Chelsea get tough with wantaway players

Chelsea have issued a stern reminder to players with ambitions on leaving the club prior to the end of their contract by declaring the club will decide who will be transferred and when.

The statement comes in the wake of speculation that Brazilian defender Alex had demanded a move away from Stamford Bridge during this January's transfer window.

It is claimed Alex, who is behind first choice centre-backs John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho in the pecking order and has played just 12 games this season, told Chelsea of his desire to leave earlier this week.

Chelsea denied the speculation, but issued a statement nonetheless to affirm their stance.

“Chelsea would like to make clear that no transfer request has been received from any player,” said the statement.

“Chelsea will decide the future of any contracted player in the best interests of the club.”

AC Milan and Spanish side Sevilla have already expressed an interest in the 10 million pounds-rated defender, who wants to force his way into the reckoning for the 2010 World Cup.

Meanwhile, Chelsea's reported interest in Amr Zaki looks set to be tested to the full after Wigan denied they would offload the Egyptian in January.

Zaki has scored eight times since arriving at the JJB Stadium on a season-long loan deal from El Zamalek and the Blues are the latest club to monitor is availability.

But Wigan manager Steve Bruce is confident the highly-rated striker will remain his until the end of the campaign.

“It does become a bit repetitive and boring,” said Bruce. “It is Chelsea this week, Real Madrid last week, Liverpool the week before, Man City before that.

“I think the whole thing needs to be addressed really. He is ours for the rest of the season.

“All of this nonsense around him, I do believe gets to him a little bit. But I can't stop this constant speculation about Zaki.”

Chelsea welcome back former club favourite Gianfranco Zola on Sunday for the first time since the Italian was appointed West Ham boss.