Chelsea’s chief executive Ron Gourlay is adamant star striker Didier Drogba is not for sale and has also pledged more transfer funds to boss Carlo Ancelotti.

Both bits of news will come as a welcome relief to the Stamford Bridge faithful with only Yossi Benayoun added to the squad so far and Drogba’s agent sparking rumours of a move to Manchester City.

But Gourlay has made it clear that Drogba, back at the club’s training ground today after groin surgery, is not for sale.

He 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.”

The Ivory Coast striker, who was the Premier League’s leading goalscorer last season, can be backed at 6.50 to recapture his title.

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Gourlay also said that funds would be made available if Ancelotti wanted to strengthen his title-winning squad, following the acquisition of Yossi Benayoun from Liverpool for £5million.

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 defender Alex and goalkeeper Petr Cech through injury and chief executive, Ron Gourlay, has confirmed that funds will be made available to Ancelotti should the Chelsea boss require them.

“If Carlo wants to bring a player or two into the squad then we will look at that,” Gourlay told Sky Sports News.

“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.”

Meanwhile, Deco’s future also continues to be the subject of continued speculation with Fluminese rumoured to be ready to land the Portugal midfielder.

But 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.

Reigning champions Chelsea, 2.50 to regain their title, kick-start the season at home to newly promoted West Brom. The Blues can be backed at 1.14 to get the perfect start, with West Brom 15.00 to cause an upset and the draw 6.50.

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Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has said he is going to do all he can to hang on to left-back Ashley Cole.

Cole has been linked with a move to Real Madrid, now coached by former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, but Ancelotti believes that Cole wants to stay at Chelsea and does not want to leave Stamford Bridge.

Ancelotti is so confident of keeping Cole that he insists he does not need to talk to him when the defender returns to training next week.

The Italian said: “Ashley is a Chelsea player and nobody wants to sell him. We want to keep him in our squad. I am 100% sure he will be at Chelsea this season.

“I consider him to be the best player in his position in the world.

“I don’t need to talk to him. He is happy to stay at Chelsea. He never said he wanted to go. There is no chance he will go. No way.”

Chelsea will not want to lose Cole, especially now, because goalkeeper Petr Cech and centre-back Alex are both injured. Defender Ricardo Carvalho also says he has a clause in his contract which allows him to leave Stamford Bridge this summer.

Chelsea can be backed at 2.50 to win the Barclays Premier League 2010/11. Their first match of the new season is at home to West Brom, with Chelsea at 1.14, West Brom 15.00 and the draw 6.50.

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