• ‘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.

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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

• Defender claims he has a deal to leave Stamford Bridge
• ‘It would be a dream to play for Madrid,’ he says

Ricardo Carvalho has revealed he has an agreement with Chelsea which will mean he could leave Stamford Bridge this summer and he has made it clear he would like to join his former José Mourinho at Real Madrid.

Carvalho followed Mourinho to Chelsea in 2004, after winning the Champions League with him at Porto, and he was repeatedly linked with a move to Inter during Mourinho’s two years in charge at San Siro and is now desperate to be reunited with him in Spain.

“If there was a possibility to sign for Madrid, I would go there right now swimming or running,” Carvalho told the Spanish sports newspaper AS. “Chelsea have a commitment with me to let me go this summer, for reasons which those responsible at the club and I know.

“It would be a dream to be able to play for Madrid, which for me is the best club in the world, and to do so under the orders of the best coach in the history of football.

“With Mourinho I experienced two marvellous periods at Porto and Chelsea. To have the opportunity to win another Champions League with him at Real Madrid would be something tremendous.”

After helping Chelsea to three Premier League titles and three FA Cups, Carvalho believes his time at Stamford Bridge has come to an end. The 32-year-old has not played for the club since March after picking up an ankle injury – from which he recovered in time for the World Cup – but insists that despite his advancing years he is in the prime of his career.

“I find myself in the best moment of my career, because physically I am at the top and moreover I have a great experience,” he said. “I spent six spectacular years at Chelsea and I had the opportunity to experience a glorious period of this club, but I repeat that to sign for Madrid would be a dream.

“I’m very grateful to Roman Abramovich for signing me and making me part of the Chelsea project for six years. He was a very important person for English football and Chelsea, who became one of the best teams in the world.”

Reports suggest Chelsea would agree to release Carvalho for a cut-price €6m (£5m).

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