Ancelotti: Terry not for sale
CARLO ANCELOTTI issued ambitious Manchester City with a chilling warning on his first day in charge at Chelsea yesterday, insisting: “John Terry is not for sale.”
Terry has been the subject of sustained interest from mega-rich City, who are preparing a third audacious swoop for the England captain this week in the region of £35m.
But the Italian, who also confirmed the £18m signing of CSKA Moscow winger Yuri Zhirkov yesterday, was quick to quash the speculation regarding his captain, insisting no amount of money would be able to prise Terry away from Stamford Bridge.
“He will be captain next season,” Ancelotti confirmed. “He said he wants to stay forever and we want to keep him forever. Now there is a question of Manchester City, but for Terry there is no price. Terry will be at Chelsea forever.
“He said he wants to stay, there is no problem for him for us, the story continues – Chelsea and Terry. I like to have a captain like Terry, he is very close to AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini for professionalism, for quality and he will be the best captain for Chelsea.
“I spoke with Terry a month ago when I came to the club and he said welcome. And after he went on holiday. I will speak with him because he is the captain and I want a good relationship with the captain.”
Ancelotti also confirmed the Blues had completed the signing of Russia international Zhirkov, who joins striker Daniel Sturridge and goalkeeper Ross Turnbull on the club’s pre-season tour of the United States.
“Zhirkov, Sturridge – these are Chelsea players,” Ancelotti added. “Zhirkov is naturally on the left. I think he can do all the work and can play in defence and in between.”
Ancelotti also insisted Portuguese duo Ricardo Carvalho and Deco remain part of the Stamford Bridge set-up despite sustained interest from Jose Mourinho at Inter Milan.
“Carvalho and Deco are Chelsea players,” Ancelotti said. “If in the future a player wants to go they have to speak with the club and we will take the right decision for the player and for us.”