Desailly has no plans to quit

CHELSEA’S French international captain Marcel Desailly has laughed off suggestions he is set to hang up his boots.

The defender is still a key man for the Barclaycard Premiership side and played a pivotal role as France won the Confederations Cup on Sunday following an emotional win against Cameroon.

Although the former AC Milan star is now 34 he is eager to prolong his playing career and has no immediate plans to retire.

Desailly said: "Stop football? That makes me laugh, absolutely no way. When I decided to carry on with the French team after the 2002 World Cup, this was to go as far as possible with my career."

Meanwhile, Chelsea last night insisted they were still in talks with Gianfranco Zola over a deal to keep the veteran striker at Stamford Bridge despite reports he is poised to sign for Cagliari.