• ‘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

• Ajax beat Chelsea 3-1 in Amsterdam
• Ross Turnbull’s mistake gifts Ajax victory

A calamitous error by Ross Turnbull helped Martin Jol’s Ajax to a comfortable win over a young Chelsea side in their pre-season friendly fixture in Amsterdam.

Jol, who is to remain in Holland after his club refused to release him to take over as Fulham manager, would have been delighted by the positive start his side made against the Premier League champions and they were rewarded with an early goal.

The former Feyenoord youngster Jeffrey Bruma attempted to clear a cross in the box but his header struck Turnbull on the arm and flew into the net.

Daniel Sturridge then scored an excellent equaliser for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, who were again without their World Cup contingent. A loose ball broke to the England Under-21 international around 25

• Blow for Chelsea as Cech tears calf muscle in training
• Goalkeeper missed a month of last season with similar injury

Chelsea’s goalkeeper Petr Cech will be out of action for a month after tearing a calf muscle in his right leg.

Cech, 28, suffered the injury in training on Tuesday, and medical tests confirmed he will miss the start of the new season as a result.

Cech missed a month of last season with a similar injury sustained at Internazionale in the Champions League.

A spokesman for Chelsea confirmed: “Petr will be out for around a month after scans showed a tear in his right calf. He is expected to miss the rest of the pre-season campaign.”

Chelseaguardian.co.uk