• ‘Didier will be a Chelsea player next year,’ says chief executive
• Chelsea to make transfer funds available for Carlo Ancelotti

Chelsea have confirmed that their striker Didier Drogba is not for sale and also that the manager Carlo Ancelotti will be handed more transfer funds if the Italian asks for them.

Drogba, who was back at the club’s training ground today after groin surgery, had been linked with a move to Manchester City by the player’s agent. However, the chief executive Ron Gourlay said: “Didier will be a Chelsea player next year. Didier is under contract. The thing about this time of year is we always get [this]. For our players to be in the news – it’s normal. But Didier Drogba will be a Chelsea player next year.”

Ancelotti, meanwhile, has thus far made just one major summer signing – the acquisition of Yossi Benayoun from Liverpool for £5m. The Israel captain’s pre-season progress has been hampered by a slight groin problem but he is expected to be included on the club’s forthcoming tour of Germany.

The club have also lost the defender Alex and the goalkeeper Petr Cech through injury. Gourlay has confirmed that funds will be made available to Ancelotti should he require them. “If Carlo wants to bring a player or two in to the squad then we will look at that,” he said.

“It has to be the right player to fit into the squad and obviously at the right price. If these things all come together then fine, we’ll strengthen the squad. But only if Carlo feels it’s necessary.”

Deco’s future also continues to be the subject of continued speculation with Fluminese rumoured to be ready to land the Portugal midfielder. Although the player was today undergoing double training sessions at Cobham, it is understood he wants to return to his native Brazil to be with his ill son.

ChelseaCarlo AncelottiTransfer windowguardian.co.uk

• Benfica midfielder will cost the champions £16.8m
• Portuguese club entitled to performance-related bonuses

Chelsea hope to secure the capture of Benfica’s Brazil midfielder Ramires this week, when he returns to Lisbon from his post-World Cup break. Ramires will discuss the proposed transfer with Benfica’s directors and he is expected to move to west London for ¤20m (£16.8m). The Portuguese club would also be entitled to performance-related bonuses.

The deal has not yet been concluded and Benfica would like to discuss Chelsea including players in part-exchange. But, having added only the midfielder Yossi Benayoun so far this summer, the Chelsea manager, Carlo Ancelotti, is close to broadening his options.

Ancelotti has seen the midfielders Joe Cole and Michael Ballack leave the club as free agents and another midfielder, Deco, is expected to return to his native Brazil, so that he might spend more time with his seriously ill young son. Chelsea have also released the defender Juliano Belletti.

Ramires, 23, is a competitive and durable midfielder – he is rarely injured – and he would appear well suited to the Premier League. If Benfica were to sell him, it would suit them to close the deal quickly, so that they could sign a replacement. The businessman Kia Joorabchian has a 50% stake in the player.

ChelseaTransfer windowDavid Hytnerguardian.co.uk

Petr Cech, Henrique Hilário and Ross Turnbull are united in seeking more reward for goalkeepers and in their focus on building on a Double-winning season

Petr Cech is on his high horse and he is urging it into a gallop. “It is the most stupid rule I have seen in my life,” the Chelsea goalkeeper says. “If somebody has a brain, they have to change it, it’s as simple as that. For me, it is ridiculous.”

The subject under discussion is the Premier League regulations on who can receive a title winner’s medal. The League stipulate that the prize will be awarded only if a player has made 10 appearances over the course of the season. It is, invariably, the champions’ back-up goalkeepers who feel short‑changed.

“Have a look at every club in the world,” Cech continues, “and try to find a second-choice goalkeeper playing more than 10 league games. You’re not going to find it. If you are the young sub, you can come on 10 times for 30 seconds and you get the medal but the goalkeeper plays one game and saves the game, wins the three points and he doesn’t get the medal. I think this is not