Shortly before losing Joe Cole to Liverpool. Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti - after his team had beaten Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park - intimated Reds' striker Fernando Torres will not be joining the Blues. The Chelsea boss also said star left back Ashley Cole, linked with a reunion with his former coach, Real Madrid's José Mourinho, will not be leaving.
Carlo Ancelotti Quells Talk Of Fernando Torres Arrival, Ashley Cole Departure
According to Ancelotti, Chelsea has no need for another striker, with the club’s current depth being sufficient:
"Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka come back in the next days, and we also have Daniel Sturridge – so I don't think we need other strikers. I'm happy because this team won the Premier League and FA Cup. I don't know what will happen until the end of the [transfer] market, but I'm happy to have this squad at the moment."
Ancelotti also clarified the club's position on Ashley Cole, rumored to be seeking a move abroad, saying that he "hated England."
But Ancelotti insists that the 29-year-old will not be linking up again with Jose Mourinho, the man who took him from Arsenal to Chelsea and who is now settling in at Real Madrid. “I don’t need to speak with him [Cole] and he doesn’t need to speak to me. He’s a Chelsea player and had a fantastic season last season,” the manager said. “He will be an important player for us next season, 100 per cent.”
Also of note from Sunday's match with Crystal Palace, a 1-0 victory for the Blues: the returns of Michael Essien and John Obi Mikel. Both midfielders missed the World Cup with knee injuries, yet each played a part in Sunday's friendly.
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