Chelsea Players Are At War With Abramovic

Chelsea stars kick off the new season on Saturday at war with owner Roman Abramovich.

The billionaire Russian has infuriated his Double winners by scrapping and slashing the squad's bonuses.

A Chelsea insider said: "The players are furious and there is a huge row going on behind the scenes.

"They're champions and are rewarded with a pay cut - it's hardly a great way to motivate them.

"It was a big shock and they're not happy. Now they're going into the season under a cloud."

Stunned Blues players - who face West Brom in Saturday's Premier League opener - were given the news at a meeting with director Eugene Tenebaum and chief executive Ron Gourlay.

They were told Rom has done away with all appearance bonuses and cash tied to performances and results.

The only bonuses this term will be for WINNING the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup or Carling Cup. And they will get nowhere near previous season's figures.

Our insider added: "They thought it was it was just a normal pre-season meeting.

"But instead they were told it was all change and most of the bonuses they'd enjoyed had been scrapped or reduced."

Malouda: A Taste For Success

Florent Malouda has not been back to Stamford Bridge since lifting the Premier League trophy on May 9. Two months on he is desperate for another go, but knows we face a long battle to retain our crown.

The winger sparkled and shone for much of last season, rightly earning the Player's Player of the Year award as he helped us to the Double and a record number of goals scored in one season.

Now the time has come to stop reflecting on those successes and ensure that by May 2011, we are in celebratory mood once more.

'Even if the trophy is heavy it is a real pleasure to have it and it was a very hard season for us last year, we had a struggle to get it, but that's the way it is, it doesn't come easy but once you get it you realize you did a great thing. Now we want it again,' said the Frenchman, before admitting we begin the campaign in less than ideal shape after a tricky pre-season period.

'It has been a tough pre-season. I think when you come back from a big event like the World Cup you must quickly switch on in your mind,' he explained. 'It has been a short pre-season, we didn't have good results but that's normal, because there were too many differences.

'Some players were back on July 5, others had longer holidays because we know the season will be long, so the most important thing is at the beginning of the season when maybe we are not 100 percent as a team to work on the confidence, work hard, defend well and then be really efficient in front of goal, that's how to prepare the next good moments.

'Winning is a habit but you have to prepare yourself to win, the season is very long, especially the Premier League. It is a good taste when you are winning and celebrating on the pitch but you must never forget the basics, so for me, the most important thing is to start right, get back to the basics, get the confidence back and you can keep on winning.'

We currently have three straight league wins and many will be expecting us to add to that in grand fashion against newly-promoted West Brom at the Bridge on Saturday afternoon, given the goalscoring form in which we ended the last campaign.

Does Malouda believe we can be quite so prolific once more in 2010/11, or was our record 142 goals last term, 103 of them in the Premier League, a one-off?

'We shouldn't forget that achievement, it was a record, and because we are competitors we must have the aim to beat our own record,' argues the 30-year-old. '. It won't be easy but I think we have the quality and the strength to score even more goals. That will be the best way to keep the Premier League at Stamford Bridge.'

Ancelotti - Title Will Be Harder To Win

Chelsea's players begin their Barclays Premier League title defence on Saturday with a stark warning from manager Carlo Ancelotti that they will have to work much harder than last year if they are to hold on to their crown.

Chelsea welcome Roberto Di Matteo's West Brom to Stamford Bridge in Saturday’s late game as they look to build on the league and cup double which the Italian achieved in his first season at the helm.

This year's title race looks set to be one of the most open in years. Tottenham will be brimming with confidence after they broke the monopoly of the 'big four' by finishing fourth last season while Arsenal and Liverpool have both made good acquisitions this summer.

Manchester United easily beat the Blues in the Community Shield last week while their neighbours City look strong after their summer spending spree to which Mario Balotelli was added last night.

"It will be more difficult to win the title this year," said Ancelotti.

"It is not enough to be like last year; we will need to work harder.

"Manchester United will be our biggest rivals.

"They have quality, tradition and history but I know that we have to pay attention to the other teams.

"Arsenal bought a fantastic striker in (Marouane) Chamakh, Liverpool has a new manager, they could be a strong opponent, and we have to look at Manchester City because they bought a lot of good players and they have to build a team. They could be involved in the title race."

The Blues' bid was boosted by the signing last night of Brazil midfielder Ramires from Benfica.

The 23-year-old has joined on a four-year contract having received a work permit and passed a medical.

The Blues are thought to have paid £18.2million for the energetic and versatile midfielder.

Ancelotti has predicted a bright future for the 23-year-old, who represented his country at the World Cup.

"He is a fantastic player," Ancelotti said.

"He will be the future of the Brazil national team and I hope he will be the future of Chelsea.

"He won't have any problems adapting to the English game because he is not Brazilian 100%. Because usually a Brazilian doesn't like to run, he likes to play football. He is a runner."

Ancelotti was hit by the departure of defender Ricardo Carvalho to Real Madrid this week. The Portuguese, who played a key role in Chelsea's title win last year, had come to an agreement with the club a year ago to let him move on this summer, much to his former manager's dismay.

"Everyone was disappointed Carvalho left because Carvalho did very well for six years at the club," said Ancelotti.

"His desire was to leave this club to try new emotion, new experience."

Carvalho's departure does not mean that Ancelotti will be making a move to sign a replacement, though, effectively quashing any rumours linking the club with Benfica centre half David Luiz.

Ancelotti said: "As a centre-back, we have (John) Terry, (Branislav) Ivanovic, Alex and (Jeffrey) Bruma. We are okay. We do not need anyone else."

Chelsea Get First Refusal On Fluminense Stars As Part Of Deco Deal

Chelsea have been given first refusal of Fluminense’s youth players as a condition of Deco’s transfer to the Brazilian club.

The Portuguese midfielder was released with a year left on his contract at Stamford Bridge and subsequently signed a two-year deal with Fluminense in August.

According to The Daily Mail, Chelsea’s scouts have been invited to Fluminense's academy in Rio de Janeiro to asses their promising youngsters.

Notable graduates of Fluminense's youth system include Manchester United’s Rafael and Fabio da Silva, who were picked up by Sir Alex Ferguson’s side when they were 15.

Brazil Under-17 forward Wellington Silva is another product of their academy and he will join Arsenal in January when he turns 18.

Match Preview: Chelsea vs. West Brom

Chelsea begins the defence of their Premier League title with a home game against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday evening.

The Blues won an historic league and FA Cup Double last season, but go into the new campaign short on momentum after a disappointing pre-season campaign – where they won just once – was capped off by defeat to Manchester United in the Community Shield.

Defeats to Ajax, Hamburg and Eintracht Frankfurt before their loss to the Red Devils at Wembley caused concerns for manager Carlo Ancelotti, who has also had fitness worries over a number of his key players in recent weeks.

There are likely to be new faces at Stamford Bridge – the likes of Ramires and Neymar are being heavily linked to the Blues – before the end of August, but it is the current crop that needs to get the season off to a winning start.

And despite their problems before the big kick-off, few will be betting against a Chelsea victory on home soil as the serious business gets under way.

The Blues, who scored over 100 league goals in 2009/10, have won their last 10 matches against Saturday’s opponents and it will be a major upset if that sequence is not extended to 11.

West Brom have certainly been the 'yo-yo' club of the 21st century so far, being promoted four times from the Championship and relegated back to the second tier on three occasions.

That means they are now starting a new season in a different division for the eighth time in ten campaigns.

The Baggies did buck the trend and dramatically stay in the top-flight on the final day of the 2004-05 season, but the odds are against them repeating that feat this time around - the bookies rate them as the second most likely side to go down, behind only Blackpool.

Boss Roberto Di Matteo has signed Boaz Myhill, Nicky Shorey, Pablo Ibanez and Steven Reid over the summer, as well as securing Gabriel Tamas on a permanent deal ahead of what is set to be a long struggle against the drop.

Games against the likes of Chelsea will not be the ones which decide the Baggies’ fate, though, so anything they do pick up will be considered a bonus and this may be a good time to play the champions with their worries over form and fitness.

In all likelihood, though, Di Matteo will already have one eye on next week’s home game against Sunderland as his search for around 40 Premier League points begins.

FORM GUIDE

Chelsea 1-3 Manchester United
Hamburg 2-1 Chelsea
Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 Chelsea
Ajax 3-1 Chelsea
Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea

West Brom 1-1 Osasuna
Coventry City 1-1 West Brom
Doncaster Rovers 1-0 West Brom
Bristol Rovers 0-1 West Brom
VVV Venlo 1-2 West Brom

TEAM NEWS

Chelsea

Chelsea are hoping that goalkeeper Petr Cech will be fit enough to return in time for the game, after problems with a calf injury meant Henrique Hilario and Ross Turnbull stood in for him throughout pre-season.

Didier Drogba should be fit enough to play a full part in proceedings after being restricted to a substitute appearance in the Community Shield, although Alex is out with a thigh problem and Ricardo Carvalho has joined Real Madrid.

That means Branislav Ivanovic is set to continue in the centre of defence alongside John Terry, with Paulo Ferreira at right-back.

Possible Starting XI: Cech; Ferreira, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole; Mikel, Essien, Lampard; Anelka, Drogba, Malouda.

West Brom

West Brom’s main injury concern comes in the form of key player Graham Dorrans, who had to pull out of Scotland’s midweek friendly against Sweden with a groin strain.

He will be assessed in the run up to kick-off, as will new signing Pablo Ibanez, who looks likely to recover from a minor problem that forced him to withdraw from last week’s friendly with Osasuna after the warm-up.

Possible Starting XI: Carson, Jara, Tamas, Ibanez, Shorey; Mulumbu, Brunt; Morrison, Dorrans, Thomas; Bednar.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Chelsea

Didier Drogba scored 37 goals in a sensational 2009-10 season as he helped Chelsea to the Double - a return which saw him finish 11th in the Goal.com 50.

After his World Cup and pre-season campaign were disrupted by injury, though, the Ivorian will be desperate to make up for lost time and get off to a goalscoring start.

A home game against newly promoted opposition gives him the perfect chance to do just that.

West Brom

Scott Carson has a big season ahead of him as he aims to get back into the England set-up after David James was dropped and Paul Robinson retired from the international scene.

The Baggies shot stopper is likely to be busy on Saturday and will need to be on top of his game if the visitors are to pick up anything from their trip to west London.

Kalou: This Season Could Be Last Opportunity For Chelsea’s Ageing Squad To Win Champions League

Saloman Kalou believes that the forthcoming season could be this Chelsea squad’s last chance of winning the Champions League.

Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka, John Terry and Ashley Cole will all be in their 30s when the season draws to a close, but Kalou thinks they can all put disappointing World Cup campaigns behind them to inspire their club this season.

"That's the reason why we should win, we should go for every challenge," the 25-year-old Ivory Coast international told the Guardian.

"And I think this season will be a great season for Chelsea because this may be the last opportunity for us to win the Champions League or to win more prizes together. Everyone is concerned by that and we have a decent goal and this team is willing to do their best to achieve all those trophies.

“We have good professionals in the team, good experience and people are hungry to win because, at the World Cup, it was not so good for everyone at Chelsea. They have that hunger to win games because we know that the World Cup was a disappointment for everyone."

Kalou feels the team will also benefit from the return of midfielder Michael Essien, who played in the community shield against Manchester United.

"We know how important he is for the team, how important he can be to the whole season, because having him in the team is a bonus," Kalou said.

He also dismissed Chelsea’s poor pre season, blaming the World Cup for disrupting the club’s preparations.

"Some players came in at different moments [from the World Cup], and some players didn't train for one week, so they need time to be fit. It can be a problem but we have the players and the experience of these kind of competitions. I think they will be ready for Saturday, I have no doubt of that."

Chelsea Complete Ramires Signing After Successful Tribunal Appeal

Chelsea have been given the go-ahead to complete the £18.2m transfer of the Brazil midfielder Ramires from Benfica after the player was granted a work permit at a tribunal today.

The clearance came this afternoon after the Chelsea assistant manager, Ray Wilkins, and the club secretary, Dave Barnard, attended a hearing in London and argued their case for Ramires to receive a permit under the special circumstances clause, given that he has not played the required 75% of games for Brazil over the past two years.

The panel sanctioned the signing of the 23-year-old widely recognized as one of the most sought-after young talents in the game. The Brazilian is expected to arrive in London on Saturday to complete the paperwork, although he is unlikely to be considered for the visit of West Bromwich Albion to Stamford Bridge.

City To Pip Chelsea To David Luiz Signing

Manchester City are beating Chelsea in the race to land Benfica’s £27 million-rated Brazilian centre half David Luiz.

City are willing to outbid the double winners in the chase for the curly-haired defender who is now a priority signing for both of the Premier League giants.

Luiz has been lined up by Chelsea as a replacement for Real Madrid new boy Ricardo Carvalho, but City believes they will win the race - even if it means paying over the odds for a player yet again.

Coach Roberto Mancini wants Luiz signed quickly to let him sort out his defence and then push out some well-known faces when he trims his squad to 25 for the Premier League rules.

City already have a handful of top centre halves but Mancini believes Luiz, who also plays left back, is the answer and negotiations are at an advanced stage.

Luiz’s signing would push the likes of Vincent Kompany and Joleon Lescott down the pecking order as Mancini and his team put the squeeze on Mark Hughes’s signings.

The news that City have stepped up their bid will be a blow for Chelsea who have seen the Arab-backed outfit move ahead of them in the signing stakes - with this a potentially major reminder of that wealth.

Luiz will have City’s promise to weigh up against Chelsea’s status, but both the player and his handlers - who are used to dealing with both clubs - could go where the money is instead.

Both City and Chelsea hope to make progress on their moves over the weekend, with Luiz back from international duty with Brazil in America.

It is also an extraordinary fee for a player who has barely got into the Brazil side but most experts tip him as a star of the next decade.

Chelsea's Neymar Interest Confirmed By Carlo Ancelotti

Carlo Ancelotti, the Chelsea manager, has confirmed that he would like to sign the Brazil striker Neymar from Santos.

Chelsea has antagonized the Brazilian club with their determined approach to the transfer, with Santos threatening to report them to Fifa for "unethical" conduct and "harassment".

"I know nothing about this," said Ancelotti, whose club has already had a £17m bid for the 18-year-old rejected. "I can only speak about his technical quality. He is a fantastic player.

"We are interested in all the young players that come through all over the world and Neymar is one of these but this doesn't mean we have to buy this player."

France U-19 Star Gueida Fofana: I Want To Join Gael Kukuta At Chelsea

Team captain of France's Under-19 European Championship winning side and tracked by Europe's elite, Gueida Fofana, the midfielder of Le Havre has delivered an exclusive interview to Goal.com about his future.

Goal.com: About your future, you are tracked by big clubs (Chelsea, Liverpool)...

Gueida Fofana: Yes, there are big European teams interested in me. Honestly, this is very pleasing. But I will ask to leave Le Havre. I need a good sports project behind the club to allow me to progress, with a framework that helps me improve.

Currently under contract, would you leave if a club makes an offer that Le Havre can’t refuse? And what club would you go to? Chelsea?

Yes, it's true [I would leave]. Obviously, playing at a big club tempts me, but I do not really have a favourite destination. As I said, I want a club that proposes a good sports project.

Would it make you happy to play with France Under-19 team-mate Gael Kukuta at Chelsea?

(Laughing) Yes, of course it would make me happy. As well as with Gilles [Sunu] at Arsenal, Francis [Coquelin] in Lorient or Chris [Mavinga] in Liverpool. To go to a club where there is already one of my [international] team-mates, it would be nice, for sure. I'll be happy if there is a beautiful sports project for me. But playing with Gael, of course it would make me happy.

Are you not afraid you would ‘polish the bench’ if you left Le Havre for a big European team?

Sure, it is not easy. I must weigh up the pros and cons. But that does not scare me. The important thing is that the club offers me a project that will allow me to progress, to gain experience. There is a risk, but I'd say that’s football. Overnight, you can be pushed or forgotten.

What are your goals for the new season?

To win promotion to Ligue 1. I really hope we will succeed. We are all highly motivated to earn a spot in Ligue 1 next season, and hopefully it will happen. From a personal standpoint, my goal is to play more, to have as much playing time as possible.

You've won the European Under-19 Championships against Spain this summer. Is not it difficult to get back into club football?

Psychologically, it is not easy. We [the France U-19s] spent six weeks together. We had other rules, other ways of doing things, a way of training. But we're all back to work and to do the right things!

Speaking of the Euros, what happened during the competition?

It was very cool. We were a united group who lived well together. We tried to put aside our individuality and it worked well. We all had the same goal: to be crowned European champions, and we all gave everything to go in this direction.

How did you feel about the competition as captain of France's Under-19s?

When you wear the armband, you have certain responsibilities that suit me perfectly. It takes a person who likes to talk, give advice, to invest in the field. I really enjoyed being the captain of my team and I am satisfied with the role that I played.

As captain, you lifted the trophy for the U-19 European Championship. How did you feel at the moment?

I felt great pride. It only happens to one player and it happened to me. I'm super proud. In addition, it was not very far from home, for my family, in front of the French public. It was unforgettable.

Do you think about a selection for the senior team?

The national team is a bonus. It happens when you have demonstrated your potential with your club and played very good seasons. So you think about it, but much work remains.

Do you think you have brought some joy to some of the French public after the fiasco of the France team at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa?

We arrived after what happened at the World Cup. We did not know we were going to generate much excitement, either from the public or the media. We did not expect to play before such a crowd. If the team is a pleasure to people, so much the better. We are pleased to be able to bring happiness, especially as we have played a good competition with four wins and a draw. All of this is exceptional.

Fergie - Blues Are Favourites

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes defending champions Chelsea must be considered favourites for the Premier League title.

The Red Devils finished one point behind the Blues last season after an epic tussle which went right down to the wire.

Chelsea's success brought an abrupt end to United's top flight dominance, with Ferguson's men having taken the title in each of the three previous years.

Between them, United and Chelsea have now shared ownership of the Premier League crown for the last six years, with no other club able to get a look in.

Many expect that trend to continue in 2010/11, with it difficult to see where a sustained challenge is going to come from.

Ferguson accepts that United and Chelsea will be among the frontrunners once more this time around, but insists that it is the men from Stamford Bridge who are under the most pressure to perform.

"My thoughts are not necessarily on the top four, because we've got to think about how we're going to win this league," he said.

"You have to think that Chelsea - having won the league last season - are going to be the favourites. That's what you have to think - the team that won it the previous season, you have to try and knock off their perch."

Ferguson, who stopped short of suggesting that 'noisy neighbours' Manchester City could be potential challengers, feels the battle for a top four finish will be as intense as ever this season.

He added: "The interesting one is Everton. They have got all their players back. The first half of last season was a nightmare for them, with the injuries for major players like (Mikel) Arteta and (Phil) Jagielka - they were big losses to them.

"Now all these players are fit, they could be an interesting prospect for the season.

"I say that with the events of last season, when Tottenham got into the top four, so they broke that monopoly of established teams like ourselves, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool. I expect Everton to do very well this season."

And Ferguson is also expecting Liverpool, who finished seventh last term, to be back in the mix after drafting in Roy Hodgson to succeed the departing Rafa Benitez.

"You would expect Liverpool to improve with Roy. Tottenham are on the upswing, with Harry's (Redknapp) experience," he said.

"It tells you the top four is going to be a competitive four again, because that's what we're all aiming for - to be in the Champions League. That's the priority for all these clubs."

Ricardo Carvalho: I Have Always Wanted To Play For Real Madrid

New Real Madrid signing Ricardo Carvalho says that he has always longed to play for los Blancos and is also looking forward to his reunion with Jose Mourinho.

The Portuguese has joined Madrid from Premier League champions Chelsea on a two-year deal for a reported €8 million transfer fee and will be officially presented as a Blanco today. Ahead of the press conference, the 32-year-old told Spanish sports daily Marca that he had always dreamed of playing for the nine-time European champions.

"This is an important step for me in my career. For a long time I have wanted to play for Real Madrid."

He added: "Wherever Mourinho goes, he wins. He is a great coach, as has already been demonstrated. Players have full confidence in him."

Alex: I'm Feeling Good

Alex may have missed the pre-season campaign but he's feeling sharp and ready to line up against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

The Brazilian, who missed pre-season due to injury, rotated his position with Ricardo Carvalho last campaign, but with the departure of our former number 6 to pastures new, he's likely to become a more regular name in the starting line-up.

However, despite this extra responsibility, Alex is relishing the opportunity and insists the pressure upon him is no different from the beginning of any other season.

'It is a normal start to the season,' he said. 'The pressure is the same for every player; we just have to win every game.

'I am feeling very good. I had a problem about one month ago but now I have been training in the sand, on the pitch and in the gym, so I am ready to start on Saturday and have a great season.'

With the Double still fresh in everyone's mind, many will think the possibility of more silverware will spur the side on this campaign, but Alex has a different message.

'We have to concentrate on this season. We will forget last season, it was a great season, winning a Double, but now we have to focus on the new season.

'Every team will come to play us and they will try their best to beat us, so we have to think about this.

'We can do it better [have a more successful season]; we have the quality to do it a lot better but we have to forget about last season a little bit and focus on this season now.'

As he narrows his focus into this campaign and considers potential silverware, there's one trophy on the Brazilian's mind.

'I want to win the Champions League,' admitted Alex, 'the club wants to win the Champions League and every player wants to win the Champions League.

'It is a very good competition, one of the biggest in the world. In Brazil everybody says Chelsea needs to win the Champions League, here it is the same, so we need to concentrate on the Champions League.

'We have a good midfield, a good defence; we have a very good team. It is my opinion that we have the right team to win the Champions League.'

But for now the fans will be thinking only of the Barclays Premier League and our opening game against West Bromwich Albion.

The last time Chelsea played at the Bridge, it ended 8-0 in our favour, as we thumped Wigan in the last League game of 2009/10. But after a summer of World Cup football, which resulted in late returns to pre-season for many Blues, Alex warns the side may not be as prolific on Saturday.

'The fans will want a greater result but the start of the season is difficult.

'The first two or three games of the season are always difficult but we still need to win. We need to start the season well, with three points, because it is a long competition and so we need a good start.'

Chelsea Chuffed As Target Romelu Lukaku Snubs Real Madrid

Chelsea's long term target Romelu Lukaku has given the Blues a boost by snubbing Real Madrid and insisting he will stay with his club Anderlecht.

The 17-year-old striker is regarded as one of the hottest prospects in Europe and has been linked with Chelsea and Madrid over the summer.

However Lukaku says he is going nowhere and wants to stay in Belgium in a setback for Real boss Jose Mourinho who wanted to breeze him and tempt him away from Anderlecht with a £16million bid.

Chelsea, on the other hand, is prepared to sit and wait for Lukaku and will pleased learn that the Spanish giants have been warned off.

Lukaku, who scored 18 goals in 43 games for Anderlecht last season, said: 'I'm staying. My desire is to play Champions League with this club and continue my studies in Brussels.'

Clarets Capture Cork

Burnley has signed Chelsea midfielder Jack Cork on a season-long loan.

Cork, 21, enjoyed a successful four-month spell at Turf Moor last season and scored his first Premier League goal in the win against Tottenham on the final day of the campaign.

A statement on the club's official website said: "The 21-year-old was an outstanding success in his four-month stay as a Claret, making 11 appearances, with his influence on the field matched by his popularity in the dressing room."

The England Under 21 international has had previous loan spells with Coventry, Scunthorpe, Southampton and Bournemouth, clocking up over 100 league appearances.

Santos Striker Neymar Agrees To Move To Chelsea

Santos starlet Neymar has agreed to join Premier League champions Chelsea in the coming days, according to latest reports.

One of Brazil's most important newspapers, Folha de Sao Paulo, claims that in a meeting held in New York the decision to allow the Brazilian international striker to leave Santos for Chelsea was finalized.

It's been reported that the meeting was held in the presence of the player, his father, agent Wagner Ribeiro, Santos president Luiz Alvaro de Oliveira Ribeiro, Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck and agent Pini Zahavi. Neymar agreed to sign for the Blues, who will pay Santos €25 million.

Neymar has been a target of Chelsea's all summer and at one point it appeared that the move had fallen through when Santos officially rejected a €20 million bid from the English giants. However, with Neymar having agreed to put pen to paper, it now appears that an official declaration will be made in the coming days.

Santos Report Chelsea To FIFA For 'Trying To Tap Up' Neymar

Santos FC are reporting Chelsea to FIFA, claiming that the Blues tried to tap up Brazilian wonder-kid Neymar, according to reports in the South America country.

Santos have accused Chelsea of approached the 18-year-old before playing, and scoring, for Brazil against the USA in New York on Tuesday.

Chelsea has been chasing the teen for a while and Santos rejected a £17.5million bid for the player last month. Santos had previously snubbed a £12m bid for the player from West Ham.

It's not the first time Chelsea has become embroiled in transfer controversy.

The Blues were dealt a two-window transfer ban last year following the signing of French midfielder Gael Kakuta from Lens – an embargo that was eventually overturned by UEFA.

Dutch Debut For Bruma

Chelsea has a new full international after 18-year-old Jeffrey Bruma made his debut for Holland against Ukraine on Wednesday night.

The young defender had been called into the Dutch squad by coach Bert van Marwijk, who had opted not to name any of his World Cup group that came runners-up in the World Cup, and the Chelsea man was picked from the start in Kiev.

Although he was beaten by Andriy Shevchenko, who shot just wide, Bruma turned in an impressive performance, and will have whet his appetite for international football in this game, which ended 1-1.

Yury Zhirkov played the first half for Russia as they entertained Bulgaria in St Petersburg, winning 1-0 despite being under pressure for much of the game. Their goal game from Roman Shirokov inside the first 10 minutes.

Branislav Ivanovic was back at right-back after featuring in the centre of Chelsea's defence, as Serbia were beaten 1-0 at home by Greece. The goal came from a close-range Dimitris Salpingidis header after he had escaped the attentions of Man United's Nemanja Vidic.

At Under 21 level Patrick van Aanholt helped the Dutch become the first side to reach the European Championship play-offs, thanks to a 3-0 qualifying win in Liechtenstein. The left-back played the full 90 minutes.

Nemanja Matic played the full 90 minutes for Serbia, but like their senior side they were defeated, 2-1 away in Slovakia. The Chelsea man was booked after 18 minutes.

Finally, Philipp Prosenik played the first half for Austria Under 19s in their 1-1 draw against Russia. Lively throughout his run-out, the striker, who spent much of last season sidelined through injury, had a couple of chances and worked the Russian goalie into a smart save shortly before half-time.

England Stars Get Mixed Reception On Wembley Return

England's World Cup flops endured a mixed reception on their return to Wembley as John Terry and Ashley Cole were singled out for jeers in Wednesday's friendly against Hungary, but the rest of Fabio Capello's side were spared the predicted abuse.

Just 45 days after England's dismal World Cup campaign ended in a humiliating 4-1 defeat against Germany, Capello's team were back in action and it quickly became clear who their own supporters blamed for the debacle in South Africa.

England coach Capello and captain Steven Gerrard had both admitted before the friendly that they expected a hostile reception from the Wembley crowd.

Their worst fears were only partially realized as Terry, Cole, Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney were booed by sections of the estimated 60,000 crowd when their names were read out over the public address system before kick-off.

The fact that over 20,000 fans had opted to stay away suggested that supporters preferred to show their discontent by voting with their feet.

And once the match started it was only Chelsea duo Terry and Cole who had to suffer a continued chorus of disapproval whenever they touched the ball.

It was hardly surprising that those two were to get the worst treatment.

Cole has been public enemy number one with the English football public since he made what has been perceived as money-motivated transfer from Arsenal to Chelsea several years ago.

He has already been booed by England fans in the past and was reported to have told a friend after the World Cup that he would love to leave the country due to the reporting of his separation from his popstar wife - hardly a comment guaranteed to win favour with patriotic fans of the national team.

Terry was also something of an unpopular figure even before England's World Cup flop after being stripped of the captaincy following his affair with the ex girlfriend of former international team-mate Wayne Bridge.

The jeers gradually seemed to subside for those after the first 20 minutes however, suggesting England fans are a more forgiving bunch than many believed.

The Thursday Interview: Michael Essien

After the euphoria that brought last season to a close, the summer has been something of a frustration after four consecutive pre-season defeats, but the one highlight has been the return to action of a much-missed midfielder.

Absent for seven months, Michael Essien made his comeback in the first friendly of the summer at Crystal Palace, scoring the winner, and has gone on to play more minutes in the build-up to the season than any other Chelsea player.

Now we stand on the verge of another Premier League campaign, and the early signs are that the midfielder will be a central figure in Carlo Ancelotti's plans, both literally and metaphorically speaking. Essien though seems delighted to be back doing what he loves after a testing lay-off.

'It feels so good to be back, it has been a long way back but everything is behind me now and I'm enjoying playing football again,' explains the Ghanaian. 'I never feared for my career, it never crossed my mind.

'These injuries are part of football, so you have to take them when they come and not get too down about it.

'I knew if I worked hard I would be back again so that's what I did and I am back on my feet. I know a few years ago it could have been the end of my career but with new technologies, surgery and techniques things are good, so yeah, let's go again this season.

'We've had a bit of a bad pre-season with losing games but more importantly it has been good for me to be gaining fitness again and making sure I am sharp and ready for the season.'

In contrast to many of his team-mates, Essien had to sit out Africa's first World Cup, a blow for a man proud of his roots, but in doing so he has given himself the best opportunity of a clean bill of health in the new campaign, and demonstrated the importance of pre-season to a footballer.

He reported back at Cobham on July 5 ready to go, three weeks before the English and Portuguese internationals who were in South Africa, and although at first he had a tailored program, he is now with the rest of the squad and feeling the benefits.

'It is good to have a pre-season under my belt, personally I think I have done well and I keep getting fitter the more games I play. I feel like I am ready for the season and I am looking forward to it so much,' he says.

'I think this season could be a big one, the last two seasons I didn't take too big a part in, I didn't start in one but finished it, then I started okay last season but didn't finish it, so this year has to be a good one and hopefully I will stay injury-free and help Chelsea win some trophies.

'My main aim has to be to stay fit, to keep working hard and helping the team to get as many points as we can.'

If the 27-year-old can achieve that goal, then there is every chance silverware will be returning to Stamford Bridge at the end of May, and he will once more be able to celebrate alongside his team-mates on the pitch, rather than as a mere onlooker from the stands.

Club Continues Fight Agaiinst Ticket Touting

Ticket touting is a serious crime in English football and Chelsea would like to remind fans of its dangers.

Last season, 2,500 members and season ticket holders were suspended due to fraudulent claims for match tickets, which denied die-hard fans the opportunity to attend games.

Tickets sold illegally often result in large numbers of away supporters being in the home areas of Stamford Bridge, threatening the safety of fans in those seats.

Ticket touting is a serious criminal offence, which will be dealt with by the authorities, but inside the ground Chelsea can implement our own reprimands, and there will be repercussions for anyone caught touting.

Suspensions will be put in place, regardless of whether it's a first offence, so Chelseafc.com decided to ensure fans were fully informed on the threat of ticket touting ahead of the new campaign.

It is legal to pass on tickets and season tickets so long as certain criteria are adhered to.

Firstly, you must ensure the ticket is not sold at anything above its face value. Secondly, tickets must not be sold as part of a package or given away at a charity event without permission of the club. And thirdly, tickets must not be sold in a public place, and fans should note, this includes the internet.

In fact, the only outlet allowed to sell single match tickets online is Viagogo, other than match packages with Thomas Cook, so be aware when surfing the web.

Fans can give or sell tickets, at no more than their original value, to friends or family but must take care not to receive money or pass tickets over in a public place, as this will constitute an offence.

You should also be aware that, regardless of who you have passed your seat onto, you are still responsible for that ticket. As you are the person who was originally supplied with the ticket, it is you who will receive any repercussions that ticket may cause.

'The club takes this matter very seriously,' said a club spokesman. 'We need to protect the genuine ticket purchasers.

'Over the last few years the club has stepped up its campaign against ticket touts. We now do this more intensively than any other club.

'It is a disservice to genuine members who want to get tickets that fraudulent members will have bought. It denies real Chelsea fans the chance of going to a game.'

The club is here to help fight against ticket touts but we need your help. If you're a season ticket holder and the seats around you are regularly taken up by different people, then let the club know.

There may be legitimate reasons for this, but Chelsea promise to investigate and deal with accordingly.

'Between Fulham Broadway and the ground you're likely to walk past 10 people who'll be trying to sell tickets,' added the club spokesman.

'Unfortunately this is outside Chelsea's jurisdiction and the only advice we can offer is to ignore it, because it's more than likely you will be ripped off.

'Another thing to remember is that sometimes tickets are still available from the box office, so instead of paying extortionate prices outside the ground, you could have paid the normal price inside the ground.'

Chelsea Ready To Dig Deep To Bring Benzema To Stamford Bridge

Chelsea are rumoured to be ready to make a significant bid to bring Real Madrid misfit Karim Benzema to Stamford Bridge. Carlo Ancelotti is looking to bring in more youthful attacking options as he sees the likes of Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka entering the latter stages of their illustrious careers.

The Blues boss was apparently greatly displeased with his sides showing in the Community Shield encounter with Manchester United and as a result is looking to spend big to help beef up his squad ahead of the new season. Jose Mourinho may well be looking at offloading the French international and there were rumours that a deal to bring Ashley Cole to the Bernabeu could have been tied into such an approach but Ancelotti has no desire to sell the full back so will instead try to get the former Lyon man in a straight cash deal.

The young forward hasn’t had the best of times at the La Liga giants and only managed 18 starts in all competitions last term and spend long spells on the bench. There is no sign that the new Real boss will be looking to push him back up the pecking order so if a big enough bid came in then it would surely be considered.

The 22 year old missed out on French World Cup squad due to his lack of first team action and is currently embroiled in a sex scandal that has rocked his home country. He may well therefore be keen on a fresh start and a new challenge.

Real Madrid will be looking to recoup as much of the £34m outlay they spent last summer and Roman Abramovich is apparently more than happy to fund new additions and the west London side haven’t really spent big at all so far this summer, having only spent money on Yossi Benayoun, so clearly funds won’t be an issue.

Chelsea On Alert As Asmir Begovic Demands First-Team Football

Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic will look to leave the Britannia Stadium unless he is Tony Pulis' first-choice goalkeeper.

Chelsea is thought to be monitoring the situation and could pounce for his signature.

The 23-year-old was excellent at Portsmouth last season and with Pompey desperate for money, he was sold to Stoke City during the January transfer window.

However, Begovic has been unable to unseat Danish World Cup goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen as first choice at Stoke.

The Daily Mirror reports that Begovic will look for a move if it becomes clear that he will sit on the bench and that Chelsea are keep to snap him up.

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti currently has the unconvincing Hilario as back-up for Petr Cech and is keen to add more strength among his goalkeeping options.

Real Madrid To Battle Chelsea For Benfica Centre-Back David Luiz

After sealing an agreement to buy Portuguese centre-half Ricardo Carvalho from Chelsea, Real Madrid is set to battle the Blues for Benfica central defender David Luiz.

Carvalho's expected transfer has paved the way for Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti to sign another non-home-grown player according to new Premier League regulations, and the Mail reported that he is prepared to pay £27 million for Luiz.

Madrid, meanwhile, appear to have given up on buying the expensive Maicon from Inter, and want to sign both Luiz and AC Milan centre-back Thiago Silva , according to the Spanish Marca newspaper.

Benfica are said to be willing to offlaod Luiz to Madrid for 25 million euros plus Dutch midfielder Roysten Drenthe.

Chelsea Desperate To Offload Striker Franco Di Santo

Chelsea are offering Franco Di Santo to clubs around Europe as they attempt to cash in on the striker, according to The People.

Di Santo, 21, is believed to be out of manager Carlo Ancelotti's plans after failing to shine while on loan at Blackburn Rovers last term. With a return of just one goal in 22 Premier League appearances while in Lancashire, he is believed to have little chance of a Blues future.

Dutch sides Feyenoord and FC Twente, plus English pair Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic are believed to be keen. Chelsea is pushing for a £2 million permanent move rather than another temporary switch.

Chelsea's Ricardo Carvalho To Sign For Real Madrid For €8m

Chelsea stalwart Ricardo Carvalho is joining Real Madrid, both clubs have confirmed.

The 32-year-old is thus on the verge of reuniting with his former coach and mentor Jose Mourinho in a deal claimed by Spanish sources to be worth €8m.

Media sources in Spain claim that negotiations have been ongoing between the two clubs for much of Tuesday, but not until the evening did Chelsea announces that the deal was taking place, subject to the agreement of personal terms.

The Blues said, "Chelsea Football Club can confirm it has agreed terms with Real Madrid for the transfer of Ricardo Carvalho. The transfer is subject to a medical and the player agreeing personal terms.

"Chelsea would like to thank Riccy for his six years of service, and we wish him well in his future career."

Real Madrid stated shortly afterwards that Ricardo Carvalho "would be under contract at Real Madrid for the next two seasons," implying that both wages and the medical test were mere formalities.

Neither announcement offered the transfer fee, but €8m is reported to be the sum of the deal. It has been further rumoured that there is a "plus-one" option on Carvalho's two-year deal, but this was not mentioned by the Santiago Bernabeu club.

Carvalho will serve as Madrid's fifth summer signing after wide midfielders Angel Di Maria and Pedro Leon, attacking midfielder-cum-forward Sergio Canales, and central midfielder Sami Khedira.

At the Bernabeu, he will compete with Raul Albiol, Pepe, and Ezequiel Garay for a starting berth, while if Real Madrid sign an attacking full-back, as is expected, he may also have to jostle for position with Sergio Ramos.

Pat Nevin: Looking Good

Legendary Chelsea winger turned pundit Pat Nevin believes things are coming together for the Blues as we approach the start of the Premier League campaign.

Here is an odd thing, I honestly can't remember one single pre-season game in my entire career. I can vaguely sense that I once played with Chelsea somewhere in north-west England or was it north Wales? Actually I can't be sure. Then later on there was some part time thug from a semi-professional team who nearly broke my leg, but could I tell you his team, the score, or who I was even playing for at the time? No chance.

Ask me about the first league game from each of my seasons however and I could probably recall the score, what kind of game it was and how I played. I am sure you get the point, the season starts now as far as professional footballers are concerned. Everything before this weekend has been about fitness, about shaping the side and getting new players to understand the systems as well as the capabilities of their team-mates.

The string of defeats in those pre-season friendlies, including the Community Shield was not what was desired. In truth even though there was a trophy at stake and it was played at Wembley, what is more important, three points against West Brom or that 3-1 defeat to United?

Right now I have to admit to being more upbeat than most about Chelsea's chances in 2010/2011, in fact I am more positive than I was at this time last season, which turned out to be quite good in the end, I think you will agree. Yes Deco, Ballack and Joe Cole have gone but each was a peripheral influence last time round.

I thought Michael Ballack had a very good end to the season when he played deeper in midfield but with Essien back at last and the likelihood of one stronger midfielder coming in soon I think that area could be stronger than ever. Joe Cole is however a bigger question and not an easy one. For what it is worth, not surprisingly I think Joe is a fine player and he will always be respected by Chelsea fans for what he did for the club, but and there is a big but, there is a question, will he be hugely missed?

In my media work I probably went to see Liverpool last season more than anyone apart from Chelsea and have constantly said that Yossi Benayoun is one the best players in the Premier League and certainly among the most imaginative and visionary. His treatment by Rafa Benitez absolutely confounded me, every time he had a good game, made or scored a goal he would get dropped. I am delighted to say that there was never a complaint or an attitude problem from the Israeli, but I was convinced Yossi was in the right and Rafa in the wrong throughout. So not to put too fine a point on it, I think Chelsea have got the best of the deal, I would always choose Benayoun before Cole, anyone listening to my commentaries would know that I am not just saying this because he has arrived at the Bridge.

So even though players have gone and the pre season has been pretty poor, I am not in any way downcast. This year it is a harder Premier League than ever with Man City, Spurs and Everton all improving, but that was needed, the Chelsea/Man Utd duopoly gets a bit boring for everyone else.

What Chelsea needed in the short term was a 'helpful' opening league program to get the players - especially those who have been at the World Cup - back up to speed. A quick glance at the opening five fixtures and I am sure you will agree, it has fallen into our laps almost perfectly. A convincing defeat of new boys West Brom and it will not be struggling Chelsea in the media, it will be double winners Chelsea...and doesn't that still sound good?

Kickz Kids Given Chance To Shine

A number of young participants on Chelsea's anti-crime 'Kickz' initiative have been offered trials at the club after they impressed on the football-based initiative.

Joseph Felix from the Westminster program, Glen Kamara from Kensington and Chelsea and Troy Timothy from Hammersmith and Fulham impressed the coaches and Chelsea scouts with their footballing ability, their attitude and their hard work.

The Kickz project is helping to divert participants away from many of the social problems facing young people, often in some of the most deprived areas in the country. Chelsea now deliver six Kickz projects to over 1,200 young people three times a week in London as well as providing similar social inclusion initiatives in Surrey and Essex.

The projects use the power and appeal of football to build safer, stronger, more respectful communities through the development of young people's potential. They combine football coaching three nights a week in some of the country's most disadvantaged areas alongside a range of educational workshops and opportunities to gain qualifications and increase employability.

'The lads have given their all and their hard work has been rewarded,' said Kickz project manager Daniel GIll. 'They've worked really hard not only at their game but at turning their lives around and these trials will show them and everyone else on the program that if you work hard and apply yourselves opportunities in life do exist.'

Wilkins Reassures Blues Fans Over Defender

Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins has reassured Blues fans regarding the potential departure of Ashley Cole.

Wilkins insists that everything is going well for the English defender at Stamford Bridge in hopes that the transfer speculation will at long last die down.

The left back has been linked with a summer move to Real Madrid to team up with former manager Jose Mourinho.

“Ashley is fine and he has trained extremely well with us,” Wilkins insisted.

“He only came back on the 26th (of July), so he is not at full speed as yet but he seems to be in a good frame of mind and there has certainly been no chat between Ashley and myself as regards him leaving.”

Jose Mourinho is a known admirer of Cole, and after the World Cup the player made several comments that sparked the transfer rumors.

Since then, Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti – and assistant Ray Wilkins – have both warned the La Liga giants off Cole, and Mourinho’s latest comments seem to end all of the speculation.

“Carlo Ancelotti was very, very clear and that’s the best way in football,” said Mourinho, who is entering his first season as Real boss.

“He killed the story by saying, ‘No money can buy Ashley Cole, he needs to stay’.

“I think Ashley thought about leaving for personal and professional reasons. We thought about him because he’s a good player who I enjoyed working with.

“But when a coach says no, it’s no, and we have to accept that.”

McCarthy Rules Out Permanent Mancienne Deal

Manager Mick McCarthy has again confirmed that Wolverhampton Wanderers cannot afford to buy Chelsea's England Under-21s ace Michael Mancienne on a permanent basis.

The 22-year-old, who can play in defence or midfield, impressed while on loan at Molineux last season, but McCarthy says that any return to the Black Country would not be on a permanent basis.

He commented: "I would like to see my quote where I said I would be prepared to pay £4million.

"I am pretty good at remembering what I said, but I am red hot at remembering what I haven't.

"We won't be buying Mancienne. They want to sell him - if they want to loan Michael out again, then that's a different matter altogether.

"I haven't discussed it with Chelsea. From my understanding, they want to sell him and he's asked for a transfer. They want to sell him rather than loan him.

"I would be interested if they want to loan him out again, but that's up to them."

Stoke Snub Chelsea Interest In Asmir Begovic

Stoke City have issued a hands off warning to Chelsea after they declared an interest in signing Asmir Begovic.

Begovic, who joined Stoke from Portsmouth in January, was wanted by Chelsea to act as understudy to Petr Cech even though they already have Hilario and Ross Turnbull on their books.

Manager Tony Pulis has revealed that Chelsea have been in contact about the goalkeeper's availability - but there is no chance that he will be sold.

Begovic, 23, is in a battle with Thomas Sorensen for the first choice position at the Britannia Stadium.

"They (Chelsea) have enquired, but they have been told he is not for sale,'' Pulis told the Stoke Sentinel.”We are trying to bring players in, not let our better players go.''

Pulis also played down the chances of Stoke being able to attract Nice striker Loic Remy.

"He's a very talented young player, but whether we do the deal is another thing,'' Pulis said.”It's not just Stoke interested, but three or four others.''

Mourinho To Battle Chelsea For Lukaku

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho will rival his former club Chelsea in the race for Anderlecht wonderkid Romelu Lukaku.

The 17-year-old is widely regarded as the finest young striker on the continent and has been coveted by a host of Europe’s top clubs. Manchester City and Manchester United have both had scouts in attendance at the striker’s games last season, but the player is believed to favour a move to the current Premier League champions, and is a self-confessed Didier Drogba fan, who he has been likened to.

According to Marca, Mourinho is willing to spend £20 million on the bulky forward in an effort to beat his former club to the chase. Lukaku allegedly has his heart set on a move to Stamford Bridge next year, despite rumoured interest from Manchester United and Manchester City.

The player has already scored 19 goals in 45 games for Anderlecht despite his tender years, and although the club is eager to retain him, the prodigious forward is already one of the most coveted stars on the continent.

Didier Drogba Rules Out Possible Move To Manchester City

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has ruled out any chance of an exit from Stamford Bridge this season.

Reports had claimed that the Ivorian was a target for other big clubs, with Manchester City mentioned as possible suitors, with the striker's agent at one stage claiming the Citizens were interested in his client.

But Drogba is intent upon helping the west London outfit to more success after last season's Premier League and FA Cup double.

"Every summer there is speculation, you saw me in a Chelsea shirt [on Sunday] and I think that is how you will see me all season!" Drogba told his club's official website.

Meanwhile, the Ivorian is expecting City to play a part in this season's title race and push for the top four places.

"We saw last year that Tottenham were there fighting for fourth place, Arsenal were there, so the Premiership will be more open, with Manchester City spending more money and buying quality players," he explained.

Chelsea was the wrong side of a 3-1 scoreline when they faced Manchester United in Sunday's Community Shield at Wembley.

The result does not perturb Drogba too much though, with pre-season having started late for many of Carlo Ancelotti's squad due to the World Cup.

"We are working hard, we have a lot of players who have trained for ten days or a week, it is too short to be fit and ready for big competitions but we have to improve our game even if we are not fit, and hope that in two or three weeks time it will be better," he said.

"The match was disappointing of course but I am not really worried because it is only 10 days since we started working and we need more time together.

"I am disappointed because we lost the game, we had a few chances at the end but more than the defeat today it was important to see and understand that we are not ready yet."

Scott Sinclair Swaps Chelsea For Swansea City After Signing Three-Year Contract

Swansea City have signed Chelsea forward Scott Sinclair on a three-year deal.

Swans' boss Brendan Rodgers has paid an initial £500,000 for the 21-year-old, with the fee possibly rising to over £1million depending on performances.

Sinclair, who can play in midfield or up front, had been at Chelsea since 2005, but only managed to make 5 appearances for the club, spending much of his time on loan at various clubs.

"Scott is obviously a player I know well and I am delighted to sign him," Rodgers told the club's official website.

"He is a big talent and has been a sought-after player since he broke onto the scene.

"As far as I am concerned there is no better place for him than Swansea City. With this group of players, style of football and fantastic fans, this will be a great club for his development.

"He is only 21 and still has big potential. I think this will be a good home for him. He is a great signing for the present and the future and joins a group of exciting young players."

Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins added: "While everyone is aware that we run a tight ship here financially, we will always invest in the team when funds are available.

"I think this signing highlights our intent.

"It is also the club's priority to invest in bright, young talent wherever possible and I don't think you will find many young players with the talent Scott possesses."

Former Chelsea Chief Executive Peter Kenyon Officially Cuts Ties With Club

Controversial former Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon has officially cuts all ties with the club after resigning his position as non-executive director.

Kenyon, 56, played a key role in the Roman Abramovich revolution after he was poached from Manchester United in 2003. Ex-manager Jose Mourinho was brought in by him, with the subsequent recruitment drive leading to two successive Premier League titles in 2004-05 and 2005-06.

Kenyon's reign didn't go without criticism and he was slammed for his suspected 'tapping up' of Ashley Cole, pictured with Rio Ferdinand during contract negotiations with United, as well as ousting of ex-boss Claudio Ranieri. He originally resigned from his post of CEO on September 16 2009 and will now concentrate full time on his role with the Creative Artists Agency.

Speaking to the Blues' official website, chairman Bruce Buck said: "Peter presided over the club during a time of great success and unprecedented commercial growth, and subsequently, as non-executive director he was effective in representing Chelsea FC in our dialogue with world football bodies.

"I'd like to thank Peter for everything he's done for this football club and everyone here wishes him well for the future. He'll always be welcome back at Chelsea."

Chelsea Partner With Lucozade Sport

Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce that Lucozade Sport has become the club's official sports nutrition partner.

Lucozade Sport has been the official sports drink of the Premier League since its inception in 1992, bringing with it 18 seasons of experience in elite football.

The sports nutrition brand will be fuelling the Blues for the next three seasons as the club looks to build on a hugely successful 2009/10 term which saw the team win both the Barclays Premier League and The FA Cup.

Lucozade Sport's full range of 26 nutritional products will help Carlo Ancelotti's team be at 100 per cent for every kick-off, drive them throughout the 90 minutes and aid recovery effectively after the final whistle.

Lucozade Sport Scientists will also work closely with Chelsea's backroom staff at the training ground in Cobham.

Stewart Crooks, sponsorship manager for Lucozade Sport, said: 'We are delighted to be teaming up with Chelsea and believe our considerable experience in top-flight football will contribute towards the continued success of the team.'

Ben Wells, head of marketing for Chelsea added: 'Lucozade Sport has an unrivalled heritage in the world of sports nutrition, so it's a natural fit for Chelsea as we aim for further honours this season. Working with Lucozade Sport means that our players have access to safe products that are proven to make a difference.'

Chelsea Face Stiff Champions League Test As Big Beasts Bare Teeth

Last May, as the sun warmed the roof terrace of Chelsea's training complex at Cobham and the chefs put on a barbecue, the glinting Premier League and FA Cup were passed around the staff as nonchalantly as the relish. Carlo Ancelotti was entitled to feel content with all he surveyed. A convivial end of term celebration crowned a debut year in England that could scarcely have been bettered.

The obvious supposition is that the pressure is on for the Italian to improve this season, to somehow enhance his opening act in the months of intense competition to come. That can only equate to one heavyweight calling: the Champions League. It was the four European Cups on Ancelotti's CV (two as a player and two as a coach with Milan) that leapt off the page so there is no reason to assume that the powers at Stamford Bridge are not expectant on that score.

But Ancelotti is a smart and experienced enough football man to know that however much the club's owner, Roman Abramovich, might hunger for a European coronation, however keenly Chelsea's fans might trade another domestic prize for the big one, and however desperate John Terry and his cohorts are to put an end to the gallingly close shaves, the maximum he can guarantee them is his best effort. No more. The rest is down to the Champions League gods. And they clearly do not believe anybody has a divine right to their blessing.

Just look at where a couple of past winners with glowing European pedigree kicked off their continental adventures this season: Liverpool travelled to Skopje to take on Rabotnicki in the Europa Cup qualifiers. Juventus dropped into Dublin to play Shamrock Rovers. What they wouldn't do even to have a shot at aiming for a grand occasion with the Champions League music ringing in their ears at Wembley next summer.

Every season there are a handful of super-strong favourites, yet it is anyone's guess which of them will prevail. Over the past decade, some 14 different teams have reached the final. There have been eight different winners. Only Milan and Barcelona have hoisted the trophy more than once.

Ancelotti is far too shrewd to deliberately or overtly focus his resources during this campaign on the Champions League. The risk of disappointment in a notoriously fickle competition is too great. The field is too strong. The margin of error is too slim.
Just ask Real Madrid about expecting certainties from this competition. They outspent the national debt of several countries this time last year on Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaká and Karim Benzema in a bid to give themselves the best chance possible of a fairytale 10th European Cup, won at their home stadium, the Bernabéu. They duly bombed out in the round of 16 for the fifth season running. Now they have installed José Mourinho – the hottest plotter around in terms of this particular tournament – to see if his magic wand will do the trick.

The cult of the coach has perhaps never held quite so much store in Europe's elite tournament. Mourinho made sure of that last season, to the extent that some of the outstanding contributions of his players were a little overshadowed come the curtain call against Louis van Gaal's Bayern Munich in Madrid. Despite the expectation that Mourinho alone can conjure in a flash a ruthless team from the ornate ingredients at his disposal, Real's recent history of blighted hopes in this tournament really should have taught them not to expect a guaranteed miracle. Not that they will be able to help themselves. They will be powerless to resist catapulting their thinking towards another date with the trophy they feel like they part-own.

But let's be honest, no matter the club, the coach, the footballing talent, no one with any sense can go into a season with all their eggs in the Champions League basket.

Mourinho knows the competition is as strong as ever. It took him three years at San Siro, as well as a generously supportive board, to weld together a team capable of taking on everything Europe could throw at them. Having said that, as Van Gaal demonstrated by guiding Bayern to an impressive renaissance, and Pep Guardiola showed the previous year by launching Barcelona into the history books, alchemy can happen quickly with the right blend of quality, unity, inspiration and fortune.

What is changing is the ability of the top teams to challenge on all fronts. Last season Internazionale, Bayern and Chelsea mounted an assault on the Champions League while winning the double at home. Barcelona came close alongside a successful defence of La Liga. The most powerful clubs are setting a heck of a standard, by showing it can be done to go hell for leather on both the domestic and European scenes. Once upon a time, the treble was such a mythical achievement you would be lucky to witness it once in a generation. We have just seen it done two years running.

Anyone thinking about loading extra demands on Ancelotti would do well to swallow a dose of perspective. Chelsea are hardly the only club who hanker after the Champions League like the holiest of grails. It is certainly no lower on the agenda at Barcelona and Real Madrid, at Manchester United, Bayern Munich,Milan and, naturally, at the club where it is now on show – in the trophy room of the holders Inter.

The fact that it is too competitive a field to pick a favourite is part of what gives the Champions League its allure. Mourinho was not wrong when he announced that it was a higher level than the World Cup before Inter's triumph. The only thing we can be sure of from this edition is that a handful of excellent teams, marshalled by first-rate managers, will end up disappointed.

Chelsea Target Asmir Begovic As Back-Up To Injured Petr Cech

Chelsea have expressed an interest in the Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic as the manager, Carlo Ancelotti, considers his options behind his injured No1 Petr Cech.

Henrique Hilário is Ancelotti's current first-choice back-up ahead of Ross Turnbull and the Portuguese was given the starting nod at Wembley in the Community Shield against Manchester United.

However, both goalkeepers have made errors during the pre-season and have looked shaky at times, forcing Ancelotti to consider whether a new signing might offer more stability.

Begovic, 23, has the added advantage of qualifying as a home-grown player because, despite his Bosnian nationality, he moved to Portsmouth on a youth contract in 2003. That means that although he had loans spells at Macclesfield Town, Bournemouth and Yeovil Town before he turned 21, he has spent the required three years before that birthday training at the academies of English clubs.

Chelsea have only five home-grown players at present – John Terry, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole, Michael Mancienne and Turnbull – meaning that, with the Premier League's new regulations stipulating that clubs must name eight such players in a senior squad of no more than 25, Ancelotti stands to play the first half of the season with only 22 senior players.

With Ramires, Benfica's Brazil midfielder, set to move to Stamford Bridge to replace Deco, who has signed for Fluminense, Ancelotti has his full compliment of 17 senior overseas players.

Were he to sign Begovic, he would have the option to loan out Hilário to free up a space for another overseas signing. Chelsea has been linked with a move for the Benfica defender David Luiz.

Cech tore a calf muscle last month and he was ruled out of the pre-season friendlies against Ajax, Eintracht Frankfurt and Hamburg. His total pre-season playing minutes amount to 30 in the opening fixture against Crystal Palace. Ancelotti says that Cech will be fit to face West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League opener at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Begovic cost £3.25m when he moved from Portsmouth to Stoke in last winter's transfer window, a reflection of his ability and potential, but he was unable to dislodge Thomas Sorensen as the manager Tony Pulis's first choice. He made four appearances at the end of the season, after Sorensen injured his shoulder against Chelsea.

Bologna Set To Seal Loan Deal For Chelsea Starlet Nemanja Matic

Serie A side Bologna are hopeful of completing the transfer of young midfielder Nemanja Matic from Premier League giants Chelsea on a one-year loan deal in the coming days, if a report in Corriere dello Sport is to be believed.

The Felsinei are keen to strengthen their team this summer after finishing only one place above the Serie A relegation zone last season. Head coach Franco Colomba supposedly sees Matic as the perfect addition to his squad.

The 21-year-old signed a four-year contract with the Blues last summer, but made only three substitute appearances last season. Matic has already won two caps for the senior Serbian national side, despite his youthful age, but missed out on selection for the 2010 World Cup squad.

The report claims that Bologna are close to reaching an agreement with Chelsea and the transfer could be a done deal sooner rather than later.

Didier Drogba: Blues Need To Find Match Fitness Quickly

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has admitted that the Blues looked a little flat during their Communtiy Shield defeat to Manchester United at Wembley on Sunday.

The Ivorian insists however that the World Cup has affected some players, with late returns to the club meaning that pre-season training has been disrupted.

"We had a difficult pre-season, a lot of players were coming back from holidays," Drogba told Sky Sports News.

"I came back only 10 days ago. I think we have a lot of players like this coming back very late."

That limited pre-season training has made it hard for players to be at their sharpest, but Drogba admits that time is running out for the squad to find full fitness.

He added: "It's difficult to be fit after only days so we'll need more time but the competition is starting next week so we have to find a solution."

Carlo Ancelotti Says Time, Not Transfers, Will Cure Chelsea's Poor Form

Carlo Ancelotti insists there will be no panic buys at Chelsea following their dismal build-up to the new season which culminated in a 3-1 defeat to Manchester United in the Community Shield on Sunday.

The defeat at Wembley marked Chelsea's fourth consecutive defeat as they prepare for their defence of the Premier League title with just one new senior player added to their books this summer.

Aside from Ramires, who is expected to join the London club imminently, Ancelotti insists he is happy with the resources at his disposal and that recent results reflect only the lack of time he has had to work with his World Cup players since they returned to training.

Furthermore, the Italian laughed off the possibility of making further signings as a response to his side's current form.

"Fortunately, it's pre-season," he said. "I think that there is time to come back to win. It was not a good pre-season for results. We lost four games but I think we did our best.

"We need for the players who came back the on July 26 to have more time to train."

Ancelotti does not believe his World Cup players - such as John Terry, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba - will be fully match fit for another fortnight.

For that reason, he is grateful for this week's international fixtures, which will give many of his players additional game time.

"The England players are very close to being fit," he said. "It's good for them to play an international game. They could play 70 minutes without a problem."

Despite appearing unconcerned about recent displays, Ancelotti accepts his players need to rediscover their form fast if they are not to be playing catch-up at the start of the season.

"I'm not worried but I think that we have to improve," he said. "We have to have more time in possession."

Ancelotti felt his side played "too slowly" yesterday and allowed United too much time on the ball.

Paul Scholes did most of the damage with a midfield masterclass which Ancelotti was able to appreciate but felt was helped by his own side's lack of match sharpness.

"Scholes is a fantastic player; he played a very good game," he said. "Maybe we gave him more possibility to play well because we didn't put strong pressure on him.

"When you are not fit 100 per cent, it's difficult to put strong pressure on during the game. But he showed fantastic touch, fantastic switch of play. I agree that he was the man of the match."

Carlo Ancelotti Admits Chelsea Were ‘Too Slow’ In Community Shield Defeat To Manchester United

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti insists Sunday’s Community Shield match against Manchester United was a good workout - despite losing 3-1.

Luis Antonio Valencia and Javier Hernandez gave the Red Devils a 2-0 lead before Dimitar Berbatov wrapped up the win in style following Salomon Kalou’s late consolation.

However, despite Ancelotti's concerns that his side were ‘too slow’ against United, he insists his Premier League holders gained a lot of good preparation ahead of the new season from the Wembley encounter.

Ancelotti told Sky Sports: “We played too slow in the first-half. We didn’t have chances, our play was slow and Manchester [United] went up at the end of the first-half.

"It was difficult, it wasn’t our best day but this can happen at the start of the season. Our players played 90 minutes and this is a good thing for us ahead of the start of the Premier League.”

A number of Chelsea’s players were given an extended break after World Cup 2010 and have only recently returned to full-time training with the Blues.

“It’s impossible to ask our players, after 10 days of pre-season, to be quick and fit," he added.

"We’ve got a lot of players who came back on July 26 and to improve their conditions it’s important to play 90 minutes and I think this game will be a positive.”

With international fixtures coming up in midweek, Ancelotti believes the games could help Chelsea’s players continue to build up their fitness before the Premier League curtain-raiser next weekend.

“I think playing could be a good thing to improve their condition. I don’t worry about this,” he added.

Ashley Cole Snubs Fabio Capello Handshake After Community Shield

Ashley Cole has risked the ire of England fans again by snubbing the offer of a handshake from manager Fabio Capello after Chelsea's defeat to Manchester United in the Community Shield on Sunday.

The defending Premier League champions and FA Cup winners were beaten 3-1 by their rivals at Wembley - but the main talking point afterwards was the apparent bad blood between Capello and Cole during the presentation ceremony afterwards.

Cole ascended the steps of the national stadium to collect his medal but walked straight past Capello without shaking the Italian's hand.

The incident, which was captured on camera, left the England boss red-faced - especially since he was left high and dry with his arm outstretched.

Afterwards, Cole claimed his snub was nothing personal and that he had merely tripped on the top step and was concentrating on regaining his footing and forgot to greet his coach.

However, other observers may interpret the incident differently - either as a show of dissent towards the manager who led England through their worst World Cup finals campaign for decades, or, worse, as another example of the sort of petulance Cole has been accused of before.

Cole has been linked with a transfer away from Chelsea to Real Madrid this summer - especially after reports emerged of his phone message rant about England, saying he 'hates the country and all the people in it'.

There was no such awkward moment between England striker Wayne Rooney and Capello as the Manchester United striker came up to collect his medal and the trophy.

Despite flopping in spectacular fashion in South Africa, Rooney was greeted with a broad smile and a warm handshake as he claimed the first silverware of the season for his side.

Sturridge Feeling Stronger

Daniel Sturridge was delighted to step up his return to full fitness with a run out in the Community Shield.

The Chelsea striker has seen his pre-season preparations disrupted by a niggling ankle problem.

The injury kept him sidelined for the Blues' recent five-day trip to Germany, preventing him from getting vital minutes under his belt.

He was, however, able to step off the bench in Chelsea's 3-1 defeat to Manchester United at Wembley on Sunday and insists he is raring to go ahead of the new Premier League campaign.

"It is good to get some fitness from the game, and we'll come back in the week and try and put things right," the England U21 international told the Blues' official website.

"The ankle is improving, I still have pain and I only trained twice last week. I wasn't sure if I would be able to go through the pain barrier but my leg is getting stronger every day and in the next few days hopefully I will be able to play without pain."

Sturridge, who moved to Stamford Bridge from Manchester City last summer, is also hoping to make more of an impression at Chelsea this season.

He admits he struggled to feet his feet upon arriving in the capital, but feels he is now ready to show his true colours.

The 20-year-old added: "I've been working very hard, as hard as I can and need to to go forward and break into the team to help retain the title and FA Cup.

"I've been trying to impress the manager. In football you need to be patient and hopefully this year my time will come.

"It was a difficult six months when I first joined the club, when I didn't have my family and was living alone, but this season I feel a lot more comfortable, part of the lads and as though I am at home a lot more.

"Players have put an arm around me and I have a good bond, with the younger players especially where we have a bit of banter."

Reserves Beat United In Cobham Friendly

The first team may have come out second best against Manchester United on Sunday but the reserves were 4-1 victors over United's second string at Cobham earlier in the day.

Manager Steve Holland was delighted with his side's application after defeats to Woking and Wycombe, and felt having more experience in the side made a huge difference, even if United also had their fair share of first team experience in their side, with an 11 that included Gary Neville, Danny Welbeck, Rodrigo Possebon and Ritchie de Laet.

'The first team have had a difficult pre-season and that has impacted on reserves and youth, so we still had a younger side out than Manchester United with four or five that will still play in this year's youth team, but having somebody like Michael Mancienne at the back makes such a difference to the team,' explained Holland afterwards.

It was United who took the lead early on though through Welbeck, but the Blues equalized through Borini after a smart pass from Josh McEachran, and quickly took the lead before half-time when the Italian forward finished off a swift move after United had lost possession inside their own half.

In the second half Chelsea added two further late goals, the third from McEachran and the fourth probably the pick of the bunch following a well worked move, with right-back Billy Clifford getting forward in trademark fashion to finish high into the roof of the net.

The reserves have one more friendly game before the start of their competitive season, against Blackburn Rovers at Cobham on Wednesday, August 18. It will be played behind closed doors.