Wilkins Reassures Blues Fans Over Defender

Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins has reassured Blues fans regarding the potential departure of Ashley Cole.

Wilkins insists that everything is going well for the English defender at Stamford Bridge in hopes that the transfer speculation will at long last die down.

The left back has been linked with a summer move to Real Madrid to team up with former manager Jose Mourinho.

“Ashley is fine and he has trained extremely well with us,” Wilkins insisted.

“He only came back on the 26th (of July), so he is not at full speed as yet but he seems to be in a good frame of mind and there has certainly been no chat between Ashley and myself as regards him leaving.”

Jose Mourinho is a known admirer of Cole, and after the World Cup the player made several comments that sparked the transfer rumors.

Since then, Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti – and assistant Ray Wilkins – have both warned the La Liga giants off Cole, and Mourinho’s latest comments seem to end all of the speculation.

“Carlo Ancelotti was very, very clear and that’s the best way in football,” said Mourinho, who is entering his first season as Real boss.

“He killed the story by saying, ‘No money can buy Ashley Cole, he needs to stay’.

“I think Ashley thought about leaving for personal and professional reasons. We thought about him because he’s a good player who I enjoyed working with.

“But when a coach says no, it’s no, and we have to accept that.”

McCarthy Rules Out Permanent Mancienne Deal

Manager Mick McCarthy has again confirmed that Wolverhampton Wanderers cannot afford to buy Chelsea's England Under-21s ace Michael Mancienne on a permanent basis.

The 22-year-old, who can play in defence or midfield, impressed while on loan at Molineux last season, but McCarthy says that any return to the Black Country would not be on a permanent basis.

He commented: "I would like to see my quote where I said I would be prepared to pay £4million.

"I am pretty good at remembering what I said, but I am red hot at remembering what I haven't.

"We won't be buying Mancienne. They want to sell him - if they want to loan Michael out again, then that's a different matter altogether.

"I haven't discussed it with Chelsea. From my understanding, they want to sell him and he's asked for a transfer. They want to sell him rather than loan him.

"I would be interested if they want to loan him out again, but that's up to them."

Stoke Snub Chelsea Interest In Asmir Begovic

Stoke City have issued a hands off warning to Chelsea after they declared an interest in signing Asmir Begovic.

Begovic, who joined Stoke from Portsmouth in January, was wanted by Chelsea to act as understudy to Petr Cech even though they already have Hilario and Ross Turnbull on their books.

Manager Tony Pulis has revealed that Chelsea have been in contact about the goalkeeper's availability - but there is no chance that he will be sold.

Begovic, 23, is in a battle with Thomas Sorensen for the first choice position at the Britannia Stadium.

"They (Chelsea) have enquired, but they have been told he is not for sale,'' Pulis told the Stoke Sentinel.”We are trying to bring players in, not let our better players go.''

Pulis also played down the chances of Stoke being able to attract Nice striker Loic Remy.

"He's a very talented young player, but whether we do the deal is another thing,'' Pulis said.”It's not just Stoke interested, but three or four others.''

Mourinho To Battle Chelsea For Lukaku

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho will rival his former club Chelsea in the race for Anderlecht wonderkid Romelu Lukaku.

The 17-year-old is widely regarded as the finest young striker on the continent and has been coveted by a host of Europe’s top clubs. Manchester City and Manchester United have both had scouts in attendance at the striker’s games last season, but the player is believed to favour a move to the current Premier League champions, and is a self-confessed Didier Drogba fan, who he has been likened to.

According to Marca, Mourinho is willing to spend £20 million on the bulky forward in an effort to beat his former club to the chase. Lukaku allegedly has his heart set on a move to Stamford Bridge next year, despite rumoured interest from Manchester United and Manchester City.

The player has already scored 19 goals in 45 games for Anderlecht despite his tender years, and although the club is eager to retain him, the prodigious forward is already one of the most coveted stars on the continent.

Didier Drogba Rules Out Possible Move To Manchester City

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has ruled out any chance of an exit from Stamford Bridge this season.

Reports had claimed that the Ivorian was a target for other big clubs, with Manchester City mentioned as possible suitors, with the striker's agent at one stage claiming the Citizens were interested in his client.

But Drogba is intent upon helping the west London outfit to more success after last season's Premier League and FA Cup double.

"Every summer there is speculation, you saw me in a Chelsea shirt [on Sunday] and I think that is how you will see me all season!" Drogba told his club's official website.

Meanwhile, the Ivorian is expecting City to play a part in this season's title race and push for the top four places.

"We saw last year that Tottenham were there fighting for fourth place, Arsenal were there, so the Premiership will be more open, with Manchester City spending more money and buying quality players," he explained.

Chelsea was the wrong side of a 3-1 scoreline when they faced Manchester United in Sunday's Community Shield at Wembley.

The result does not perturb Drogba too much though, with pre-season having started late for many of Carlo Ancelotti's squad due to the World Cup.

"We are working hard, we have a lot of players who have trained for ten days or a week, it is too short to be fit and ready for big competitions but we have to improve our game even if we are not fit, and hope that in two or three weeks time it will be better," he said.

"The match was disappointing of course but I am not really worried because it is only 10 days since we started working and we need more time together.

"I am disappointed because we lost the game, we had a few chances at the end but more than the defeat today it was important to see and understand that we are not ready yet."

Scott Sinclair Swaps Chelsea For Swansea City After Signing Three-Year Contract

Swansea City have signed Chelsea forward Scott Sinclair on a three-year deal.

Swans' boss Brendan Rodgers has paid an initial £500,000 for the 21-year-old, with the fee possibly rising to over £1million depending on performances.

Sinclair, who can play in midfield or up front, had been at Chelsea since 2005, but only managed to make 5 appearances for the club, spending much of his time on loan at various clubs.

"Scott is obviously a player I know well and I am delighted to sign him," Rodgers told the club's official website.

"He is a big talent and has been a sought-after player since he broke onto the scene.

"As far as I am concerned there is no better place for him than Swansea City. With this group of players, style of football and fantastic fans, this will be a great club for his development.

"He is only 21 and still has big potential. I think this will be a good home for him. He is a great signing for the present and the future and joins a group of exciting young players."

Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins added: "While everyone is aware that we run a tight ship here financially, we will always invest in the team when funds are available.

"I think this signing highlights our intent.

"It is also the club's priority to invest in bright, young talent wherever possible and I don't think you will find many young players with the talent Scott possesses."

Former Chelsea Chief Executive Peter Kenyon Officially Cuts Ties With Club

Controversial former Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon has officially cuts all ties with the club after resigning his position as non-executive director.

Kenyon, 56, played a key role in the Roman Abramovich revolution after he was poached from Manchester United in 2003. Ex-manager Jose Mourinho was brought in by him, with the subsequent recruitment drive leading to two successive Premier League titles in 2004-05 and 2005-06.

Kenyon's reign didn't go without criticism and he was slammed for his suspected 'tapping up' of Ashley Cole, pictured with Rio Ferdinand during contract negotiations with United, as well as ousting of ex-boss Claudio Ranieri. He originally resigned from his post of CEO on September 16 2009 and will now concentrate full time on his role with the Creative Artists Agency.

Speaking to the Blues' official website, chairman Bruce Buck said: "Peter presided over the club during a time of great success and unprecedented commercial growth, and subsequently, as non-executive director he was effective in representing Chelsea FC in our dialogue with world football bodies.

"I'd like to thank Peter for everything he's done for this football club and everyone here wishes him well for the future. He'll always be welcome back at Chelsea."

Chelsea Partner With Lucozade Sport

Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce that Lucozade Sport has become the club's official sports nutrition partner.

Lucozade Sport has been the official sports drink of the Premier League since its inception in 1992, bringing with it 18 seasons of experience in elite football.

The sports nutrition brand will be fuelling the Blues for the next three seasons as the club looks to build on a hugely successful 2009/10 term which saw the team win both the Barclays Premier League and The FA Cup.

Lucozade Sport's full range of 26 nutritional products will help Carlo Ancelotti's team be at 100 per cent for every kick-off, drive them throughout the 90 minutes and aid recovery effectively after the final whistle.

Lucozade Sport Scientists will also work closely with Chelsea's backroom staff at the training ground in Cobham.

Stewart Crooks, sponsorship manager for Lucozade Sport, said: 'We are delighted to be teaming up with Chelsea and believe our considerable experience in top-flight football will contribute towards the continued success of the team.'

Ben Wells, head of marketing for Chelsea added: 'Lucozade Sport has an unrivalled heritage in the world of sports nutrition, so it's a natural fit for Chelsea as we aim for further honours this season. Working with Lucozade Sport means that our players have access to safe products that are proven to make a difference.'

Chelsea Face Stiff Champions League Test As Big Beasts Bare Teeth

Last May, as the sun warmed the roof terrace of Chelsea's training complex at Cobham and the chefs put on a barbecue, the glinting Premier League and FA Cup were passed around the staff as nonchalantly as the relish. Carlo Ancelotti was entitled to feel content with all he surveyed. A convivial end of term celebration crowned a debut year in England that could scarcely have been bettered.

The obvious supposition is that the pressure is on for the Italian to improve this season, to somehow enhance his opening act in the months of intense competition to come. That can only equate to one heavyweight calling: the Champions League. It was the four European Cups on Ancelotti's CV (two as a player and two as a coach with Milan) that leapt off the page so there is no reason to assume that the powers at Stamford Bridge are not expectant on that score.

But Ancelotti is a smart and experienced enough football man to know that however much the club's owner, Roman Abramovich, might hunger for a European coronation, however keenly Chelsea's fans might trade another domestic prize for the big one, and however desperate John Terry and his cohorts are to put an end to the gallingly close shaves, the maximum he can guarantee them is his best effort. No more. The rest is down to the Champions League gods. And they clearly do not believe anybody has a divine right to their blessing.

Just look at where a couple of past winners with glowing European pedigree kicked off their continental adventures this season: Liverpool travelled to Skopje to take on Rabotnicki in the Europa Cup qualifiers. Juventus dropped into Dublin to play Shamrock Rovers. What they wouldn't do even to have a shot at aiming for a grand occasion with the Champions League music ringing in their ears at Wembley next summer.

Every season there are a handful of super-strong favourites, yet it is anyone's guess which of them will prevail. Over the past decade, some 14 different teams have reached the final. There have been eight different winners. Only Milan and Barcelona have hoisted the trophy more than once.

Ancelotti is far too shrewd to deliberately or overtly focus his resources during this campaign on the Champions League. The risk of disappointment in a notoriously fickle competition is too great. The field is too strong. The margin of error is too slim.
Just ask Real Madrid about expecting certainties from this competition. They outspent the national debt of several countries this time last year on Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaká and Karim Benzema in a bid to give themselves the best chance possible of a fairytale 10th European Cup, won at their home stadium, the Bernabéu. They duly bombed out in the round of 16 for the fifth season running. Now they have installed José Mourinho – the hottest plotter around in terms of this particular tournament – to see if his magic wand will do the trick.

The cult of the coach has perhaps never held quite so much store in Europe's elite tournament. Mourinho made sure of that last season, to the extent that some of the outstanding contributions of his players were a little overshadowed come the curtain call against Louis van Gaal's Bayern Munich in Madrid. Despite the expectation that Mourinho alone can conjure in a flash a ruthless team from the ornate ingredients at his disposal, Real's recent history of blighted hopes in this tournament really should have taught them not to expect a guaranteed miracle. Not that they will be able to help themselves. They will be powerless to resist catapulting their thinking towards another date with the trophy they feel like they part-own.

But let's be honest, no matter the club, the coach, the footballing talent, no one with any sense can go into a season with all their eggs in the Champions League basket.

Mourinho knows the competition is as strong as ever. It took him three years at San Siro, as well as a generously supportive board, to weld together a team capable of taking on everything Europe could throw at them. Having said that, as Van Gaal demonstrated by guiding Bayern to an impressive renaissance, and Pep Guardiola showed the previous year by launching Barcelona into the history books, alchemy can happen quickly with the right blend of quality, unity, inspiration and fortune.

What is changing is the ability of the top teams to challenge on all fronts. Last season Internazionale, Bayern and Chelsea mounted an assault on the Champions League while winning the double at home. Barcelona came close alongside a successful defence of La Liga. The most powerful clubs are setting a heck of a standard, by showing it can be done to go hell for leather on both the domestic and European scenes. Once upon a time, the treble was such a mythical achievement you would be lucky to witness it once in a generation. We have just seen it done two years running.

Anyone thinking about loading extra demands on Ancelotti would do well to swallow a dose of perspective. Chelsea are hardly the only club who hanker after the Champions League like the holiest of grails. It is certainly no lower on the agenda at Barcelona and Real Madrid, at Manchester United, Bayern Munich,Milan and, naturally, at the club where it is now on show – in the trophy room of the holders Inter.

The fact that it is too competitive a field to pick a favourite is part of what gives the Champions League its allure. Mourinho was not wrong when he announced that it was a higher level than the World Cup before Inter's triumph. The only thing we can be sure of from this edition is that a handful of excellent teams, marshalled by first-rate managers, will end up disappointed.

Chelsea Target Asmir Begovic As Back-Up To Injured Petr Cech

Chelsea have expressed an interest in the Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic as the manager, Carlo Ancelotti, considers his options behind his injured No1 Petr Cech.

Henrique Hilário is Ancelotti's current first-choice back-up ahead of Ross Turnbull and the Portuguese was given the starting nod at Wembley in the Community Shield against Manchester United.

However, both goalkeepers have made errors during the pre-season and have looked shaky at times, forcing Ancelotti to consider whether a new signing might offer more stability.

Begovic, 23, has the added advantage of qualifying as a home-grown player because, despite his Bosnian nationality, he moved to Portsmouth on a youth contract in 2003. That means that although he had loans spells at Macclesfield Town, Bournemouth and Yeovil Town before he turned 21, he has spent the required three years before that birthday training at the academies of English clubs.

Chelsea have only five home-grown players at present – John Terry, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole, Michael Mancienne and Turnbull – meaning that, with the Premier League's new regulations stipulating that clubs must name eight such players in a senior squad of no more than 25, Ancelotti stands to play the first half of the season with only 22 senior players.

With Ramires, Benfica's Brazil midfielder, set to move to Stamford Bridge to replace Deco, who has signed for Fluminense, Ancelotti has his full compliment of 17 senior overseas players.

Were he to sign Begovic, he would have the option to loan out Hilário to free up a space for another overseas signing. Chelsea has been linked with a move for the Benfica defender David Luiz.

Cech tore a calf muscle last month and he was ruled out of the pre-season friendlies against Ajax, Eintracht Frankfurt and Hamburg. His total pre-season playing minutes amount to 30 in the opening fixture against Crystal Palace. Ancelotti says that Cech will be fit to face West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League opener at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Begovic cost £3.25m when he moved from Portsmouth to Stoke in last winter's transfer window, a reflection of his ability and potential, but he was unable to dislodge Thomas Sorensen as the manager Tony Pulis's first choice. He made four appearances at the end of the season, after Sorensen injured his shoulder against Chelsea.

Bologna Set To Seal Loan Deal For Chelsea Starlet Nemanja Matic

Serie A side Bologna are hopeful of completing the transfer of young midfielder Nemanja Matic from Premier League giants Chelsea on a one-year loan deal in the coming days, if a report in Corriere dello Sport is to be believed.

The Felsinei are keen to strengthen their team this summer after finishing only one place above the Serie A relegation zone last season. Head coach Franco Colomba supposedly sees Matic as the perfect addition to his squad.

The 21-year-old signed a four-year contract with the Blues last summer, but made only three substitute appearances last season. Matic has already won two caps for the senior Serbian national side, despite his youthful age, but missed out on selection for the 2010 World Cup squad.

The report claims that Bologna are close to reaching an agreement with Chelsea and the transfer could be a done deal sooner rather than later.

Didier Drogba: Blues Need To Find Match Fitness Quickly

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has admitted that the Blues looked a little flat during their Communtiy Shield defeat to Manchester United at Wembley on Sunday.

The Ivorian insists however that the World Cup has affected some players, with late returns to the club meaning that pre-season training has been disrupted.

"We had a difficult pre-season, a lot of players were coming back from holidays," Drogba told Sky Sports News.

"I came back only 10 days ago. I think we have a lot of players like this coming back very late."

That limited pre-season training has made it hard for players to be at their sharpest, but Drogba admits that time is running out for the squad to find full fitness.

He added: "It's difficult to be fit after only days so we'll need more time but the competition is starting next week so we have to find a solution."

Carlo Ancelotti Says Time, Not Transfers, Will Cure Chelsea's Poor Form

Carlo Ancelotti insists there will be no panic buys at Chelsea following their dismal build-up to the new season which culminated in a 3-1 defeat to Manchester United in the Community Shield on Sunday.

The defeat at Wembley marked Chelsea's fourth consecutive defeat as they prepare for their defence of the Premier League title with just one new senior player added to their books this summer.

Aside from Ramires, who is expected to join the London club imminently, Ancelotti insists he is happy with the resources at his disposal and that recent results reflect only the lack of time he has had to work with his World Cup players since they returned to training.

Furthermore, the Italian laughed off the possibility of making further signings as a response to his side's current form.

"Fortunately, it's pre-season," he said. "I think that there is time to come back to win. It was not a good pre-season for results. We lost four games but I think we did our best.

"We need for the players who came back the on July 26 to have more time to train."

Ancelotti does not believe his World Cup players - such as John Terry, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba - will be fully match fit for another fortnight.

For that reason, he is grateful for this week's international fixtures, which will give many of his players additional game time.

"The England players are very close to being fit," he said. "It's good for them to play an international game. They could play 70 minutes without a problem."

Despite appearing unconcerned about recent displays, Ancelotti accepts his players need to rediscover their form fast if they are not to be playing catch-up at the start of the season.

"I'm not worried but I think that we have to improve," he said. "We have to have more time in possession."

Ancelotti felt his side played "too slowly" yesterday and allowed United too much time on the ball.

Paul Scholes did most of the damage with a midfield masterclass which Ancelotti was able to appreciate but felt was helped by his own side's lack of match sharpness.

"Scholes is a fantastic player; he played a very good game," he said. "Maybe we gave him more possibility to play well because we didn't put strong pressure on him.

"When you are not fit 100 per cent, it's difficult to put strong pressure on during the game. But he showed fantastic touch, fantastic switch of play. I agree that he was the man of the match."

Carlo Ancelotti Admits Chelsea Were ‘Too Slow’ In Community Shield Defeat To Manchester United

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti insists Sunday’s Community Shield match against Manchester United was a good workout - despite losing 3-1.

Luis Antonio Valencia and Javier Hernandez gave the Red Devils a 2-0 lead before Dimitar Berbatov wrapped up the win in style following Salomon Kalou’s late consolation.

However, despite Ancelotti's concerns that his side were ‘too slow’ against United, he insists his Premier League holders gained a lot of good preparation ahead of the new season from the Wembley encounter.

Ancelotti told Sky Sports: “We played too slow in the first-half. We didn’t have chances, our play was slow and Manchester [United] went up at the end of the first-half.

"It was difficult, it wasn’t our best day but this can happen at the start of the season. Our players played 90 minutes and this is a good thing for us ahead of the start of the Premier League.”

A number of Chelsea’s players were given an extended break after World Cup 2010 and have only recently returned to full-time training with the Blues.

“It’s impossible to ask our players, after 10 days of pre-season, to be quick and fit," he added.

"We’ve got a lot of players who came back on July 26 and to improve their conditions it’s important to play 90 minutes and I think this game will be a positive.”

With international fixtures coming up in midweek, Ancelotti believes the games could help Chelsea’s players continue to build up their fitness before the Premier League curtain-raiser next weekend.

“I think playing could be a good thing to improve their condition. I don’t worry about this,” he added.

Ashley Cole Snubs Fabio Capello Handshake After Community Shield

Ashley Cole has risked the ire of England fans again by snubbing the offer of a handshake from manager Fabio Capello after Chelsea's defeat to Manchester United in the Community Shield on Sunday.

The defending Premier League champions and FA Cup winners were beaten 3-1 by their rivals at Wembley - but the main talking point afterwards was the apparent bad blood between Capello and Cole during the presentation ceremony afterwards.

Cole ascended the steps of the national stadium to collect his medal but walked straight past Capello without shaking the Italian's hand.

The incident, which was captured on camera, left the England boss red-faced - especially since he was left high and dry with his arm outstretched.

Afterwards, Cole claimed his snub was nothing personal and that he had merely tripped on the top step and was concentrating on regaining his footing and forgot to greet his coach.

However, other observers may interpret the incident differently - either as a show of dissent towards the manager who led England through their worst World Cup finals campaign for decades, or, worse, as another example of the sort of petulance Cole has been accused of before.

Cole has been linked with a transfer away from Chelsea to Real Madrid this summer - especially after reports emerged of his phone message rant about England, saying he 'hates the country and all the people in it'.

There was no such awkward moment between England striker Wayne Rooney and Capello as the Manchester United striker came up to collect his medal and the trophy.

Despite flopping in spectacular fashion in South Africa, Rooney was greeted with a broad smile and a warm handshake as he claimed the first silverware of the season for his side.

Sturridge Feeling Stronger

Daniel Sturridge was delighted to step up his return to full fitness with a run out in the Community Shield.

The Chelsea striker has seen his pre-season preparations disrupted by a niggling ankle problem.

The injury kept him sidelined for the Blues' recent five-day trip to Germany, preventing him from getting vital minutes under his belt.

He was, however, able to step off the bench in Chelsea's 3-1 defeat to Manchester United at Wembley on Sunday and insists he is raring to go ahead of the new Premier League campaign.

"It is good to get some fitness from the game, and we'll come back in the week and try and put things right," the England U21 international told the Blues' official website.

"The ankle is improving, I still have pain and I only trained twice last week. I wasn't sure if I would be able to go through the pain barrier but my leg is getting stronger every day and in the next few days hopefully I will be able to play without pain."

Sturridge, who moved to Stamford Bridge from Manchester City last summer, is also hoping to make more of an impression at Chelsea this season.

He admits he struggled to feet his feet upon arriving in the capital, but feels he is now ready to show his true colours.

The 20-year-old added: "I've been working very hard, as hard as I can and need to to go forward and break into the team to help retain the title and FA Cup.

"I've been trying to impress the manager. In football you need to be patient and hopefully this year my time will come.

"It was a difficult six months when I first joined the club, when I didn't have my family and was living alone, but this season I feel a lot more comfortable, part of the lads and as though I am at home a lot more.

"Players have put an arm around me and I have a good bond, with the younger players especially where we have a bit of banter."

Reserves Beat United In Cobham Friendly

The first team may have come out second best against Manchester United on Sunday but the reserves were 4-1 victors over United's second string at Cobham earlier in the day.

Manager Steve Holland was delighted with his side's application after defeats to Woking and Wycombe, and felt having more experience in the side made a huge difference, even if United also had their fair share of first team experience in their side, with an 11 that included Gary Neville, Danny Welbeck, Rodrigo Possebon and Ritchie de Laet.

'The first team have had a difficult pre-season and that has impacted on reserves and youth, so we still had a younger side out than Manchester United with four or five that will still play in this year's youth team, but having somebody like Michael Mancienne at the back makes such a difference to the team,' explained Holland afterwards.

It was United who took the lead early on though through Welbeck, but the Blues equalized through Borini after a smart pass from Josh McEachran, and quickly took the lead before half-time when the Italian forward finished off a swift move after United had lost possession inside their own half.

In the second half Chelsea added two further late goals, the third from McEachran and the fourth probably the pick of the bunch following a well worked move, with right-back Billy Clifford getting forward in trademark fashion to finish high into the roof of the net.

The reserves have one more friendly game before the start of their competitive season, against Blackburn Rovers at Cobham on Wednesday, August 18. It will be played behind closed doors.

Match Report: Manchester United 3 - 1 Chelsea

Antonio Valencia's goal gave Manchester United a half-time lead in today's Community Shield against Chelsea.

The Ecuador winger swept home Wayne Rooney's superb cross four minutes before the break at Wembley.

Both sides missed chances to score in a 15-minute spell earlier in the half, the best of them falling to Branislav Ivanovic, whose header was brilliantly saved by Edwin van der Sar.

Michael Carrick was a shock starter for Manchester United in today's Community Shield at Wembley.

England midfielder Carrick was ruled out for a fortnight by United boss Sir Alex Ferguson just two days ago and, although he did train yesterday, his selection against Chelsea was a huge surprise.

Michael Owen started alongside Rooney in what was his first competitive appearance since injuring his hamstring at the same venue in February's Carling Cup final.

Owen last week hinted the much maligned Wembley pitch may have been to blame for the problem, and the surface was duly reinforced last month with synthetic fibres.

In a move which summed up his relaxed attitude towards this afternoon's fixture, Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti named his starting XI days ago.

Hilario got the nod in goal, Ivanovic partnered John Terry at the back, while Didier Drogba was only the bench.

Sunday’s clash was a repeat of last year's contest, which Chelsea won on penalties, denying United a hat-trick of Shield victories.

The contest sprung into life in the fifth minute when Ashley Cole - whose every touch was jeered by United supporters - misjudged a crossfield ball from Rooney, giving Antonio Valencia a sight of goal.

The winger tried to chip Hilario from just inside the box but did not get enough height on the ball.

Valencia turned provider four minutes later, his right-wing cross met full on the volley by the unmarked Paul Scholes, who could not keep the ball down.

Moments later, Edwin van der Sar spilt a 25-yard strike from Nicolas Anelka, Salomon Kalou was first to the rebound, but could only send the ball back across goal and away to safety.

Van der Sar made amends brilliantly seven minutes later, springing left to turn aside Ivanovic's six-yard header from Florent Malouda's free-kick.

The action immediately swung back to the other end, a delightful clipped ball by Scholes finding Rooney six yards out, but the England striker scuffed his finish wide from a tight angle.

Park Ji-Sung then saw a half-volley blocked by Paulo Ferreira, with Rooney's cries of handball rightly falling on deaf ears.

The frantic pace relented until the 40th minute, when the excellent Scholes played in Owen, this time with a clever header.

But the striker could only hook the ball wide via an Ivanovic clearance.

Scholes' latest gem of a crossfield ball a minute later helped break the deadlock.

Rooney drifted to the right to collect it before matching it with a brilliant first-time cross that was swept into the net by Valencia.

Moments before half-time, Michael Essien sent a 30-yard half-volley wide as Chelsea tried to hit back.

United made a triple substitution at half-time, replacing Rooney, Owen and Park with Dimitar Berbatov, Nani and summer signing Javier Hernandez.

Chelsea started the second period on top, Malouda flashing a 20-yard shot narrowly wide six minutes in.

But Scholes almost proved their undoing again, his 50-yard ball finding Hernandez, whose cunning reverse pass was just too far in front of a lunging Berbatov.

John Obi Mikel then pulled off a Scholes-like ball to Kalou but the Ivory Coast striker could not take it in his stride.

That proved Mikel's last major contribution as Drogba entered the fray on the hour, with Daniel Sturridge joining him for Anelka.

Carrick failed to connect properly on the turn with a Nani pass seconds later, while Kalou's first-time bullet was too close to Van der Sar.

Essien then curled narrowly wide from 25 yards, while Van der Sar was quick off his line to prevent Malouda reaching a Drogba ball.

The goalkeeper then blotted his copybook again by palming a Paulo Ferreira cross straight to Cole before snaffling the full-back's tame finish.

Moments later, Hernandez slipped trying to turn in Berbatov's cutback.

Sturridge screwed a long-range effort wide before Hernandez helped himself to a debut goal in comic fashion 14 minutes from time.

John O'Shea released Valencia down the right and the winger's low cross was met by Hernandez, who slipped again, kicking the ball against his own face and into the net.

Both sides made a double substitution, Cole and Ferreira off for Yuri Zhirkov and Jeffrey Bruma, with Ryan Giggs and Darren Fletcher replacing Scholes and Carrick.

Sturridge wasted a golden opportunity to pull a goal back seven minutes from time when he shot too close to Van der Saar after an inch-perfect sliderule pass from Essien.

But Van der Saar handed Chelsea a lifeline seconds later when he parried the striker's next shot straight to Kalou, who swept home the rebound.

Last season's double winners were well on top and Drogba hit the side-netting from the narrowest of angles.

Kalou failed to control a Drogba cross in stoppage-time before United sealed victory, Nani releasing Berbatov, who coolly lobbed the ball over a stranded Hilario.

Mourinho Admits Defeat Over Ashley Cole

Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has admitted defeat in his attempts to sign Chelsea defender Ashley Cole.

Madrid had appeared confident of signing Cole earlier in the summer, with goalkeeper Iker Casillas saying he expected a deal to be reached.

However, Carlo Ancelotti - along with assistant Ray Wilkins and chairman Bruce Buck - has repeatedly said Cole will not be sold at any price and Mourinho has accepted Chelsea's stance.

"Carlo Ancelotti was very, very clear and that's the best way in football," he told the Sunday Times. "He killed the story by saying, 'No money can buy Ashley Cole, Ashley Cole needs to stay'.

"I think Ashley thought about leaving for personal and professional reasons. We thought about him because he's a good player who I enjoyed working with, but when a coach says no, it's no, and we have to accept that."

Lampard: I Want To Go Into Property

Frank Lampard’s football pedigree is impeccable.

The son of West Ham hero Frank Snr., who became a coach and assistant manager.

The nephew of Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp.

The cousin of former England midfielder Jamie Redknapp, who is now a respected media pundit.

Yet the 32-year-old Chelsea star surveyed his life after hanging up his boots and ­revealed: “After I finish I don’t want to be involved with football – not as a manager, coach, agent or in the media.

“I want to have a career after this. I don’t want this to be everything.

“I don’t want to spend the rest of my life just living in the past.

“I’ve been getting to know a lot about property, not just for me to live in, but as a business.

“That interests me. I’ve met a lot of people in that game, I listen to them and take on board what they can teach me.

“I’m learning about it and investing in it. I’ve got time in between football and family to do that.”

Lampard said: “We went to the World Cup on a high after an impressive qualifying campaign and I can’t begin to tell you how disappointed I was.

“But I want to carry on with England.

“The thought of ­retiring has never crossed my mind.

“At the end of the day, only one team wins the World Cup and the rest go home at some stage and don’t win it so the talking is by the by.

“It is great for the people who are involved in that sort of thing, but it doesn’t actually make any difference. We’ll try and carry on, that’s what we have to do. We’ll have to come back and try and perform.”

Lampard is happy to focus on Chelsea’s title defence.

He said: “The expectations remain the same.

“You know when you are going into a new campaign with Chelsea that you are under pressure to deliver.

“Given all the investment in the side and the progress we have made since Roman Abramovich bought the club, it’s understandable that the owner and supporters want to see a winning side on the pitch. Winning the Double last season was a huge achievement for the club.

“It will arguably go down as the best year in Chelsea’s history.

“But the onus is on us to sustain that success.

“Defending the title is always harder because everyone is out to beat you.

“The teams that missed out will be nursing the pain and disappointment that comes with that and will go into the campaign with greater determination.”

And as he gets older the pain of defeat still hurts him.

Lampard added: “It is harder after you’ve had that feeling of winning.

“You realize how special it is, it hurts even more when you lose.

“I loathe it, but as you become older you accept you are not going to win everything.

“There will be patches in your career when you are unlucky or you don’t win things.

“The older you get, the more rounded you are to deal with those things.”