Chelsea kick-off Ancelotti's reign by signing Man City striker Sturridge

03 June 2009 13:28
Chelsea have kicked off Carlo Ancelotti's reign in spectacular style by luring Daniel Sturridge from Manchester City and preparing a £45million bid for another wonderkid, AC Milan's Alexandre Pato.[LNB]They have moved to revitalise their ageing squad by signing the highly-rated 19-year-old striker, who was out of contract at Eastlands, and moving for Brazil forward Pato, also 19, who played for manager Ancelotti in Italy. [LNB]The Italian has also convinced owner Roman Abramovich to perform a U-turn over Didier Drogba and offer the striker a new three-year contract despite his outburst after Chelsea were knocked out of the Champions League by Barcelona. [LNB] Bridge bound: Daniel Sturridge will join Carlo Ancelotti at Chelsea[LNB]Ancelotti does not officially start until next month but he is urgentlyrestructuring the club's attack and may not yet have given up on Kaka,his favourite player from AC Milan, who is thought to prefer a move toSpain. Real Madrid thought they had struck a world record £54m deal for theBrazilian last night after agreeing a five-year contract worth£148,000-a-week net, but reports in Spain claimed Chelsea were tryingto hijack the deal. [LNB] Lip service: AC Milan's Pato celebrates his goal gainst Fiorentina[LNB]England Under 20 striker Sturridge has become the first signing of thenew regime on a free after City refused to meet his £55,000-aweek wagedemands. He made 16 Premier League appearances last season and scoredfour goals but Chelsea sporting director Frank Arnesen has been afterhim for three years. Pato has been seen as Kaka's replacement for club and country and his signing would be a real coup.[LNB] Roman keeps Drogba and hot-house secrets will extend his careerEnglish lessons will be a Dutch treat for new Chelsea boss AncelottiBallack can't wait to work with Ancelotti after signing new Chelsea dealBarry bonanza: City get their man for £130k-a-week and Tevez is nextCHELSEA FC

Source: Daily_Mail