'."

The confidence surrounding England's chances in South Africa has subsided somewhat with injuries and indifferent form affecting a number of players but Le Tissier is backing Fabio Capello's men to go far.

"I'm pretty confident," he said. "I think we can at least make the semi-finals and from that point on it's anyone's competition."

The 41-year-old, meanwhile, has also tipped Diego Maradona's Argentina and Holland to challenge for the trophy.

He continued. "Brazil and Spain are everyone's favourites but I'd be watching out for Argentina. I know they've struggled in qualification but often you find teams that do struggle a little bit all of a sudden pick up when they get to the World Cup finals and they could be one of those teams. Holland are a pretty good bet, they could be dangerous."

And it is a Dutchman that Le Tissier is predicting will be the star of the show.

He added: "Obviously Lionel Messi had a fabulous season with Barcelona and he'll be one a lot of people will be looking for to be top man at the tournament.

"But I'd go for a little dark horse who didn't play much at the back end of last season but is now fit again and that's Robin van Persie. I think he's a fabulous footballer and if he fires he could be the tournament's top scorer."

Chelsea Close To First Deal Of Summer For Darijo Srna

Chelsea will discover if they have succeeded in their bid to sign Croatia international Darijo Srna from Shakhtar Donetsk in the next few days.

Standard Sport revealed last December that coach Carlo Ancelotti wanted to bring the 28-year-old to Stamford Bridge and negotiations have already begun with the Ukrainian club, who are demanding a £20million fee.

Shakhtar are willing to sell because Srna has only one year left on his contract and the player is understood to be keen to move to the Premier League champions.

It is believed Chelsea are prepared to pay Srna up to £79,000-a-week for his signature and will make room for him in the squad by selling of Juliano Belletti and Paulo Ferreira.

Ancelotti sees Srna as a useful addition because he can not only play at right back, but also at right midfield, where the club has little competition for places.

Talks have been delayed while Srna has been away with the Croatian national team, but he hopes to meet with Shakhtar's president Rinat Akhmetov this week to discuss the situation.

A source close to the player believes that as things stand the chances of him moving to Chelsea is 80-20 in their favour, but Real Madrid and Barcelona are also monitoring the situation.

Chelsea Tracking Victor Mugabe, Brother Of Inter Milan Midfielder McDonald Mariga

Premier League champions Chelsea are tracking Inter Milan star MacDonald Mariga’s brother Victor Mugabe, who plays for Belgian Jupiler Pro League side Germinal Beerschot.

According a report appearing in the Evening Standard, Chelsea were on the trail of the Kenyan midfielder for the whole of last season and they sent scouts to watch him on four occasions.

According to Jean Baptiste, chairman of Belgium children’s fashion dealer JBC who also owns half of Mugabe’s club’s stake, Chelsea’s interest in the player is not strange considering that English clubs have traditionally worked closely with their Belgian counterparts.

"Manchester United, Fulham and Arsenal have working relationships with some clubs in Belgium and from time to time they send scouts to look for talent and we are excited about the possibility of Mugabe playing in England," he said.

Baptiste, who is currently in Kenya for a three-day scouting mission, said the English club have not said anything about their interest in Mugabe, but again stressed this was not strange as they required more time to be satisfied with his ability.

"It may not happen next season because Mugabe needs to play more matches at his current club. Next season will be very crucial for him if he is to land such a lucrative move," he said.

"English clubs respect talent and Mugabe has what it takes, but he needs a lot of matches," he pointed out.

Mugabe confirmed the interest from Chelsea and said he was aware that they had sent scouts to look at him on four occasions.

"It is of course exciting to know that a club like Chelsea is interested in you, but I am not letting it get to my head. My focus is to get more matches and see what happens after that," said Mugabe.

Chelsea Boss Ancelotti In Ibrahimovic Talks In Miami

Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti has met with Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic in Miami to discuss a move to Stamford Bridge, Spanish daily Mundo Deportivo reports.

Ibrahimovic and Ancelotti are staying in the same holiday resort in Miami and whether that it is coincidence or not, Mundo Deportivo claims that they are discussing a possible move to Chelsea.

On paper, Ibrahimovic has enjoyed a good first season in Spain, scoring 20 goals in 41 appearances for Barcelona since his high profile move from Inter Milan last summer. However, his performances have been criticised by the notoriously harsh Spanish media.

With Barcelona having just signed Valencia hitman David Villa, speculation that Ibrahimovic will leave has intensified, with Manchester City also thought to be keen on signing the Swedish striker. However, Chelsea is thought to hold the upper hand, given the lure of Champions League football which City cannot offer.

Stamford Bridge boss Carlo Ancelotti knows that although Chelsea won the Premier League title, the experience of a player like Ibrahimovic could be important in capturing the elusive Champions League.

Real Madrid To Sign Manchester United And Chelsea Target Di Maria

Real Madrid will complete the signing of Benfica winger Angel Di Maria before the World Cup, disappointing both Manchester United and Chelsea, according to Spanish daily AS.

Reports in recent months claimed Chelsea had sent Frank Arnesen on scouting trips to watch Di Maria, whilst Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson viewed him as a possible long-term replacement for Ryan Giggs. However, new Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has reportedly prioritized a move for Di Maria and wants to tie up a deal before the World Cup.

The Argentinian just completed his third season at Benfica and enjoyed another excellent term, scoring nine goals and impressing during the Portugese side's Europa League campaign. He reportedly has a buyout clause of 40 million euros, but AS claims that Di Maria will move to Real Madrid for a fee of 35 million euros.

Di Maria's agent is Jorge Mendes, who has very good relations with Real Madrid and negotiated the world-record deal which took Cristiano Ronaldo to the Bernabeu last summer from Manchester United.

With Franck Ribery having committed his future to Bayern Munich, should Di Maria end up at the Bernabeu, it would leave both Manchester United and Chelsea scratching their heads in the search for additional left-sided options.

Di Maria has eight international caps and is set to star at the World Cup for Diego Maradona's Argentina side.

Juventus & Atletico Madrid Chiefs In Talks Over Chelsea Target Sergio Aguero

Juventus and Atletico Madrid transfer chiefs are holding talks in Turin over the futures of Sergio Aguero and Tiago, according to Tuttosport.

Giuseppe Marotta and Fabio Paratici are discussing the possibility of signing Aguero with Garcia Pitarch, the Atleti sporting director.

Talks centre around the Spanish side's hopes of signing Tiago on a permanent deal. He has convinced coach Quique Sanchez Flores to keep him, and the clubs are set to agree on a transfer fee that will take the midfielder to Spain permanently.

Juventus will use that window to lay down plans for Aguero. It's no secret new manager Luigi Del Neri has asked for reinforcements at the Italian club and the Argentinian, who turns 22 today, is admired by club chief Andrea Agnelli.

However, he has a €50 million (£41m) release clause in his deal - a figure Juve cannot meet. Marotta is now thinking about clearing that obstacle by offering Tiago, Diego and €20m in cash for the hitman.

Aguero has reportedly been a long term target of Premier League champions Chelsea, who are expected to move for a striker in the summer. Manchester City have also been touted as a possible destination for the young striker.

Ghana's Michael Essien 'Cursed By Father' Out Of World Cup 2010

Ghana and Chelsea star Michael Essien can blame the crushing of his World Cup dream on a jinx by his estranged father, according to South African Independent Online.

The Black Stars’ captain was ruled out of this summer's tournament after failing to recover from a knee injury picked up in January.

According to reports in Africa the reason for the midfielder’s long-term injury is that of a bad luck curse, known as a juju, issued by his estranged father.

James Essien, who resides in a mud hut in rural Ghana, is currently very ill from a self-imposed hunger strike after hearing the news of his son's inability to play for his national side in South Africa.

Essien has apparently made many attempts to contact his son, who he hasn’t spoken to in 15 years, without receiving a reply.

Ghana's first match of the World Cup is against Serbia on June 13.

Clean Sheet For Ivanovic

Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic played 90 minutes in Serbia's disappointing 0-0 draw with Poland on Wednesday night.

The defender returned to the side after sitting out the weekend's defeat to New Zealand, and will be pleased to have kept a clean sheet, though the team's poor form continues.

Ivanovic played at right-back, the position he has become accustomed to both at club and international level, but was not partnered on the night by Manchester United's Nemanja Vidic.

The Serbs had the better of the game, but again proved impotent in front of goal, Birmingham City's new signing Nikola Zigic having little sight of goal, while Arsenal's Polish goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski was on hand to prevent Danko Lazovic.

The Serbs have one more game to prepare for the World Cup, against Cameroon on Saturday, before they start their campaign against Ghana on June 13.

Summary Of A Season: Yury Zhirkov

The Russian arrived from CSKA Moscow in the summer with a reputation as a pacy winger capable of beating players that could also fill in at left-back.

Injury to Ashley Cole meant we certainly saw the latter, but the form of others, largely Florent Malouda, meant the 26-year-old's attacking prowess only came to the fore in flashes.

Fitness problems of his own prevented Zhirkov from a competitive Chelsea debut until late September, a troublesome knee meaning all Blues fans had seen of him to that point was an impressive bow against AC Milan in Baltimore, in which he scored the winner from a tucked-in midfield position.

The player himself admitted the two months that followed were a struggle as he adapted to a new country and a new club without the day-to-day involvement that full training allows.

Speaking just before Christmas, by which time he had still only played a handful of matches, Yury announced he had not 'done anything special so far' but chances would come in 2010.

He impressed against Watford and Sunderland, creating goals in each, and figured regularly during a January where we were missing key players at the African Cup of Nations.

Then came Cole's injury in early February, a fractured ankle that would keep him out two months. Such luck then that just two games into his spell at left-back, Zhirkov suffered injury of his own - a knock on the calf against Wolves resulting in him missing our Champions League first leg against Inter.

Back for the second leg, he found himself marginalized by the excellent Maicon and too often sucked inside on the defensive. If that night was a low in the season, then his highlight was undoubtedly against Aston Villa 11 days later.

Given free rein to attack, he galloped forward time and again, twice beating his man inside the area before being brought down for penalties, and then supplying the pinpoint cross for Malouda to volley home the goal of the game.

Cole's return to fitness in late April meant Yury featured less in the run-in, but with a season of adaptation under his belt, and a more comfortable grasp of the language, expect him to be a key player in 2010/11, when he will be hoping to up his goals return to something like the levels he achieved in Russia.