Michael Essien Takes Break From Internationals

Michael Essien has chosen to temporarily withdraw his services for the Ghana national side in order to focus on club concerns with Chelsea.

Essien sustained a knee injury at the African Nations Cup in January that ruled him out for the remainder of Chelsea's season, as well as Ghana's campaign at the 2010 World Cup.

The midfielder has suffered with a number of fitness problems during his time at Stamford Bridge and wants to ease the strain on his body by enjoying an international hiatus.

"I think I will be taking a break," Essien said. "Not retiring, just not playing for time. I have to take the right decision for myself. I don't know whether they will be disappointed because they have done fine without me."

Essien's statement comes as a real setback for Ghana side that, although they reached the World Cup finals, would welcome their iconic captain when fit.

Only recently, Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac said he was looking forward to Essien returning to the Black Stars squad having missed the World Cup in South Africa.

"Michael is still an important component of this side, he is a special player," Rajevac said. "Essien brings a special dimension to this team. We are looking forward to having him back with us."

Ancelotti Loves Dealing With Anelka

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti insisted Nicolas Anelka has never caused him a moment's bother - and he blasted the French Football Federation for giving him an 18-match ban.

The 31-year-old received the draconian suspension, which applies to France games only, after being sent home from the World Cup following a reported bust-up with coach Raymond Domenech.

"He is a very good man. I have never had a problem with him," said Ancelotti. "I was very surprised at this behaviour during the World Cup. If I have to think of one player who would shout at me, Anelka would be the last."

He added: "He likes his job, he loves football. He has fantastic skills but he doesn't like publicity and he has character. He never missed training last year.

"I think it was unfair for him - 18 games is too much. Anelka is an honest man and he didn't deserve the decision. He has reacted very well. He has taken it with good spirit."

Anelka blasted the FFF as "clowns" and laughed off the ban, insisting he had already retired from international football.

"It is good news for myself because he can stay here to train during the international break, he can maintain a good condition," said Ancelotti.

Dressing Room Prankster Targets Chelsea Stars

Chelsea is looking wide open at the back - because someone is slashing HOLES in their undies.

A prankster keeps creeping into the changing room at their training ground to cut up their designer pants.

That's a turn-up for some of the players - who at times have had trouble keeping their pants ON.

The mystery assailant strikes up to twice a week while the Blues train at Cobham, Surrey.

His cheeky attacks have threatened the players' ball control and could easily lead to some ugly tackle being seen in the penalty box.

England star Frank Lampard said: "It's gone on for about a year. We get in to find the bum cheeks cut out of our underpants.

"It has to be one of the players. They are the only ones with access. You might get two hits in a week, then he won't attack for a month or so."

Lamps, 32, added: "I've a good idea who it is but wouldn't dream of making accusations until I have proof.

"I hope it's soon - it's costing a fortune in designer underwear!"

A club insider said: "It was a bit of a laugh but now the lads are a bit cheesed off.

"There's hardly any holes in our defence - so it's a shame the same can't be said of our underpants."

It's not the first time the boys have experienced trouble in the underwear department.

Ashley Cole got dumped by wife Cheryl this year after sending photos of himself in his Y-fronts to a topless model.

Youth Report: Chelsea 2 - 3 Manchester United

Chelsea's Under 18s succumbed to a tough Manchester United side today, with the visitors coming back from a two-goal deficit to win in the dying seconds.

The hosts built up a two-goal lead in the first-half before Manchester United returned with a strike in each half, the winner came as the result of defensive error but against the run of play.

Milan Lalkovic and Philipp Prosenik netted Chelsea's goals, which arrived in a first-half dominated by the Blues before the visitors pulled one back before the break.

There were several new additions to the line up from last year's regular youth team, with Jamal Blackman taking up his position between the posts.

At right-back sat Todd Kane with Ben Sampayo captaining from left-back. Meanwhile, Danny Stenning and Archange Nkumu both took up midfield positions behind an attacking trio of Bobby Devyne, Prosenik and Lalkovic.

Youth team manager Dermot Drummy fronted a 4-3-3 formation while the visitors lined up with a lone striker and five in midfield. It was the travelling side who began the game brightly, with Ryan Tunnicliffe weaving through midfield before drilling a shot wide of Blackman's goal.

In retaliation, Milan Lalkovic broke down the left flank, only for his subsequent cross to fly high over the box.

Blackman was then forced into an acrobatic save after Jesse Lingard rifled a chance from just inside the box; the Chelsea keeper blocked with his hands and deflected for Kane to clear.

Soon after the Chelsea shot-stopper used his feet to deny Lingard once more, as both sides scrambled for possession only feet in front of Chelsea's goal, following a long Manchester United ball.

It would take until the 30th minute for either side to break the deadlock, and it was Chelsea who struck first.

A well-earned goal arrived after Lalkovic, chasing down an ball by Anton Rodgers, took advantage of a mistake from United's defence and stole possession on the edge of the box, kicking the ball high before hitting it over the line.

The goal opened the game up and end-to-end football ensued. Blackman kept his presence felt, smothering shots and intercepting through balls, while Chelsea's midfield played one-touch football to maintain possession.

And it wasn't long before the Blues made it two, with Prosenik getting his name on the scoresheet.

After an Nkumu tackle won possession, the ball passed along right flank before Devyne took control. His cross found Prosenik (below) at the near post who expertly headed into the net.

But the two-goal deficit was short-lived as Manchester United pulled one back from the restart, with John Cofie converting a close range chance after the hosts' defence was overrun with red.

Lalkovic and Prosenik both tried to increase the lead further before the break but to no avail as the Blues went into half-time 2-1 up.

Drummy made one change before the restart but the intensity which ended the first-half had subdued slightly, with most of the play taking place in midfield under Chelsea's control.

George Saville was shown a yellow not far into the half, after a late tackle clipped Sean McGinty's feet, but despite the freekick to Manchester United, Chelsea continued to dominate.

Drummy then made another change with 23 minutes left. Prosenik made way for Lewis Baker, while Devyne went into the centre of attack. Seconds later the referee brandished yellow once more after McGinty cut Banga to the ground.

Devyne took advantage of his new position and was denied a chance shortly after. Manchester United keeper Sam Johnstone dived low, deflecting his shot from danger. The subsequent corner nearly found Banga at the far post but bounced out for a throw-in.

However, the game was levelled with 15 minutes left when Michael Keane netted another goal for the visitors from close range as defensive errors gifted him possession.

Chelsea threatened from the restart, with Lalkovic in particular looking sharp, but the opponent's defence remained resolute, allowing the hosts no chances.

The visitors managed to net the winning goal in the dying minutes. It was another scramble in the area which fell to Cofie, who smashed home with ease.

'It was a good game today,' said Drummy, 'Chelsea played some really good football and it was just unfortunate to concede at the end.

'But the side did really well, Manchester United are a very tough team to play against and we saw that today.'

Carlo Ancelotti Demands Five Victories Before Facing Manchester City

It was once said that Jose Mourinho had turned the title race from a marathon to a sprint – such was the need for the contenders to start the season in full stride – and now another Chelsea manager has set his team the target of winning all five of their Premier League matches before they face Manchester City next month.

Carlo Ancelotti said it was crucial that Chelsea faced City "on top of the list" – ie top of the table – when the two sides meet at Eastlands on Sept 25 because of their growing threat. Although, he added, City are "not a team" yet and lack a "clear identity" after another summer of heavy spending, that will have changed by then.

"Manchester City has problems. But that's normal," Ancelotti said. "You can see the power of Man City in a month. That's a normal time [for new players to adapt). When they play against us they will be a team. They bought another fantastic player in Mario Balotelli."

For now, Ancelotti said, Manchester United remain Chelsea's "challengers" – a sense confirmed by last weekend's opening round of matches – but he added of the need to quickly build a lead over City.

"They need this time [a month] because they've changed a lot of players, not just to build a team but to give time to the players who have come back from other countries. We have to look at City in a month. After that, we can say whether they are able to fight for the title or not. But I think they will be able to fight for the title," he said.

Ancelotti's knows that is the minimum requirement for Roberto Mancini and, of course, for himself. Not that he agrees with Sir Alex Ferguson – the man who also said Mourinho had cranked up the pace of the title race – that City's spending has been "kamikaze".

"The reason they did that was because they needed the players," he said. "I'd prefer to have the players than to search for them. You're not always able to take the players you want I have a fantastic squad. If you have the money, you can spend it. Man City has the money. I can't spend this money because I don't have it. This club, Chelsea, bought fantastic players in the past and can use those players now six or seven years on."

Vitesse Closing In On Deal For Chelsea’s Slobodan Rajkovic

Vitesse hope to quickly secure the loan signings of Ismail Aissati from Ajax and Slobodan Rajkovic from Chelsea, according to a report in Voetbal International.

Having been taken over by Georgian businessman Merab Jordania earlier this week, the club has received an injection of funds and are expected to be active in the transfer market in an attempt to strengthen their squad over the course of the next ten days. Their first activity seems likely to be confirming the arrival of Slobodan Rajkovic on a season long loan.

Press reports earlier in the week suggested that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich was behind Jordania’s buy-out of Vitesse as he wants to use the club as a nursery for reserve and youth players, though the Russian was quick to strenuously distance himself from these suggestions.

Mourinho Wants Drogba

Jose Mourinho is planning a £20m offer for Chelsea’s Didier Drogba.

The Real Madrid boss wants to take his former striker to the Bernabeu.

But Mourinho will be told by Chelsea that their 32-year-old hitman is not for sale.

That will not stop Mourinho trying to snap him up, however, and Drogba’s agent, Thierno Seydi, has admitted that anything could still happen with his client before the end of the transfer window.

Seydi said: “Until the transfer window closes ­anything is possible with footballers.”

Mourinho wants an experienced striker after ­allowing Real Madrid hero Raul to leave the club.

At the moment he only has French flop Karem Benzema and young Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuain.

Mourinho has already done one deal with former club Chelsea this summer, taking Ricardo Carvalho to Madrid for £6m and he now plans to have a meeting with his club’s general director Jorge Valdano.

The Argentine chief wants to off-load some players and will try to use Dutchman Rafael van der Vaart in part exchange for Drogba.

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti is adamant that Drogba is going nowhere despite the fact that Seydi had talks with Manchester City last month about a Drogba move to Eastlands.

Drogba has spoken about wanting to finish his career at Chelsea, but at the same time he has wanted to work with Mourinho again ever since the Portuguese left the club three years ago.

Essien Making Up For Lost Time

For Michael Essien, memories of the monotony persist. Back when the English summer was sun-drenched he had rarely deviated from a set daily routine. He would arrive at Chelsea’s near deserted training centre in Cobham for 10am, then gain what little variety he could by mixing and matching between exercise bikes, cross trainers, treadmills, weights and lengths of the swimming pool. The work-out, prolonged and painful, ended at 5pm with another energy-sapping pigeon step taken on the road to recovery.

By early evening he would be back at home in front of the television to watch team-mates and compatriots participate in the World Cup finals, a stage that might have been his. The drudgery of life in rehabilitation might have left others numbed, but Essien is stronger than that. “John Mikel Obi would be in doing his work, and a couple of the reserve team players, but that was it, though it was not a problem for me,” he says. “I’m the kind of person who likes to be lonely. I got my head down and focused on getting fit. To be back playing now makes the hard work well worth it.”

There is a purring enthusiasm to the Ghanaian that suggests he is now intent upon making up for lost time. Essien has endured lengthy spells on the sidelines in the past two seasons. He ripped his anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee two seasons ago while playing for Ghana, damage that excluded him for more than five months and, therefore, virtually the entirety of Luiz Felipe Scolari’s tenure at the club. In January he wrecked the cartilage and meniscus in the same joint while training at the African Cup of Nations in Angola.

The loud click heard by all present signalled the end of his participation in a season that yielded the club’s first Premier League and FA Cup Double. He scheduled a 10-day break at the end of the season ahead of the anticipated hefty working summer and promptly succumbed to a nasty bout of tonsillitis that dragged on for a week. In that sorry context, his glee at a return to first-team football is utterly understandable.

The midfielder, along with Mikel, played in all five of the champions’ pre-season friendlies and West Bromwich Albion faced a familiar rampaging figure last Saturday in Chelsea’s 6-0 win. “It was great to be back,” says Essien. “There’s relief there, too. It was so frustrating to be back in that position, out of the team and in the treatment room, but these things happen. The knee is fine. There has been no reaction, either after training or after games.

“I suppose I knew what to expect. I’d been injured the previous year, and I’m a strong guy mentally. I can honestly say that winning the Premier League last season meant as much to me as it did in my first season at the club.”

Essien played 14 league games last season, and a meagre 11 the season before, but was still offered a contract extension this summer that should extend his stay at Stamford Bridge to a decade. Carlo Ancelotti will be rejoicing to have his midfield dynamo restored to the fold, with the 27-year-old offering him rare options. He was employed in a familiar position on the right of a narrow midfield three against West Brom, with licence to spring forward and unsettle nervous opponents. Yet he retains the ability to anchor that central trio – a role offered to Mikel last Saturday – and, unlike a more conventional Claude Makelele clone, can still boast that explosive thrust.

“People are saying I’m one of the new signings this year, and I am looking forward to playing more consistently after missing so much of the last two seasons,” says Essien. “This can be a big season. I don’t think I’ve still got things to show Carlo Ancelotti. He has seen me play a lot, even before he was our manager, and he knows what I can do.

“It is an exciting time. Some players have left but Ramires has come in, a player I haven’t seen much of but getting into the Brazilian team is not easy, so he must be good. I hope I can work well with him. It will be up to the manager where we all play. I’ve always enjoyed getting forward, pushing up-field to help us in our attacks, but I think you can still do that from a central position too.”

Ancelotti’s team were defeated by today’s opponents Wigan at the DW Stadium early last season and will be wary of enduring a repeat. “But that was last season, that is gone now,” adds Essien. Everything about this player is forward thinking.

Drogba Chasing First Hat-Trick Of Hat-Tricks Since 1946

Record-chasing Chelsea striker Didier Drogba will bid to become the first player in 64 years to claim three successive hat-tricks in the English top-flight when his team visit Wigan Athletic on Saturday.

No one has scored a treble in three consecutive English top-flight games since Liverpool's Jack Balmer in 1946.

The only other players to achieve the feat were Tottenham Hotspur's Frank Osborne in 1925 and Tom Jennings of Leeds United in 1926.

Ivory Coast international Drogba helped to wrap up the Premier League title for Chelsea on the final day of last season when he bagged three goals in an 8-0 demolition of Wigan at Stamford Bridge.

Drogba then started the new campaign with another treble in a 6-0 rout of promoted West Bromwich Albion last Saturday.

The 32-year-old's second hat-trick in a row helped him surpass Jimmy Greaves's total of 132 goals as Chelsea's sixth-highest scorer.

"I didn't know (about the record) but it is really nice," Drogba told the club's website (www.chelseafc.com).

"I have said I want to make history in the club and by being among these big players I have done it. But I don't want to stop here, I want my name as high as I can (get it)."

Only Bobby Tambling (202), Kerry Dixon (193), Frank Lampard (158), Roy Bentley (150) and Peter Osgood (150) are ahead of Drogba (134) on Chelsea's all-time list.

Wigan will be wary of the Ivorian especially as Roberto Martinez's team had the second-worst defensive record in the Premier League last season and slumped to a shock 4-0 home defeat by promoted Blackpool last Saturday.

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.