Chelsea Coach Carlos Ancelotti Rules Out Signing Of Fernando Torres From Liverpool

Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti has indicated that he is not interested in signing striker Fernando Torres from fellow Premier League rivals Liverpool this summer.

The Spanish international striker, who won the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa, has been linked with a move away from Anfield, with a number of top European clubs supposedly keen on signing the former Atletico Madrid forward.

Last season's Premier League winners Chelsea were one of the clubs reportedly keen on landing Torres, but Blues' coach Carlo Ancelotti has now ruled out a move for the 26-year-old.

Speaking at a press conference after Saturday's 1-0 friendly win at Crystal Palace, the 51-year-old Italian said, "I don't think we need any other strikers. Nothing has changed, because in the next few days [Didier] Drogba, [Nicolas] Anelka and [Salomon] Kalou will return - and we have [Daniel] Sturridge."

Ancelotti Hails Returning Star And Fires Message To Mourinho

Michael Essien made a goalscoring return to action following his six-month lay-off to give Double winners Chelsea victory at Crystal Palace.

Ghana midfielder Essien, out since December with a cruciate knee ligament injury and who also missed his country’s World Cup heroics, managed an hour as Chelsea kicked off their pre-season.

Essien, 27, who started in a side made up mostly of reserve team players like Ryan Betrand, scored with a left-foot shot from the edge of the area and was substituted immediately afterwards.

Manager Carlo Ancelotti said: “Michael is very important to this team. He has come back very well and is a fantastic player.”

With one star back, Ancelotti is bent on keeping another, warning Jose Mourinho that he is wasting his time pursuing Ashley Cole. Former Chelsea boss Mourinho is eager to be reunited with Cole and the Real Madrid coach is weighing up a £30million bid for the England ­left-back.

Ancelotti said: “I haven’t spoken with Ashley – we don’t need to.

“He had a fantastic season last year and is going to be an important player for us this season. He will remain with us, 100 per cent.”

Ancelotti has also cooled his interest in Fernando Torres, with the price tag proving the major stumbling block. Liverpool wants at least £50m for Spain’s World Cup winner Torres and now Ancelotti claims he is happy with his current squad.

He said: “Nothing has changed. We have lots of good strikers so we don’t need more. The transfer window is still open but I am very happy to continue with this squad who has won the Double.

England World Cup flops John Terry, Frank Lampard and Cole are back this week. But Ancelotti said: “The World Cup is in the past. It was not good for them but I think the club is a different story.”

Holloway Eyes Sinclair Reunion

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway is plotting an ambitious bid for Chelsea starlet Scott Sinclair.

Holloway discovered the England Under-21 winger as a 10-year-old schoolboy when in charge at Bristol Rovers and he played under the Tangerines boss during a loan spell at Plymouth in 2008.

He spent last season on loan at Wigan but failed to convince Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti he is ready to command a regular role at Stamford Bridge.

The Blackpool boss also has designs on strengthening his back line with West Ham's Danny Gabbidon earmarked as a potential target.

However, West Ham's valuation of the player may scupper the deal with the newly-promoted Seasiders wanting to capture him for less than £500,000.

Chelsea Join Manchester Duo In The Race For Mario Balotelli

With no secrets being made of the potential bidding war that could break out between Manchester United and Manchester City as the pair look to sign Inter hitman Mario Balotelli, it now seems that Chelsea may also throw themselves into the ring, according to the player's agent Mino Raiola.

"I have had contact with a few teams," Balotelli’s agent declared to SkySports.

“The papers keep talking about Manchester United and City, but I will keep the names of the others to myself.”

Raiola was then probed as to whether Carlo Ancelotti’s Chelsea are one of the other contenders looking to secure the services of the hitman.

"Are Chelsea keen? Why not?” Raiola concluded.

Fabio Expects Terry Axe

John Terry's future in the England team is under severe threat, according to former Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro.

Ex-skipper Terry incurred the wrath of manager Fabio Capello during England's dismal World Cup campaign when he suggested the players were ready to confront the Italian over his tactics and team selection.

The Chelsea centre-back was forced to back down after Capello called his comments a 'big mistake', but kept his place in the side before England were bundled out of the tournament in the second round after a 4-1 humbling by Germany.

Cannavaro, who lifted the World Cup with Italy in 2006 before suffering a humiliating group stage exit in South Africa, knows Capello well after working under his compatriot at Real Madrid.

And the experienced defender believes the strict disciplinarian will begin preparing for the 2012 European Championships by making sweeping changes to the Three Lions squad, with Terry the most at risk.

"My thoughts are that John Terry won't be on the team sheet," Cannavaro told the Daily Star Sunday.

"You don't cross Fabio and he won't want anybody disrupting his tournament again.

"It was absolutely the correct decision for the English FA to keep Fabio on. He can make this England team his own now - and I would actually make them the favourites for Euro 2012.

"When he joined Real Madrid he brought a lot of players in the first season like myself and Ruud van Nistelrooy and the result was instant success but internationally it takes time to build your own team.

"I don't want to speak for Fabio but I'd be surprised if more than five of the players who started against Germany start the opening game of Euro 2012.

"For me, the only two players that can be guaranteed to start in 2012 are Ashley Cole and Wayne Rooney.

"By then Fabio will have had enough time to build his own team and I think it will be unrecognisable compared to what it was at the World Cup.

"Spain will be there but if Fabio gets rid of egos, I think England will see exactly why it was a good decision to keep him on."

Match Report: Crystal Palace 0 - 1 Chelsea

Chelsea's pre-season campaign began with a victory at Crystal Palace on Saturday thanks to a goal from the returning Michael Essien.

It was our first fixture of 2010/11, and Essien's first appearance in a Chelsea shirt since December, rounded off nicely with a smart second-half goal that put the gloss on an impressive performance from the Ghanaian.

The emphasis was always going to be on form and fitness rather than results, but manager Carlo Ancelotti will be delighted to have started with a win despite the inexperienced look of his side.

Without his World Cup players, the manager took the opportunity to examine some of Chelsea's emerging talent while welcoming back from injury Essien and John Mikel Obi, two players who missed the end of last season.

Petr Cech took the captain's armband in goal, with Alex accompanied by Patrick van Aanholt in central defence. Jeffrey Bruma was at right-back and Ryan Bertrand on the left.

In midfield Nemanja Matic joined Essien in the middle with Mikel behind, and Josh McEachran was in behind the front men. Franco Di Santo, back from a loan spell with Blackburn last term, joined Daniel Sturridge in attack.

Missing due to injury were Yossi Benayoun (groin), Yury Zhirkov (knee) and Michael Mancienne (thigh).

Palace began the game with a number of trialists in their squad, including former Chelsea midfielder Liam Bridcutt, who left Stamford Bridge at the end of the season, on the bench.

Due to a higher attendance than the home side had anticipated, kick-off was put back 15 minutes. When we did get going it didn't take long for the game to come to life, Van Aanholt hooking just past his own goal in the Chelsea area, and then Di Santo testing Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni inside the first couple of minutes.

McEachran was looking comfortable in his first senior appearance, demonstrating his smart footwork early on before sending over a right-wing corner that Essien headed over the bar.

It was the youngster's pass that sent Sturridge through on 20 minutes, but the forward was unable to find his way past defender Adam Barrett. Moments later Di Santo stuck a half-chance wide at the near post, as some rusty passages of play gave way to some more creative moves.

In the 27th minute Essien came close again, very close, as he let rip with a looping half-volley that clipped the crossbar on its way over, about three inches from repeating that wonder goal against Barcelona in the Champions League in 2009.

Just after the half-hour Ross Turnbull replaced Cech in goal as Ancelotti sought to give all three of his goalkeepers a chance. Essien took the armband as Cech received a warm applause from the home support on his way back towards the dressing room.

A foul on the lively Sturridge brought a shooting opportunity from the right, 25 yards from goal, and though it favoured the left-footer it was Alex who strode up, nearly decapitating the defender in the wall who was unfortunate enough to get in its way.

Sturridge for Chelsea and Darren Ambrose for Palace flashed efforts wide before the break, and then our England Under-21 wasted a good chance after it following Essien's precise pass, failing to get his shot away as Speroni narrowed the angle.

Bruma shot high and Sturridge saw a volley blocked as Chelsea started the second half on top, the only change in personnel being Bertrand and Van Aanholt switching positions.

On 58 minutes Chelsea took the lead, and it was Essien who made it the perfect return, curling a low finish into the bottom corner after McEachran and Sturridge had worked the ball to him on the edge of the area.

That was his last involvement as Ancelotti made five changes. Alex, Di Santo, McEachran, and Turnbull were all withdrawn, replaced by Jack Cork, Milan Lalkovic, Scott Sinclair, Conor Clifford and Hilario.

This prompted a change in shape also to 4-3-3, Sturridge the lone forward with Lalkovic on the right and Sinclair the left, Clifford joining Mikel and Matic in the centre, with Cork at right-back and Bruma in the middle.

Bridcutt appeared for the final 16 minutes and immediately created Palace's best opportunity, intercepting a loose Mikel pass and playing in Claude Davis who shot hard but straight at Hilario, who parried.

Three more Chelsea changes followed, Bruma, Matic and Sturridge giving way to 15-year-old schoolboy and England Under 17 international Nathaniel Chalobah, Aliu 'Kaby' Djalo and Gokhan Tore but there would be no more major action.

All in all it was a successful start and a good experience for the young Blues. Next up is a trip to Ajax in six days' time.

Essien Delighted With Comeback

Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien is confident he has made a full recovery from an injured-ravaged past season.

The Ghana international has been sidelined since December with a knee ligament injury which also forced him to miss the World Cup.

Essien made a goalscoring return to action in Saturday's 1-0 friendly victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park and was delighted by his comeback.

"It feels good, it's been a long time but I am back in full training now, everything is good and there is no reaction from the training, so things are looking good for me," he told the club's official website.

"I didn't have any holidays because of my rehab, but it will be good to start up again and I am looking forward to the rest of the boys coming back as well.

"I'd love to have been there playing at the end of the season, it wasn't easy for me but I supported my team-mates to win their matches, that's all I could do.

"I became a supporter and to end the season with two trophies was amazing and I was enjoying it like everyone even though I didn't play the whole season."

The Spotlight Shines On Josh McEachran!

With all the World Cup participants yet to return to Cobham for pre-season training there was always the possibility that Carlo Ancelotti would give a few youngsters the chance to play on Saturday.

However, one youngster who made the team sheet might well have been more than a little surprised to get a start.

Josh McEachran earned rave reviews in our successful FA Youth Cup campaign last season and is marked down as one for the future.

At 17 years of age, the lad who has been at Chelsea since he was 8 (does that make him due a testimonial next season?) certainly has time on his side.

But, given his chance on Saturday, Josh didn’t disappoint.

Playing in front of a large crowd, so large it’s the first time I can recall a friendly being late kicking off due to crowd congestion, young Josh showed glimpses of the remarkable talent he possesses.

Playing in the hole behind the striking partnership of Daniel Sturridge and Franco Di Santo, as early as the third or fourth minute he showed a sublime piece of skill with fleet of foot to create space and bamboozle two Palace players closing him down.

As Chelsea pushed Palace back young Josh seemed to be at the heart of everything, probing passes, deft flicks and even the commitment to regain possession when one dalliance on the ball saw it lost.

The youngster even had the audacity to claim an assist for Michael Essen’s fine strike laying the ball back into his path so the Ghanaian could smash it home from eighteen yards out.

Yes there were errors, some ambitious long passes went astray and one dart into the box saw Josh not completely able to control the ball first time but when he was withdrawn, shortly after the goal, he’d done enough t more than justify his inclusion in the starting eleven.

With the next game scheduled for Friday, and a fixture against Ajax Amsterdam, we’re not sure if Josh will get a starting berth, especially if Yossi Benayoun has overcome the injury that kept him on the sidelines on Saturday, but remember the name because if young Josh continues his remarkable progress it’ll soon be on everyone’s lips!

Ancelotti Wants Reunion With Superstar

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has been very outspoken about his admiration for Real Madrid playmaker Kaka. Under the tutelage of Ancelotti, the Brazilian went from a developing youngster to a global superstar at AC Milan. Now, with the Blues set to pull out of an expensive deal for Liverpool’s injured forward Fernando Torres, Kaka’s chances of securing a move to the Premier League have increased significantly.

Merely two days ago, Ancelotti acknowledged his desire to coach Kaka once again but conceded that the transfer was unlikely to happen due to the player’s importance at Santiago Bernabeu.

“Unfortunately he cannot come: firstly Real Madrid don’t want to sell him, and secondly we would need a consent over the transfer, and thirdly it would be a multi-million operation. None of these conditions exist,” said the man who led Chelsea to a domestic double in his very first season in England.

Fresh reports coming out of the Spanish media suggest otherwise. It is actually believed that Los Blancos manager Jose Mourinho rates Dutch midfielder Rafael van der Vaart as a more important player to build the team around. Therefore, the highly rated Kaka can possibly be deemed surplus to requirement in the coming days.

If that ends up being the case, it is expected that Mourinho will also consider cut-price deals for the former Ballon d’Or winner. Without a doubt, this rumor is poised to begin the biggest transfer saga of the summer as the football world will keep its fingers crossed to see whether or not Kaka will join his former coach Ancelotti at Mourinho’s former club.

Ibrahimovic Laughs Off City And Chelsea Talk

Barcelona striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has insisted he is staying with the Spanish champions and quashed speculation linking him with a move to the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City.

Ibrahimovic has been strongly linked with a move away from the Nou Camp following a disappointing first season at Barcelona and the club's summer signing of Spain striker David Villa.

But, speaking at a press conference announcing his return to the Swedish national team, Ibrahimovic said he has no intention of leaving the Catalan giants.

"I was a Barca player when I left (to go on holiday) and I'll be a Barca player when I go back," Ibrahimovic said. "I have four years left on my contract.''

The former Inter Milan forward also took a swipe at the press for their constant publication of stories linking him with other clubs.

"I want to congratulate everybody that has used my name, because it's fun to have been at Chelsea, at Manchester City, without having been there,'' he said.

Chelsea Weighing Up £25m Neymar Bid

Chelsea are contemplating a £25 million bid for Brazilian starlet Neymar, a deal that would see the highly-rated striker become the most expensive teenager in world football.

Neymar, 18, has impressed at Santos over the past 12 months, and his performances led to widespread calls for Dunga to call him up to Brazil's World Cup squad.

He didn't make the plane to South Africa but that hasn't stopped Chelsea working on an offer to bring one of the world's hottest prospects to England, with the Blues thought to be deep in discussions about a possible move.

Neymar's current contract runs until 2014, but Santos is happy to cash in. The club insists they will not do a deal for anything less than the striker's £28.4 million release clause, but if Chelsea come anywhere close to that figure, the Brazilian side are certain to sell.

"Chelsea want the boy, but wanted him to gain some experience in English football first with another club," A source close to the transfer told Soccernet. "That doesn't look likely, so it wouldn't be a huge surprise if they buy him outright, and a bid anywhere over £20 million is sure to persuade Santos to sell."

Under rules in Brazil, Neymar was prohibited from registering for a team outside Brazil until his 18th birthday, but with the first transfer window since he turned 18 in February now open, Chelsea are considering a bid.

West Ham had been making all the running to acquire the teenager, but, clearly the Hammers couldn't afford to buy Neymar outright, and the door is now open for Chelsea.

Neymar's agent, Wagner Ribeiro, masterminded the deal that took Robinho from Santos to Real Madrid in 2005, as well as the same player's subsequent £34 million British-record transfer to Manchester City - and now he is behind an astonishing move to bring Neymar to English football.

The boy's father, Neymar da Silva Santos, has appeared happy with the arrangement to let his son settle into a completely new environment, which could still include a learning curve with West Ham before heading on to Stamford Bridge.

A potential stumbling block is that the boy is 40% owned by a group of investors, and to qualify to play for a club in England, the third party owners would have to be bought out entirely.

Chelsea Offer £50m For Torres

Chelsea has made a club record £50million bid for Fernando Torres. Liverpool turned down a £40m offer for the Spanish striker, 26, last week.

And the Anfield club made it clear they would not welcome any further approaches for their World Cup-winning star.

But that will not deter Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich from stepping up the pursuit of his top target this summer.

A top Stamford Bridge source said: "It's true Liverpool have knocked back the first bid of £40m but it's highly unlikely that will be the end to it.

"Let's see what happens when an offer of £50m lands on Christian Purslow's desk."

Red Rom is now on holiday after spending two weeks at the World Cup finals in South Africa but will test Liverpool's resolve by upping his offer.

He is hoping a significantly improved offer will concentrate minds at a club that has failed to qualify for the Champions League.

They are also £350m in debt and made a £55m loss in the last financial year.

Torres, who joined Liverpool for £21.5m from Atletico Madrid three years ago, met with new Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson and managing director Purslow this week in Spain.

But that did little to stifle speculation surrounding his future.

And if the Kop favourite comes out publicly and demands to leave Merseyside, then Liverpool may reluctantly consider doing a deal.

But sources close to the hitman, who will be out for three weeks after tearing an abductor muscle in the World Cup final, say he is in no rush to commit himself either way yet.

A Liverpool insider said: "The club was quick to reject Chelsea's £40m bid and tell them Torres is not for sale.

"Fernando could kill the deal stone dead by coming right out and committing himself to the club. Hopefully he'll do that sooner rather than later."

Newcastle In For Chelsea Starlet

Newcastle United has been linked with a move for Chelsea's teenage left-back Patrick Van Aanholt.

The Dutch Under-21 International impressed during a month long loan spell in January last year, when he deputised for injured first choice left back Jose Enrique.

It now appears that Newcastle boss Chris Hughton is keen on bringing the 19-year-old, who can also play on the left wing, back to St James' Park ahead of the new Premier League season.

It is not clear whether Hughton wants to sign the youngster on loan or permanently but any deal could rest on the future of Ashley Cole, who has been linked with a £30million move to Real Madrid.

Should Cole make the move to Spain then Chelsea may prefer to keep the young Dutchman at Stamford Bridge.

Annan Eyes English Move

Ghana midfielder Anthony Annan is hopeful of winning a move to the Premier League this summer.

A number of clubs have been linked with a move for Annan after he impressed at the World Cup with Ghana.

The likes of Chelsea and Manchester United have been credited with an interest in the Rosenborg ace and the 23-year-old admits he would be interested in a move to England or any major European league.

"I am keeping my fingers crossed, but I don't know the future yet," Annan told Sky Sports News.

"I am still playing and the transfer market is not over yet.

"I am just hoping one or two things happen before the close of the transfer market and just hoping good things will come out of that.

"I think if I have opportunity to play there [England] I would be very grateful. If not Germany, Italy, Spain, everywhere. I think I will be ready to play over there.

"My agent knows what's going on and I will have a meeting with him and discuss what is happening with my future."

Crewe Loanee Rhys Taylor Keen To Stay For Entire Season

Chelsea goalkeeper Rhys Taylor says he is keen to extend his two-month loan at Crewe Alexandra for the whole season.

Taylor, 20, told BBC Radio Stoke: "I would like to stay if the manager [Dario Gradi] wants to keep me.

"I want to have a good season with no injuries and I want to play as many games as I can for Crewe."

Taylor is likely to start the season as Crewe's number one goalkeeper while experienced stopper Steve Phillips recovers from a shoulder operation.

The Wales Under-21 international was recommended to the Alex by former Crewe first-team coach Steve Holland, who now takes charge of the reserve team at Chelsea.

"He's been great with some of the young players," added Taylor.

"It can be difficult at a club like Chelsea, dealing with young players who are getting upset because they're not playing.

"He's done well and he's been a massive part of getting me to this club."

Taylor, who has yet to make a first-team appearance for Chelsea or Queen's Park Rangers, where he spent six weeks on loan last season, has set his sights on eventually succeeding Petr Cech and becoming the number one goalkeeper at Stamford Bridge.

"It's a big target but I'm still only 20 and for a keeper that's only a baby," said Taylor.

"I want to get some experience and some league games. I've been playing in the reserves at Chelsea since I was 15 so I've been doing that for a while and I think it's time to step it up."

Profiling the Future - Daniel Sturridge

Sturridge signed for Chelsea in the summer of 2009 from Manchester City for a fee set by the tribunal at £3.5million. Sturridge from his very childhood was a football person. He signed for the Aston Villa Academy at just 8 years of age and spent 4 years with them before joining Coventry.

Even then Sturridge did things with the ball that much older kids could only dream of. City were so impressed by his work they paid £30,000 for the 13 year old to join their youth set-up.

A year later, aged just 14 he took part in the Nike Cup, the worlds greatest U-15 football tournament. He single-handedly led City to victory as he picked up both 'Player of the Season` and the 'Golden Boot` award.

Aged 16, in their 2005/2006 FA Youth Cup Sturridge scored 6 times (including 2 in the final) to help City finish runners up for the first time in 11 years.

Immediately drafted into the reserves by City he impressed mightily scoring 9 times in 6 games including a hat-trick. His first real impact for City came in his first start for the club in 2008/2009 as he scored 2 in 2 against Derby and Sheffield.

The English media began to rave about the performances of the young lad.

Despite continuing to impress as a City first team member he enjoyed having a part in their Youth Cup run and again finished top scorer, including a goal against the young blues in the final.

He made 16 league appearances meanwhile for City that year scoring 4 and making 3. He was voted their Young Player of the Year.

Sturridge, along with Turnbull, was one of the young Englishmen the blues decided to bring in. Upon his arrival Danny fit right in with the big names at the Bridge. He felt he was finally fulfilling his potential and upon his move he said:

'Chelsea is the right move for me, I have earned this chance. They already have great strikers in Anelka and Didier. One can learn a lot from such names.'

Sturridge came in with the right attitude and was rewarded for his efforts. He scored in pre-season on his debut against Seattle, set up perfectly by Anelka. He also proved a handful for Jose's Inter, winning a penalty that Lampard slotted home.

Sturridge was very impressive in the Reserves League for the blues scoring 6 times in 5 appearances. This however was nothing to his FA Cup run where he scored 4 times in 3 matches to help Chelsea make it to the semi-final.

He however did not get his chance to match the great Peter Osgood's record as he did not play any part in the semi or the final as Chelsea lifted the trophy. He was our top scorer.

In the League Danny was very impressive, showing his versatility in playing in several positions. He proved equally effective down the right, left or in the centre. His talent on the ball and pace proved tough for opposition to deal with and whenever he came on the tempo of the game usually went up a notch.

He scored his first Chelsea goal in the win over Stoke 7-0. It was the 6th as a perfect Didier pass was found by his agile feet and he delicately rounded the keeper Begovic and slotted home. His celebration was worth watching.

In a total of 13 Premier League appearances he scored once and had 3 assists. Danny, at 20 still has a long way to go in his career. The early signs suggest that he is a man gifted with insane quality and if he gets his chance, with as many appearances as some of the senior lads, he can easily cross the 20 goal mark.

Essien: Back For Good

Yesterday was the day for Michael Essien as the midfielder makes his long-awaited return from a knee injury.

The midfielder has not appeared in Chelsea colours since December, enduring a frustrating time on the sidelines while his team-mates lifted the Premier League and FA Cup Double and then headed to South Africa for the World Cup.

For the Ghanaian, it has been a summer of rehabilitation rather than relaxation, but the hard work looks to be paying dividends as he anticipates his return against Crystal Palace yesterday afternoon.

'I know now I will play, and it will be nice to have 45 minutes like the other guys to test my fitness,' said the 27-year-old. 'It feels good, it's been a long time but I am back in full training now, everything is good and there is no reaction from the training, so things are looking good for me.

'I didn't have any holidays because of my rehab, but it will be good to start up again and I am looking forward to the rest of the boys coming back as well.

'I'd love to have been there playing at the end of the season, it wasn't easy for me but I supported my team-mates to win their matches, that's all I could do. I became a supporter and to end the season with two trophies was amazing and I was enjoying it like everyone even though I didn't play the whole season.'

Essien acknowledges that being given the go-ahead today will mean he is one of the more senior players on show with the majority of his first team colleagues still on vacation.

'We're still waiting for the rest of the other players from the World Cup but we have a lot of good young players here as well,' he said.

'I think it's good to start the pre-season games with them and to see them play, so the manager can see how good they are. I think the club has a great future with those players and I can see in training they are doing well at the moment.'

While his team-mates were taking plaudits for their work on the field, Essien has been taking impressive steps off it - this week he has been announced as a peace ambassador for 2010 by the African Union.

'It's great to be appointed an ambassador in Africa and I am looking forward to working with them, I hope everything will go really well and I can help get the message across for peace in Africa,' Essien explained.

'They requested me to meet them for a meeting but I am busy with pre-season so one of my representatives is there for a meeting and will come back and talk to me about it soon. From now you will have to call me Ambassador Essien!'

With the prospect of seeing him back in Chelsea blue, this new title seems a very small price to pay.

Alex Convinced Yossi Benayoun Signing Will Help Club Retain Premier League Title

Chelsea defender Alex has been impressed with new boy Yossi Benayoun in pre-season training and is convinced "he will help" the club retain the Premier League title.

Alex, 28, has been preparing with the rest of the squad for the campaign ahead without the club's World Cup 2010 contingent. Despite missing the likes of John Terry, Ricardo Carvalho, Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard, he has been kept on his toes by the signing from Liverpool.

Speaking to the club's official website, Alex praised the Israeli international's impact since being snapped up by manager Carlo Ancelotti.

"He is a good man, he is experienced and I think he will help us this season. We need players of this quality,' Alex said.

"He is difficult to mark when we do this in training - attackers v defenders - and I have to have more concentration in defence."

New Chelsea Starlet Tomas Kalas Admits To Snubbing Premier League Rivals Arsenal

New Chelsea signing Tomas Kalas has revealed he rejected Arsenal to make the £5 million switch to the Premier League champions.

Kalas, 17, has joined the Blues from Czech side Sigma Olomouc on a contract that runs until 2016. As one of the most highly rated young defenders in Europe, he had a pick of teams to move to.

Despite visiting the Gunners - as well as German sides Bayer Leverkusen and Hoffenheim - the childhood fan was determined to force through a move to Carlo Ancelotti's side.

"There were rumours flying around already during the spring, but at that time there were more clubs around me," Kalas told iDnes.cz.

"It became more specific only after the U-17 European Championship in Liechtenstein in May. Chelsea scouts were present there.

"Then I, my dad and Olomouc were proposed a specific offer. But Mr [Frank, sporting director] Arnesen told me I had been on the list already before the Euro and they had been following me for two years."

Kalas has only made one appearance in the Czech top flight so far and will stay at Sigma on loan next season. He further revealed he not only rejected Arsene Wenger's advances, but a pair of moves to the Bundesliga.

"Bayer Leverkusen and Hoffenheim from the Bundesliga and apart from Chelsea also Arsenal," Kalas added.

"I have been to both German clubs and also Arsenal, but the best impression was left on me by Chelsea.

"People say that Arsenal are famous for their academy, but from what I could see during my days at Chelsea, that really impressed me.

"Even my dad thought of Chelsea as the best option. Moreover, I have been a Chelsea fan since I was a little kid.

"I am convinced I have made the right decision by joining Chelsea. After all, by this I am making my dream come true."

Olympique Marseille Pursuing Audacious Move For Chelsea Star Didier Drogba

Olympique Marseille remain interested in tempting Didier Drogba away from Chelsea and back to Ligue 1, according to a report from France Football.

The French outfit apparently contacted the Ivorian a few weeks ago, but at that stage it looked like his wage demands would prove prohibitive.

However, OM are trying to reduce their wage bill and trim their squad, which may create room in the budget for Drogba.

The striker, 32, knows that the Blues are looking for a new, younger centre-forward and Marseille might offer him a longer contract on slightly lower wages, similar to the strategy employed by Paris Saint-Germain when they snapped up Claude Makelele.

The move is at present on ice, according to the report, although Drogba remains on Marseille's shortlist, with the French club believing a fee of around £12.5 million (€15m) could be enough to snare the striker.