ESSIEN HINTS AT SUMMER EXIT
Michael Essien's agent claims the Chelsea midfielder would be willing to consider a summer switch.

Fabian Piveteau claims there are clubs interested in luring the Ghana international away from Stamford Bridge and has refused to rule out the possibility of an approach proving successful.

Essien is happy to remain with the Blues, and has given no suggestion that he is harbouring hopes of a move, but it appears that he would be prepared to listen to offers should an interesting proposition present itself.

Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid would be difficult to turn down, and are prepared to spend big, and Piveteau admits a transfer to Spain could be a possibility.

"Some clubs are interested in Michael," he said.

"He likes Chelsea very much, but football is football and if Real Madrid, Barcelona or some other club make an offer he needs to sit down and discuss what is best for him."
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/...ual_163914.html

ZHIRKOV CLOSE TO JOINING BLUES
Yuri Zhirkov is reportedly in London to finalise his move to Chelsea after admitting it would be 'inexcusable' to let the opportunity pass.

The Russian winger is to have his medical on Monday ahead of completing a £18million move from CSKA Moscow, which will see him sign a reported £80,000-a-week deal until 2012.

Zhirkov has impressed greatly over the past couple of seasons and has been on Chelsea's radar ever since a fine showing at the 2008 European Championship.

Chelsea have already made two market moves to date in luring young English talent Daniel Sturridge and Ross Turnbull to the capital, but it is Zhirkov's signature that will be deemed new boss Carlo Ancelotti's first major signing.

"I have always dreamed of playing in a top club," Zhirkov said.

"It would have been inexcusable to let this opportunity pass."

CSKA president Yevgeny Giner concedes his club are in negotiation with Chelsea but is adamant the deal is not yet rubber-stamped.

"In transfer issues there are many nuances which could make any deal fall through," he said.

"But I won't deny we are negotiating with Chelsea about Zhirkov's move to London."
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/...ual_083358.html

TERRY AT BLUES FOREVER - CARLO
New Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti today insisted that John Terry is to remain at Stamford Bridge amid continued speculation over a move to Manchester City.

The Italian, holding his first press conference, also confirmed that Chelsea had signed Yuri Zhirkov from CSKA Moscow.

Ancelotti said: "John Terry is a symbol of this team.

"He will be captain next season. He said he wants to stay forever and we want to keep him for ever.

"Now there is a question of Manchester City, but for Terry (there is) no price.

"Terry will be at Chelsea forever.

"He said he wants to stay, there is no problem for him for us, the story continues - Chelsea and Terry.

"I like to have a captain like Terry, he is very close to (Paulo) Maldini for professionalism, for quality and he will be the best captain for Chelsea.

"I spoke with Terry a month ago when I came to the club and he said welcome. And after he went on holiday.

"I will speak with him because he is the captain and I want a good relationship with the captain."

When asked if the club would offer Terry a new, improved contract, he added: "It's not my problem."

Ancelotti also confirmed the arrivals of Daniel Sturridge, from Manchester City, and Zhirkov.

He said: "Zhirkov, Sturridge - these are Chelsea players."

As for Zhirkov's role, Ancelotti added: "Zhirkov is naturally on the left.

"I think he can do all the work and can play in defence and in between."

However, the former AC Milan boss refused to confirm Deco and Ricardo Carvalho would be leaving west London despite the pair being heavily linked with Inter Milan.

He said: "Carvalho and Deco are Chelsea players.

"If in the future a player wants to go they have to speak with the club and we take the right decision for the player and for us."
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/...ual_101808.html

CHELSEA PLAN 'MARQUEE' SIGNING
Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck insists the club are still confident of completing a "marquee" signing before the end of the summer transfer window.

The Blues have been linked with Valencia striker David Villa while AC Milan duo Andrea Pirlo and Alexandre Pato have been viewed as targets following the arrival of former San Siro boss Carlo Ancelotti.

However, major signings have yet to materialise, with Yuri Zhirkov, Daniel Sturridge and Ross Turnbull the only players to arrive at Stamford Bridge this summer.

Having only finished third in the Premier League last season, it has been suggested Chelsea's billionaire owner Roman Abramovich is again prepared to make his mark on the transfer market after a couple of low-key years.

And Buck has confirmed hopes are high of securing a box-office name, telling Chelsea TV: "We are looking for a marquee name, if that is the right terminology.

"But, as you know, as you read about in the papers, most of the big clubs are chasing the same players.

"We are only going to get one of those top-notch players, and there aren't very many of them, if the price is right and he fits into our team appropriately.

"But we are looking and we are optimistic."
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/...ual_081134.html

ZLATAN FLATTERED BY BLUES INTEREST
Inter Milan's Sweden international striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has claimed Chelsea want to sign him.

Ibrahimovic, whose Inter coach Jose Mourinho used to be in charge at Stamford Bridge, has revealed that money will not be the main motivating factor in any move after being linked with a £60million switch to the Barclays Premier League.

Ibrahimovic said: "I am fully aware that Chelsea want to sign me and, of course, it is very flattering. They are one of the biggest teams in Europe and the Premier League is one of the best leagues in the world.

"Money is not the most important thing, I will base my decision on what's good for me, what suits me."

He told the News of the World: "Money is not the most important thing. I will base my decision on what's good for me, what suits me.

"It is about asking: will I still be able to be special in the league that I am going to, to the team that I am going to?

"Are my qualities right for the Premier League or not?"
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/...brahimovic.html

MALOUDA EXTENDS CHELSEA STAY
Chelsea midfielder Florent Malouda signed his new three-year deal on Tuesday and then declared: "This is just the beginning of the story".

Malouda, who had one year remaining on his current contract, is excited about the prospect of developing his game under new manager Carlo Ancelotti.

The France international played on the left side of a midfield diamond during Chelsea's recent pre-season friendly against Seattle.

"I was really happy when I heard it was Carlo Ancelotti because I have a lot of respect for him. At my former club Lyon I played many times against Milan. For me it is a really good choice and I believe in him," said Malouda.

"This year he wants to try the new system with a diamond so I have to adapt myself and that is why we are training really hard to do what the manager wants.

"It is a different role for me but that is part of my game, I can play in many positions, and I have played it a few times in Lyon when there were injuries and in the France national team I have played many times this position."

Malouda had agreed the new contract while away on holiday and he is delighted to be committed to Chelsea until 2012.

He told chelseafc.com: "I am really happy because it shows a mutual trust between the club and myself and for me it is just the beginning of the story.

"The last six months especially I was feeling great, plus we won a trophy that was really important to me. I feel really good and you can see it on the pitch and I hope we get more trophies."
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/...ER_Chelsea.html