Blues To Support Cole

Chelsea insist they will do everything they can to help England international Ashley Cole through his difficult period.

The 29-year-old was booed by England fans at Wembley while he also came under fire from West Brom fans at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Cole has been perceived as public enemy number one following his infamous defection from Arsenal to Chelsea in 2006.

The talented full-back is wanted by Real Madrid's new manager Jose Mourinho and Chelsea fear his low morale and declining popularity could force his hand.

However, rather than part company with one of their star players, chairman Bruce Buck insists they will stand by Cole and do whatever is necessary to help him on and off the pitch.

"I think Ashley is fine," explained Buck. "He is great around the club, is polite and helpful.

"We're not involved in his private life, but we support him to a certain extent if we can.

"You would be unhappy too if you got the treatment he is getting from the media.

"He doesn't like that, but I don't think it would be any different if he was in Spain or Italy.

"He has just got to work a little but, with our help, on improving his image."

Ancelotti: Hutch Can Still Support Us

Carlo Ancelotti has praised Sam Hutchinson for his attitude over the past three years, and expressed his hope that the young defender stays with the club following his retirement.

The 21-year-old was forced to bring an end to his promising career following three years of knee problems, but plans to stay with the club as an Academy coach while also studying sports science at university.

'We are sad, disappointed about this, he decided to retire after very strong work to recover from his injury,' Ancelotti said.

'He was not able to do this but now we are together to look forward to support him in everything. He will start to study sports science, he will start to train with our Academy, and we would like that he stays in our family because he has a strong character and showed this during the years when he tried to recover from the injury.

'He is a very good man and can have a fantastic job here in Chelsea and support us with his character,' the manager continued.

'Obviously he is sad now but he has to look forward, there are a lot of things. You can't play but you can do different jobs in football, he loves football and we will support his passion.'

Match Preview: Wigan vs. Chelsea

Wigan Athletic will keen to erase the memory of last weekend's drubbing by Blackpool but face a massive task in halting red-hot Chelsea at the DW Stadium.

The Latics were stunned 4-0 by the newly-promoted side last Saturday while Chelsea proved they are in no mood to relinquish their grip on the title with a 6-0 thrashing of West Brom.

Wigan played Chelsea on the final day of last season and few have forgotten how the Lancashire side suffered a humiliating 8-0 defeat when Carlo Ancelotti's side clinched the title.

However, Wigan were one of the few teams to inflict a league defeat on Chelsea last season with goals from Titus Bramble, Hugo Rodallega and Paul Scharner giving Roberto Martinez's men a 3-1 success.

If recent form is anything to go by then Chelsea will run out easy winners. Wigan have shipped 24 goals in their last 10 league games while the Blues have gone 406 minutes without conceding at the back.

Wigan news

Charles N'Zogbia could return to the Wigan side for the visit of the champions after being left out against the Seasiders.

The French winger was omitted for last week's 4-0 thrashing by manager Martinez, who questioned the player's attitude amid speculation over his future.

Martinez has since played down reports of a rift between the pair and said the 24-year-old will be in contention on Saturday.

The Spanish boss must also decide whether to keep faith with goalkeeper Chris Kirkland after his personal horror show in their season opener.

Forward Victor Moses has been ruled out with a calf injury while club captain Gary Caldwell remains on the sidelines after double hip surgery in the summer.

Chelsea news

Chelsea boss Ancelotti may give a Premier League debut to new signing Ramires. The Brazil international has joined from Benfica, although Jon Obi Mikel performed well against the Baggies.

Didier Drogba, who is aiming to score a league hat-trick for the third consecutive game, is sure to retain his place up front and he will be supported by Frenchman Nicolas Anelka.

Branislav Ivanovic is expected to be recalled into Ancelotti's starting XI after missing out last week due to an injury sustained on international duty. Portuguese full-back Paulo Ferreira will make way.

Jose Bosingwa remains on the sidelines with a knee injury and will play no part as Chelsea look to maintain their impressive start to the new campaign.

Possible starting XIs:

Wigan: Kirkland, Boyce, Alcaraz, Gohouri, Figueroa, McCarthy, Diame, Moses, Watson, Rodallega, Boselli.

Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Terry, Alex, Cole, Mikel, Essien, Lampard, Malouda, Anelka, Drogba.

Ramires Not Ready

Carlo Ancelotti has announced that Ramires will not be involved at Wigan but should make his debut against Stoke.

The Brazilian midfielder joined Chelsea from Benfica last week in a big-money deal but is not yet ready to be in contention.

Blues supporters are likely to get a first glimpse of Ramires in action the following Saturday when Stoke travel to Stamford Bridge.

Ancelotti has few injury concerns to key players ahead of the clash with the Latics and revealed that Jose Bosingwa will soon be back in training following a long lay-off due to a knee problem.

"Ramires came back this morning, he will train today, and will not be involved on Saturday," the Chelsea manager said on the club's official website.

"Next week he will be ready to play against Stoke and he will be involved in the match.

"(Branislav) Ivanovic had a little problem in his stomach and is fit and ready to play on Saturday.

"We are without (Jose) Bosingwa, he will start to train with the team next week and maybe needs again two or three weeks to play.

"(Jeffrey) Bruma will have surgery this morning for a hernia, and (Gael) Kakuta has a problem on his back.

"The other players are in good condition. (Frank) Lampard had a problem before the match against West Bromwich on his ankle, but trained well, recovered well and is fit."

Chelsea suffered a surprise defeat at the DW Stadium last season before taking their revenge on the final day of the campaign with an 8-0 home victory that clinched the title.

The Blues then continued their prolific goalscoring form by beating West Brom 6-0 on the opening day of this term, but Ancelotti is not expecting an easy match.

He said: "I am sure it will be a different game on Saturday (to West Brom), the last game at Wigan we lost 3-1 and for this reason I think we have to prepare well for this game, above all mentally.

"I will be happy if we can win just 1-0. It is important to have a clean sheet, it is important to score when possible but this is not football, to win 6-0 or 7-0 cannot happen every day. It is important to win, to play well, and if possible to score.

"We have to pay attention, they started bad, lost at home against Blackpool and they want to be strong, to have power, to do a different match. We have to pay attention because they have quality and skills in front."

Blues Striker Relishes Playmaking Role

Nicolas Anelka made headlines yesterday for laughing off his international ban for France, but when it comes to club football for Chelsea, the Frenchman is more focused than ever on diversifying his skill set.

The 31-year old, who has represented a plethora of clubs before his arrival at Stamford Bridge two years ago, feels confident about being surrounded with great finishers such as Didier Drogba, Florent Malouda, and Frank Lampard.

Hence, he insists that it has been a natural process for him to go from a lethal finisher to an effective playmaker over the course of time that he has spent in West London.

Speaking to the club’s website, he said: “Now I like the way I am playing but I have always liked to create goals and give assists because I like to win. When you want to win, even if you don’t score you want to make someone score and this is what I did last weekend.

“For me when you score and when you create a goal, it is the same. When you like football, I think you must like to do both as well,” he added.

Having won the Golden Boot Award in his first full season with the club not too long ago, Anelka acknowledges that scoring goals always remains a top priority for a hungry forward.

However, based on his experience, he insists that in a physical league such as the English top flight, players over 30 years old must be prepared to structure their game differently as per the needs of their team. After all, nothing is more important than winning!

“I will try to score more and I will try to do more assists but as I say, the most important is to win games and I am sure even if I don’t score, even if I don’t give assists then someone else will do it.

“Players need to change how they play in their thirties and even more so in England because it is so physical and quick with a lot of contact. You are not like you were when you were younger so you need to adapt your game – and this is exactly what I want to do,” concluded Anelka.

Ancelotti Slams French Federation Over Anelka Ban

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has slammed the French Football Federation for banning striker Nicolas Anelka for 18 matches.

Anelka was suspended from international duty after being sent home from the World Cup following a dressing room row with then-France coach Raymond Domenech at half-time of the group stage match against Mexico.

The French squad refused to train for one day in South Africa in a show of solidarity with Anelka - an action which sparked outrage in France and led to a government probe into the scandal.

Blues striker Anelka responded to the ban by calling the federation's chiefs "clowns" and insisted he had already retired from international football.

Ancelotti is adamant Anelka doesn't deserve to be hit with such a lengthy suspension and, speaking at his weekly press conference on Friday, he said: "I think it was unfair for him - 18 games is too much.

"I don't know what happened there but Anelka is an honest man and he didn't deserve the decision.

"But Anelka has reacted very well. He has taken it with good spirit."

Ancelotti, who took charge at Chelsea last year, insists Anelka has never caused him any problems and he believes the ban is good news for the Premier League champions as it gives one of their star players extra time to rest.

"He never caused any problems for me. It is good news for myself because he can stay here to train during the international break, he can maintain a good condition," Ancelotti added.

"But for him it is not good news because every player wants to play in the national team."

Ancelotti will need Anelka to remain at his best this season after missing out on Brazilian striker Neymar when the highly-rated 18-year-old decided to remain at Santos rather than move to Stamford Bridge.

Hutchinson Forced To Retire

Chelsea youngster Sam Hutchinson has been forced to retire from professional football following a recurrence of a knee injury.

The 21-year-old defender has struggled with his fitness for several years, leaving him unable to build on a career that saw him handed his first senior game at the end of the 2006/07 season by Jose Mourinho.

The Portuguese coach spoke of his ability to become a first-team player in the future, however despite his young age he has consistently been hampered and has now chosen to quit.

Hutchinson began the 2007/08 season with bright prospects after several appearances for the reserves and also won a place in England's Under-21 squad, as well as making three appearances last season.

He will now be given support by the club to study sports science at university and will work on his coaching qualifications as part of Chelsea's academy.

Alex - Ramires Identical To Essien

Chelsea defender Alex has compared the club's new signing Ramires to current midfield star Michael Essien.

Brazil international Ramires completed a big-money move to Stamford Bridge from Benfica last week and has been handed the No.7 shirt.

Alex feels his compatriot's playing style is similar to that of Essien and is confident Ramires will be a success for the Premier League champions.

"I was talking with Jose Bosingwa and we were saying how Ramires is a lot like Michael Essien," Alex told the club's official website.

"He's not as strong as Essien, but he has the same style on the pitch.

"He goes forward very quickly, then he comes back and marks very well. He's a very good player.

"It's very important for me and the team that the midfielders go to shoot and arrive at the goal, but then get back to mark.

"He's almost the same as Michael Essien like that, so I am expecting a lot of goals, which is important for us.

"He will get to play with Michael Essien, John Obi Mikel and Frank Lampard, we have a very good midfield group and he will do a great job for us."

Neymar Explains His Decision To Reject Chelsea & Play On With Santos

Santos prodigy Neymar has stated that he will remain in Brazil for the time being, choosing to snub a lucrative offer from Premier League outfit Chelsea.

The 18-year-old Brazil international has been linked with a move to Europe for much of the summer, but over the last fortnight the Blues had emerged as strong favourites for his signature. Neymar seemed undecided for a period, but he has now told a press conference that he won’t be moving to England yet.

“The final decision is always that of the player,” he stated. “I talked to my father, my family, and I have decided to stay. I am happy, and that's what I want. I think this decision will help me a lot in my game, because I'm happy. Money alone does not buy happiness.”

Club president Luis Alvaro de Oliveira was left delighted.

“The decision of Neymar is not based on a simple comparison of numbers, because otherwise Santos would have lost. This is a much more thoughtful decision, which shows that a child of 18 years is capable of taking the decisions of a mature man,” he said.

Neymar has already been capped once by Brazil, scoring against the USA on his international debut last week.

Chelsea Set To Send Serbian Duo Out On Loan

Chelsea want to send Serbians Nemanja Matic and Slobodan Rajkovic out on loan before the transfer window closes.

Midfielder Matic, who is 6ft 4iin tall and 22-years-old has made only three substitute appearances for the Blues since arriving from Slovakian side MFK Kosice a year ago and needs match practice.

And Chelsea are also looking for a home for defender Rajkovic, who is said to interest Fulham but has spent his entire Blues career away from the club - playing at PSV Eindhoven and FC Twente in Holland so far.

"We have to find a solution for some players to give them a loan, above all the young players,” said manager Carlo Ancelotti.

"Rajkovic, maybe Matic. We are trying to find a solution with them.”

Essien Helps Sports In The City Campaign

Michael Essien was joined by Capital FM's Johnny Vaughan at an adidas Blue Pitch close to the Bridge to support Help a London Child's Sport in the City campaign.

He was united with young people who have been taking part in football sessions delivered by Chelsea Foundation coaches at the adidas Blue Pitch on Eel Brook Common.

The Sport in the City program provides free sport to underprivileged youngsters from across the capital during the summer holidays.

'I wish I had somewhere like this to play but it was not the same for me when I was growing up,' said Essien.

'It is good to have pitches like this for the kids where they can learn how to play football.

'Football more than any other sport is good to help them, to keep them fit and to keep them away from the streets as well.'

Help a London Child's Sport in the City campaign is expected to capture the imaginations of over 4,000 children by giving them taster sessions in a variety of sports.

The activities taking place across Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea, Wandsworth, Southwark and Islington include swimming, street dance, tennis, handball, netball, basketball, volleyball, boxing, squash, climbing, karate and gymnastics.

With funding from the Premier League's Creating Chances program and Chelsea's Community Shield allocation from the FA, the specially-designed program is being delivered by the London Coaching Foundation and members of UK Fitness Network.

'We're here to celebrate the partnership between Help a London Child and Chelsea Football Club for the Sport in the City program,' said Vaughan. 'It runs throughout the summer holidays to keep kids off the street and doing good things.

'You don't want children to stray, see who is kicking around during the day and fall in with the wrong crew when they're bored. So sport is just a great way to get them involved.

'It teaches all the right lessons about discipline, teamwork, valuing your own talent and what you've got. And there's a place for everyone on the sports pitch, so it's absolutely fantastic, it really is.'

Once Essien had met all the children at Eel Brook Common he moved onto the Linford Christie Stadium in the north of Hammersmith and Fulham to watch Chelsea Foundation coaches host a training session for the Barclays Spaces for Sports program.

The program is designed to strengthen communities through sport and currently boasts an average of 53,000 people using Barclays Spaces for Sports sites across the country. The Linford Christie Stadium is one of these sites and is utilized by Chelsea Foundation coaches to provide football sessions to children in the area.

Mikel Seeks More Silverware

John Obi Mikel insists he is purely focused on helping Chelsea win more silverware, despite his first team place being under threat by new signing Ramires.

Mikel's role in the Blues side will come under serious scrutiny this term following the Brazilian midfielder's move to Stamford Bridge from Benfica last week.

The £18.2million signing is capable of playing anywhere in the Chelsea engine room, but is likely to vie with the Nigerian international for the holding role in Carlo Ancelotti's first XI.

Mikel, who scooped his first Premier League winners' medal last year, is only concentrating on helping the club retain their domestic title however.

"I feel at home at Chelsea," said Mikel, who also paid to tribute to coach Ancelotti for his faith in him last season. "When I signed I was only 19 and looking back I have really enjoyed my four years at the club.

"In that time I have learned a lot, gained more experience and I know how to read the game better. After all that time playing for a team like this in a league like this, you'll always be better for it.

"I'm very happy playing under Carlo Ancelotti. After a season together I feel I know him well. He's a manager I can speak to, in many ways he's like a father. He gives me great confidence.

"Winning the Premier League was the big one to add to my list. I had won every other domestic trophy since arriving at Chelsea in the summer of 2006.

"But it took until May this year to get my first Premier League winners' medal. It's fantastic to have been able to win all those things by the age of 23 but I suppose that is the benefit of starting your career early.

"I know there are a lot of great players out there who haven't won any of those things. I feel very happy and very blessed. The next one to add is the Champions League."

Mikel expects Manchester United and Manchester City to push the Blues harder than ever this season but insists the side is even more determined to finish top.

They began the campaign with a stunning 6-0 victory over newly promoted West Brom and now travel to face Wigan, who were beaten 4-0 by newcomers Blackpool.

But Mikel added: "It's going to be another very tough season. United will be hungry to win the title back. I think City will be up there but we want it just as much, if not more, and it will be our job to try to keep it.

"For me, once I've won something, I want to keep it.

"We only won the Premier League a couple of months ago but already I feel like it didn't happen.

"Just because you have won something it doesn't mean you lose that hunger. I still have a desire to win all the competitions in which we play. It's the only way to be in my opinion.

"Truly great teams win things multiple times and that's what I want Chelsea to do."

Jack Rodwell 'May Be Tempted By Chelsea Transfer''

Chelsea are thought to be preparing a £16million bid for Everton starlet Jack Rodwell in the hope of tempting the player to Stamford Bridge before the transfer window closes.

According to reports, the Blues are keen on adding to their quota of home-grown players before the end of the month.

Manager Carlo Ancelotti has singled out Rodwell for praise, describing the midfielder as "a good player".

And now it seems the Italian wants to test the resolve of both the player and his club by making a significant bid - despite Rodwell having just signed an extended contract at Goodison Park recently.

Rodwell, 19, is tipped to break into the England international set-up this season, and is hoping to do with plenty of first-team football at the Toffees under David Moyes.

As a result, he is expected to reject the option of joining the London club even if Everton are made an offer they cannot refuse, which is expected to be anything over £20million.

Rodwell would likely find himself playing in Chelsea's reserves this season, with the likes of Frank Lampard, Michael Essien, Jon Obi Mikel, and new signing Ramires all ahead of him in the pecking order.

Chelsea Owner Roman Abramovich Denies Reports Of Vitesse Takeover

Roman Abramovich's spokesperson from his private investment company Millhouse LLC has informed Goal.com that a report of the Chelsea owner taking over Vitesse is untrue.

Georgian businessman Merab Jordania was said to have taken over Eredivisie outfit Vitesse earlier this week, but according to a report in Quote, it’s none other than Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich who is behind the deal.

The financial magazine claimed that Jordania is little more than a puppet for Abramovich, quoting an anonymous friend of the Russian, who reportedly stated: “De facto, it is Roman who has bought Vitesse.”

It has been suggested that players from Chelsea’s reserve and youth teams could soon be making their way to Arnhem, though young Dutchman Jeffrey Bruma will not be one of them. “He is someone who could end up starting in the future,” the source revealed.

Vitesse are a club who have been plagued by financial difficulties over the last decade and have found times tougher during the recent global economic crisis. As a result, they’ve been forced to shed many first team players and have filled the squad with a number of youngsters.

Exactly why Jordania wanted to invest in an Eredivisie club has not been made clear and has certainly made it easy to cast a shadow over his recent successful takeover of the side who finished 14th in the Netherlands’ top flight last term.

Chelsea Eye Shock Swoop For Sogndal Goalkeeper Piotr Leciejewski

Chelsea are keeping tabs on Sogndal goalkeeper Piotr Leciejewski as manager Carlo Ancelotti looks to boost his squad, according to skysports.com.

Leciejewski, 25, has impressed in the Norwegian second flight since joining in 2008 and has come on the radar of watching scouts.

This summer, reserve shot stoppers Henrique Hilario and Ross Turnbull both failed to impress and a new face could be added to provide competition for Petr Cech.

Speaking to Bergens Tidende, Sogndal chairman Egil Mundal expected a switch to a big club to happen soon for the Pole.

He said: "What I can say is that Piotr has got an enormous potential.

"We know it's a question of time before he will play on a bigger stage."

Santos Slap €35m Price Tag On Neymar To Ward Off Chelsea Interest

Chelsea officials are apparently considering withdrawing their offer to sign Brazilian starlet Neymar from Santos, according to a report from The Independent, after the teenager's club offered to make him their highest paid player.

Santos has also apparently informed Chelsea that the Londoners must pay a €35 million transfer fee or miss out on the player.

The Santos president, Luis Alvaro Oliveira, has reportedly briefed the Brazilian media that there will be no shifting from that asking price for the 18-year-old.

The player himself is understood to be reluctant to move to a club where he wil play in the reserves, with the main impetus for the move believed to be coming from the player's father and agent, Wagner Ribeiro.

Neymar's representatives are set to respond to the Santos offer this week. The Brazilian club are believed to have made the youngster an offer to increase his wages from 160,000 Brazilian Reais (€70,000) a month to R$600,000-a-month (€270,000), as well as a share of the club's commercial deals.

Chelsea are understood to already have had an offer of €20m rejected and are prepared to go as high as €28m.

Mano Menezes, the new Brazil coach, declared this week that he felt Neymar should not join Chelsea, as the saga surrounding the signing of a relatively unproven player continues.

Ajax To Try And Beat Chelsea To Anderlecht Striker Romelu Lukaku

Ajax are hoping to tempt Anderlecht striker Romelu Lukaku out of a possible move to Chelsea, according to a report from broadcasters talkSPORT.

The report claims that the Dutch outfit plans to persuade the 17-year-old that the chance to become a star in the Netherlands is better for him at this stage of his career than a spell on the bench at a Premier League club.

The terms of the deal would apparently be a small fee to be paid by Ajax, with a huge sell-on clause in the youngster's contract that would see Anderlecht well rewarded for their development of the player.

Lukaku was pictured this summer at Stamford Bridge wearing a Chelsea shirt, but the Blues are not the only European giants interested in acquiring his services.

Real Madrid, Arsenal and Barcelona are also believed to be interested in the player, though his agent has also insisted that he is too young to move to such a huge club.

That has alerted Ajax, who believe they can offer the Belgian Under-21 international a chance to develop within their famed youth system.

Reserves Beaten By Rovers

Chelsea's reserve side was beaten 3-1 by Blackburn's second string at Cobham on Wednesday afternoon, as Steve Holland's side completed its pre-season program.

Chelsea had the better of the opening exchanges, as captain Fabio Borini and Franco Di Santo both curled narrowly wide.

The Italian then struck a post before his Argentine strike partner gave the Blues the lead with a fine solo goal.

Picking up a loose ball on the edge of the Rovers area, Di Santo danced in and out of several challenges before toe-poking in off the far post.

At the other end Ross Turnbull saved well from experienced forward Jason Roberts, using his feet to divert the ball away, and then tipping a goal-bound header on to the crossbar.

Blackburn levelled when Aaron Doran sent a rocket straight into the far top corner from some 25 yards, and within two minutes the visitors were in front, as the robust Roberts held off Billy Clifford to slot beneath the advancing Turnbull.

Eight minutes into the second period Rovers doubled the lead from close range, Roberts the scorer again as they took a grip on the game after Chelsea's bright start.

Jacob Mellis almost pulled a goal back when he sent a vicious shot against the post from outside the box, and then Josh McEachran half-volleyed against the bar after Gokhan Tore had set him up.

The last chance of the game came from a Chelsea corner taken by Tore from the left, but Michael Mancienne sent his free header wide of the far post.

Coming To Terms With Work Permits

Carlo Ancelotti, Ray Wilkins and club secretary David Barnard were at offices in Wembley Stadium on Thursday. It was a fruitful visit because a day later the following was announced:

'Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce we have completed the signing of Brazilian international Ramires from Benfica on a four-year contract.

'The midfielder was granted a work permit on Thursday and finalized his medical in London on Friday afternoon.'

The Chelsea delegation had been present at a panel which granted Ramires that permit but a panel is not involved in all permits, nor are work permits required for all non-British players brought in by the club.

Work permits are not a football-specific regulation. They are part of the rules governing all workers and are operated by the UK Border Agency.

As a member state of the European Union, workers (including professional footballers) from all EU countries (and the other nations that make up the European Economic Area) can ply their trade in the UK without the need for a permit.

For Ramires, as a South American, the rules are different, as they are for Russian nationals, as they are for Africans etc. A permit must be assigned before he can pull on a blue shirt and take to the Stamford Bridge pitch for real match action.

So who gets given the vital piece of paper and who doesn't? It is all about quality.

Incoming non-EU players must be of sufficient standard to make a significant contribution to the football of the country. To be considered good enough to do that, the authorities in consultation with various football bodies agreed a set of criteria.

The player must have played for his country in at least 75 per cent of its competitive 'A' team matches he was available for selection, during the two years preceding the application for a permit. Injury and suspension is taken into consideration.

The player's country must be at or above 70th place in the official Fifa World Rankings when averaged over the two years preceding the date of application.

Due to that second stipulation you might play every match for Canada, for example, but you would not initially be given a permit. Canada currently sit 101st in the Fifa Rankings. That is not the end of it though, as it wasn't for Ramires and Chelsea despite our new midfielder not reaching the 75 per cent international appearance mark.

The next step is the previously-mentioned panel which includes representatives of football governing bodies and independent experts. It considers whether the player is of the highest calibre and whether the player is able to contribute significantly to the development of the game at the top level in England. A majority positive vote is required to approve a permit application.

If our theoretical Canadian is one of his nation's finest then he may well still gain access to England's leagues.

There have been changes to procedure down the years. At one time the salary the player was commanding affected the granting of a permit and a new application was needed each year.

The late Tony Banks, Chelsea fan and then Minister for Sport was involved in the announcement of the current criteria for football in 1999.

And speaking English is now a consideration due to changes to the national regulations across all areas of work in 2008.

There is now a need to demonstrate competency in the language to obtain a permit for the length of the player's contract (up to three years). Should that not be possible then the permit is initially for 12 months only with competency in English needed at the end of that time. Transfer is then made to the full-length permit.

This is a process Yury Zhirkov has undergone and been successful and Ramires will come to in time.

Renewal at the end of a permit period is possible if the original criteria are still met. Should a player's international appearances have dropped below the required 75 per cent in that time then a panel hearing is available.

Football may be involved in setting down and operating the work permit system for the sport but permits are more a government than a football requirement. Each nation will decide its rules. There is not standardization across the international game.

The possibility is there for a foreign player to have spent years at a club in another EU country, yet be unable to transfer to England and play in our league.

John Terry: Winning The Double Is Our Minimum Target This Season

John Terry has challenged his Chelsea team-mates to scale new heights and says winning the Double again is the "minimum" target for the season ahead.

The Blues have come off a campaign where they lifted the Premier League and FA Cup in the same season for the first time in the club's history. Despite this success, the failure to progress past the quarter-final stage of the Champions League still caused regret.

Terry has called for a repeat performance this season and hopes to continue winning trophies with Chelsea.

He said: "Last season was great for us - no team had ever won the double for this club before and that means this group going down in Chelsea history. Now, we go again.

"We know what we are capable of and we all want to win everything in this squad.

"The winning mentality isn't just something we talk about - we hate to see any other team lifting trophies and it is up to us to make sure we don't have that feeling we had when Man United lifted the Premier League three years running.

"It is ours again now, so is the FA Cup - and retaining those trophies is the minimum aim for us this time around."

Terry added: "Manchester United beat us in the Community Shield, so we know they are going to be up for the fight - but we are champions and we have to keep it that way."

Brazil Coach Warns Neymar Off Chelsea

Brazil coach Mano Menezes has cautioned Neymar against joining Chelsea and says the teenager will benefit from continuing his education with Santos.

It is believed Chelsea have failed with a £24 million offer for the forward, who recently scored on his senior debut for the Brazilian national side. However, Neymar does have a release clause set in his contract to the value of £29.6 million.

Chelsea's pursuit of the player has angered Santos, who have threatened to report the Premier League club to FIFA for what they described as "harassment" - a charge that has been strenuously denied by Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck.

It is expected that Neymar will decide this week whether he views a move to Stamford Bridge as the correct step for his career, but Menezes hopes the 18-year-old remains in his home country at present.

Menezes said: "All understand Neymar's situation and what must be going on in his mind. But thinking about Brazilian football, his remaining with Santos would be beneficial. The team is on top and it would very good for Neymar to say with them for a longer period."

Though it is understood that Chelsea will redouble their efforts to sign Neymar and that he is interested in a move to the Premier League, the forward says he will take into account the view of his national boss and does not wish to be a substitute if he does move to London.

"I don't know if I will stay or depart but I don't wish to leave a championship team like Santos to be placed on the reserve team of Chelsea or any other foreign team," Neymar said. "It would be better to stay. I will take into consideration Mano's advice before making my decision."

Chelsea Consider Swoop For £13m Rated Real Madrid Midfielder

Chelsea are planning an audacious swoop for Real Madrid midfielder Rafael Van der Vaart who is said to be ready to leave the La Liga giants following the arrival of Mesut Ozil from Werder Bremen. Carlo Ancelotti has been keen to strengthen his midfield after losing the services of Michael Ballack, Deco and Joe Cole this summer.

The fact that the Blues allowed Ricardo Carvalho to rejoin Jose Mourinho could help matters if the west London side does indeed follow up their interest in the Dutch international with a solid bid for his services. The 27 year old former Ajax and Hamburg man has struggled to get a foot hold in the Bernabeu first team but had hoped to be able to win over new boss Jose Mourinho but the signing of Ozil could be the death knell of Van der Vaart’s Real Madrid career.

There has been some talk of a potential return to the Bundesliga but it could be that he is looking for a fresh challenge and a move to the Premier League champions would be a very tempting move to consider. The attacking midfielder has also seen his lack of first team action cost him a regular spot in the Dutch national team and the former international regular only managed to play in group matches during the World Cup and lost his place to Arjen Robben when he had recovered from his injury.

Jose Mourinho will also know that he needs to trim his squad to help cut his massive wage bill and would probably consider offers of around £12-14m for the player who arrived in Spain in the summer of 2008 for a fee of £11m.

Manchester City are also said to be interested in the talented attack minded midfielder and there interest could drive the price ever upwards.

Chelsea Boss Carlo Ancelotti Hints At Interest In Everton Starlet Jack Rodwell

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti is thought to have dropped a broad hint that he intends to make a move to sign Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell.

The Londoners have been seeking to lower the average age of the squad; as a consequence of this, the west London club are thought to be in the market to make signings that would put the future of the club in no doubt.

Now the Daily Mail claims that Blues boss Ancelotti has insisted that "Rodwell of Everton is a good player," dropping a broad hint that an approach could be in the offing.

The young midfielder last season signed a new five-year deal to remain at Goodison Park, while his manager David Moyes has thus far maintained that he will remain on Merseyside this summer.

Chelsea Close To Unleashing Gael Kakuta

Rarely has one player dominated the headlines to the extent that Chelsea’s Gael Kakuta grabbed the media’s attention in 2009. Twelve months on, Kakuta is ready to earn a more positive reaction. The Frenchman is still just 19 years of age, but his time in England has been nothing short of eventful since completing a switch from French side Lens in 2007.

After cutting his teeth with the Chelsea youth team, Kakuta’s world was turned upside down by controversy surrounding his transfer to Stamford Bridge. In 2009, the FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber banned Chelsea from buying players during the next two transfer windows while Kakuta received a four-month ban and a fine. Though the decision was later overturned, the saga thrust Kakuta into the spotlight. But the drama around the deal has not fazed him, though there were some tough patches when the bans were announced.

His talent has been obvious to everyone at the club and in late 2009 Ancelotti raved about his young star’s potential. The Italian said: At his age, I have never seen one player with his talent. He suffered for one or two weeks about the situation but he is a very good talent. His character is good. Technically, he is fantastic.

John Terry is considered to be the last player to rise from the club’s youth system and the defender has voiced his pleasure at witnessing Kakuta’s promise. Terry stated: It’s good to see not only for the management and the players but for the fans as well. Gael’s a real exciting talent. No one’s getting too carried away - Gael still has a lot to prove - but he’s a great young talent and he’s doing really well.

The recent 2010 UEFA European Under-19 Championships showcased the youngster’s all-round game. Playing on home soil, France made a fast start as Kakuta set them on the way to a 4-1 win over Holland in the group stage. He popped up again to save the day in the semi-final with the equalizer against Croatia. But he saved his most important contribution for the final against Spain. With the game locked at 1-1, Kakuta conjured up the assist for Alexandre Lacazette to strike a late winner. Having led his team to glory, Kakuta was named Golden Player for his fine displays in the tournament.

Of course, Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti is not short of quality options going forward, with Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka and Frank Lampard in the fold, plus Salomon Kalou and last season’s star Florent Malouda. But it will not have escaped the Italian’s notice that Kakuta is developing into a promising attacker. Just as Sir Alex Ferguson has been raving about the potential of Javier Hernandez and Federico Macheda, Chelsea coaches are said to be excited by Kakuta’s progress. Thus far, his first team appearances have been limited to one Champions League outing and a few cameos off the bench in the league and League Cup. Yet it is not a far fetched idea to think that the youngster might feature in the first team this year, especially as Drogba has had injury problems.

The departures of Joe Cole and Michael Ballack may also open up playing time for Kakuta. It is no secret that Chelsea needs some younger legs, especially when trying to unlock stubborn defences. Teams tend to opt for a 4-5-1 formation at Stamford Bridge, making it paramount that the Blues have players with the creativity to produce a moment of magic. And Ancelotti will need to shuffle his pack if Chelsea is to mount serious challenges on four fronts. While there would be benefits to be gained from allowing Kakuta to gain regular first team football out on loan, the attacker has made it clear he wants to stay and fight for playing time this season.

Chelsea are the team to beat this year after winning the Double last season, but with that comes additional pressure. And in Kakuta, they have a young star who will not be overawed by the big occasion. When the moment arrives, Kakuta will be itching to show the promise that caught Chelsea’s eye several years ago. Kakuta and Chelsea have been through some testing times together, but the Blues will soon reap the rewards. The young Frenchman could well be a key man for many years to come.

Chelsea Owner Roman Abramovich Behind Vitesse Takeover

Georgian businessman Merab Jordania was said to have taken over Eredivisie outfit Vitesse earlier this week, but according to a report in Quote, it’s none other than Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich who is behind the deal.

The financial magazine claimed that Jordania is little more than a puppet for Abramovich, quoting an anonymous friend of the Russian, who reportedly stated: “De facto, it is Roman who has bought Vitesse.”

It has been suggested that players from Chelsea’s reserve and youth teams could soon be making their way to Arnhem, though young Dutchman Jeffrey Bruma will not be one of them. “He is someone who could end up starting in the future,” the source revealed.

Vitesse are a club who have been plagued by financial difficulties over the last decade and have found times tougher during the recent global economic crisis. As a result, they’ve been forced to shed many first team players and have filled the squad with a number of youngsters.

Exactly why Jordania wanted to invest in an Eredivisie club has not been made clear and has certainly made it easy to cast a shadow over his recent successful takeover of the side who finished 14th in the Netherlands’ top flight last term.

Nicolas Anelka Labels French Federation Officials ‘Clowns’ After 18-Match Ban

Slapped with an 18-match national team suspension on Tuesday, France striker Nicolas Anelka has admitted to having simply laughed at his ban, which was handed to him by the FFF’s (French FA) disciplinary committee.

Anelka was suspended after a frank exchange of words with then-coach Raymond Domenech during the half-time interval of les Bleus’ World Cup encounter against Mexico spilled over into the press, with the result that the Chelsea star was sent home from the World Cup while his team-mates sat out training as a protest.

“For me, this whole thing with the commission of whatever it is an aberration, a masquerade to make sure they don't lose face,” he declared to France Soir. “They have punished a void, as Nicolas Anelka never existed in this pitiful and colourful affair. I repeat: the page with les Bleus was turned on June 19 when I was evicted from Knysna.

“They are real clowns, these people... I am doubled up with laughter.”

Michael Essien Flies Ghanaian Kids To Chelsea

Two Ghanaian kids Bismark Mensah and Jonathan Kwofie have been flown on a three-day visit to Chelsea Football Club in London under the aegis of the Michael Essien Foundation.

The boys will participate in a three-day residential camp from August 17 to 20. They are also scheduled to be part of mini-tournaments aimed at honing their football talents along with other kids at the club.

“I am proud that we have been able to help these boys live their dream, which is what the Michael Essien Foundation is all about,” the midfield general said in a statement.

“We have been working hard behind the scenes and with the help of Chelsea Football Club we will be giving the boys hope and inspiration – a key message of the foundation.

“A very big thank you to everyone at Chelsea Football Club & Chelsea Foundation for being so kind and generous – especially everyone directly involved in this small project of giving the boys a chance to realize their dream. I am truly grateful,” he stated.

The Ghanaian youngsters will be taken on a tour of Stamford Bridge and other places of interest.

Ancelotti: Continuity Away From Home

Carlo Ancelotti may have started the season with a 6-0 win but he's still looking at areas for improvement on the last campaign.

Last season was a phenomenal year for the Blues, ending in the Double, but Ancelotti remembers early troubles away from home, beginning with a 3-1 loss last September against Wigan, our next opponents.

A 2-1 defeat at Villa Park soon followed, which is why Ancelotti is keen to avert any troubles outside of Stamford Bridge with the focused football that ended our last campaign.

'They didn't start well [against Wigan last year],' explained the Italian, 'but we have to learn to play against teams with strong motivation.

'Our aim is to show continuity away from home. Although we did very well last season, away we had some problems. We need to change the direction of this.'

Ancelotti knows just how important it is to start the season with a victory, explaining how the beginning of last year's campaign was instrumental in winning the League.

'Last season we started well and won the first six games - that was key to winning the title.

'We want the same this season and we have started very well. Now we need to look to the next game.

'It's good to think game-by-game. Every game could be difficult, so it is important to stay focused.

'These players can certainly repeat the same season [as last year] but our aim is to do better if it's possible.

'We have started better than last year, showing more confidence, and I think we can do better.'

And with side boasting the likes of Drobga, whose hat-trick proved he's ready to carry on where he left off last year, Chelsea fans world-wide will be truly excited by the start to 2010/11.

'I have been happy to work with a lot of strikers, but it is difficult to find one with the continuity of Drogba,' added Ancelotti.

'Drogba is fit, he does not have problems physically, he is professional, so he can play for a lot of years but the most important thing is the mentality, to be happy to train, to be happy to play - Didier is that kind of man.'

Chelsea Target Decides On Move Today

Chelsea target Neymar will decide today whether to complete a £24m move to the Premier League.

The Brazilian wonderkid was having talks with his family last night over his future after Chelsea made an improved offer.

Santos are holding out for the £29.6m buy-out clause in his contract and have threatened to report Chelsea to Fifa for “tapping up” the teenager.

But Neymar’s agent Wagner Ribiero said: “Neymar is meeting with his family, and they will decide what they want. Then we will have a conversation with Santos. Everything will be decided this week.”

Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck has strongly denied Santos’ claims, saying: “There was no tapping up from Chelsea, and I want to be clear on that.

“We are looking at several young Brazilian players, and he is one of the players we have been looking at. Whether he becomes a Chelsea player at some point, who knows?”

Bayern Munich Eye Chelsea Starlet Gael Kakuta

Bayern Munich are set to steal Chelsea youngster Gael Kakuta with the offer of a regular first team spot, according to The People.

Kakuta, 19, rose to fame last season after his transfer from Lens came under the scrutiny of FIFA.

The starlet has begun to make waves on the pitch now and was the stand out player in France's European Championship under-19s side.

This form has alerted Bayern to the attacker's talent and they are prepared to offer him a way out of the Blues' reserves.

After making just one Premier League appearance last term, Kakuta is understood to be ready to test manager Carlo Ancelotti's resolve to keep him.

Chelsea On The Verge Of Making £4.5m Offer To Stoke City For Asmir Begovic

Chelsea are believed to be readying an offer of £4.5 million for the services of Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.

The shaky form shown by Petr Cech's understudies, Henrique Hilario and Ross Turnbull, was previously reported to have been the cause behind the Blues' hunt for another shot-stopper.

In the meantime, the Potters boss Tony Pulis recently admitted that there had been enquiries from west London, but insisted that the 23-year-old is not for sale.

However, the Daily Mail claims that Roman Abramovich's outfit will put Stoke's resolve to the test by proposing a £4.5m offer in exchange of the services of the former Portsmouth 'keeper.

Begovic joined his current club in the winter transfer window last season, but recent reports point towards the player making a move if he is not the first-choice shot-stopper at the Britannia Stadium.

Real Madrid Ready To Launch £10 Million Swoop For Chelsea Striker Didier Drogba

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho is planning to launch an audacious bid to be reunited with Didier Drogba by offering £10 million for the Chelsea frontman.

The Portuguese tactician returned to his former club last week to complete the £6.7 million capture of Ricardo Carvalho, and now - according to The Sunday People - he hopes to take the Ivorian captain to the Bernabeu.

However, Chelsea are unlikely to discuss a potential departure for last year's top scorer in the Premier League and will rebuff any move from the Spanish giants as they did with Ashley Cole earlier this summer.

Drogba, who has won three Premier League titles and three FA Cups since joining Chelsea six years ago, forged a close bond with Mourinho during their time together at Stamford Bridge and may be interested in a switch to Spain.

Mourinho will be hoping that the chance to link up with his former boss will prove too much of an attraction for the former Marseille man, and believes a £10 million bid will be enough to sway the Chelsea hierarchy to part company with their prolific striker.

Petr Cech Plays Down Talk Of Reunion With Jose Mourinho At Real Madrid

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has quashed rumours that he is on the verge of leaving Stamford Bridge to join Real Madrid.

Cech has been linked with a move to rejoin old boss Jose Mourinho at the Bernabeu as well as teaming up with Ricardo Carvalho who has already made the move.

Mourinho signed Portuguese defender Carvalho for £6.7 million having convinced him to come to Spain and the Real Madrid coach is rumoured to be attempting to persuade Chelsea’s number one to do the same.

However Cech has rejected claims that he has been in contact with Mourinho and also questioned whether Real need a goalkeeper to replace World Cup winner Iker Casillas.

"There are more of us here who were with Chelsea while [Jose] Mourinho was in charge. So the media could speculate about many players. You should never say never, but we have not spoken with Jose [Mourinho].” Cech told Pravo.

"If you take a look at Real's [Madrid] squad, you see that the goalkeeper's position is the only place where they have not had any reason to change anything."

Meanwhile Chelsea has been quiet in this summers transfer window with Yossi Benayoun and Ramires the two notable signings.

Midfielders Joe Cole and Michael Ballack have also left the club but Cech is confident that more new faces could arrive before the end of the transfer window.

"It is normal that in such a big club like Chelsea someone comes in and someone leaves," argued the former Rennes keeper.

"There may be some more activity yet because the transfer window is still open. Still someone might arrive."

Chelsea PR Plan To Keep Real Madrid Target Ashley Cole At Stamford Bridge

Booed by England fans at Wembley and jeered by West Bromwich Albion supporters on his own patch, Ashley Cole's low opinion of England and it's people is unlikely to have changed during the past week.

This season promises to be Ashley Cole's most challenging to date, not that he already hasn't had a few.

Cole is certainly no stranger to the role of pantomime villain, he has been type cast ever since his defection from Arsenal to Chelsea, right through the public playing-out of his marriage break-up and up to his part in England's failure in South Africa.
Little wonder the chance of a reunion with Jose Mourinho at the Bernabeu holds plenty of appeal.

Despite Carlo Ancelotti's insistence that Cole is going nowhere, Mourinho has not given up hope of bringing the 29-year-old full-back to Real Madrid.

Chelsea are certainly willing to pull out the stops to ensure Cole will not be banging on his manager's door in the next fortnight demanding a move to the Spanish capital.

The plan, as Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck explained, is to help restore Cole's battered public image with a little profile lowering.

Buck said: 'I think Ashley is fine. He is great around the club, is polite and helpful. We're not involved in his private life but we support him to a certain extent if we can.

'You would be unhappy too if you got the treatment he is getting by the media. He doesn't like that but I don't think it will be any different if he was in Spain or Italy.

'He has just got to work a little bit, with our help, on improving his image. He is a great player and everyone loves to watch him play and we just look forward like that. We do [rally around him] at executive level, as do the other players and management. We will do the best we can.'

Quite how Chelsea intends to perform this radical image makeover remains to be seen. It will be certainly easier said than done with a player who was pictured with a bevy of scantily beauties on his recent holiday in Los Angeles and who headed straight to paparazzi infested haunt, China White, immediately upon returning from Chelsea's pre-season trip to Germany.

Persuading Cole that it might wise to opt for a quiet night in rather than a night at the latest West End celebrity haunt will, therefore, be no mean feat. But if Chelsea is to engineer a seismic shift in public opinion then their only hope is to ensure the column inches Cole occupies are at the back of newspapers rather than the front.

Ensuring Cole is not the player opposition fans love to hate will be a long drawn out affair and will require the full cooperation of the player himself. It may just transpire that Cole decides the easiest way to shed his bad-boy image is to up sticks to a country where he can leave the baggage in the departure lounge.

Until then expect the boo boys to be in good voice at every ground up and down the country, starting at Wigan's DW stadium this Saturday.

Asian Stars Back At The Academy

Winners of this year's Asian Soccer Star contest were at Cobham last week as they underwent their trials with the Chelsea Academy.

The three-day trials were incorporated into the Academy's Summer Camps, which act as a pre-season for the youngsters signed on in our younger age groups.

While none of the boys attending did quite enough to be signed on, it was good news for Under 9 winner Adam Aziz who has been invited back to be a part of our elite training centre program, where he can be closely monitored by Chelsea staff.

Kelan Patel, trialling with our Under 11s, told Chelsea TV how much he had enjoyed the experience.

'We had lots of tests, and it's fun but really hard sometimes, but the coach is really nice and helpful,' said the young midfielder. 'I learned there are better players out there. In my Sunday league there are good players but not as good. I thought this would be easier but there are loads of really good players.'

Chelsea's Academy project manager Darren Grace oversaw the trials, and was impressed by the lads.

'All of them have done okay, they trained on Tuesday, Wednesday was a games day so we had a series of games they took part in, and on Thursday it was another day of training, with lots of practices and drills they won't have been used to,' he explained. 'From what I have seen they have coped well and certainly haven't looked out of place.

'The standard here is extremely high, and it is getting tougher and tougher. The good thing about the Academy here at the minute is that the scouts are doing a fantastic job bringing in players from different backgrounds and cultures and the Search for an Asian Soccer Star is another scouting tool. All the lads were told we'd monitor them and that they should try and play at the highest level they can and to keep working hard. They all coped well and did themselves and their families proud!'

For 2010, we opened the contest up to six age groups, adding Under 8s, 9s and 10s to the Under 11s, 12s and 13s competition that took place in 2009. This, Grace explained, was to help us nurture potential players from an earlier age.

'We've had more age groups this year, we started younger because we felt if we could find them at a younger age we have more time to help them develop and grow an affinity with Chelsea Football Club and the way we do things,' he said. 'Then, if any of them are ultimately good enough to join the Academy it is better that they come in as early as possible.'

Match Report: Chelsea 6 - 0 West Brom

Double winners Chelsea fired an early warning to their Barclays Premier League title rivals as Didier Drogba smashed a hat-trick in their opening-day thrashing of new boys West Brom at Stamford Bridge.

Florent Malouda set the Blues on their way after only six minutes, with Drogba's free-kick extending the lead on the stroke of half-time.

It was more one-way traffic after the restart, as the Ivory Coast striker netted from close range with Frank Lampard making it 4-0 just after the hour.

Drogba's deflected effort and a last-minute strike from Malouda sealed an emphatic win for the champions, who put last week's 3-1 defeat by Manchester United in the Community Shield at Wembley firmly behind them.

Despite being outplayed, West Brom and their manager Roberto Di Matteo, the former Chelsea midfielder, deserve credit for continuing to display some good passing football, but which tellingly lacked a cutting edge in the final third.

Chelsea had got off to a flying start when they took the lead after only six minutes.

Malouda was tripped by Pablo Ibanez on the edge of the West Brom box.

Keeper Scott Carson spilled Drogba's free-kick straight to John Obi Mikel, whose follow-up effort was blocked. The ball then dropped straight to Malouda, who could not miss.

The champions were in full flow, with Ashley Cole whipping a low ball across the six-yard box after another surge down the left.

However, the conditions worsened, and fit again Chelsea keeper Petr Cech had to be at full stretch to touch away Graham Dorrans' deflected effort.

The visitors, who finished second behind Newcastle in the Championship last season, continued to try to take the game to Chelsea, putting together some promising passing moves.

Czech striker Roman Bednar smashed a fine finish into the roof of the Chelsea net on 18 minutes, but the offside flag had already gone up for what looked a marginal decision.

Cole then drew some predictable jeers from the travelling fans when he went to take a throw-in - but the boo-boys were soon drowned up by the home faithful showing the England defender their full support.

After a drop in tempo, Chelsea slowly started to find their rhythm again.

Gabriel Tamas fouled Drogba, giving Chelsea another chance to deliver a ball into the West Brom box.

Lampard struck his 20-yard shot well and Carson parried, but this time Malouda could not keep his follow-up on target as he sent a looping header over.

It was, though, 2-0 just before the break.

Youssouf Mulumbu tripped Michael Essien and this time Drogba smashed his free-kick through the wall and into the bottom corner.

The conditions improved for the second half, allowing both teams to pass the ball quickly.

On 53 minutes, Scotland midfielder Dorrans chipped a free-kick over the wall, but the ball dropped onto the top of the net.

Chelsea then moved 3-0 ahead when Drogba bundled in his second.

John Terry flicked Malouda's inswinging corner goalwards and Mulumbu hacked it off the line, but the ball was not cleared and Drogba, who won the Golden Boot with 29 goals last season, was alert to smash it in from close range.

Lampard walked in a fourth on 63 minutes after a clever exchange between Nicolas Anelka and Cole down the left.

The England midfielder, who had been carrying a slight ankle problem, was then replaced by Yossi Benayoun, as the Israeli made is debut following a summer move from Liverpool - who were described as a "small club somewhere north of the M25" by Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck in his program notes, hitting back at comments by Joe Cole following his free transfer summer move to Anfield.

On 68 minutes, Drogba completed his hat-trick with a 20-yard effort which cannoned off Tamas and flew into the bottom corner past a wrong-footed Carson.

The Ivory Coast striker was then given a well-deserved break when he was replaced by countryman Salomon Kalou.

Malouda whipped a 20-yard free-kick over the wall and bar, while Alex flicked a rising shot from Chris Brunt over the bar to deny the visitors a late consolation.

Neymar Denies Chelsea Deal

Santos striker Neymar has dismissed claims he has already signed a contract with Chelsea after Carlo Ancelotti hailed the teenager as a 'fantastic player'.

Neymar, who scored on his Brazil debut against the United States in midweek, has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge before the close of the transfer window.

Chelsea have seen an offer rejected by Santos and the Brazilian club's president has threatened to report the Premier League champions to Fifa regarding their pursuit of the 18-year-old.

There have been claims that Neymar has agreed personal terms with the Blues, but the promising forward is adamant that is not the case.

"I'm very happy to be remembered by a great team, but Santos is my place at the moment," Neymar told reporters.

"I want to stay at Santos, win more titles here and, who knows, leave in the future.

"That whole story that people are saying about Chelsea did not reach me until now. I don't know anything about it."

Blues boss Ancelotti is unaware of Santos' threat to report the club to Fifa, but acknowledged his admiration for Neymar.

Ancelotti said: "I know nothing about this. He is a fantastic player, but he is not a Chelsea player now and it's difficult for me to speak about this.

"What happened after, I am not interested. I can only speak about his technical quality.

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

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.

Wigan To Poach Chelsea Youngster

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez is set to sign Argentinian striker Franco Di Santo from Chelsea on a season-long deal.

Martinez has made an official approach for Di Santo as Jason Scotland’s replacement and the forward’s agent flew in from South America to open talks yesterday.

Di Santo had a loan spell at Blackburn last season that started promisingly but faded away when he was left out of Sam Allardyce’s side.

Chelsea wanted to sell Di Santo but there have been no takers.

Bolton backed off because they could not get a straight answer while Feyenoord and Twente Enschede cooled their interest.

Martinez wants to pair Di Santo with countryman Mauro Boselli and use his intelligent front-running.

Where Will Ramires Slot In Alongside Chelsea's Existing Midfield Options?

As erstwhile police detective Lester Freamon advises throughout the critically acclaimed American television series The Wire, "All the pieces matter". And in £16 million Brazilian Ramires, it seems Carlo Ancelotti has found another one he believes will play a significant role in helping his Chelsea squad try to retain their Premier League crown.

If some pundits thought the Blues' rush to the title last season showed their squad to be in rude health, then Ancelotti seemingly didn't agree — at least in midfield. The club has operated ruthlessly and efficiently to remodel their midfield ranks this summer — releasing seasoned campaigners Michael Ballack, Joe Cole and Juliano Belletti, while Deco has joined Fluminense, with Ancelotti showing little remorse before introducing the subtley different skillset of Yossi Benayoun and now the 23-year-old Brazilian in replacement.

The question, then, is how these pieces — both new and old — will be utilized next season. With Ancelotti likely to stick predominantly to the 4-3-3 formation that worked so well in the latter stages of last season(with one holding midfielder sitting behind two box-to-box central operators, themselves deeper than the two wingers working behind Drogba), he now has plenty of ways of filling that mould.

A return to the diamond formation the former AC Milan manager has long put his faith in is not impossible, despite memories of its failings when used to start last season — if only to cause opponents some tactical uncertainty. That system, in midfield at least, is not markedly different from the 4-3-3 but does require an adept playmaker to slot in adeptly at the tip to work effectively (something that couldn't be done last year).

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.