Kalou Nets In Africa

Salomon Kalou scored the 12th international goal of his career as Ivory Coast began their qualification campaign for the next African Cup of Nations with a win.

The Elephants, under Sven Goran Eriksson's successor Francois Zahoui, beat Rwanda 3-0 at home with all the goals coming from Premier League-based players.

Kalou's goal was the second of the game when he converted a cross with a shot into the left-hand corner on 21 minutes. It was his 36th cap. Yaya Toure and Emmanuel Eboue were the other scorers. Didier Drogba attended the match but was not part of the on-pitch action.

Ivory Coast's next match is in October. Nigeria, with John Mikel Obi in the squad, are in action at home to Madagascar tomorrow (Sunday). The Super Eagles are yet to name a new permanent coach. Swede Lars Lagerback, who led them in an unimpressive World Cup, left at the end of his contract.

In Saturday's Under 21 football, defender Slobodan Rajkovic, who is on loan at Vitesse Arnheam, played in Serbia U21s' 2-2 home draw against Croatia. Serbia will not qualify for the European Championships.

Youth Report: Coventry City 1 - 1 Chelsea

Chelsea faced a tough Coventry side this weekend, losing a one-goal lead established by Philipp Prosenik in the first half.

Both sides were committed to attacking, entertaining football throughout in front of an impressive crowd on a sunny afternoon at the Alan Higgs Centre.

Rohan Ince and Billy Clifford both featured for the first time since the FA Youth Cup Final, playing 45 minutes a piece.

City was first to find to the net, despite the referee already blowing his whistle. Jonson Harris lobbed Jamal Blackman on that occasion, while the Chelsea keeper played to the whistle instead of attempting to stop the ball.

George Saville then forced two consecutive and acrobatic saves from Coventry keeper Lee Burge but it took until the 33rd minute for Chelsea to find the net.

When the hosts appealed for a freekick on the right flank, the referee waved play on, allowing the Blues a chance to counter.

Devyne then set up Prosenik with a superb ball before the goalscorer expertly slotted home to give Chelsea the lead.

The Under 18s went into the break 1-0 up and boasted the better play at the start of the second-half. It was Coventry who'd find the net next though.

With 66 minutes gone the hosts pulled one back, equalizing the game. A cross from Aaron Phillips eventually fell to Harris who drilled a shot under Blackman and into the back of the net.

Chelsea failed to find a second goal as both sides battled for possession in midfield, despite having the better exchanges in the latter part of the game, and the game ended 1-1.

'It was a really tough away game,' said youth team manager Dermot Drummy.

'There was a lot of tackles and it wasn't a very flowing game but the boys are competing, so I am pleased with the performance.'

Carlo Ancelotti Has No Plans To Coach Italy In The Immediate Future

Carlo Ancelotti has put his nostalgia for Italian football to one side to focus on Chelsea as he excludes a role with Italy.

The Blues boss has expressed a desire to coach a national team in future, but for now he is firmly drilled on furnishing his time around Chelsea.

And he made it clear he is in with the Blues for the long haul as he hopes to continue on a trophy-filled journey with plenty of sticking power.

"I want to open up a cycle with Chelsea, and then we will see," he told TG1.

"I hope Cesare Prandelli stays with Italy for 20 years. According to statistics Italy win the World Cup once every 24 years which means we will win again in 2030.

"But I hope they can win it before then."

Spartak Moscow Willing To Throw A Lifeline To Chelsea's Yury Zhirkov

Spartak Moscow boss Valeri Karpin has confirmed that his side are keen on giving Chelsea outcast Yury Zhirkov a new lease of life in his career.

The 27-year-old wide man has been making appearances only on an intermittent basis - partly owing to injuries - since he joined the Blues last summer, and Russia boss Dick Advocaat recently warned the player that he could risk losing his place in the national team without regular football.

The Dutchman also cited Everton's Diniyar Bilyaletdinov and Tottenham Hotspur striker Roman Pavlyuchenko among those who run the risk of being dropped.

Zenit St Petersburg were thought to have been interested in the versatile left-back, who can also play on the wing, but any interest that may have existed did not reach fruition in the form of a transfer.

Now Spartak boss Karpin has revealed that his side were also interested in luring the player back to Russia, as he is quoted by the Daily Mail as saying: "I was interested, I am now and I will be in the winter."

Zhirkov has made only 17 appearances for Chelsea since his big money move from CSKA Moscow.

Chelsea And Inter Set To Battle For Anderlecht Starlet Romelu Lukaku

Chelsea and Inter are interested in securing the services of Anderlecht starlet Romelu Lukaku, according to tuttomercatoweb.

The 17-year-old, who was top-scorer in Belgium last season, is considered one of the top rising stars in European football and has a very bright future ahead of him.

Despite plenty of interest this past year from numerous European clubs, the starlet has already decided to remain with the Belgian champions until at least the summer of 2011 in order to finish school.

However, next summer it appears the door is open for both Chelsea and Inter, who are aiming to strengthen in attack.

Inter have yet to replace striker Mario Balotelli, who left for Manchester City, while two of Chelsea's most prolific strikers - Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka - are both in their 30's and might only have a handful of years of top level football left in them.

Essien Sets Sights High

Midfielder Michael Essien says Chelsea can crown last season's double success by winning the Champions League.

The Ghana international has returned to Chelsea's midfield after spending much of last season on the treatment table with a knee injury that eventually cost him a trip to the World Cup finals in South Africa.

Chelsea stormed to the Barclays Premier League title last season and then clinched their first-ever double with an FA Cup final victory over Portsmouth at Wembley.

Now Essien believes the Blues can add the Champions League crown to all the domestic silverware they have won.

Chelsea are confident of getting through their group which includes MSK Zilina, Spartak Moscow and Marseille.

"We have set our targets as high as we possibly can and the aim is to win every competition we enter," said Essien.

"We now have four trophies to go for and we are all focused on giving it 110 per cent.

"You cannot ask for more than three games played, three wins with 14 goals scored and none conceded. That is the reason why I am excited about this season. The team has been together for the last four to five years and the understanding is getting better each year.

"We cannot get carried away and have to keep working hard to win everything. As a player you get the inner feeling that something big is around the corner and I feel the same way I felt last season when we won the double.

"However I am sure we can go one further and add the big one - the UEFA Champions League to our collection of trophies.

"Everyone knows how much winning that will mean to us. As a team we have won every domestic trophy and so it's only natural that we have the hunger for the European trophy.

"That is not to say we don't care about the Premier League, FA Cup or Carling Cup. We want to win every competition we enter this season and we will do all we can to win them all."

Didier Drogba Named West Africa’s Player Of The Year

Didier Drogba has won the inaugural prize for the best footballer in West Africa awarded by the West Africa Football Union (Wafu).

The sub-region's maiden awards ceremony was held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on Wednesday and chaired by Ghana’s FA president Kwesi Nyantakyi, who represented the Wafu president Amos Adamu.

The awards were meant to distinguish footballers from West Africa who performed exceptionally during the year under review. The votes were conducted via phone calls and SMS from the sub-region’s public.

Drogba received the biggest award of the night, tagged “Best of the Best”, beating Ghana’s trio Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari and Andre Ayew.

The Elephants' Yaya Toure and Kader Keita were also distinguished as well as two Nigerians: John Obi Mikel and Yakubu. Emmanuel Adebayor from Togo was also awarded.

Two of the Ivory Coast's former players Laurent Pokou and Cyrile Domoraud, along with Toure and Drogba, were designated as ambassadors of an Abidjan-based orphanage home called “SOS d’Abobo” so its residents can benefit from the players education projects - a prime mission of UFOA.

Essien Puts International Career On Hold

Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien has stood down from international football for the foreseeable future, telling Ghana he wants to return to form at club level, coach Milovan Rajevac said.

Essien has been missing without explanation from two Ghana squads named since the World Cup, including the selection for Sunday's start of the 2012 African Nations Cup qualifiers.

Rajevac told the BBC Essien had asked for time off to consolidate his place in the Chelsea side after a long injury lay-off.

"He contacted me and wanted to ask for permission to be excused for a while," Rajevac said in Swaziland ahead of Sunday's Group qualifier.

"I understood his thoughts and of course I wanted to help him to get into his old form, to start playing regularly and I gave that permission," the Serbian-born coach added.

Essien, who missed the World Cup in South Africa, has suffered two serious injuries while on past international duty.

"I'm sure that after sometime he will come back to the national team," Rajevac added.

Essien has won 50 caps for his country and played in the 2006 World Cup for the Black Stars.

Lampard Reveals Secret In New Magazine

Frank Lampard is looking sharp and ready to talk on the cover of October's Chelsea magazine, now on sale.

Inside the new edition he reveals secrets behind his play that helped him net 27 goals last campaign - a magnificent total for a striker, let alone a midfielder.

Talking exclusively to the club's official publication, Lampard describes how movement, stamina and sharpness all play a role in his game, but another factor is the team around him which allows our number 8 so many opportunities to strike.

'I'm very lucky to play in a team with such good movement,' Lampard tells Chelsea, 'especially when we're really firing.

'Defenders are worried about [Didier] Drogba and [Nicolas] Anelka, especially when they're running in behind players and pushing the defensive line back, because that opens up space for me to arrive when the ball comes into the box.

'The easiest way I ever score goals is when we win the ball and move it quickly forward. What's the point in winning the ball back and just keeping it?'

During the in-depth interview, Lampard also discusses new arrivals at the Bridge, as well as the experience our side already boasts, before talking of Chelsea's recent run of form and how it affects the opposition.

'The fans enjoy it, we enjoy it, but it's not reality winning sixes, sevens and eights. There was a time last year when we couldn't score. We've got to be ready for teams who shut up shop against us so that we have to find a way to make a breakthrough.

'Those are the games where you have to find a goal from nowhere and be happy with a 1-0 win,' he adds.

Elsewhere in the new-look Chelsea magazine, Ramires tells fans all about his footballing career, which didn't really begin until he was 17. He also reveals how his first time out of Brazil was when he left for Benfica last year.

You can learn all about the young Brazilian's football idols, what role he expects to play for Chelsea and his first impressions of the club and our impressive training facilities.

Then there's Florent Malouda's Photo Album, a collection a snaps from his childhood and time at Chelsea, each accompanied by a description from the man himself.

There are images of him in his first football team and he also divulges the belief he once had of being Superman and the drastic repercussions which followed!

Salomon Kalou stars in this month's Family Secrets feature, as the Ivorian reveals all sorts of facts, from his favourite songs and sporting idols, to his most important shirt swap and the last holiday he took.

And as Chelsea magazine looks back over days gone by, Ken Shellito takes part in this month's The Boys Are Back In Town.

In it Shellito discusses Jimmy Greaves, a fellow east London boy who would go on to achieve great things.

The former full-back describes the decision to sign for Chelsea and how it came about in this exclusive and insightful interview.

DJ and supporter Johnny Vaughan then discusses his love of Chelsea before Carlo Ancelotti answers fans' questions in You Ask The Manager.

This month's feature includes queries such as 'Having not made too many signings this summer, what gives you the belief that we can retain our title or win the Champions League?'

Or 'Do you have any superstitions going into a game, as a manager or back when you were a player?' and 'How does the atmosphere compare in Premier League matches to that of Serie A?', all of which the Italian expertly answers.

Internationals: Benayoun Blows Malta Away

Yossi Benayoun was the star turn as Euro 2012 qualifiers began for Chelsea players on Thursday evening, scoring a hat-trick in an Israel win.

Our summer signing struck all his side's goals in a 3-1 home win over Malta. He scored within the first 10 minutes from inside the area, only for the visitors to equalise before the break. Benayoun then converted from the penalty spot in the second half before heading his hat-trick goal on 76 minutes, following up after a save. He also had a goal disallowed for handball after two minutes.

Former Chelsea players Tal Ben-Haim and Ben Sahar (currently on loan at Hapoel Tel-Aviv from Espanyol) also played for Israel.

England Under 19s were also in action on Thursday evening with Josh McEachran and Aziz Deen-Conteh both making their debuts at this level.

The Chelsea Academy products started a 2-0 win over Slovakia at Crewe's Gresty Road. McEachran played the first 61 minutes and Deen-Conteh came off on 69 minutes. Their team-mate in last season's FA Youth Cup win, Milan Lalkovic, played 64 minutes for the Slovakians.

More Chelsea players will be involved in Euro 2012 qualifiers on Friday.

Chelsea Name Reduced Squad

Chelsea has included just four 'home-grown' players in their 19-man matchday squad for this season.

Under new rules this campaign, Premier League clubs must register a minimum of eight players who have trained for three years with any English or Welsh outfit before the age of 21 if the full 25-man quota is used.

Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti has instead submitted a reduced party in which John Terry, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole and Ross Turnbull are the only 'home-grown' names.

Amongst the 'non home-grown' players are Stamford Bridge stars such as Didier Drogba, the top goalscorer in the Premier League last season, Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka.

Top flight clubs had to make their squad selections by 5pm on Wednesday following the closure of the summer transfer window.

The Blues have opted against the big-spending antics of some of their Premier League rivals this summer, making just two captures in the form of midfield duo Ramires and Yossi Benayoun, who have both been named in the squad.

In addition to the named line-up, Ancelotti can call upon unlimited players aged 21 or under, with the likes of Daniel Sturridge, Jeffrey Bruma and Gael Kakuta at his disposal.

Chelsea squad: Ashley Cole, John Terry, Frank Lampard, Ross Turnbull, Petr Cech, Branislav Ivanovic, Michael Essien, Ramires, Yossi Benayoun, Didier Drogba, John Mikel Obi, Florent Malouda, Jose Bosingwa, Yury Zhirkov, Paulo Ferreira, Salomon Kalou, Alex, Henrique Hilario, Nicolas Anelka.

Frank Lampard Happy With Chelsea's Stability And Continuity After Summer Transfer Dealings

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard is pleased that there have not been major changes at Stamford Bridge this summer, with continuity so important to maintaining success.

Ramires and Yossi Benayoun have been the major arrivals at the club, with a number of squad members exiting the club, but there has been little change to the core group that won both the Premier League and FA Cup last term.

"Continuity is nice, especially when you have won a double but you do want to add to it and make it better although at the same time you don't want to add to it and make it worse," Lampard told his club's official website.

"There is an element of keeping what you've got and only adding if you are adding better or good squad players.

"Five first-team squad players have left but we have started off very well and we have to keep that going. If we get injuries to big players we hope we have got the cover there."

Lampard also feels that winning the double last season has benefited the squad in terms of collective experience and confidence.

"I don't know about individually, everyone is a bit different. But as a group the double certainly has an effect on collective confidence," he added.

"That is a big positive but the negative is if people think we have won the double, let's rest on our laurels.

"It is very important to keep the confidence but make sure that you never get the feeling that we can easily do that again. The moment you think that then you won't win anything else, so it is a balancing act."

Meanwhile, Lampard feels that the current trend for two holding midfielders in managers' formations is not the one he prefers.

Rather, he feels that one defensive midfielder alongside a more advanced player is more effective.

"Formations do generally go in cycles. In the 90s it was 4-4-2 and then it changed and I think we were probably the instigators as much as anyone in England in making it 4-3-3 when [Jose] Mourinho was in charge," he explained.

"Then because football has become a bit more tactical and organized, it is about becoming harder to beat and teams want two holding midfielders sometimes.

"I personally don't like the system too much. I think one holding midfielder if they are good at their job is enough and I find if you have two in a straight line then it doesn't give you so many angles to play through midfield.

"I always think it is better to have people at different angles which mean one being deeper and the other two taking up different positions [further forward]."

Michael Essien Determined To Emulate Last Season's Achievements

Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien is determined to lift more silverware this season to make manager Carlo Ancelotti sing in celebration.

Essien, 27, was on the sidelines as the Blues enjoyed a club first Premier League and FA Cup double. After recovering from a knee ligament injury, the Ghana international was determined to help the club to further success at home and in Europe.

Speaking to the club's official website, Essien declared he had his eye on some new additions to the Stamford Bridge trophy cabinet.

He said: "I still have memories of the double parade at the end of last season and would love to do it all over again at the end of this season.

"I can't wait to hear the manager sing 'Paa-pa-pa-pa-pa-paa' again. It's the best Italian song I have heard since Pavarotti and it still makes me laugh even watching the DVD now."

The ex-Lyon player added: "As a player, you get the inner feeling that something big is around the corner and I feel the same way I felt last season when we won the double.

"However, I am sure we can go one further and add the big one - the Uefa Champions League trophy - to our collection of trophies.

"Everyone knows how much winning that will mean to us.

"As a team, we have won every domestic trophy and so it's only natural that we have the hunger for the European trophy.

"That is not to say we don't care about the Premier League, FA Cup or Carling Cup. We want to win every competition we enter this season and we will do all we can to win them all."

Chelsea Youngster Jeffrey Bruma Signs New Four-Year Deal

Young Chelsea defender Jeffrey Bruma has signed a new four-year contract to keep him at the club until at least 2014.

The 18-year-old has made four substitute appearances for the Chelsea first team following his arrival in 2007.

Bruma became a professional last summer and since then has made both his full Chelsea and Netherlands debuts whilst also guiding the Chelsea youth team to the FA Youth Cup last season.

Speaking to the club's official website, Bruma said: "I am very happy to stay here."

Bruma thanked the Chelsea staff for recognizing his improvement but conceded that even more improvement would need to be made to stake a claim for a regular first-team spot.

"I have been working to improve all the time I have been here and a next step is getting your next contract, and now it is time to improve again," he said.

"I often speak to [assistant first team coach] Paul Clement because when I came over here as a 15-year-old and was in the youth team, he was the youth team manager. We sit down and lay out a sheet of targets. We did this when we were away in the Champions League in Milan last season.

"I have made my international debut already and that was the aim for two or three years' time. It has come so early and when you reach your targets you obviously have to set new ones, so my new targets are to play as much as I can at Chelsea in the first team and get in the Dutch full squad again as soon as I am fit."

Bruma will now be looking to progress to the Chelsea first-team after appearing in the Carling Cup last year.

The champions allowed Ricardo Carvalho to move to Real Madrid earlier in the transfer window and Bruma could be seen as the long term replacement for the Portuguese international, should his development continue.

Chelsea To Recruit Barca's Director Of Sport

As transfer day limps to its underwhelming conclusion, there are rumours in Spain that Chelsea could be making a new off-pitch signing.

The man in question is Txiqui Begiristain, who would set a new Scrabble record with his first name alone. Txiqui was the Director of Sport at Barca under the previous President, Joan Laporta. Laporta`s mandate ended over the summer, there were elections, and the new bloke, Sandro Rossell did what all newly-elected leaders do, i.e. replacing the previous incumbent’s people with his own. Txiqui, an essential architect of Barca’s success, left the club in June, after 7 years at Barcelona. He made it clear that he was keen to look for pastures new.

And those pastures could be in London, where it is said that Roman Abramovich wants to build a football empire similar to that at Barcelona. Begeristain has there been made an offer that 'cannot be refused`. The man behind this rumour, well-known journalist Guillem Ballagué, says that 'from what I’m told, Txiqui will become the new Director of Football from the beginning of January`.

Ballagué has a mixed record on rumours. On the one hand, he has his entries to a lot of corridors of power in Spanish football. On the other, he has been the man who has broken out some quite excitable cobblers. Fernando Torres to Chelsea was, according to him, a 'done deal`. However, the rumour that Chelsea could be interested in Begeristain has been floating around for some months now.

The rumour would cast doubt on the future of Chelsea’s current 'Director of Football`, Frank Arnesen. If there is a different title in Spain compared to England, Spanish clubs tend to give the title 'Director of Sport` as they tend to cover more than just football. Barcelona, for instance, also has an all-conquering basketball team, as well as a pretty good handball team. Chelsea, of course, only has football.

Arnesen has been given the role of head talent scout, in charge of uncovering football talents. Despite a moderate hype, it is hard to point to many youngsters ready to break into the first team. If anything, for all the reported promise, the kids tend to be locked in the lower levels, leaving on loan deals, but not making the jump to the Chelsea first team. José Mourinho blamed the lack of talented youth in the Chelsea ranks on Frank Arnesen.

On the other hand, the Barcelona model is one that must be attractive to any club. Xavi Hernandez, Lionel Messi, Carles Puyol, Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta, Victor Valdes … many of the Barca first team (and most of the 2010 World Cup winning Spanish side) were home grown at the Barcelona school at La Masía, an institution where kids of all levels learn a football philosophy, as well as schooling in life. No wonder that, as well as being extraordinary footballers, they are also well-balanced individuals. It’s a model that is the envy of world football.

And the rumour is that Roman wants to change the club structure to create a new Masía at Chelsea, and he considers that the best person to oversee this project is the one who has had such an impact on the original Masía, Txiqui Begeristain. It would mean changing the way the club does many things, from training to schooling, not to mention the role of the younger levels in relation to the first team, as well as modifying the role of the first-team coach.

And if the rumour is true, it would be a powerful declaration of intent. Watch this space.

Delac Signed On And Loaned Out

Goalkeeper Matej Delac, who turned 18 last month, has signed as a professional for Chelsea and has been loaned for the season to Vitesse Arnhem.

The Croatian had previously been subject to a pre-contract agreement and spent a fortnight training with our first team in December.

He joins from Croatian top-flight side Inter Zapresic where he played in the first team and he represented his nation at the recent European Under 19 Championships.

His side reached the semi-finals before being beaten 2-1 by France. Gael Kakuta was a scorer past our new keeper in that match, the first time Delac had been beaten for three matches in the tournament.

The 6ft 3in keeper joins Serbians Nemanja Matic and Slobodan Rajkovic as Chelsea players on loan at Vitesse who play in the Dutch top division.

Ancelotti Talks With Coaching Elite

While many of his squad are away on international duty, Carlo Ancelotti is also abroad this week for a brainstorming session with other top-level managers.

He is attending the 12th Uefa Elite Club Coaches Forum in Switzerland where he is joined by former Blues bosses Jose Mourinho and Claudio Ranieri, future Champions League opponent Didier Deschamps, Alex Ferguson and Roy Hodgson, plus Barcelona's Pep Guardiola, Auxerre's Jean Fernandez, Schalke's Felix Magath, Benfica's Jorge Jesus, Lyon's Claude Puel, Malaga's Jesualdo Ferreira, Basel's Thorsten Fink, Ajax's Martin Jol, Werder Bremen's Thomas Schaaf and Nikos Nioplias of Panathinaikos.

They are at Uefa headquarters in Nyon where they are will be discussing trends in and concerns about the sport at the highest level.

The Forum began yesterday [Wednesday] and continues today with a press conference given at the conclusion.

Ancelotti follows on from Mourinho and Luiz Felipe Scolari who were delegates at the Forum whilst Chelsea manager.

Nicolas Anelka: Chelsea's Tough Defence Makes Us An Attacking Powerhouse

Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka believes that a miserly attitude in defence is the secret behind the Blues' impressive goalscoring form this season.

Carlo Ancelotti's men have hit 14 goals in their first three Premier League games of the new season, but Anelka feels that the foundations for that hot streak have been set further back in the team than the forward line.

"We have the mentality not to concede first and then we know almost every time we can score one goal," the former French international told his club's official website.

"You know when you play with Chelsea that if I don't score, Didier can score and if he doesn't score, Flo [Florent Malouda] can score and if none of us score, Sala [Salomon Kalou] can come on and score. Everybody can score in this team."

The form of Malouda in particular has impressed Anelka, with the winger now fully acclimatized to life in the English top flight after struggling a little when he first arrived several seasons back.

"Flo likes to listen to ragga music in the dressing room and dance and it is fun. On the pitch he is intelligent, he can score, he can assist and also he is very strong," Anelka explained.

"Now he scores more goals than before and he wants to score more and more. He has been here three years and he has got use to it, he has more confidence.

"It is difficult to come from the French League and straight away to a big club like Chelsea. In England it is tough, it is stronger, everything is quicker and you have to get some games to get used to the English game.

"Now he knows the English Premier League and you see it on the pitch."

Alex Aiming To Keep Taylor

Crewe are in talks to extend Rhys Taylor's loan spell from Chelsea and believe it will benefit all parties.

The Wales Under-21 international goalkeeper's current loan expires on September 8.

"We are looking at the possibility of extending Rhys' loan with us and I have spoken to (former Crewe manager and reserve-team coach at Chelsea) Steve Holland, who is conducting affairs over this," Alex boss Dario Gradi told the club's official website.

"We are happy with him, they are happy with him being here and he is happy to stay. I think he has enjoyed playing some games and what we do here."

Franco Di Santo Joins Wigan Athletic On Three-Year Deal

Chelsea striker Franco Di Santo has completed his move to Wigan Athletic on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

Di Santo, 21, had been linked with a move to the club all summer but the deal was only agreed in the last minutes of the summer transfer window. The Argentina youth international has returned to Lancashire after scoring one goal in 22 Premier League appearances while on loan at Blackburn Rovers last season.

Speaking to the Latics' official website, Di Santo - who made eight first team appearances for Chelsea in two years - expressed his joy at having his future sorted out.

He said: "I am just happy that my future has been sorted out now. I can't wait to start training, meet all my new team mates and start fighting for my place in the team.

"Roberto Martinez has big ambitions for the club and he made it clear how much he wanted me to be here. When a manager is so positive about you, then it is an easy decision to make."

Manager Martinez was thrilled to see Di Santo follow the temporary capture of Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley.

"Franco is an Under-20 international for Argentina with great Premier League experience having worked at a club with the calibre of players of Chelsea, and also spending a hugely beneficial year on loan at an established club like Blackburn Rovers," the Spaniard stated.

"We all feel that Franco can fulfil his potential at our football club and he'll bring a completely different dimension to our squad with his presence, technical ability and hard-work.

"We've been following Franco for a long time and from his point of view it's clear that he is desperate to play for Wigan Athletic and his desire and commitment is exactly the right attitude for our club."

Malouda Wants End To Saga

Frenchman Florent Malouda has called for an end to the dark cloud hanging over the national football team.

France suffered an early exit at the World Cup in South Africa amid a storm of controversy in which Nicholas Anelka was sent home and players protested in anger.

Anelka allegedly launched a foul-mouthed tirade at then boss Raymond Domenech, prompting his banishment, while senior players refused to train in support of their team-mate.

The divide saw the camp fall apart and France subsequently failed to win any of their Group A games, sending them home with their heads hanging in shame.

The French Football Federation have since acted on the in-house friction by handing out bans to key instigators and the nation embarks on a new era under the guidance of Laurent Blanc.

Blanc refused to pick any of the 23 players involved in the World Cup for his first friendly game in charge but many have returned for his competitive debut against Belarus on Friday.

With Bosnia awaiting four days later, the nation hope to qualify for the 2012 European Championships and key player Malouda wants an end to the saga which has rocked French football.

"Even if this is something that is engraved on my career and I can't erase it, we must go forward," Malouda told L'Equipe.

"I am sorry, but what is done is done. We cannot do anything about it. At some point, we must stop lamenting it and focus our attention on the two teams we have to face.

"Even if they are still questions about the management of what happened in South Africa, it's over. My best answers I will give on the pitch. That is my therapy."

One of those suspended by the FFF is captain Patrice Evra, who will miss five games, but Malouda admits he is unconcerned if he is not considered to be in the running for the armband in his absence.

Malouda said: "The captaincy is the responsibility of the coach, and if I don't get it, I will not be disappointed," he said. "It has never been a personal ambition. I am here to win."

John Terry Admits Hamstring Injury Has Troubled Him Since 2010 World Cup

Chelsea captain John Terry has admitted a hamstring problem picked up at World Cup 2010 dogged his pre-season.

Terry, 29, has been forced out of the England squad to face Bulgaria and Switzerland in the upcoming Euro 2012 qualifiers. The centre-back has been ordered to take 10 days rest to recuperate from the injury sustained in South Africa.

Speaking to Chelsea TV, the Blues captain revealed he had been playing through pain during his club's perfect start of their Premier League title defence.

He said: "I have had a bit of a problem since the World Cup and I was hoping after the World Cup that I would have two weeks off and it would completely go away.

"But that wasn't the case and, coming back working hard, it came back on.

"I played the last England game [against Hungary] but I had to come off at half-time because of it.

"I have not made it public but I have been struggling with it and maybe I just need 10 days' rest to fully get over it because it could impact on my season."

Branislav Ivanovic Out For Up To Six Weeks With Back Injury

Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic has confirmed he is set to be sidelined for two to six weeks with a back injury.

Ivanovic, 26, had been struggling with the knock and missed Saturday's 2-0 Premier League victory against Stoke City.

After sitting out that match, the centre-back was immediately withdrawn from the Serbia squad for the Euro 2012 qualifiers against the Faroe Islands and Slovenia.

Speaking to skysports.com, Ivanovic revealed he had travelled to Belgrade but would not be able to join his team-mates on the training pitch.

He said: "I came to Belgrade to see my team-mates, but the back injury is such that I cannot train or play."

Paulo Ferreira Quits Portuguese National Team

Chelsea's Portuguese full-back Paulo Ferreira has announced his retirement from international football.

The 31-year-old told the Portuguese Football Federation it was a move he had taken "after deep reflection" and was motivated by "personal reasons".

Right-back Ferreira won the first of his 62 caps for his country against England in September 2002.

His decision to quit international duty follows that of Atletico Madrid winger Simao last week.

Ferreira arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2004 when he was reunited with his former coach at Porto, Jose Mourinho, who paid a then-British record fee for a full-back of £13.2m.

The following season Ferreira was a key part of Chelsea's first title-winning campaign in 50 years, despite missing a vital part of the season after breaking his foot in March 2005.

Chalobah Skippers England To Victory

Nathaniel Chalobah was the captain of England Under 17s side that enjoyed a 3-1 victory over Portugal on Sunday, helping his side win the FA International Under 17 Tournament.

The 15-year-old schoolboy, who made his debut for Chelsea's reserve team last week and was part of the England side that became European Under 17 champions earlier in the summer, earned his sixth junior international title with the win in last week's four-team tournament.

Having made his Under 17 debut aged 14, he now has 20 caps at that level.

The goals on Sunday came from a Hallam Hope brace and a third from Nick Powell, who play for Everton and Crewe respectively, but it was Chalobah who had the fixture's first chance.

In the fifth minute he nearly struck after latching onto a long ball, only to be smothered by the opposition inside the six-yard box who didn't allow our Academy hopeful any space to shoot.

England's opener came when Hope smashed a Powell cross into the net from close range after 21 minutes of football. The second arrived five minutes later when Hope lobbed the keeper from the edge of the box.

The Young Lions built a three-goal lead before Joao Cacelo pulled one back for Portugal in the 50th minute, not long after Powell had made it three for England, rifling a shot into the net from a tight angle.

Chalobah represented his nation in all of the tournament's three games. First he came on as a substitute in England's 2-2 draw with Turkey. He then started against Australia on Friday; when he was replaced just before half-time while England went on to win the clash 4-0.

Match Report: Chelsea 2 - 0 Stoke City

It did not rain goals at Stamford Bridge for a change but Florent Malouda and Didier Drogba still came up with two vital strikes to keep Chelsea's 100% record intact at the top of the Premier League.

Malouda expertly converted a first-half opportunity with his right foot against a Stoke side made of much sterner stuff than the Tony Pulis team who surrendered seven at the Bridge back in April.

And Drogba supplied the coup de grace with a second-half penalty after Thomas Sorensen had brought down Nicolas Anelka.

Chelsea even had the luxury of seeing Frank Lampard miss the tamest of first-half penalties.

Roman Abramovich certainly cannot complain with the entertainment on show at Stamford Bridge these days.

Nor with the battling qualities of a Chelsea side who dug out this win as opposed to destroying the opposition as they had done in previous weeks.

Chelsea's starting line-up showed just one change with Paulo Ferreira coming in for fullback Branislav Ivanovic. who was suffering from a back injury.

For Stoke, goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, linked with Chelsea and reported to have refused to play against Shrewsbury in the Carling Cup in midweek, was on the bench with Thomas Sorensen starting.

But while it was not the goal rout of recent weeks, Chelsea were by far the classier side, giving warning of what was to come within five minutes when Michael Essien split the Stoke defence with a pass into the path of Ashley Cole to set up a chance the England fullback pulled wide.

Stoke also had their chances early on, Dean Whitehead bringing a sharp save from Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech with a snap shot following a neat one-two with Kenwyne Jones and Jonathan Walters lifting a lob on to the top of the Chelsea net.

It would have made it even easier for Chelsea, of course, if Lampard had not missed that penalty on 10 minutes after Ryan Shawcross brought down Drogba.

It was a poor spot kick, side-footed to Sorensen's left-hand side and the Stoke goalkeeper had no problem falling on the ball.

Sorensen also punched away a savagely-struck free-kick from Drogba in a first-half which could easily have turned into another goal landslide.

Much of that was to do with Essien and Lampard who ran the midfield with precision passing and fluent movement. It was no surprise when the breakthrough came in the 32nd minute.

This time captain John Terry provided the killer pass, threading a ball through for Malouda to run on to and smash a right-foot shot past Sorensen for his fourth goal of the season.

When this Chelsea side get ahead they are difficult to catch. Carlo Ancelotti does not apply the brakes like Jose Mourinho, who was content to shut up shop from a winning position.

They surge forward looking for more goals, none more so than Cole who met a ball floated into the box acrobatically on the volley only to see his shot rattle the Stoke bar and rebound to safety.

Sorensen was required again in the second-half, most notably to save a point-blank header from Drogba following a floated cross from Anelka.

To Stoke's credit they did not capitulate. They dug in with substitute Glenn Whelan giving them more bite and direction.

Indeed, he provided the shot of the second-half, giving Chelsea something of a fright when he stepped forward and cracked a 25-yard shot against Cech's crossbar only to see the ball bounce down and away to safety.

But the game was sealed for Chelsea when Sorensen was bedazzled by Anelka's pace and Drogba slotted home from the penalty spot.

There was just time for Daniel Sturridge, on his 21st birthday, to come on for Anelka and Brazilian midfielder Ramires to make his debut from the bench.

So Chelsea march on. Fourteen league goals scored. None conceded. They look unstoppable.

Stoke City Want £10 Million For Chelsea Target Asmir Begovic

Stoke City reportedly want £10 million if they are to let go of goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.

The 23-year-old shot-stopper has been heavily linked with a move to Premier League champions Chelsea, and the 'keeper is believed to have refused to play in a League Cup fixture against Shrewsbury Town in the hope of making a switch to Stamford Bridge.

The Potters boss Tony Pulis had previously maintained that it was the player's decision not to take to the pitch, while the former Portsmouth custodian has since contacted the PFA to indicate that he felt mentally unfit to play.

Now the Daily Mail claims that the Staffordshire club have placed a £10m asking price if the promising 'keeper is to walk away from the Britannia Stadium.

Manchester City have also been linked with a move for Begovic.

Anelka Defended By Paclet

Former France team doctor Jean-Pierre Paclet has insisted Nicolas Anelka was not the problem at the World Cup.

Les Bleus endured a disastrous campaign on and off the pitch as they not only failed to advance past the group phase but were also beset by dressing-room disharmony.

Anelka was sent home following a bust-up with then manager Raymond Domenech, and the rest of the squad later refused to train.

But Paclet, in extracts from his book L'Implosion reproduced in the Sunday Times, has played down the player's perceived disruptive influence and insisted Domenech was aware of the 31-year-old's feelings on his lone striker role, which appears to have been the root cause of the dispute.

"When Domenech went to see Anelka at Chelsealast season, Anelka warned him, let him know that there was no point taking him to South Africa if it was to play him in a position he didn't like," he wrote.

"The problem with the French team wasn't Anelka. You have to understand he is loved within the squad, immensely popular, even if he's introverted."

One French player not to make the World Cup squad was Samir Nasri but Paclet has criticised the Arsenal midfielder for his attitude.

Paclet alleges that the 23-year-old was a source of a disquiet which dates back further than June after upsetting captain Patrice Evra and senior professionals Thierry Henry, William Gallas and former Marseille team-mate Franck Ribery.

"Here was a kid with a dozen caps looking down on players with a hundred. Scarcely believable," Paclet claimed.

"His behaviour gets on the nerves of almost everybody and he has the gift of really annoying Henry, Gallas and Patrice Evra.

"Most of all, the relationship between Nasri and Ribery was very tense, from the time they were together at Marseille. They were more like kids in a playground rather than professionals on a pitch.

"Ribery would cause general laughter if, say, he put salt in my coffee. If he did it to Nasri, there would be no sense of humour from him."

Drogba Rested Again By Ivory Coast

Didier Drogba will sit out a second successive international for the Ivory Coast, who have left him out of the squad for next Saturday's African Nations Cup qualifier against Rwanda.

The same privilege has not be accorded to any other of the team's big-name players such as Emmanuel Eboue, Kolo Toure, his brother Yaya and Salomon Kalou, who are all in the 20-man squad for the Group H game in Abidjan.

Drogba's place is taken again by Monaco's Yannick Sagbo, who won his first cap earlier this month when the Ivorians beat Italy 1-0 in London earlier this month without the Chelsea forward.

Sagbo is one of only three squad members who did not go to the World Cup in South Africa as new coach Francois Zahoui, only last week confirmed as the replacement for Sven Goran Eriksson, kept faith with his predecessor's choices.

The midfield pair of Kafoumba Coulibaly and Emerse Fae from French club Nice have both returned to the squad after being overlooked for South Africa.

Chelsea Confirm Frank Lampard Out Of England's Euro 2012 Qualifiers Against Bulgaria And Switzerland

England will be forced to make do without the services of midfielder Frank Lampard for their forthcoming Euro 2012 qualifiers after Chelsea confirmed the midfielder will undergo surgery in midweek.

Fabio Capello’s men open their campaign against Bulgaria on Friday night at Wembley before heading to Switzerland the following Tuesday with the Italian set to name his squad on Sunday night.

Lampard started Chelsea’s 2-0 victory over Stoke City today, missing a first half penalty and was substituted in the second half with Saloman Kalou the man to replace him.

The club has subsequently confirmed to the BBC that Lampard will have hernia surgery in midweek and will therefore miss England’s next two matches, although they club haven’t revealed exactly how long the 32-year-old is expected to be out for.

However, manager Carlo Ancelotti told the club's official website: "He [Lampard] has a problem on his groin.

"He had the surgery ten years ago and this week was not very good. He also didn't feel well in the game.

"So the only solution is to have surgery this week, maybe he will do this Tuesday or Wednesday. It means he is not able to play for the national team.

"He'll be ready in one week or two weeks. We have experience because it is the same surgery as [Didier] Drogba and Drogba took one week before he was able to train.

"It is not a big problem. It is very easy surgery but he needs it because he started to feel pain."

The news will be a blow to manager Capello who is already under pressure to get the Three Lions off to a good start following their dismal showing at this summer’s World Cup.

John Terry Out Of England's Euro 2012 Qualifiers Against Bulgaria And Switzerland With Hamstring Injury

Chelsea captain John Terry will miss England’s Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland, the club has confirmed.

Terry played for the Premier League champions in their 2-0 win against Stoke on Saturday but has picked up a hamstring injury that has hampered him since the start of pre-season.

After the defender spoke to Chelsea and England doctors it was decided that Terry’s injury would benefit from a period of rest and rehabilitation.

This will come as a blow to England manager Fabio Capello ahead of the qualifiers next week, having already lost midfielder Frank Lampard who needs a hernia operation and with doubts surrounding Bobby Zamora who was injured in Fulham’s draw with Blackpool.

Capello Didn't Know How To Talk To Players

Fabio Capello was grumpy, hard to talk to and unwilling to discuss tactics with his players.

Carlo Ancelotti is not talking about the World Cup in South Africa.

In his new autobiography, the Chelsea manager admits he learned much from Capello when his fellow Italian took charge of AC Milan in 1991 for what turned out to be Ancelotti's last season as a player.

But the England stars gathering for Euro 2012 qualifiers may also recognize the character flaws Ancelotti spotted almost 20 years ago.

Ancelotti said: "Capello was a very serious manager. He demanded discipline and understood intuitively how to shape his team to disrupt his opponents' play.

"He was a master at reading a match, that was his strongest skill. From that point of view, I had to tip my hat to him. But as a human being - well, that's another matter. He was a grouch, he didn't know how to talk to players and, most importantly, he didn't like discussing technical matters with us.

"An exchange of views on strategy was alien to him and so it never happened.

"Maybe that's why there were so many verbal clashes with the players.

"Maybe that's why one day Ruud Gullit hung him up on the wall in the locker room. Once again I had to tip my hat. The Italian for hat is 'cappello' and Capello was dangling from a hat rack - it almost seemed predestined - with his shoes a few inches from the floor.

"Capello, reading the newspaper: 'Ruud, you said things here that weren't true. You're a liar.'

"Gullit, without reading the newspaper: 'Now I'm going to set you straight.' Brawl. I'm pretty sure that a lot of the players were rooting for Gullit, but we all pitched in and separated them.

"But to Capello's credit, after anything of the sort happened he just cancelled it from his memory. As if nothing had happened. He started over from nothing. He pretended not to remember, for the good of the team and for his own good."

There is clearly no love lost between Capello and Ancelotti and the Chelsea boss recalls that in 2006 he signed a pre-contract with Real Madrid, but AC Milan Vice-President Adriano Galliani refused to release him.

Only then, says Ancelotti, did Real move for Capello.

"I called up Real Madrid and told them about my conversation with Galliani," said Ancelotti.

I told them: 'Galliani told me that I can't accept your offer. But I thank you; it has been an honour to negotiate with you.' At home, I still have that pre-contract in a box with all my most important things. It's a souvenir of a nice, adrenaline-charged period. At that point, they focused their attention on Capello, who had already worked for them once.

"The Spanish press began pairing his name with mine in articles. The way they told it, it had turned into a battle between him and me, an all-Italian derby.

"In reality, I had signed a pre-contract but I had also already rejected their offer. At a certain point, Capello issued a statement: 'You think Real Madrid wants Ancelotti? Excuse me, but whom did they call first?' He thought he was the only candidate. Often my friends make jokes about that famous phrase. Whenever I invite them for dinner, they say: 'Sure, Carletto, we will be there. But whom did you invite first?'"

But Chelsea fans will not be laughing if Real president Florentino Perez one day gets his man. Ancelotti said: "There have been numerous contacts between Florentino Perez and me.

"He is a person I respect. He knows what he's doing and what he wants.

"He's a romantic, like me. We see eye-to-eye on many points. The last time we talked, he told me: 'Carlo, someday you will be my coach.'

Youths Draw On Wednesday

Chelsea's youths ground out a hard-earned goalless draw at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.

Dermot Drummy's side was up against a more experienced and bigger Owls side, but battled well to earn a point on a difficult away day.

In the first half, Jamal Blackman pulled off a fantastic save to keep the scores level, palming a long-range effort up and over the bar.

Chelsea's best chance fell to Bobby Devyne, who saw his close-range effort cleared off the line. Philipp Prosenik also had a couple of chances, and towards the end of the game Milan Lalkovic almost converted a fine individual run but shot just wide.

'We had three or four good chances but the best thing was, they were very physical but we matched them mentally, and didn't pull out of any tackles,' said coach Dermot Drummy.

'They were really good the boys, they had to stay switched on. Sheffield Wednesday was very physical and we had to match them for that with a really good team ethic, and that's what we did.'

Chelsea team: Jamal Blackman, Toddy Kane, Archange Nkumu, Aziz Deen-Conteh, Ben Sampayo, Anton Rodgers, George Saville, Danny Stenning, Milan Lalkovic, Bobby Devyne, Philipp Prosenik.

Schoolboy Nathaniel Chalobah has represented England Under 17s twice in the last week, first as a 72nd minute substitute in the 2-2 draw with Turkey on Wednesday, and then as a starter in the 4-0 win over Australia on Friday, when he was replaced just before half-time.

Premier League Preview: Chelsea vs. Stoke

After two 6-0 wins to start the season, how about a third for Chelsea? It's certainly not out of the question for the Premier League champions, especially as they romped to a 7-0 hammering last time they played host to Saturday's visitors, Stoke City.

On that occasion it was Salomon Kalou that was the hero, with a hat-trick that was nicely complimented by a brace from Frank Lampard and one apiece for Florent Malouda and Daniel Sturridge.

There is little to suggest similar proficiency in front of goal couldn't be the order of the day again on Saturday. Malouda, Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba have already accounted for eight of the 12 league goals the Blues have notched so far this season, and all are likely to be deployed at the weekend.

Indeed, perhaps the only choice Ancelotti has to face is whether he rotates his starting eleven ahead of challenges to come. The likes of Kalou, Ferreira and even new signing Ramires could all be slotted into the lineup to rest other first-choice performers, but will the former AC Milan manager want to risk a change to the chemistry that has delivered such an impressive start to the campaign?

After a slow start to the season, Stamford Bridge is perhaps the absolute last place Tony Pulis would want to bring his side as they look to get off the mark.

Successive 2-1 defeats to Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham have left the Potters stuck on zero this season, and now the head to west London on the back of two defeats last season (one in the FA Cup) where they shipped nine goals without scoring.

Pulis has worked hard to reinforce his attacking options over the summer, with the expensive acquisitions of Jon Walters and Kenwyne Jones, but that is likely to be of little aid at Stamford Bridge.

The former Gillingham manager will likely set out his side's stall to defend, and hope they can hold on for as long as possible against a force that is quickly beginning to look irresistible.

TEAM NEWS

Chelsea

fter a full week of training new signing Ramires might be ready to be included in his first matchday squad, although he is unlikely to start.

Jose Bosingwa remains the club's sole long-term injury concern, with Ancelotti free to choose from the rest of his options. Some mild rotation — perhaps seeing Kalou start — may be the Italian's only deviation from the norm.

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

Stoke City

Recent signings Jon Walters and Kenwyne Jones are both available; although Pulis might be more relieved to know that he has a full compliment of defenders to choose from.

Asmir Begovic's current dispute with the club is unlikely to lift him from the substitutes' bench, while Mamady Sidibe is a long-term concern.

Possible Starting XI: Sorensen; Collins, Huth, Shawcross, Higginbotham; Etherington, Whitehead, Wheland, Delap, Walters; Jones.

Carlo Ancelotti: We Are Not Going To Sign Any More Players This Summer

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has declared that the Blues are not going to make any more signings before the close of the summer transfer window.

The London outfit secured the services of Yossi Benayoun and Ramires from Liverpool and Benfica respectively and also let go of Joe Cole, Michael Ballack, Juliano Belletti, Deco, Ricardo Carvalho, Scott Sinclair and Miroslav Stoch.

However, the Premier League champions failed to land Brazilian starlet Neymar from Santos and now Ancelotti has revealed that they have no plans to make any more purchases.

"The transfer window is closed for us already," the Italian told Chelsea's official website.

Ancelotti went on to speak about the match against Stoke this weekend.

"We know Stoke very well. They are a difficult team because they use a lot of power and long balls to create difficulty, and we have to pay attention to set-pieces and maintain the same ability to play in this moment.

"I think we have to play quickly. They defend well and we don't have a lot of space to play in front, so it is important to move without the ball and to play quickly in the midfield. We have to play football with intensity and stay concentrated on the set-pieces."

Ancelotti also gave his thoughts on the Champions League group draw that saw Chelsea placed alongside against French champions Marseille, Spartak Moscow and MSK Zilina in Group F.

"We want to start the Champions League well, it is not so important who is the opposition. Every team could create difficulties for us but I think it was a good draw.

"We don't know so much, maybe we could have a problem with Zilina for the first game but the other games we can control everything about the opponent and Marseille we know very well."

Chelsea Distance Themselves From Surprise £8m Bid For Monaco Striker Park Chu-Young

Chelsea have dismissed reports they are about to land £8 million rated Monaco striker Park Chu-Young, according to The Sun.

Chu-Young, 25, has impressed in the principality and for South Korea at World Cup 2010. After scoring 13 goals in 58 Ligue 1 appearances, the Premier League champions had been rumoured to be interested.

Speaking to the newspaper, a Blues source rubbished claims they were about to add the player to their squad.

The source said: "We did receive some correspondence with regard to Park but that is as far it went.

"It is wrong to think we want to sign him or suggest there have been any meetings with his agents. He is not about to become a Chelsea player."

Stoke Want To Keep Begovic

Stoke chairman Peter Coates has warned Chelsea against making a fresh offer for goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.

Begovic, 23, joined Stoke from Portsmouth in February this year but, amid interest from Chelsea, he missed the League Cup clash against Shrewsbury as he apparently claimed he was not in the correct psychological state.

Begovic was criticized by manager Tony Pulis for his "totally disrespectful" actions, but Coates insists Stoke still want to keep the Bosnia-Herzegovina international and have told the Blues not to make a fresh bid.

"This is an internal matter and we will decide on what action to take," Coates told Sky Sports News. "Asmir Begovic remains our player. He is regarded as one of the best young goalkeepers in the Premier League and we are not interested in any new offers from Chelsea.

"We are not interested in what Chelsea do and we have already rejected an offer, from them, for Begovic. We wouldn't welcome another bid from Chelsea and, as far as I am aware, we have not received a new offer from Chelsea for him."

Arnesen Confirms Ramos' Chelsea Approach

Chelsea sporting director Frank Arnesen has dismissed suggestions that the Blues have bid for Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos but revealed that a representative of the Spanish international did make contact with the Stamford Bridge hierarchy about a possible deal.

Carlo Ancelotti was last week tipped to make a £35 million bid for 24-year-old Ramos despite appearing, on paper, to be well covered defensively.

Speaking about the rumours Arnesen is quoted by Sky Sports clarifying the situation:

"It is absolutely false," confirmed Arnesen. ''We haven't made any bid for Ramos.

"What did surprise us is that a person called us on behalf of the player to see if we were interested in signing him."

Chelsea and Real Madrid have already done one deal this week with former coach Jose Mourinho snapping up compatriot Ricardo Carvalho to bolster his defence at the Bernabeu.

Chelsea's Ramires Unfazed By England's Tough-Tackling Reputation

Chelsea's most significant signing of the summer, the £18.2m Brazilian Ramires, believes he has the resilience and aggression to flourish in the Premier League with the former Benfica midfielder expected to be involved at some stage against Stoke this afternoon.

The 23-year-old is slender of frame and was nicknamed the "Blue Kenyan" while at Cruzeiro, where his energy and ability to dominate midfield caught the eyes of scouts from the Portuguese club and prompted his £5m move to Lisbon a year ago. Ramires is most likely to be utilised at the base of Chelsea's midfield, in a role currently held by Mikel John Obi, but he can be employed across the middle with the physical reputation of the Premier League clearly holding few fears.

"I understand what this league is all about," said Ramires. "I've watched it on the television and I know that physical strength is the main part of the English game. But I'm hard, too. I'm tough. I hope I can build up my strength to be on the same level as everyone else, but it's already hard to put me down. I've been away from Brazil for over a year now, playing in Europe. I know the football in Portugal isn't as physical as it is over here, sure, but it's still tough.

"I know tackles will be flying in, and it'll be aggressive, but I can do that too. I know what to expect. It won't be a surprise for me. I'm looking forward to getting stuck in, too. I like that side to the game and I can stand up for myself. People called me the 'Blue Kenyan' [Cruzeiro played in blue] because I put so much hard work on the pitch and never stop running. But I'm a tackler, too. It's been a characteristic of my style in the past, so I'm relishing that side of the game over here."

Ramires hails from Barra do Pirai in Rio de Janeiro and his rise to prominence was relatively swift. As a 16-year-old he was combining football training as a youngster at Joinville, a small club in Santa Catarina, with work on a building site to earn extra money for his family.

"I'd work Tuesday and Thursdays from 7am to 4pm, then go to football practice afterwards, and then 7 to 11am on Saturday," he said. "I was earning between 80 and 100 reals (£30-35) every 15 days. I'm not ashamed of that. That experience made me the man I am today, giving me the character I am now. When I look back at that time, it helps me keep my feet on the ground. Everything I do is about helping my family back home, and that hasn't changed. All those experiences, working hard as I did, made me what I am today. For now, I just want to make my mark here at Chelsea. The team has been playing wonderful football, and I want to be a part of that."

Carlo Ancelotti, who will be without Branislav Ivanovic with a back complaint this afternoon, does not anticipate making any more signings before the end of the month and is content with the strength of his squad after 6-0 victories home and away at the start of the new campaign. "For us, the transfer window is closed already," he said.

Loan Interest

After Chelsea's flying start to the Premier League season, we catch up on how the club's players out on loan are progressing with their respective clubs.

Jack Cork has returned on loan to Burnley for the 2010/11 season, following his successful stint at the Clarets for the second half of last season. The 21-year-old has made two early appearances for the Turf Moor-based club, coming off the bench in the 3-0 home victory over Leicester City, before playing the full 90 minutes in their League Cup win away at League Two outfit Morecambe.

Fellow Championship side Nottingham Forest have made a disappointing start to their new campaign, with the club failing to win any of their three opening league games, as well as suffering a shock exit to Bradford City in the League Cup. Young left-back Ryan Bertrand is on loan at the City Ground this season following previous spells in the second tier with Norwich and Reading.

He's impressed ex-Forest player and current England Under 21 boss Stuart Pearce in his three league games, and has been called up to the Under 21 squad for the upcoming European Qualifiers. Ryan has already made five appearances for the England Under 21 side since making his debut in 2008, and will be hoping for further caps when they face Lichtenstein and Portugal next month.

Young goalkeeper Rhys Taylor has been in impressive form in League Two, appearing for Crewe Alexandra in all five games this season. Taylor has kept two clean sheets for the Railwaymen, playing in their 7-0 thrashing of Barnet, while manager Dario Gradi praised Rhys' performance following their surprise 1-0 League Cup win over Derby County.

Also out on loan in League Two is 19-year-old Daniel Philliskirk, who is at newly promoted Oxford United. The young striker's first team opportunities at the Kassam Stadium have been somewhat limited, with his only appearance coming as a substitute in a goalless draw with Burton Albion on the opening day of the season.

North of the border, Ben Gordon has started both league games whilst at SPL outfit Kilmarnock. The young left-back played a part in the Killie's only league goal so far, as it was from his cross against Rangers at Ibrox that James Dayton was fouled for a penalty, which was converted by Jamie Hamill. Ben is likely to be next in action on Saturday, when Kilmarnock host early league leaders Aberdeen.

Finally in Holland, two of Chelsea's youngsters have gone out on loan to Vitesse Arnhem. Serbian's Nemanja Matic and Slobodan Rajkovic will both spend the season at the Eredivisie outfit, in a bid to gain experience playing regular first team football. The Dutch side are currently 13th in the Eredivisie at this early stage, having won one of their opening three games. They are next in action on Sunday at the De Kuip Stadion, as they face Feyenoord.

Michael Mancienne has also gone out on loan, with the defender re-joining Wolverhampton Wanderers on a season-long loan. He will possibly make his return debut later this afternoon, when the club host Newcastle United.

Blues 'Happy' With Draw

Chelsea club secretary David Barnard admits the club has to be 'happy' with their UEFA Champions League draw.

The Carlo Ancelotti's Blues were treated relatively kindly in Thursday's group stage draw, as they were able to avoid Europe's big guns.

They will face reigning French champions Marseille in Group F, who they last met back in 1999/00, but will fancy their chances against a side managed by former Stamford Bridge star Didier Deschamps.

Chelsea also face a couple of lengthy trips to Eastern Europe, to face Russian outfit Spartak Moscow and Slovakian minnows MSK Zilina, but overall they have no complaints with their passage to the last 16.

Barnard told Sky Sports News: "We've got to be fairly happy with that."

He also hopes that having the final on English soil will act as an added incentive for Chelsea to do well in the competition.

Wembley is set to play host to the biggest game in European club football on 28th May, and the Blues have every intention of being there.

"Since Wembley opened we've been there eight times now," said Barnard.

"You like to play a final on foreign soil, obviously for our supporters and the occasion, but you never know, Wembley is a lucky omen for us and may well be this year."

Chelsea, who reached the final in 2008 before losing to Manchester United on penalties, are looking to land the Champions League crown for the first time in their history.

Malouda - We Want CL Glory

Chelsea winger Florent Malouda has spoken of the club's burning desire to win the UEFA Champions League this season.

The West London club has been in stunning form so far this season, scoring 12 goals in two games, with Malouda netting three, to demonstrate their destructive ability.

In what has been an immensely successful period for the Blues since Roman Abramovich took over in 2003, Europe's premier competition has been the only prize to have eluded them.

They have a relatively easy challenge to get through the group stage after being drawn in Group F, but the Premier League title holders have often come unstuck in the latter stages.

Claudio Ranieri, Jose Mourinho, Avram Grant,Guus Hiddink and Carlo Ancelotti have all tried and failed to deliver, with Grant coming closest in 2008 after defeat on penalties in the final against Manchester United.

Malouda, who has been in the best form of his Chelsea career over the past season, feels, however, that this year will be different and that they are more than equipped to win the trophy.

"I am 30 now and I know a career is short. I really want to enjoy my career more," Malouda told Chelsea TV.

"There is no better side than Chelsea in Europe and right now the aim is to win the Champions League.

"It was a wonderful experience to win the Premier League last season and I want to keep it.

"When you're at a club like this, you have to win.

"I want it every year, to be on top and there is no second place. I always want to be first."

Olympique De Marseille President Looking Forward To Reunion With Chelsea’s Didier Drogba

Drawn in Group F in the Champions League along with Chelsea, Olympique de Marseille are looking forward to the return of hero Didier Drogba to Stade Velodrome, president Jean-Claude Dassier has confirmed.

The Ivoirian was linked with a summer move back to France by some reports in the media, and though they unsurprisingly proved far-fetched, the 32-year-old hitman will be travelling to Provence this season with the English champions. It is an event Dassier is greatly anticipating.

“It will be both very pleasant and satisfying to see Didier Drogba again at the Velodrome, but he won't be alone,” the president warned, according to UEFA’s official website.

“Chelsea are the benchmark. Those are two huge games. We have our chance to go through with our strengthened squad but there must be no complacency. The Champions League is never easy.”

Spartak Moscow and Zilina are also involved in the pool, while Dassier may be slightly heartened to know that Drogba, who thrilled the Velodrome crowd during the 2003-04 season, won’t be involved in the Chelsea squad to face OM at Stamford Bridge on Matchday 2, as he will be serving a suspension carried over from last term.