MADRID (AFP) - Spanish media downplayed reports that Real Madrid had signed AC Milan star Kaka, saying details remain to be worked out and that Chelsea still hope to buy the Brazilian for a world record fee.
"The transfer (to Real) is still not official but all the parties are giving it as a done deal," the sports daily AS said Wednesday, noting "pressure" from Chelsea.
Another sports paper, Marca, predicted Kaka's transfer to Real would be completed "before next week."
The two papers, along with Radio Cadena Ser, had reported late Tuesday that the 27-year-old playmaker had signed for Real in a 65-million-euro deal.
They said newly-installed Real president Florentino Perez sealed the deal with AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani and Bosco Leite, father and agent of the 2007 world and European player of the year.
Kaka, currently in Brazil with the national team ahead of a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay, will sign up for five years and a salary worth nine million euros a year, they added.
But AS said Chelsea representatives had traveled to Milan on Tuesday to make an offer that topped Real's.
The English Premier League club would be ready to play 80 million euros, which would make Kaka the most expensive player in history, and offer him a salary of 12 million euros and his father a 12-million-euro commission.
The paper noted that Chelsea's new manager, Carlo Ancelotti, has just moved from AC Milan and could have some influence in luring Kaka to London.
Real Madrid has not released any statement on the negotiations.
Kaka himself insists he's staying put in italy, telling Monday's La Gazzetto dello Sport: "I'll tell you this for the last time, the very last. I don't want to leave Milan.
"To the millions of Milan fans, I tell you that I've made my choice. I've said I want to stay. Leave me in peace, please."
Ricardo Carvalho has revealed that he is open to the idea of leaving Chelsea this summer with a number of clubs having already expressed an interest.
The 31-year-old has endured a torrid time with injuries this season, which have restricted the defender to just 12 Premier League appearances this term.
The former Porto ace has been linked with a move to Inter Milan in recent weeks, a switch which would see him reunited with former Blues boss Jose Mourinho.
Despite admitting that the campaign had been tough to bare at times Carvalho insists that if Chelsea and a prospective buyer couldn't agree on a fee then he would be happy to stay at Stamford Bridge.
"I am available for a club who wishes to have me," the centre-half said.
"But before being approached, an agreement must be found with Chelsea, although I am delighted that several clubs are interested in me.
"I have had four extraordinary years at Chelsea till this year, which has not been very good, indeed the worst of my career. I wasn't in great shape because I haven't played.
"But if there is no transfer, I will be fine at Chelsea."
The Blues could allow Carvalho to leave, despite the player being a major factor in their success over recent seasons, due to the improved form of fellow centre-half Alex during the Portugal international's absence.
Chelsea have made an astonishing £73.5million bid for AC Milan superstar Kaka, according to Sky Sports News sources.
The brilliant Brazilian, widely regarded as one of the finest players on the planet, was targeted by Manchester City in the winter transfer window but elected to remain with the Serie A giants.
Kaka went on record as recently as Tuesday to insist that he was happy with the Rossoneri and had no plans to move on this summer.
But further speculation emerged that Real Madrid were planning a swoop following Florentino Perez's appointment as president, with the returning supremo eager to make another 'Galactico' signing.
And Sky Sports News sources now understand that Chelsea have tabled a bid which trumps the reported offer of £56million from Santiago Bernabeu.
Former AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti was installed as the new Blues manager on Monday and he could now be set to link up again with the talented playmaker.
Chelsea's £73.5million bid is reported to be backed up by an offer of £10million-a-year in wages after tax for Kaka in a bid to lure him to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea have denied making an astonishing ??73.5million for AC Milan's superstar Kaka.
Sportsmail revealed last night how Spanish giants Real Madrid were closing in on the signing of the 27-year-old Brazil playmaker, but reports have emerged suggesting that new Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has contacted the player personally in a bid to hijack Real's deal.
But the Blues have now slammed claims that they will launch a world record bid for Kaka. The previous record stands at ??47m - the fee Real Madrid paid Juventus for Zinedine Zidane in 2001.Reports in Spain this morning claimed Madrid were confident of completing a deal approaching ??60m.
Spanish newspaper AS also claims Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich would be keen on the transfer coup because he is still hurting by the way Madrid sold Robinho to Manchester City rather than his side on transfer deadline day last summer.
But a close relationship between Madrid's returning president Florentino Perez and Milan general manager Adriano Galliani keeps the Spaniards in the driving seat.
There is a suggestion that Chelsea's interest was introduced by Kaka's representatives as negotiations stalled, driving up the price from Madrid's opening offer of ??52m.
The salary Kaka would receive on a five-year deal was pushed up to ??157,000 a week.
Milan, for their part, admit that Galliani was in Madrid yesterday but insist it had nothing to do with negotiating a deal for Kaka, who has also previously interested Manchester United.
'The general manager of the Rossoneri, Adriano Galliani, is in the city of Madrid exclusively for the investiture dinner of Florentino Perez, the new president of Real Madrid,' a statement read.
However, the Italian club's president Silvio Berlusconi and Galliani have both softened up fans for their hero's departure, admitting it would be hard to refuse a bid that would clear their debts.
Kaka is in Teresopolis, near Rio de Janeiro, on international duty with Brazil and faces two World Cup qualifiers next week, making a quick resolution to the saga difficult.
He yesterday insisted he wanted to stay with the Rossoneri, but he harbours a dream of playing in the white of Madrid and would be in line for a perfect diplomatic exit if Milan publicly accept his bid.
The Bernabeu hierarchy are said to have such respect for Berlusconi that they will let the Italians dictate the announcement of the deal, which is expected to happen no later than next week by videoconference from Brazil.
Chelsea are ready to offer new contracts to Alex and Florent Malouda.
The London Evening Standard says Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti is set to offer new deals to Alex and Florent Malouda as the Italian shapes his Chelsea team for next season.
Malouda was expected to be sold this summer but has won over the fans and the hierarchy after a string of impressive performances in the last two months of the season.
The French international, who joined from Lyon for £13.5million in 2007, had struggled for consistency but is now feeling settled at Stamford Bridge. He is likely to face more competition for his place on the left of midfield next season with the arrival of Yuri Zhirkov from CSKA Moscow.
But Malouda, who starred in the club's win over Everton at Wembley, is ready for the fight after being told by Chelsea they want him to stay.
Malouda said: "We will have a meeting at the beginning of June. Both parties want to carry on. It's a wonderful experience but just the beginning. I hope in the next years you will see me win many, many trophies.
"When you play so many high-profile games you get the experience and confidence that comes with it. I hope to share joy and happiness with the fans.”
When asked if he is ready to compete with Zhirkov should he arrive, Malouda added: “Of course. It's just the beginning because with Ashley Cole on the left we have confidence so it gives us a lot for the next years.”
Malouda has only 12 months of his deal left to run but is expected to get a two-year extension with a pay rise from £50,000 a week to around £65,000 a week.
Alex is also going to be rewarded for a number of impressive displays this season with a three-year deal that will see his salary increase to £60,000 a week. His current contract expires next year but the new agreement will ensure the defender remains at the club until 2013.
AS says Real have pulled out of the battle for Villa after new president Florentino Perez decided not to go higher than £30 million for the Spain international.
Valencia are asking closer to £40 million - which is due to Chelsea's fresh interest, that has only arrived this week.
Striker Didier Drogba is set to be offered a new three-year contract by Chelsea within the next week.
Doubts had been raised over Drogba's future following his problems under former manager Luiz Felipe Scolari and his behaviour after Chelsea's Champions League exit at the hands of Barcelona, when he confronted Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo.
But according to the Press Association Chelsea have been impressed enough by his behaviour since the incident, and by the recovery in his form under interim coach Guus Hiddink, to attempt to secure him on a new contract.
New manager Carlo Ancelotti will take charge of Chelsea in July.
Andriy Shevchenko is unhappy about returning to Chelsea.
A spokesman for the 32-year-old confirmed yesterday he is expected to return to Stamford Bridge after the summer break as his one-year loan deal is up at AC Milan.
“He’s due back at Chelsea,” said the spokesman to the Daily Star. “He has been told they want to see what happens up until Christmas.
“He’s not optimistic, considering the amount of playing time he was given at Milan.”
Russian international Yuri Zhirkov claims he is unaware of any interest from Chelsea in him, but admits he would be tempted by a move.
The CSKA Moscow left sided player has reportedly been the target of a £18.6million transfer by the Blues, who have been tracking the 25-year-old for some time.Betfair is a bit different to your normal bookie; they actually want you to win. Instead of a bookmaker setting the odds, their customers do. That means you. And because you compete against each other, you get better odds. Up to 20% better odds in fact. You can either make a back bet (bet on who's going to win) or place a lay bet (bet against something happening). Betfair matches people on either side of the bet with the odds they agree. Simple. Use this £10 free bet and give it a try.
Chelsea could be set for a new cash boost courtesy of former striker Adrian Mutu.
The Guardian says Carlo Ancelotti's transfer spending could be funded by a player he tried to sign for Milan last summer if sport's highest court upholds a £14.87m compensation award to Chelsea.
Mutu was sacked by Chelsea following a positive test for cocaine use in 2004, which prompted the club to embark on a five-year pursuit for compensation. The outcome is due soon, following Mutu's final appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in March.
CAS had already been involved in the case when it said that the world governing body, Fifa, should calculate what compensation was due, and the figure it reached was £14.87m. Mutu demanded the Fifa award be annulled.
AC Milan striker Alexandre Pato insists he doesn't want to follow coach Carlo Ancelotti to Chelsea.
The 19-year-old Brazilian - who scored 15 goals in Serie A last season - is being strongly linked with a move to Stamford Bridge to follow manager Ancelotti.
But he told Gazzetta dello Sport: "I have read the reports linking me with Chelsea, but my agent and the club deal with this type of thing. I want to win everything with Milan."
Bayern Munich general manager Uli Hoeness has again stated Franck Ribery is not for sale.
Manchester City, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Chelsea are all chasing Ribery, but Hoeness said: "There will be enquiries for Ribery in the next four to six weeks, I'm sure.
"But we have not had any decisive enquiry and we are not interested in any of the rumours in the English press.
"We will be polite, but we will not negotiate. We are not going to celebrate on the telephone when somebody offers a certain amount."
CSKA Moscow winger Yuri Zhirkov is in the dark over a move to Chelsea.
"I honestly know as much about it as everyone else," he told Sport Express ahead of Russia's impending 2010 World Cup qualifier against Finland.
"I read the papers, listen to the radio and I am genuinely surprised, given that no actual offer from Chelsea exists."
While distancing himself from a switch to Stamford Bridge at the present time, Zhirkov did admit he would be open to a move to West London should a suitable opportunity arise.
"Clearly we are talking about one of the best clubs in the world, who regularly compete at the highest level," he added.
"It is very possible that I would say yes. But before that I would have to weigh up the pros and cons. To sit on the bench and only get on the pitch from time to time doesn't interest me, not even at Chelsea.
"Moreover, I have nothing to lose (by staying in Moscow), given that CSKA now have a very interesting team who will begin competing in the Champions League in the autumn."
Chelsea chief Peter Kenyon was not involved in negotiations for coach Carlo Ancelotti, it has been revealed.
The Guardian says Ancelotti's negotiations to join Chelsea apparently took place without the involvement of Kenyon, casting further doubt on the part being played at the club by the chief executive.
After meetings with the club owner, Roman Abramovich, last year Ancelotti negotiated his move from Milan with the Chelsea sporting director, Frank Arnesen, sources in Italy have revealed.
Kenyon was on holiday when Chelsea sacked Luiz Felipe Scolari as their coach last February but, despite persistent rumours that he was on the verge of leaving, the club has always said he was there to stay.
Chelsea have countered previous speculation about Kenyon's departure with the claim he will be responsible for transfer negotiations this summer.
Chelsea refuse to give up on landing AC Milan star Kaka, despite his expected agreement with Real Madrid.
The Times says Real have an agreement in place with AC Milan to sign the Brazil forward for a staggering €65 million (£56.2 million).
Real had offered the player a five-year contract on a salary of £150,000 a week after tax. However, sources in Milan said that Chelsea — who were also targeting Andrea Pirlo — had offered the player “extraordinary” personal terms after they were advised that there was a hitch in the Kaká deal.
Chelsea will try to persuade Kaká to come to Stamford Bridge and join up with Carlo Ancelotti, his former coach at the San Siro who is now in charge at the Barclays Premier League club.
Kaká, who is on international duty, is believed to favour Real, but, in a further twist last night, Bosco Leite, the player’s agent and father, halted talks with the Spanish club after the interest shown by Chelsea and disagreements over his agent’s commission.
The Spanish media have reported that Real Madrid have beaten Chelsea to the signing of AC Milan's Kaka for a world record fee of £56m.
Chelsea's new boss Carlo Ancelotti had made Kaka one of his top priorities, having managed the Brazilian superstar while in charge of the Rossoneri and there is reportedly a chance they could still scupper the deal.Carlo Ancelotti is set to offer new contracts to Florent Malouda and Alex as he shapes his Chelsea side for next season.
Malouda struggled after signing from Lyon for £13.5million in 2007, but has won over fans and the Stamford Bridge hierarchy in the second half of the season.
CSKA Moscow star Yuri Zhirkov had been lined up to replace him and today warned he would not be happy to sit on the Blues bench.
Versatile Zhirkov, who tends to play left-back for Russia, said: 'Clearly we are talking about one of the best clubs in the world, who regularly compete at the highest level.
'It is very possible I would say yes (to Chelsea). But before that I would have to weigh up the pros and cons.
'To sit on the bench and only get on the pitch from time to time doesn't interest me, not even at Chelsea.
'Moreover, I have nothing to lose (by staying in Moscow), given that CSKA now have a very interesting team who will begin competing in the Champions League in the autumn.'
Chelsea are understood to be close to an £18.6million deal for the 25-year-old, but face competition from Bayern Munich.
Malouda has only 12 months of his deal left to run but is expected to get a two-year extension with a pay rise from £50,000 a week to around £65,000 a week.
'We will have a meeting at the beginning of June,' he told the London Evening Standard. 'Both parties want to carry on.
'It’s a wonderful experience but just the beginning. I hope in the next years you will see me win many, many trophies.
'When you play so many high-profile games you get the experience and confidence that comes with it. I hope to share joy and happiness with the fans.'
When asked if he is ready to compete with Zhirkov should he arrive, Malouda added: 'Of course. It’s just the beginning because with Ashley Cole on the left we have confidence so it gives us a lot for the next years.'
Alex is also going to be rewarded for a number of impressive displays this season with a three-year
deal that will see his salary increase to £60,000 a week. His current contract expires next year but the new agreement will ensure the defender remains at the club until 2013.
Bayern Munich insist Franck Ribery is not going to be sold this summer.
Ribery is a target for a number of leading European sides this summer, with Chelsea and Manchester United in the hunt along with Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona.
But Bayern's new boss Louis van Gaal has told the club he wants to work with the Frenchman next season.'He really wants to keep him,' general manager Uli Hoeness told Munich's Abendzeitung newspaper after holding talks with van Gaal. 'We will not let Ribery go.
Van Gaal arrived in Munich on Monday and has also addressed the issue of Luca Toni, who seems to be surplus to requirements following the signing of Mario Gomez from Stuttgart and Ivica Olic from Hamburg.
Unlike with Ribery, Hoeness would not hang up the phone immediately on an offer for the Italian.
'In general, four strikers are enough, but if we have five, then we have five,' he added. 'We will not be sending anybody away. But if somebody comes to us and wants one of our strikers, then we will talk.'
The Liverpool captain said: "It's good for Chelsea but I'm not too sure it's good for Liverpool.
"He's a fantastic manager.
"We've played two Champions League finals against him. We won one on a fantastic night in Istanbul but he was spot on tactically in the second game.
"Chelsea have appointed a very good manager. Top coaches adapt to whatever league they are coaching in.
"When you look around the world there's many good managers and he's one of the best."
Asked about the prospect of Ancelotti going head to head again with Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez, Gerrard added: "It's going to make the Premier League even more exciting.
"I'm sure that Rafa and Ancelotti are looking forward to testing themselves against each other again."
IT'S ONE BIG DEAL FOR DIDI
Didier Drogba will be offered a new three-year contract to stay at Chelsea.
It represents an amazing change of fortune for Drogba, who looked certain to leave this summer after his Champions League bust-up.
But new boss Carlo Ancelotti has made it clear he wants the 31-year-old Ivory Coast striker to Drogba, who faces a lengthy UEFA ban after confronting referee Tom Henning Ovrebo when Chelsea crashed out of Europe against Barcelona, has a year left on his current £100,000 -a-week contract. But owner Roman Abramovich will bankroll another improved deal which will make the forward - a £24m signing in 2004 - one of the club's top earners. Drogba is likely to accept, especially as he will want to help Ancelotti fulfil his ambition of winning the Champions League with Chelsea. He struggled for form and a berth in the starting line-up under previous boss Luiz Felipe Scolari, but Drogba won back his place, scored in Saturday's FA Cup Final win and made it clear afterwards he wants to stay. He apologised for the outburst which led to him and Chelsea being charged by UEFA.
Carlo Ancelotti wants Didier Drogba to stay at Chelsea.
The Daily Mail says the Italian has convinced owner Roman Abramovich to perform a U-turn over Drogba and offer the striker a new three-year contract despite his outburst after Chelsea were knocked out of the Champions League by Barcelona.
Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti hopes to use the techniques learned at AC Milan to extend the careers of his veteran players.
The Daily Mail says the new Stamford Bridge manager is due to meet Glen Driscoll, Chelsea’s physical conditioning coach, to talk him through a pre-season training programme designed to extend the careers of an ageing squad.
Originally formulated inside the closely guarded MilanLab, buried deep inside Milan’s training ground near Lake Como, a team of technicians used the programme to extend the careers of Alessandro Costacurta, who retired at 41, and Paolo Maldini, who quit at the end of this season aged 40.
The secrets of the age-defying process are in Ancelotti’s briefcase, perfect for a club with nine players over the age of 30 - the team Sir Alex Ferguson famously predicted had peaked under Jose Mourinho.
Chelsea’s pre-season programme, which begins when Ancelotti addresses the squad for the first time on July 1, will involve rigorous testing of the players’ physical condition, their ability with the ball and a psychological analysis.
It is the programme used on Andriy Shevchenko when Milan agreed to sell him to Chelsea for £31million, and correctly identified that the striker was past his best.
David Beckham spent three hours in the MilanLab with Dr Jean-Pierre Meersseman, Milan’s head of medical science, when he joined on loan from LA Galaxy in January.
Beckham passed the three hour ordeal, which also involved tests on eyesight and teeth and a thorough examination of his medical records, before his loan was approved.
One test showed he had a higher VO2 max - the volume of oxygen that can be absorbed at maximum capacity - than many younger players.
That session convinced Beckham that he could prolong his career beyond his predicted retirement age of 35, having been told by Dr Meersseman that it is possible to emulate the achievements of Maldini or even Costacurta if he followed their procedures.
Chelsea’s players will undergo similarly thorough tests.
Joleon Lescott hopes to partner John Terry in England's defence on Saturday as the Everton star insists his Chelsea counterpart is the best in the world to learn from.
Lescott could face Kazakhstan in a World Cup qualifier because Rio Ferdinand, who has a long-standing calf injury, sat out training as a precaution yesterday (Monday).
'If Rio and JT are fit they are the permanent choices. They are two of the best in the world but along with everyone else I would like to think I am in contention.
'At the start of the season I was third choice and then through my form I slipped down. Hopefully if I can keep this consistency I can be third choice.'
AC Milan fullback Gianluca Zambrotta says Carlo Ancelotti will be a success at Chelsea.
"I am sorry above all to have lost a great personality in the coach (Ancelotti) for what he has given to everybody," said the Italy international.
"He has already won everything there was to win and has a wealth of experience."
However, Zambrotta claims there is one way in which Ancelotti can improve.
Ancelotti is embarking on his first adventure outside of Italy and, if his first official interview as Chelsea coach on Monday is anything to go by, he still has a lot of ground to make up in his grasp of the English language.
"Above all, he needs to improve his language skills because I heard him talking and his English is still a bit at schoolboy level," Zambrotta told Sky television with a wry smile.
"Joking aside, he is a great coach and I don't think there is much advice you can give him."
Chelsea blew the summer transfer window wide open last night with a last-ditch attempt to lure Kaká away from a move to Real Madrid.
The Spanish club have an agreement in place with AC Milan to sign the Brazil forward for a staggering €65 million (£56.2 million). Real had offered the player a five-year contract on a salary of £150,000 a week after tax. However, sources in Milan said that Chelsea — who were also targeting Andrea Pirlo — had offered the player “extraordinary” personal terms after they were advised that there was a hitch in the Kaká deal.
The news of the tense negotiations came only hours after Gareth Barry, the England midfield player, left Aston Villa to join Manchester City for a fee of £12 million.
Chelsea will try to persuade Kaká to come to Stamford Bridge and join up with Carlo Ancelotti, his former coach at the San Siro who is now in charge at the Barclays Premier League club.
Kaká, who is on international duty, is believed to favour Real, but, in a further twist last night, Bosco Leite, the player’s agent and father, halted talks with the Spanish club after the interest shown by Chelsea and disagreements over his agent’s commission.
The transfer had earlier been thrashed out by Leite, Florentino Pérez, the newly returned Madrid president, and Adriano Galliani, the Milan vice-president. The Italian club, however, claimed last night that Galliani was in Spain purely as a guest at Pérez’s inauguration dinner.
The dramatic events come after Kaká had reiterated his desire to stay in Italy. “I say it for the last time: I don’t want to leave Milan,” he insisted.
Pérez seems determined, however, to recreate his infamous galácticos regime at the Bernabéu. He is expected to follow up the move for Kaká with a ¤45 million swoop for Franck Ribéry, the Bayern Munich winger, although, incredibly, that may still not be enough to end Pérez’s interest in Cristiano Ronaldo, the Manchester United forward.
Pérez risked incurring the wrath of United by claiming that he would have no hesitation paying more than ¤80 million for the Portugal player.
“I have not seen anything about him \ that would prohibit him from playing at Real Madrid,” Pérez said. “What I am sure of is that which seems expensive is the cheapest. Without knowing who we can get, there will be a massive effort for the great players of the world because that is the Real Madrid model.”
The events on the Continent served to overshadow City’s capture of Barry, who reneged on his very public claims that he wanted to leave Villa for a club offering Champions League football by shunning Liverpool and signing a five-year deal with City worth close to £100,000 a week.
“It didn’t take much persuasion from Mark Hughes,” Barry, 28, said after passing a medical. “They are heading in the direction I want to go.”
The news brought a humiliating end to Rafael BenÃtez’s tortuous year-long pursuit of the England midfield player and the Liverpool manager’s misery is expected to be compounded by the likely departure from Anfield of Xabi Alonso, the Spain midfield player, this summer. He, too, may join Real, whose spending could end up surpassing the ¤200 million mark.
City’s summer spree will also continue as Hughes seeks to secure deals for Joleon Lescott, the Everton defender, and Carlos Tévez, the Manchester United forward. “I was looking to get a number of deals done as soon as possible and we have had a great start with Gareth joining us,” Hughes said. “I hope we can conclude some more so that when we come back for pre-season training, we have everybody fit and well and set for a successful campaign.”
Tévez’s future is likely to be resolved today during talks with David Gill, the United chief executive, and Kia Joorabchian, who owns the Argentina player’s economic rights.
United have so far balked at meeting the £25.5 million fee agreed with Joorabchian two years ago and, barring a surprise about-turn from the Premier League champions, City are likely to beat Liverpool to the player’s signature in a deal that would cost almost £54 million over four years.
Hughes is expected to make an opening bid of about £12 million for Lescott, but David Moyes, the Everton manager, is fiercely opposed to selling the England defender and is unlikely to consider accepting a bid of anything less than £20 million.
Carlo Ancelotti is on a seven-figure bonus to win the Champions League for Chelsea.
The Times says Ancelotti is under no illusions regarding the huge expectation that will greet him when he reports for duty at training next month.
He accepts that he must mount a strong challenge in all four competitions. Success in the Champions League will bring a £1 million bonus on top of his £6.5 million-a-year salary.
Chelsea are continuing talks with AC Milan over assistant coach Filippo Galli.
New Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti wants Galli, a former Watford coach, to join him at Stamford Bridge.
The Times says Chelsea are continuing negotiations with Milan to bring Galli to London as assistant manager and are confident of getting their man, although Ancelotti has expressed a willingness to work with Ray Wilkins, the assistant first-team coach, irrespective of whether Galli is recruited.
Leonardo, the new Milan coach, confirmed yesterday that Mauro Tassotti would be staying at the club as assistant coach, leaving the door open for Galli to leave.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is hoping to have more involvement in the club following the arrival of new coach Carlo Ancelotti.
An associate of Abramovich admitted to the Daily Star: “Roman likes Ancelotti because he has won the Champions League twice – but he has done nothing in the league for years.
“The big factor in him being chosen is Roman wants to be totally involved in everything.
“He will decide which players are bought and he knows with Ancelotti it will be easy to do this. Many people think at Milan that Silvio Berlusconi was the one deciding who to buy. In fact (vice-president) Adriano Galliani is the main man when it comes to transfers.”
Last night a source close to Ancelotti insisted the coach was no pushover.
He said: “It’s true at Milan the players were often not his choice but look what happened with Andriy Shevchenko. Berlusconi brought him back from Chelsea but Carlo did not play him.
“Similarly with Ronaldinho no matter what reputation he might have, he was left out if he was not playing well.
“Carlo will not let others walk all over him. When it comes to picking the team he will stand his ground.”
AC Milan ace Rino Gattuso says Carlo Ancelotti can handle the egos inside the Chelsea dressing room.
Former Rangers star Gattuso told The Sun: "That will not be a problem for him, not a problem at all.
"If there are any attitudes that do not fit in with his way of thinking at Chelsea, they will learn very quickly they need to change that attitude.
"In England, Alex Ferguson is famous for his treatment in the dressing room when things are not as he wants, and the same is true with Carlo. When he is not happy you will know about it.
"He does not act that way to try to be a big man or because he likes the sound of his own voice. He does it because he knows it is for the good of the team.
"Ferguson and Carlo are two of the most successful managers in the world, so it proves their methods are right. With Carlo, the players are under no doubt who is boss.
"I know Mourinho left a big legacy at Chelsea - and perhaps that has not helped managers who have joined since he has left. But Carlo can create a bigger legacy than that of Jose - of that I am sure.
"Carlo is an expert in the Champions League and that is still something Chelsea are missing, even though they have come close.
"If anybody can guide them to the biggest prize it will be Carlo, there is nobody more qualified."
Portsmouth are bracing themselves as Chelsea are reportedly set to make a £12m offer to take Glen Johnson back to Stamford Bridge.
The England right back has had a fantastic season with Pompey and was one of the major plus points for the club with praise coming from all quarters, not least England coach Fabio Capello.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is believed to have given his new manager a huge transfer budget to spend this summer.
Ivory Coast striker Drogba embarrassed Stamford Bridge insiders with his behaviour after the Champions League exit at the hands of Barcelona last month when he berated the referee and swore into a TV camera.
And the Blues were tempted to axe him 12 months ago when he was sent off in the Champions League final on the way to defeat against Manchester United.
Drogba has 12 months left on his contract and Chelsea appear to be lining up Valencia and Spain striker David Villa as a replacement.
But Anelka, who has often been shunted out to the wing to accommodate Drogba in the starting XI insists he does not want the 31-year-old to leave.
'I want Didier to stay,' Anelka told the London Evening Standard. 'We have had to wait one year to start together but we have shown in the last few months that we can play well as a partnership.
'This is good for the new manager and the club. They know we can play with two strikers.'Opposition defences don’t like playing against us and he helped me finish as the Premier League’s top scorer in the final few weeks.
'We are not just focused on our own goals, we put the club first. I’m not the chairman or manager and they are going to buy players anyway, but we’re strong.
'We can bridge the gap to United next season. We have a big squad, with big players, we just need to concentrate on next season and play like we did.'
Drogba seemed to be on the verge of teaming up with Jose Mourinho at Inter Milan in January and would also interest Manchester City.Carlo Ancelotti will sweep into Stamford Bridge tomorrow and launch a summer of frenzied transfer activity.
The new Chelsea manager, who signed a three-year deal worth £18million plus bonuses in Milan late on Sunday night, has already identified a number of players he wants billionaire owner Roman Abramovich to bring to west London.
LONDON, June 1 (Reuters) - Carlo Ancelotti has made winning the Champions League his priority after being named as Chelsea's manager on Monday.
The 49-year-old Italian, Chelsea's fifth manager in two years, knows he will be judged on whether he can land the big European prize that remained tantalisingly out of reach for his predecessors at the London club.
"The Champions League for me is the best competition in the world," Ancelotti, who won the trophy twice as a player with Milan and twice as coach, said in an interview in English on Chelsea TV on Monday.
"Chelsea has a great record, five semi-finals in six years is a beautiful score, so great, but now we need to win it and I hope this will happen."
Chelsea lost in the final in 2007-08 and were knocked out on away goals in the semi-final this year by eventual winners Barcelona.
Temporary manager Guus Hiddink ended his short spell in charge by winning the FA Cup on Saturday and the Dutchman will be a tough act to follow for Ancelotti.
However, he said he was used to the pressure of competing for the game's top prizes after eight years in charge of Milan.
"There will be the same pressure because Chelsea and Milan are great teams in Europe and they want to win all the competitions," said Ancelotti, who announced his departure from Milan on Sunday and officially begins his new job on July 1.Ancelotti said he was looking forward to the demands of the Premier League, where the football is typically more physical and frenetic than what he has been used to in Serie A.
"I watch all the matches on television," he said. "I like the Premier League because I think there are great teams and they play good football. Less tactical matches, very speedy and I like this football.
"In Italy the matches are very tactical. The teams come to defend well and only after that to attack, the matches were about control and not so speedy."
Ancelotti is the third Italian to manage Chelsea, following Gianluca Vialli, who coached the club from 1998-2000 and Claudio Ranieri who was there from 2000 to 2004.
"Everybody is going to enjoy it and he [Hiddink] brought back joy at Stamford Bridge and we say thank you."
And Malouda felt sure that the club would continue to enjoy success under new manager Carlo Ancelotti, whose appointment as Hiddink's successor was confirmed today.
"The team is still the same. We hope we are going to work the same way with more stability. The FA Cup is not enough. It is just the beginning," he concluded.
Chelsea captain John Terry has urged new manager Carlo Ancelotti to secure the long-term futures of a trio of stars, prior to beginning a summer of recruitment.
The England defender believes that powerful striker Didier Drogba, who only has one year left to run on his current contract and could return to Ligue 1 this summer, is deserving of a new deal.
So too, thinks Terry, should the club's Players' Player of the Year Ashley Cole, and injured flair midfielder Joe Cole be rewarded with extended contracts.
He is reported to have told the Telegraph, "At the same time, we need to keep hold of lads like Didier Drogba, Ashley and Joe Cole who are up for contract talks.
"They're great people. People like Ash, Didier and Lamps have been fantastic this year," he claimed.
"Roman still has big plans for the club, most definitely. I think we'll see Chelsea back and competing for the top players who are out there."
Carlo Ancelotti has been named as Chelsea's new manager on a three-year contract at Stamford Bridge, commencing July 1st.
A statement on the club's website said: "Carlo was the outstanding candidate for the job.
"He has proved over a long period his ability to build teams that challenged for, and have been successful in, major domestic and European competitions.
"He also had a highly successful playing career in those competitions and therefore brings unparalleled all round experience to the job.
"We are sure everybody at Chelsea will give him a warm welcome and we are all looking forward to working with him."
The 49-year-olds appointment is Chelsea’s fifth manager in less than two years following Jose Mourinho, Avram Grant, Luiz Felipe Scolari and Guus Hiddink.
Speaking to Chelsea TV he said: "Milan for me was a great experience. For five years I played with a great team - we had a lot of success - and eight years to train a great team.
"Now I think it is time to change and Chelsea for me was a great opportunity, a great team.
"Now I think it is the right moment for a new challenge and I want to put all my energy for Chelsea."
The Champions League title is the only trophy Chelsea have not won since Roman Abramovich took over at Stamford Bridge.
"There will be the same pressure because Chelsea are a great team in Europe," Ancelotti added. "They want to win all the competitions.
"For me the Champions League is a beautiful sensation. When I played I won it two times, it was a fantastic moment and the same thing when I was a coach in Milan.
"The Champions League for me is the best competition in the world."
Ancelotti continued: "For me (English) is not easy but I want to learn and I want to improve.
"I have the time and when we start the season I will speak well. It is important for me to speak with the players, the team, the assistant and all the operators that will work with me."
Punters have been quick to assess Chelsea's appointment of Carlo Ancelotti as their new manager.
There has been an immediate reaction in the Premier League betting, after the Italian ended an eight-year stint as manager of AC Milan, to become Chelsea's fifth manager in 21 months, following Jose Mourinho, Avram Grant, Luiz Felipe Scolari and Guus Hiddink.Ancelotti, 49, officially takes charge on 1st July as Chelsea's fifth manager in less than two years following Jose Mourinho, Avram Grant, Luiz Felipe Scolari and Guus Hiddink.
"For me, the Champions League is a beautiful sensation because when I played I won two times in 1989 and 1990 and it was a fantastic achievement," he said.
"And it was the same as a coach in 2003 and 2007. Champions League, for me, is the best competition in the world and all teams want to win it.
"Five semi-finals in six years is a beautiful score (for Chelsea) but now we need to win."
Hiddink ended his short stint in charge with victory over Everton in Saturday's FA Cup final and a warning that Chelsea must instil some stability at the top, and give the new man time to bed in.
The Dutchman had agreed to take over on a temporary basis and succeeded in steadying the ship after a turbulent two seasons at Stamford Bridge following Mourinho's departure.
Chelsea indicated it was Ancelotti's long-term success that made him their number one target.
A club statement read: "Carlo was the outstanding candidate for the job. He has proved over a long period his ability to build teams that challenged for, and have been successful in, major domestic and European competitions.
"He also had a highly successful playing career in those competitions and therefore brings unparalleled all round experience to the job."
"If we had finished with nothing it would have been a major disappointment. We deserved it, we have played well in the second half of the season.
"We know what we can do and that we have a strong squad. This year we lost too many points at home and we need that consistency. I am sure we are at the same level.
"You can see that in our performances, especially in European games. We went to the final last year and this year we had one foot in the final and we were really unlucky to go out, so you can't say the club is going in the wrong direction.'
"If you compare the clubs we play, Man United, Liverpool, Arsenal, they are really strong teams and only one can win the league. Man U had a really good time the last years, like Chelsea two years before in the league."
However, if the Blues are to improve, then consistency of management is key. Ballack also insists that there have been too many changes of coach at Stamford Bridge in recent years, and that needs to change, with the appointment of Carlo Ancelotti as manager today.
"In the three years I have been at Chelsea we have had four managers and it is really important now for the club that we are getting consistent and we are not changing manager every year," the player explained.
"That is what we need for the squad to be successful. I am sure if we have a bit of quietness around the squad, the success will come."
Roman Abramovich has made a personal attempt to bring Kaká to Chelsea as Carlo Ancelotti’s first signing. The Times understands that Abramovich met Kaká’s father and agent, Bosco Leite, in Milan last week after sealing the capture of Ancelotti, who is set to be announced as the club’s new manager.
Abramovich is prepared to shatter the world transfer record to secure Kaká and would have no problem concluding a deal with AC Milan, who are resigned to his departure this summer, but coming to an agreement with the player’s representatives is proving more difficult.
The Chelsea owner was told by Leite that Kaká would prefer to join Real Madrid, who confirmed last night that Florentino Pérez has returned to the club as president after the three other candidates for the post pulled out. Real could announce the Brazilian’s £60 million transfer this week, breaking the world record fee of £45.6 million that they paid for Zinédine Zidane eight years ago.
Abramovich has been courting Kaká for several seasons so such a rejection represents a considerable blow, but he will continue his attempts to refashion the squad. The Russian has become far more involved at Chelsea in the past three months, taking personal charge of the managerial hunt and making regular visits to the training ground.
Ancelotti has recommended that Chelsea try to bring Andrea Pirlo, the Italy midfield player, with him to Stamford Bridge, but it is unclear whether Milan would be willing to sell. Chelsea are already in discussions with CSKA Moscow over the purchase of Yuri Zhirkov, the versatile Russia player, while Sergio Agüero is top of their list of potential strikers.
Abramovich has told Chelsea’s executives that the majority of their business this summer must be self-funding, but is prepared to underwrite the signing of a so-called marquee player. Kaká would certainly have fallen into that category, but with the Brazilian seemingly heading to Madrid, John Terry has urged Chelsea to sign Franck Ribéry or David Villa. Ribéry, the Bayern Munich winger, is also likely to join Real, but Villa, the striker, is definitely available because Valencia are suffering from severe financial problems.
“I think we’ll see Chelsea back and competing for the top players,” Terry said. “I think there’ll be many players we’ll be in for in the summer, but when big players come up . . . we need to show people and let them know that, yes, Chelsea are back.”
Andriy Shevchenko will return to Chelsea with Ancelotti this summer because Milan have no interest in taking up the option to sign the striker permanently after a year on loan. The Ukrainian made little impact as a player in his first two years at Chelsea, but could have a crucial role to play as an interpreter while Ancelotti improves his command of English.
“I think a few of the backroom staff have worked with him before, and Sheva as well,” Terry said. “He speaks very highly of him. If he’s the man to come in, he’s got a great bunch of lads to work with. Knowing him and knowing us, it could be the start of something very good.”
Terry went to some lengths to deny allegations from Claude Makelele that he was involved in José Mourinho’s departure, claiming he had called Abramovich in an attempt to persuade him to change his mind.
“Mourinho called me yesterday and we spoke about it,” Terry said on Saturday. “It’s bizarre because he knows the real truth. I was one of three players phoning Roman at 1am or 2am the night I heard he’d been sacked, asking to keep him on. I was speaking to Peter Kenyon [the chief executive], to Roman, to Eugene [Tenenbaum, a club director] and hoping we could keep him.”
One of several theories as to why Vincent Van Gogh cut off his ear is that this was an insane attempt to draw attention to his unrecognised genius. If so, it did not work.
Like so many great artists down the years, Van Gogh did not become fully appreciated until after he died in poverty, in his case by committing suicide at the age of 37.
It is to be hoped that Frank Lampard does not resort to such measures.
Once again, the brilliance of this young master has gone unrewarded by those who presume to sit in judgment of his talent.
In a sublime moment of power, grace and inspiration, it was Lampard who won the 2009 FA Cup final for Chelsea.
Yet the Man of the Match honour went to his team’s left back.
This is not to say that Ashley Cole did not play well; he gave a display of the highest quality. But there was more than one dazzling brush stroke to Lampard’s virtuoso performance on Saturday.
While that decisive goal was a work of art - Lampard turning like Nureyev and regaining his balance before sweeping a majestic shot high into the net - the entire Wembley turf was his canvas.
He coloured it with surging runs, gallant tackles and, above all, exquisite passes, one of which opened the path to Chelsea’s first-half equaliser.
Artistry does not always come reinforced by box-to-box work rate, but Lampard combines those qualities to more profound effect than any other footballer in this country.
Then, in addition to dictating the play and dominating matches, he scores more goals from midfield than many a striker. Twenty or more in each of the past four seasons.
Last year, his 20th came against Manchester United in Europe’s Champions League final. This May, it has come in the FA Cup final against Everton.
As Chelsea’s departing caretaker manager Guus Hiddink marvelled: ‘He delivers the turning point in big games so often. This is the trademark of the world-class player. This was a typical goal from him, not easy, but perfect and beautiful.’
Yet, when his fellow footballers came to select the PFA team of the year, not only did they leave him out, they neglected even to nominate him as a candidate. Shame on them.
Lampard’s peers should know better than the fans, better even than the professional
critics who have a tendency to damn him with faint praise, if not overlook him completely.
Shame, too, on all who booed Lampard when his England managers failed so unaccountably to devise a system which could accommodate both himself and Steven Gerrard.
Lampard’s response has been to keep playing every match - rotation to him means getting around every corner of the pitch, not being rested from games in case he is tired - and keep scoring vital goals.
Good behaviour is rooted in a decent home and it is there that Lampard gets the appreciation he prizes most.
Just as he dedicated goals to his mother when she died, so he celebrated this FA Cup winner by imitating the jig round a corner flag performed by his father, Frank Snr, when he scored the clincher for West Ham in the 1980 semi-final replay.
Everton, the losers on both occasions, could be forgiven for wondering what they have
done to provoke the Lampards.
Yet manager David Moyes - who has worked wonders of his own on a restricted budget - praised Frank Jnr as ‘a great player who wins big matches - this one included, even though we talked a lot about trying to contain him’.
Lampard is the envy of other managers. Jose Mourinho makes no secret of wishing he could have taken with him from Chelsea to Inter Milan ‘the best player in the world’.
Sir Alex Ferguson calls him ‘exceptional’ and ‘outstanding’.
For Chelsea, as Carlo Ancelotti becomes their sixth manager in five years, the future would offer even less stability without Lampard in his 30-year-old prime.
Yet, while one of football’s multimillionaires is neither living in poverty nor liable to commit suicide, the world at large may not grasp what an artist they have been watching until after he has gone. Not even if he cuts off an ear.
Saha scored the fastest ever cup final goal when he drove home with just 25 seconds on the clock to put Everton ahead.
But Chelsea fought back and goals from Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard gave Guus Hiddink's men a deserved 2-1 win.
The victory saw Cole collect his fifth FA Cup winners' medal, and become the first man to win the cup five times since the 19th century.
The England full-back won the cup three times during his time at Arsenal, and has now added two victories as a Chelsea player.
Everton went ahead through Louis Saha's early strike, but goals from Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard took Guus Hiddink's Chelsea to victory.
"I look back with a lot of pleasure in getting the team to the final," Moyes said. "Chelsea were the better team on the day, I can't argue with that
"Lampard is a big player who scored big goals and that's what he's done today. I thought we had our best spell after he scored, but the better team won.
"The margin was narrow in the score, but there were bigger margins on the pitch.
"Last year was the semi-finals, now the final, so hopefully we'll win something next season. The team's been progressing year on year, whether we won or lost this was progress."
"Again today, the team has shown once more that they react always and that's why I like to work with this team," Hiddink said.
"Of course [I will miss them], we talked a lot about this. It was not just an inbetween job.
"I loved it so much, I enjoyed so much working with big stars, but these big stars they knew exactly what it's all about,. I think they showed in the Premier League, in the Champions League and now today that they have a lot character.
"This is one of the biggest [achievements in my career], the Champions League final was a long time ago.
"But winning the FA Cup in the Wembley of world football, that's something you cannot believe."
Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink celebrates with the FA Cup
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich (centre) applauds his team as they lift the FA Cup.
Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink lifts the FA Cup.
England manager Fabio Capello (left) shakes hands with Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink (right) as he collects the FA Cup Trophy.
Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck (left) celebrates with manager Guus Hiddink after winning the FA Cup.
Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink (right) and assistant Ray Wilkins (left) celebrate after the final whistle.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich (right) applauds his team as they lift the FA Cup.
Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink salutes the fans after the final whistle.
Chelsea celebrate with the trophy after winning the FA Cup.
Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink celebrates with Ashley Cole (left) at full time as Everton's Steven Pienaar (right) is left dejected.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich watches the action in the stands.
Chelsea's Frank Lampard (right centre) and John Terry (left centre) lift the FA Cup.
Chelsea's Frank Lampard (right) and John Terry (left) lift the FA Cup.
Chelsea's John Terry (left) and Ashley Cole (right) celebrate with the FA Cup.
Chelsea's Ashley Cole celebrates with the FA Cup.
Chelsea's Didier Drogba (centre), Ashley Cole (right) and Florent Malouda (left) celebrate with the FA Cup.
Chelsea's Michael Essien plays with a camera after the final whistle.
Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink (centre) celebrates with his players after winning the FA Cup.
Chelsea's Didier Drogba (left), John Terry (centre) and Frank Lampard celebrate with the FA Cup.
Chelsea's Didier Drogba (second left), John Terry (centre) and Frank Lampard (right) celebrate with manager Guus Hiddink after winning the FA Cup.
Chelsea's Michael Essien celebrates with the FA Cup
Chelsea's Franco Di Santo (left), John Obi Mikel (top), Alex (bottom) and John Terry (right) celebrate after the final whistle.
Chelsea's Alex (right), John Terry (top) and Michael Ballack (left) celebrate after the final whistle.
Chelsea's John Terry (left) and Frank Lampard (right) celebrate after the final whistle.
Chelsea's Frank Lampard (left centre) celebrates with teammate Didier Drogba after the final whistle.
Chelsea's Frank Lampard (left centre) celebrates with teammate Didier Drogba after the final whistle.
Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink celebrates after the final whistle.
Chelsea's Frank Lampard celebrates with the FA Cup.