• 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).

ChelseaReal MadridPremier LeagueLa LigaTransfer windowEuropean footballguardian.co.uk

• Drogba had ‘minimal invasive surgery’, according to club
• Striker set to miss Community Shield and league opener

Didier Drogba is set to miss next month’s Community Shield and Chelsea’s Premier League opener after undergoing groin surgery which will rule him out for three weeks.

The Ivory Coast international, who was troubled by the groin problem during Chelsea’s double-winning campaign last season, successfully had “minimal invasive surgery” yesterday, the club said on their website.

“The decision to perform the procedure after his return from the World Cup was made to optimise his rehabilitation,” read the statement. “He is expected to return to full training in approximately three weeks.”

The 32-year-old is therefore expected to miss the 8 August Wembley meeting with Manchester United and probably also the beginning of their title defence at home to West Bromwich Albion on 14 August.

The centre-back Alex and the goalkeeper Petr Cech are also expected to miss the beginning of the season with injuries.

Chelseaguardian.co.uk

• Thigh problem rules out Brazilian for a month
• Chelsea ban vuvuzelas after consulting fans

Chelsea, who are already without the goalkeeper Petr Cech, will also have the central defender Alex sidelined for the start of the season.

The Brazilian injured his thigh in training and will be out for a month, the Premier League champions said on their website.

Cech is expected to be out for a similar length of time after tearing a calf muscle in his right leg. The pair seem certain to miss the opening game of the season on 14 August at home to promoted West Bromwich Albion, who are managed by the former Chelsea midfielder Roberto Di Matteo, on 14 August.

Chelsea are to ban vuvuzelas from Stamford Bridge this season. “The decision has been made to ensure the continued enjoyment and safety of fans following consultation with the club’s stakeholders, including fans’ representatives who showed strong support for a ban,” said a club statement.

Chelseaguardian.co.uk