Ancelotti vows to keep Terry

06 July 2009 13:10
New Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti began his first day at work for the London club by announcing the signing of Russia midfielder Yuri Zhirkov from CSKA Moscow on Monday. Ancelotti, Chelsea's fifth manager in two years, held a news conference at Stamford Bridge where he also said that captain John Terry, the subject of interest from Manchester City, was not for sale at any price. "I think that Zhirkov, (goalkeeper Ross) Turnbull, and (striker Daniel) Sturridge are all Chelsea players. I don't know very well Sturridge or Turnbull, but I know Zhirkov," Ancelotti, speaking in English, told Sky Sports News. The club confirmed on their website (www.chelseafc.com) that a fee had been agreed for the Russian but said the deal was still subject to a medical and agreement on personal terms. "Zhirkov is naturally on the left. I think he can do all the work and can play in defence and in between," Ancelotti said of the 25-year-old. Former AC Milan coach Ancelotti, who succeeds short-term boss Guus Hiddink, arrives at Chelsea just as the club are bidding to beat off an approach from Manchester City for Terry. After initially shocking reporters by joking that he did not know if the defender would be around for the new season, he soon assured them he would. "There is a question from Manchester City but for Terry there is no price," he said. "John Terry is the symbol of this team. "Terry will be captain of Chelsea for ever. He said he wants to stay, we want to keep him no problem. For him and for us the story continues. "He is very close to (Paolo) Maldini for professionalism and for quality and I think he will be the best captain for Chelsea." Ancelotti said he did not think his new club needed to make major personnel changes on the pitch "I don't think so. Chelsea is a great team now, five semis in six years in the Champions League... if you can improve this it will be better for me and for the club," he said. "I'm very happy to be here and start a new adventure and I'm excited to start."

Source: Eurosport