I'm Happy At Chelsea, Didier Drogba Tells Marseille

The Ivorian has poured some cold water on the suggestions that he could be swapping west London for a return to Provence...

10 June 2009
Chelsea striker Didier Drogba was recently rumoured to be considering a return to French football by joining Olympique de Marseille, a club which occupies a central place in his affections, apparently.

However, it now looks as though the centre-forward, who endured a troubled season at Stamford Bridge until Guus Hiddink replaced Luiz Felipe Scolari as manager, will be remaining with the Blues, who are reported to have offered him a lucrative contract extension.

"I am a bit tired of speaking about my future. I already did on many occasions. I am good at Chelsea," the Ivory Coast international told French newspaper Le Parisien.
"I hope that Ancelotti will help us win titles, this is the reason why he has been appointed. Everybody knows his trophy room is full, as a player and as a manager."

Drogba also revealed that he was still in regulatr contact with Marseille, whom he felt would have made a concrete offer by now, were they really interested in him making a return to the club.


"I've never hidden the fact that I liked Marseille, even before I played for them," he added.

"We call each other, Marseille sporting director Jose Anigo sometimes, to be in touch. If Marseille want me, their bosses should talk to those at Chelsea. But today it's not on the cards."

A variety of British media outlets have reported the striker to be on the verge of signing a new three-year contract, with new Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti reluctant to release Drogba, despite the reports that he had embarrassed the club's hierarchy with his post-game rant to live TV cameras after Chelsea's Champions League semi-final exit to Barcelona
-www.goal.com

No Bids For Sergio Aguero, Diego Forlan Happy At Atletico Madrid - Sporting Director

Jesus Garcia Pitarch says that both Aguero and Forlan are content at Atletico Madrid...

10 June 2009
Atletico Madrid's sporting director, Jesus Garcia Pitarch has assured the public that there have been no offers for Sergio Aguero nor Diego Forlan and they do not want to sell either player.

Both have been linked with a move away from the Vicente Calderon this summer with Chelsea reportedly lodging bid for Aguero this morning.

However, speaking to the press today, Pitarch insisted that "there is no offer for Kun Aguero" and said Atletico want to keep their star men.

"The club does not want either Forlan or Aguero to leave, even if someone pays their release clauses. We are not thinking about it because we do not want it to happen and do not expect it to. I have spoken with them and they have declared they wish to continue here, they are committed and thankful to the club. Our wish is that they don't leave, even with someone paying the release clause, but it is not up to us," Marca quote him as saying.

"There is no plan B if Forlan or Aguero leave, because that is bad to think about. We have our players and some are the best in the world, I think they are happy and if they were not they would not play well. This club is not smaller than others, but the feeling here can not be reproduced elsewhere."

Pitarch went onto emphasise that up to now there have been "no offers" for either player and that Forlan is happy at Atletico.

"Last year there were offers and they were turned down because the players said they wanted to stay. Nobody has said they want to leave, we have completed our objectives as a team and many players are reaching new heights and feeling like they haven't before. If this continues, they will stay," he said.

"Two months ago we met with his [Forlan's] agent and we know that he is happy here and, seeing as how things are going, there is a chance his contract could be improved."

With regards to next season, Pitarch said that it is "necessary to improve" the squad but they are working with a limited budget.

"We have to not spend more than €80 million and to limit the number of professional players to 20 or 21 so that the youngsters can have a greater part to play in the first team," he explained.

"We have built a team that can finish amongst the first three and reach a final and we can improve that team. It will be difficult given our financial situation but we will try to improve the squad as best we can."

Asked about specific players, Pitach revealed that "Maxi [Rodriguez] is not looking for another team" but that there has been interest for reserve players like Ignacio Camacho and Angel Bernabe.

He also spoke about some signings for next season, explaining the current situations of Sergio Asenjo and Juanito.

"There are negotiations underway with Valladolid for Asenjo, while Juanito is free after June 30 then we will make a bigger approach. The two players are next because they want to come. In the case of Sergio it is clear to me that big clubs want him, but he is determined to come to Atletico, that is something we like," he revealed.

Talking about the current first-choice goalkeeper Leo Franco, Pitarch admitted that he does not know what his future holds.

"We have spoken with him, offered him an amount, but there has not been any agreement and we have not received an answer. Then Leo Franco and his agent said they wanted to sit down, but that did not seem convenient with six games left. We do not know his decision. Yesterday I tried to speak with him and it was brief, but we will sit down and see," he concluded.
-www.goal.com

Zhirkov Prefers Barcelona Over Chelsea And Milan

Barcelona would not have much trouble convincing Yuri Zhirkov to join them...

10 June 2009
Yuri Zhirkov has revealed that he would prefer to move to Barcelona over Chelsea or AC Milan despite the best efforts of Roman Abramovich to lure him to London.

The CSKA Moscow winger has previously stated that he has received no firm offers from any clubs this summer, but has now explained who he would like to hear from.

Chelsea seemed to have had the upper hand as their owner looked to make the move possible for his compatriot, but Barcelona is Zhirkov's preferred destination.

"I would prefer to join Barcelona, but that does not automatically mean I would turn down Chelsea," he explained in Sport Express.

"I should stress again that there is a difference between playing for a club and sitting on the bench. If I had to sit on the bench, I wouldn't even want to join Barcelona.

"I am still yet to receive any specific offers."

AC Milan have also been linked with the 25-year-old, but he insisted that Barcelona would be his first choice ahead of the Rossoneri too.

"It would depend on the contract," he continue. "With all else being equal, I would perhaps go to Barcelona because it is a city I like very much and I have friends there.

"However, we are talking about something that is a long way from reality right now."
-www.goal.com

Chelsea The Favourites To Sign Atletico Madrid’s Sergio Aguero - Sid Lowe

The Blues' summer shopping could begin with a high-profile Argentinean, according to a leading football journalist.

10 June 2009
Chelsea's pursuit of a top-class striker could reach an agreeable conclusion as the acquisition of primary target Sergio Aguero of Atletico Madrid will rely on which club offers the greatest financial package, rending bids from other sides void. That is the view of Sid Lowe, a respected Spanish-based football journalist.

Aguero is considered one of the hottest properties in world football as the diminutive supporting striker has helped fill the void at Atleti left by Liverpool hotshot Fernando Torres.

He scored 20 goals and registered ten assists in all competitions last season and his ability to run at defenders would no doubt be seen as a major benefit to a Blues side oft criticised in the past season for being too one-paced in midfield and attack.

Regarding any potential deal, Lowe told Sky Sports News, "I think there's a very, very good chance of him leaving Atletico Madrid, but the problem Chelsea have got is that they're not the only club after him.

"There's been serious interest from one or two clubs in Italy as well, and I would imagine that other English clubs would show interest in Aguero as well. Who knows what Manchester United's next step would be if indeed they do lose Cristiano Ronaldo [to Real Madrid]?

"Aguero is certainly an extraordinarily talented player. The question mark for all other big clubs in Europe is can they match the kind of money Chelsea can offer? And the answer is almost certainly not."
-www.goal.com

Guus Hiddink Reveals Disciplinary Measures He Introduced During His Chelsea Tenure

The highly-rated Dutch coach has announced the disciplinary measures he sanctioned at Stamford Bridge...

10 June 2009
Manager of the Russian national team Guus Hiddink has indicated that disciplinary measures were a mandatory requirement during the genesis of his Chelsea tenure.


The introduction of Hiddink at Chelsea, despite only as a temporary measure, brought with it stability both in terms of results and in the dressing room.


Prior to the Dutchman's installation, there were numerous reported factions including those who still longed for Jose Mourinho, the Portuguese-speaking clique, and then the anti-Scolari group, together with the pro-Scolari number.

Hiddink united the dressing room, and for all of the comments emanating from the players including how they wished his temporary appointment was made permanent, the 62-year-old made no hesitation to lay down the law upon his recruitment.


"Before I arrived, players were not in the habit of strictly following a clearly-set timetable," he told The Mirror. "After the first few days, I announced that disciplinary sanctions were in force.

"Being late for the bus or by less than five minutes was punished with a £250 fine, more than five minutes - £500. Those who missed a club event paid £1,000.

"A couple of such cases proved enough to put everything right," he concluded.

Italian tactician Carlo Ancelotti, formerly of AC Milan, succeeded Hiddink.
-www.goal.com

Chelsea Ahead Of Real Madrid In David Villa Race – Report

Real Madrid will certainly not have things there own way from now on as 'Operation Valencia' just became even more complicated...

10 June 2009
Valencia have decided that David Silva is not for sale and that David Villa will only leave if they receive an offer close to €50 million, which Chelsea are rumoured to be prepared to pay.

Los Che are not prepared to accept Real Madrid's ‘take it or leave it’ bid of a reported €35 million. Los Blancos will not bid any higher because Diego Forlan’s release fee could reportedly be triggered for just €1m more.

Instead, Valencia have been advised that Chelsea will go as high as €48m to land Villa and that is now the benchmark for clubs that have an interest in signing the forward.

Despite their financial problems, the new Mestalla board are determined not to be taken advantage of. President Manuel Llorente and vice-president Javier Gomez know what the players are worth.

AS state Gomez has been told of Chelsea's intentions and that has meant that Real Madrid have been unable to push through a deal this week as was first reported in the Spanish media.

If los Merengues want Villa now, it appears that they will have to offer more than €35m plus striker Alvaro Negredo.

While the Villa saga rumbles on, Silva has been taken out of the shop window as his father, who is also his agent, Fernando Silva, has been told that his son will not be sold unless an incredible offer is made.
-www.goal.com

Report: Chelsea Table Formal €51m Bid To Atletico Madrid For Sergio Aguero

According to English and Spanish reports, the Blues have launched an official offer for ‘El Kun’…

10 Jun 2009
Chelsea appear to have grown tired beating around the bush in the transfer market and they have now decided to set their sights on Atletico Madrid starlet Sergio Aguero.

After reportedly having a €43 million offer for David Villa turned down by Valencia and most recently being linked with a wild goose chase for Milan’s Alexandre Pato, the Blues are now ready to make their first big signing under new manager Carlo Ancelotti.

According to The Times and ElMundo.es, Chelsea made an official €51 million (£45m) bid for Aguero last night. The actual transfer fee, however, is expected to be much lower as the current offer includes incentives and bonuses based on Aguero’s appearances and success at Stamford Bridge. The €51m mark, however, falls well short of the player’s near €60 million buy-out clause at Atleti.

The 21-year-old is also being tracked by some of Europe’s other superpowers, including Inter and Barcelona. Los Colchoneros have yet to respond to Chelsea’s bid.
-www.goal.com

Am I Going To Chelsea? We'll See - AC Milan Midfielder Pirlo

Milan midfielder Andrea Pirlo refused to rule out a possible move to Chelsea...

9 June 2009
On the day of Kaka's big transfer to Real Madrid, another Rossoneri idol, Andrea Pirlo, said some words that will have caused even more unrest in Milan.

Currently the midfielder is training with Italy's national team in South Africa ahead of the Confederations Cup. Answering a question from Sky Sport 24 regarding his future, he said, "Am I going to Chelsea? We'll see..."

Asked about Kaka's sale, Pirlo unsurprisingly admitted he is disappointed, "With Kaka's departure Milan lose a very important player."

It has already been reported that new Blues coach Carlo Ancelotti would like to see Pirlo join him after he also recently made the move from Milan to Chelsea.

Nevertheless, Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani has frequently reiterated that, after Kaka's sale, no big-name player will leave the club, at least not this summer.
-www.goal.com