Chelsea have sent a blunt message to the club’s players after rejecting speculation that Brazilian defender Alex has slapped in a transfer request.
The Blues defender claimed he had told Chelsea earlier this week that he wanted to leave Stamford Bridge in the January transfer window, saying in The Sun: “I told Chelsea a few days ago that I wanted to leave.”
“There are many options. But I have to think them through and see if Chelsea will let me leave in January.”
However, Chelsea have made it clear that none of their players will be allowed to move on until they decide it is right for the club.
A statement from the club read: ”Chelsea would like to make clear that no transfer request has been received from any player. Chelsea will decide the future of any contracted player in the best interests of the club.”
AC Milan and Seville have already expressed an interest in the £10million-rated defender, who is believed to be frustrated by his lack of first-team involvement
Alex fears he will fail to make his country’s 2010 World Cup team because he is not playing regularly.
Brazil boss Dunga currently prefers Lucio and Juan as his central defenders and has already told Alex he needs to play more games to be considered.
With John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho firmly in place as first choice chances have been limited. Carvalho’s injury problems seemed to clear the way for the Brazilian to stake his claim but Serbian defender Branislav Ivanovic has also been used alongside the England skipper.
The former Santos player has started 10 games this season with five of those coming in the Premier League.
[Credit: Soccernet]
