Premier League Could Reject Chelsea's £20 Million Deal For Benfica Midfielder Ramires

Premier League officials are investigating Chelsea’s £20 million move for Benfica midfielder Ramires to be certain that transfer rules are not being broken.

League officials have been alerted that notorious agent Kia Joorabchian owns a 50 per cent stake in Ramires, and the Premier League will not allow a deal to happen if there is any possibility of third-party ownership, according to The Sun.

Joorabchian gave Benfica £5 million this past April to buy half of the 23-year-old Brazil international.

Lead representative Pini Zahavi is believed to be one of the investors for Ramires, owning another 30 percent of the player, leaving Benfica with the other 20 percent.

Should the Blues complete their £20 million deal for the Brazilian, Benfica would receive just £4 million, and Premier League rules indicate that the whole sum of the transfer must be paid to the Portuguese club.

"Our rules are very clear on this matter - no element of third-party ownership is allowed in the Premier League,” a Premier League spokesman said.

"If a transfer takes place, it must be a club-to-club arrangement.

"Some other countries still allow the existence of third-party agreements but we will not sanction any deal which does not meet our criteria."

The Premier League’s rules that concern third-party agreements, is a result of the transfer of Carlos Tevez in 2007.

West Ham United did not inform the Premier League that Joorabchian owned Tevez and fellow Argentina international Javier Mascherano, leading to the club being fined £5.5 million and paying £20 million in compensation to Sheffield United.

Chelsea were looking to complete their move for Ramires before a pre-season trip to Germany on Sunday but the possibility of third-party ownership could delay the transfer.

Benfica Reject Chelsea Bid For David Luiz

Benfica have reportedly rejected a €32m bid from Chelsea for David Luiz, as the defender was handed his first international call-up by new Brazil coach Mano Menenzes.

Menezes named a 24-man squad for his first match in charge of the South American champions against USA next month, and there were several call-ups for Brazil’s next generation. Along with the likes of Rafael (Manchester United) and Santos duo Neymar and Ganso, Benfica’s David Luiz was also included in the group.

“I am very happy and excited with this call,” he told the club’s official website. “It was a goal and a dream in my life. I’ll make the most of this opportunity.”

It appears increasingly likely that Luiz will still be a Benfica player when he makes his international bow, with Benfica apparently determined to retain his services for the new campaign in the face of interest from English clubs Manchester City and Chelsea.

According to Record, the Eagles have rejected an offer in the region of €32m from Chelsea for the 23-year-old. Previously, Man City had made an approach worth €35m, with a €3m annual salary for Luiz, but was also turned down by Benfica, who refuse to negotiate below their reported €40m valuation.

Rafael van der Vaart Rules Out Premiership Move

Real Madrid midfielder Rafael van der Vaart insists reports linking him with a move to England are wide of the mark.

The Madrid playmaker was believed to be mulling over the prospect of a switch to the Premier League, with Liverpool and Chelsea ready to pounce.

It was claimed that Van der Vaart was ready to call time on his time in Spain after slipping down the pecking order at Santiago Bernabeu.

He was even quoted as saying that the opportunity to join Liverpool or Chelsea would be 'impossible to turn down'.

However, the Dutchman claims he has been misquoted and never intended to suggest that he was closing in on a move to England.

Instead, the 27-year-old playmaker is looking to force his way into the fold at Real, with Jose Mourinho having stepped into the Bernabeu hot-seat over the summer.

"I'm determined to stay at Real Madrid," Van der Vaart told De Telegraaf.

"I want to stay here and succeed at Real. It's a shame that the English press has misquoted me. They've written things that are simply not true."

Van der Vaart has spent the last two years in the Spanish capital, having completed a big-money move from Hamburg in 2008.

He has managed 70 appearances in all competitions during his time in Madrid, but found himself unable to hold down a regular starting berth last season.

Jeffrey Bruma & Patrick Van Aanholt Are Potential Netherlands Stars - Marco Van Basten

Netherlands' national side is not exactly known for its strong defenders, but that could very well change in the near future, according to former Ajax and Holland coach Marco van Basten. San Marco is full of confidence that Chelsea duo Jeffrey Bruma and Patrick van Aanholt could make the step up for Oranje.

"They have talked a lot about Bruma in Holland because in a defensive way we have not a big problem but there is room for a few good new defenders," Van Basten was quoted as saying on the official Chelsea website.

"He is one of these defenders that can be interesting for the future of Holland, so we are following all these guys and also Van Aanholt. I haven't seen him play much, but he is also a big name in the youth department."

Bruma is a product of the Feyenoord youth academy and made his official Premier League debut for Chelsea in October 2009.

Van Aanholt came through the ranks at PSV before joining Chelsea in 2007. The left back made his first Premier League appearance in March.

What Can Chelsea Fans Expect From Ramires?

Chelsea are expected to sign Brazilian midfielder any day now from Portuguese side Benfica, but what can fans expect him to bring to the Premier League and FA Cup champions?

Nicknamed the Blue Kenyan the 23-year-old is a tireless box-to-box runner and Carlo Ancelotti may see him as a potential replacement for Michael Ballack, who departed west London earlier in the summer after it was decided that his contract was not going to be renewed by the club.

Although Ramires is a different type of midfielder to Ballack it was clear that the German sacrificed his attacking game more often than not for Chelsea as Frank Lampard remains the most potent goal threat from the middle of the park for the Blues.

Ramires is a workhorse, but not primarily a defensive midfielder, much like Michael Essien and Jon Obi Mikel. However, it is most likely be asked to do some of the dirty work in order to leave the likes of Lampard to do what he does best (scoring and creating goals).

The player had a great first season for Benfica winning a Portuguese Liga and cup double. He has also already forced his way into the Brazil team and was a regular during their Confederations Cup campaign in 2009. During the World Cup in South Africa he lost his place to Felipe Melo initially, regained his place, then he got himself suspended for the game against Holland… he was probably missed as Melo returned to flick the ball in his own net from a Wesley Sneijder shot then sealed Brazil’s fate after getting himself sent off for stamping on Bayern Munich’s Arjen Robben.

The Chelsea fans will perhaps be glad that some youthful exuberance is set to be injected into their ageing midfield and should get plenty of longevity out of Ramires who is still just 23, which means he has plenty of time on his side to settle in English football and improve as a player.

Ancelotti also has a fairly good record at nurturing young Brazilian talent with former world player of the year Kaka and Alexandre Pato amongst his prospects, but repeating these sorts of tricks in the Premier League will be a whole new challenge for the manager approaching his second season in west London.

Roman Abramovich has been fairly quiet with his billions ever since the Stamford Bridge outfit’s disastrous purchase of Andriy Shevchenko for around £30m in 2006, but as well as Ramires’ expected arrival it is also believed that the club seem keen on another 23-year-old Brazilian in David Luiz, who was of course a team mate of Ramires during their title winning season last term, and the club has made an offer for Santos’ promising young talent Neymar.

Ramires may endear himself to many fans after he reportedly chose Chelsea over the Premier League’s other billionaires Manchester City, especially after losing out on Robinho to them a few summers ago (a case of right player, wrong club in my opinion).

It is not a done deal yet, but the Brazilian is expected to become an official Chelsea signing upon his return from holiday in his native Brazil (probably by the end of this week) for a fee believed to be around £20 million.

Making That Giant Step!

One of the common perceptions I’ve noticed whilst policing the article comments relates to Jose Mourinho never giving youth a chance.

Now this wasn’t always the case.

I can distinctly remember Jose championing the case of one of our promising youngsters and giving him his opportunity to sparkle.

The youngster in question was a certain Scott Sinclair.

Sinclair made more than the odd appearance for Jose and was doing remarkably well until, against Manchester United, the boot of a certain Wes Brown put Scott out of action with a broken foot.

Since then it’s been a baffling experience for Sinclair. Instead of flourishing he’s been shunted out on loan spell after loan spell and frustrated manager after manager.

Last season it was Roberto Martinez, at Wigan, who had Sinclair under his tutorship and once again Scott couldn’t force hi sway into the Wigan team on a permanent basis. Scott was largely used as an impact player coming off the bench although impact could well be the wrong word.

Back at Chelsea now, Scott was brought on as a substitute at Selhurst Park and one mazy run; seconds after being brought on should have resulted in a penalty. For a few seconds there memories of the youngster; who had shown he could run the length of the pitch and score, came flooding back.

Sadly, given time to show what he could do in the Amsterdam Arena on Friday evening, Scott just didn’t get involved enough and was virtually anonymous at a time when he probably needed a decent performance.

Now, as then new season approaches, I can’t help thinking that the gulf between truly promising youngster and seasoned first team professional is one that Scott is struggling to breach.

I hate to say it, especially after being one of those who truly believed he’d make it, that his time at our club is probably up!

Malouda: Hard Work After Holiday Help

Florent Malouda is back in training and looking to pick up where he left off in May, following a summer that had it all.

The flying winger had the best season of his career in 2009/10, scoring 15 times as we sealed the Barclays Premier League on the final day of the season before wrapping up the Double with victory in the FA Cup Final over Portsmouth.

In a whirlwind two months since, the Frenchman has seen just about everything, from the World Cup in South Africa to the devastation caused by the January earthquake in Haiti.

It is a cause close to Malouda's heart, having been born in French Guiana in the same Central American region.

'There has been a lot of travelling but I really enjoyed my holidays, I didn't have so much time away for a long time so I really enjoyed it,' he explained.

'The first part was difficult with my trip to Haiti. I went there and met a lot of extraordinary people. What I saw was really hard, I could never imagine people who could live in those conditions and at the same time I was in awe of the way they were organized and showing their will to survive. That's a really good example for me, and it gives you more humility.

'I realized they were expecting my visit and it was really important to them because they felt like they were not forgotten. That was the purpose of my trip there, and I will be back.'

Aside from his humanitarian trip, the 30-year-old was also able to catch up on some much needed family time after a 50-game club season and the distraction of France's World Cup campaign.

'After Haiti I was on holiday with my family, in Miami,' Malouda continued. 'I didn't have a training program for some time, that's what I enjoyed the most. During the year you have always a program, a schedule or a meeting, so it was nice to relax my mind and physically have some rest.

'I also had some time in French Guiana. I was there for five days and saw my family. I was really happy, especially after what happened in the World Cup, it is always the same when I go there, people give me their support and are really proud of what I have done here at Chelsea.

'Year after year I see more people wearing Chelsea shirts with number 15 on. They are proud and I am like an ambassador for Guianese people and it reminds me of the responsibility I have.'

After two months away it is now back to the familiar Surrey surroundings of the Chelsea training ground, as we aim to defend our trophy haul of the last campaign. Malouda is only too aware that the season starts here.

'Now I feel really good and I have a lot of motivation to do better than last year. It is all about work,' he acknowledged.

'Now it is pre-season, we have to work hard, we had our deserved holidays but now it is over and the season will start soon. We have to get our focus back on the objectives of the club and being the best in everything we do.'

Training: It's A Full House

The holidays are now officially over for the players. Monday was the day for the final group of World Cup participants to return.

Heading in for their first morning of work of the new season were the English trio of Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard and John Terry, and Portuguese pair Ricardo Carvalho and Paulo Ferreira. Deco flew in and returned to Cobham in the afternoon.

All were eliminated at the first knockout round in South Africa.

Like for their club colleagues before them, first up were the physiological tests to determine what shape the lads are in for their return, followed by a six-minute 'yoyo' run, backwards and forwards at a consistent speed, much like the infamous 'bleep tests', which helps give an accurate gauge of how hard the individual is having to work.

Joining the new arrivals for this exercise was Jose Boswinga, able to complete it as he works towards full fitness following knee surgery.

Following a period of recovery in the middle of the day, it was time for today's returnees to reunite with a football as following their tailored warm-up, they were handed back to Carlo Ancelotti for a full training session with the rest of the squad which still contains many of the young players who contested the opening two pre-season friendlies.

Soon the likes of Terry and Carvalho were spreading long passes out wide as players swept up the field together in countering-attacking groups, followed by two sides playing a possession game in a small area to sharpen technique.

All the injury-free players will now train throughout the week ahead of the two-game visit to Germany.

Neymar Boost For Chelsea As Starlet Hints At Santos Departure

Brazilian wonderkid Neymar has opened the door on a move to Chelsea by refusing to commit his future to Santos.

The gifted 18-year-old insists he is happy at the Sao Paulo-based side, but admits he might not be there by the time the transfer window closes at the end of August.

Just three weeks after saying he wanted to stay at Santos, Neymar admitted on Sunday: 'I don't know what will happen to me. I continue to fulfil my contract at Santos and while I'm here I will be happy.'

Chelsea had a a £17million bid for Neymar rejected, while West Ham were met with the same response when bidding £12m earlier in the summer.

Santos insist they will not do a deal for less than the near-£30m release clause written into the forward's five-year contract, but investors who own 40 per cent of the player's rights are said to be keen to strike a deal.

Neymar confirmed that his father Neymar Silva and Santos president Luis Alvaro de Oliveira Ribeiro held talks at the end of last week, but he said: 'I know they talked, but I was with the team, so I haven't spoken yet to my father.

'We don't talk much on the phone, so I don't know yet what happened in the meeting.'

Although many have questioned whether it is too soon to go to Europe, Neymar is confident he will not be another flop like team-mate Robinho, who is determined to stay on loan at Santos after disappointing at Manchester City.

After helping Santos to a 1-0 win against Sao Paulo in Brazil's Serie A, he said: 'I think nothing changes much whether you play in Europe or here. The ball is round, it's the same.'

Manchester City have first refusal on Neymar, while Barcelona and Real Madrid are also monitoring his availability.

Chelsea Offer Former Barcelona Official Begiristain Role As New Sporting Director

According to Spanish daily 'Sport', Chelsea has submitted an offer to secure the services of former Barcelona technical secretary Txiki Begiristain.

The 45-year-old is a former Barcelona player and Spanish international. He was brought into the Nou Camp as technical secretary in 2003 in order to end a barren four seasons without a trophy and has since helped bring incredible success for the Catalans.

Begiristain has overseen the transfers of influential stars such as Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto'o during his time at the Nou Camp.

His last contribution to the club was the summer signing of David Villa. Begiristain left the Nou Camp following the end of Joan Laporta's term as president.

Now, 'Sport' reports that Begiristain has received "a significant offer" from Premier League champions Chelsea to become the club's sporting director.

Chelsea is desperate to capture the Champions League and would hope that Begiristain can help Carlo Ancelotti strengthen his squad in order to do so. The Stamford Bridge club reportedly wants an answer from Begiristain by September.

Mancienne Seeks Stability

Michael Mancienne is keen to put down roots, and accepts he may need to leave Chelsea in order to do so.

The former England Under-21 international remains on the Blues' books despite spending the last two seasons on loan at Wolves.

The versatile 22-year-old has been forced to look elsewhere after finding his route to the first-team at Stamford Bridge blocked.

He now faces a tough choice at a crucial stage of his career, with it unclear where he figures in Carlo Ancelotti's plans.

Mancienne knows that in order to produce his best he needs to feel settled and comfortable in his surroundings.

That is not the case at Chelsea at present and he accepts that a summer switch may now be his best option.

Wolves, who have been impressed by him over recent years, are reported to be keen to strike a deal and Mancienne has hinted that he would be open to such a move.

"I've been at Chelsea since I was a kid and I'd love to break into the first-team, but it's hard for any young player knowing how much quality they've got," he told the Daily Express.

"I've had two seasons on loan at Wolves and had regular games and really enjoyed it. Now I want to be settled at one club."

While Mancienne has opened the door to a move, he could yet be offered an opportunity to prove his worth under Ancelotti.

Chelsea are set to be without Brazilian centre-half Alex for the start of the new season, while Ricardo Carvalho has expressed a desire to join Real Madrid, leaving a vacancy alongside John Terry at the heart of the back four.

Mancienne Seeks Stability

Michael Mancienne is keen to put down roots, and accepts he may need to leave Chelsea in order to do so.

The former England Under-21 international remains on the Blues' books despite spending the last two seasons on loan at Wolves.

The versatile 22-year-old has been forced to look elsewhere after finding his route to the first-team at Stamford Bridge blocked.

He now faces a tough choice at a crucial stage of his career, with it unclear where he figures in Carlo Ancelotti's plans.

Mancienne knows that in order to produce his best he needs to feel settled and comfortable in his surroundings.

That is not the case at Chelsea at present and he accepts that a summer switch may now be his best option.

Wolves, who have been impressed by him over recent years, are reported to be keen to strike a deal and Mancienne has hinted that he would be open to such a move.

"I've been at Chelsea since I was a kid and I'd love to break into the first-team, but it's hard for any young player knowing how much quality they've got," he told the Daily Express.

"I've had two seasons on loan at Wolves and had regular games and really enjoyed it. Now I want to be settled at one club."

While Mancienne has opened the door to a move, he could yet be offered an opportunity to prove his worth under Ancelotti.

Chelsea are set to be without Brazilian centre-half Alex for the start of the new season, while Ricardo Carvalho has expressed a desire to join Real Madrid, leaving a vacancy alongside John Terry at the heart of the back four.

Carvalho Claims Blues Release Clause

Ricardo Carvalho has revealed he has an agreement with Chelsea which will see him quit the club this summer and is keen on joining Real Madrid.

Carvalho followed new Real coach Jose Mourinho to Chelsea in 2004, after winning the Champions League with him at Porto.

The Portugal defender was repeatedly linked with a move to Inter Milan during Mourinho's two years in charge at the San Siro and is now desperate to be reunited with him in Madrid.

"If there was a possibility to sign for Madrid, I would go there right now swimming or running," Carvalho told Spanish sports newspaper AS.

"Chelsea have a commitment with me to let me go this summer, for reasons which those responsible at the club and I know.

"It would be a dream to be able to play for Madrid, which for me is the best club in the world, and to do so under the orders of the best coach in the history of football.

"With Mourinho I experienced two marvellous periods at Porto and Chelsea. To have the opportunity to win another Champions League with him at Real Madrid would be something tremendous."

After helping Chelsea to three Premier League titles and three FA Cups, Carvalho believes his time at Stamford Bridge has come to an end.

The 32-year-old has not played for Chelsea since March after picking up an ankle injury - from which he recovered in time for the World Cup - but insists that despite his advancing years he is in the prime of his career.

"I find myself in the best moment of my career, because physically I am at the top and moreover I have a great experience," continued Carvalho.

"I spent six spectacular years at Chelsea and I had the opportunity to experience a glorious period of this club, but I repeat that to sign for Madrid would be a dream.

"I'm very grateful to Roman Abramovich for signing me and making me part of the Chelsea project for six years. He was a very important person for English football and Chelsea, who became one of the best teams in the world."

Reports suggest Chelsea would agree to release Carvalho for a cut-price 6million euros (£5million).

Borini Hoping For Bright Future

Fabio Borini plans to concentrate on fighting for a place in the starting lineup at Chelsea FC after Italy's UEFA European Under-19 Championship challenge was ended by Spain. Italy forward Fabio Borini revealed that, although his team's exit from the UEFA European Under-19 Championship was difficult to take, he still has high hopes on the international stage.

Despite collecting just one point from their opening Group B games with Portugal and Croatia, the Azzurrini's chance of reaching the semi-finals remained intact prior to Saturday's encounter with Spain at the Stade du Hazé in Flers. Following two defensive lapses in the space of six first-half minutes, however, Massimo Piscedda's side were 2-0 down, Rúben Rochina and Daniel Pacheco taking full advantage of their opponents' slips. "We came up against a fantastic team in Spain and we just have to take our hats off to them; they played really well," Borini told UEFA.com. "We have to say that at the moment they are too good for us."

An Ezequiel Calvente penalty in the second half compounded the 2003 winner's misery but it was a tournament the Chelsea FC striker felt never got going for Italy. "We're really disappointed with the result and of course for not achieving qualification for the [FIFA U-20] World Cup," Borini said. "In our first [defeat] to Portugal we lost our composure a bit; we really felt we dropped three points there. In the draw against Croatia we did our best to play our game but it's not easy trying with ten players for half an hour.

"I did my job as I always do as a professional player," added the Italy captain, who scored twice in three qualifying appearances but failed to find the net in the finals. "I tried to push the team to the maximum level but it's a difficult time for us as it's just the beginning of the season. We're not as fit as we would be in the middle of the season."

Borini – who began his career with Italian side Bologna FC – made his Premier League and UEFA Champions League debuts for Chelsea last season and the 19-year-old is now planning to focus on winning a regular place in Carlo Ancelotti's side. "I'm hoping for the best with Chelsea, where I want to win a spot in the first team and of course to score goals. I would also love to be involved in the World Cup with Italy in four years, which would be something incredible. I want to achieve everything I can and to win trophies."

Sturridge: Goal No Satisfaction

His finish for Chelsea's only goal in Amsterdam was the highlight of the team performance and his manager complimented young players' efforts against experienced opponents, but Daniel Sturridge remained troubled by the friendly game defeat.

The 20-year-old didn't hesitate when the ball came his way after Josh McEachran was tackled, lashing it past World Cup finalist Maarten Stekelenburg from outside the area for his first goal of the pre-season program.

It was a first-half equalizer but two minutes later Ajax scored again and then last season's Dutch runners-up made it 3-1 in the final moments of the game at the Amsterdam ArenA.

'I was upset not to score in the last game [at Crystal Palace] and in this game it was good to score but I am devastated the team didn't get to win because whatever I am playing in I want to win,' insisted Sturridge following the game.

'I am upset that we lost even if it is a friendly. I am gutted but the next game is coming soon so hopefully we can go out there and play better next time.'

Despite his unhappiness with the display, Sturridge didn't lose focus on the principal reason for the fixture, especially as he was one of three Chelsea players to last the full match.

'The only positive is that we have come away with more fitness. It was a very hard game and we all worked hard out there. Everyone coming off that pitch will feel a lot fitter from playing such a game.

'Of course it felt a lot more of a test than the previous game. You could see the difference out there in the way Ajax passed the ball and the movement they had out there.

'I think they had played five more games than us, this was only our second game, so they were a lot fitter, but we tried to play as we can. Obviously it would have been a lot better if we could have won the game.

'I played three different roles,' he explained.

'I played up front with Franco [Di Santo] first half and then I played on the right second half and then I went to centre-forward and I was up front on my own towards the end.

'You have to do these things to have some versatility in your game and to be a better player, and to be on the pitch for 90 minutes is what I enjoy doing.'

We're Not Just A Business

As we celebrate the launch of our Foundation, various figures from around the club have had their say on the importance of our charity work.

Present at the launch were our first team goalkeepers, chairman Bruce Buck, Foundation coaches from our various soccer schools, and around 40 youngsters from our Mini Kickz, Mini Kickers and disabled programs. They were joined by four of the Foundation's trustees, Chris Alexander, John Devine, Alan Shaw and Emma Wilkinson.

Bruce Buck, club chairman:

'Generally speaking the world doesn't appreciate how much football clubs give back to their communities in the way of charitable activities, and I think what Chelsea does is a lot for a business our size. It's something the club recognizes as a responsibility, and we are doing it.

'It's certainly important to pick your projects carefully and not just do anything and everything. The fact we have a dedicated social responsibility team means we are looking into every project before we fund it or engage in it. That's obviously the right thing to do

'We've been doing charity work for a long, long time, but we think it was important to put it all under one umbrella.

'Football clubs are not just businesses, we have a responsibility to our communities and we recognize and support that.'

Petr Cech, first team goalkeeper:

'I think the kids are the most important. If you want to bring somebody to play football you start with the kids, you don't start with the teenagers or the adults. Kids are the most gracious people on the planet, so you can see the smile and the happiness on their face and that makes your day as well.

'I think as the motto says, the charity should be in safe hands and that's why they have us three keepers here so I hope it is going to be. It's always great to be part of a good charity which includes every kind of charity you can imagine all in one, which I think will make for a lot of good work.'

Casey Stoney, Chelsea Foundation coach and captain of Chelsea Ladies:

'It's a dream come true for a kid to come along and have a kick around at the training ground of one of the best teams in the world and meet some of the best goalkeepers in the world. I didn't have many opportunities as a girl and the more chances we can provide to children at younger ages the better.'

Rob Seale, Chelsea Foundation football and development officer:

'It is such an honour to not only be working with disabled kids and adults every day of the week, but to have things going on on the weekends and evenings as well, it is difficult to tear yourself away.

'It is a very special feeling, and these specific kids don't always get these opportunities so to see these smiles is fantastic. For them to come in here and meet some Chelsea players don’t just make their day, it is so important for them.'

Chelsea Gets Ramires In £20M Deal

Benfica midfielder Ramires will join Chelsea this week in a £20million deal.

Boss Carlo Ancelotti wants the defensive midfield player having lost two experienced stars this summer in Joe Cole and Michael Ballack.

Deco is expected to follow – with only Liverpool’s Yossi Benayoun coming in.

Ramires, 23, is heading for Stamford Bridge with the deal expected to be finalized in the next few days.

The Brazilian was one of the big successes of his country’s World Cup campaign as they reached the quarter-finals in South Africa.

Dunga, who was ousted as coach after Brazil’s exit, stressed that Ramires was badly missed after suspension ruled him out of the 2-1 defeat by Netherlands. Ramires is also wanted by Manchester City, who are ready to outbid Chelsea, but a source said: “He has opted to go to Chelsea, and the deal can be done in the next couple of days, certainly by next week.”

Benfica president Luis Filipe Vieira has met with representatives from Chelsea and Manchester City. But the player has chosen to move to the reigning Premier League champions.

Ramires said recently: “I don’t know the names of the clubs that are after me, but it would be a dream to play for a big club such as Barcelona, Real Madrid or Chelsea.”

Wolves Boss Mick McCarthy Wants To Keep Mancienne

The problems facing England’s future prospects were brought into sharp focus as Chelsea stalled over a potential £4million bid from Wolves for their talented defender Michael Mancienne.

The former England Under-21 star, tipped as the perfect international replacement for his club team-mate John Terry or the injury-jinxed Rio Ferdinand, has now reluctantly asked for a transfer to rescue his future.

He faces stagnating in Chelsea’s reserves if the Premier League champions hang on to a player they tied up on a four-year contract last summer, despite only a handful of first-team starts for them in four years.

That will continue to fuel fears that the future of English football is being stifled, because players like Mancienne are being denied the experience they need, in many cases because of the signing of ‘ready-made’ foreign stars.

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy, the former Ireland manager, had 22-year-old Mancienne on loan last season and would now like to make the deal permanent – giving English football a boost in the process. But Chelsea are reluctant to let Mancienne move on unless someone offers them silly money for a player who has played more games for England sides than he has for his club.

Mancienne said: “I’ve been at Chelsea since I was a kid and I’d love to break into the first team, but it’s hard for any young player knowing how much quality they’ve got. I’ve had two seasons on loan at Wolves and had regular games and really enjoyed it. Now I want to be settled at one club.”

It is a situation that former FA technical director Howard Wilkinson warns will have a bleak effect on the national team. “If you want to do well at international level you need to have a big pool of players with the necessary experience of playing at the top,” he said.

“Our young players will not get that in the Premier League if clubs keep signing foreign players at this rate.” The plight of Mancienne and England is echoed at top clubs up and down the country. Manchester United paid Fulham a reported £10m for the emerging talents of England U21 defender Chris Smalling, but will almost certainly leave him at best on the bench for the foreseeable future.

Van der Vaart Ready To Join Chelsea Or Liverpool

Rafael van der Vaart has issued a come-and-get-me plea to Premier League clubs ahead of the new season.

Van der Vaart has made just 31 league starts in two seasons at Real Madrid, and while 12 months ago he was prepared to stay and fight for his place at the Bernabeu he now wants to be playing week-in, week-out.

After losing his place in the Netherlands team due to injury after the group stage - he did not feature against Slovakia or Brazil but did come off the bench in both the semi-final and final - he knows he must return to top form at club level.

With Jose Mourinho likely to ring the changes over the next month, Van der Vaart is prepared to move on.

He told the Daily Star Sunday: "I have heard of the interest from Liverpool and Chelsea - and that is very flattering. If either of them were willing to offer me first-team football, I will be honest that it would be very hard for me to not listen to what they had to say.

"I think I have the relationship with Madrid where they understand my position and would let me hold talks. I expect the majority of transfers to be concluded in the next two weeks, and if Chelsea or Liverpool wanted to talk with me I would at the very least listen to what they have to say.

"They are both giants, and if they could offer first-team football it may prove impossible to turn down. Real Madrid is the most prestigious club in the world and I am happy here and also in Spain, but I am at the age where I have to be playing first-team football.

"I am getting to the point where I will be hitting my peak years and I need to spend those years at a club where I will be playing regularly. The boss knows how much he plans to use me, and if he is willing to listen to offers for me. I wouldn't be willing to play for any clubs in Spain out of respect for Madrid, so in my eyes the only other place to go would be the Premier League.

"It's the only league that competes with the standard of La Liga."

Chelsea Expect Ricardo Carvalho At Training Despite Him Wanting Real Madrid Move

Chelsea insist they expect defender Ricardo Carvalho to report for pre-season training as scheduled despite the Portugal international revealing his desire to link-up again with Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid.

Carvalho told Spanish newspaper AS he was desperate to join Madrid and work under Mourinho, who mentored him at Stamford Bridge, and Porto before that.

The 32-year-old also claimed he had a clause in his contract which allowed him to leave Chelsea this summer.

Carvalho said: "If there was a possibility to sign for Madrid, I would go there right now swimming or running. Chelsea have a commitment with me to let me go this summer, for reasons which those responsible at the club and I know.

"It would be a dream to be able to play for Madrid, which for me is the best club in the world, and to do so under the orders of the best coach in the history of football.

"With Mourinho I experienced two marvellous periods at Porto and Chelsea. To have the opportunity to win another Champions League with him at Real Madrid would be something tremendous."

After helping Chelsea to three Premier League titles and three FA Cups, Carvalho believes his time at Stamford Bridge has come to an end.

He has not played for Chelsea since March after picking up an ankle injury – from which he recovered in time for the World Cup – but insists that despite his advancing years he is in the prime of his career.

"I find myself in the best moment of my career, because physically I am at the top and moreover I have a great experience," continued Carvalho.

"I spent six spectacular years at Chelsea and I had the opportunity to experience a glorious period of this club, but I repeat that to sign for Madrid would be a dream.

"I'm very grateful to Roman Abramovich for signing me and making me part of the Chelsea project for six years. He was a very important person for English football and Chelsea, who became one of the best teams in the world."

Chelsea refused to comment on Carvalho's contract claims but were adamant he would be reporting next week with the rest of the club's World Cup players.

Chelsea are unlikely to allow Carvalho to leave with Brazilian defender Alex ruled out for the start of the season.