Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has put any thoughts of becoming Italy coach to bed – as he is enjoying his Stamford Bridge adventure so much.

Ancelotti – who helped the Blues to a domestic Double in his first season in charge – says he feels at home in the English game, although the top job back home would be sure to interest the former AC Milan manager later in his career.

For now, the Azzurri are rebuilding under Cesare Prandelli after a poor World Cup and Ancelotti hopes he is a successful long-term appointment.

He told RaiUno: “I want to spend a long time with Chelsea, and then we will see.”

Ancelotti added: “I like being in England. Italy is always close and I still feel 100 per cent Italian but I am living a wonderful adventure.

“I love English football, the environment and the atmosphere.”

Premier League champions Chelsea are close to completing a £25million deal for Brazil striker Neymar, according to reports.

Santos president Luis Alvaro Ribeiro has hit out at Chelsea’s conduct in their pursuit of his club’s star striker and has reportedly rejected the West London’s opening bid of £20million for the 18-year-old.

However, the youngster has set his sights on a move to Europe after being courted by the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and City, as well as Real Madrid, AC Milan, Juventus and Barcelona.

Chelsea seem confident that Neymar, who recently marked his Brazil debut with a goal in a 2-0 win over the USA will sign for the Stamford Bridge club and join compatriot Ramires, who signed from Benfica last week.

Neymar’s agent Wagner Ribeiro told The Daily Star: “It is useless for Santos to offer Neymar a pay rise.

“He wants to become the best player in the world.

“The chances of him doing that while playing in Brazil are zero.”

Ribero claims that Chelsea officials have already met the player and his father to discuss personal terms.

Meanwhile, the player recently denied that he has already agreed to join Carlo Ancelotti’s side before the end of the transfer window telling journalists in Brazil: “I want to stay at Santos and win more titles.”

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has ruled out making a big-money summer swoop for Chelsea full-back Ashley Cole.

The former Blues boss confirmed that he had been keen to bring the England international to Spain but was put off by the Stamford Bridge club’s reluctance to do business.

Mourinho brought Cole to West London in a controversial move from Arsenal in the summer of 2006 where he continued his progress into one of the best left-backs in the world.

The 29-year-old was reported to be considering a move away from England after the breakdown of his marriage to singer Cheryl Tweedy, but a move to Santiago Bernabeu now appears to be out of the question.

Mourinho told the Sunday Times: “Carlo Ancelotti was very, very clear and that’s the best way in football.

“He killed the story by saying, ‘No money can buy Ashley Cole, Ashley Cole needs to stay’.

“I think Ashley thought about leaving for personal and professional reasons. We thought about him because he’s a good player who I enjoyed working with.

“But when a coach says no, it’s no, and we have to accept that.”

Mourinho was also linked with Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard and Chelsea’s Frank Lampard after leaving Inter Milan for the Primera Liga giants.

And while the Portuguese confirmed he tried to land Lampard while he was at the helm of the Serie A side, he feels both players are now entering the latter stages of their career and would be too costly to land with little future sale value.

He added: “Steven is part of Liverpool history, he belongs to Liverpool Football Club. And he is so important for them that the price is not a price for a 30-year-old player.

“It was the same when I tried to take Frank Lampard to Inter. It’s not a problem for Inter to pay the millions Frank had in Chelsea or for Real to pay the millions Steven has in Liverpool.

“The problem is for the club to buy a player of 30 years who you cannot then sell.”

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.

Betting for the Premier League 2010/11 Leading Goalscorer:

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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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