Wanted man Kaka keeping it Real

CHELSEA, it appears, haven’t got a prayer of signing former world player of the year Kaka after the Brazilian playmaker arrived in London yesterday and blamed speculation about a move to Stamford Bridge on a loose Tweet from his mother about plans to preach in England.

Kaka, whose faith has always been an important part of his life both on and off the field, had been widely tipped to move to the Premier League this summer following two frustrating years at Real Madrid hampered by injuries and by long spells on the bench.

The speculation intensified when the player’s mother, Simone Leite, announced the family will be moving to London in August and was further fuelled when England cricketer Kevin Pietersen tweeted that he had dinner two tables away from Kaka in a Kensington restaurant on Monday.

Unfortunately for Chelsea supporters, it turns out that social media is not the most accurate barometer for transfer speculation after Kaka arrived at an adidas press conference in London committing his future to Real.

“The truth is I want to stay at Real Madrid, and play for Real Madrid next season,” he said.

“My mother said she is coming to London in September to preach.

“She is coming to a congress here in London to speak about God. This is what my mother put on Twitter.

“But I want to stay at Real Madrid. This is the truth. I want to stay and play there next season.

“I have a challenge in Madrid and I have an agreement with Real Madrid.

“I don’t want to think now about playing in the Premier League or going back to Brazil or going back to Italy.

“I want to stay and play where I am; I want to come back in good shape and have a good season for Real next year.”

Kaka, who famously turned down Manchester City, admits his latest decision could mean he never fulfils a lifelong ambition to play in the Premier League; but his decision may well have been prompted by Chelsea’s impending decision to part with manager Carlo Ancelotti, who grew close to Kaka during their time together at AC Milan.

“I have a good relationship with Carlo Ancelotti, but not just him everybody I have played with at Madrid and Sao Paolo, and I am very proud of that,” said Kaka.

“But at this moment, the truth is I want to stay and play with Real Madrid. I want to be a winner there.

“I don’t know if I will ever play in England. I refused a move to Manchester City because I was in the middle of the season in Milan. Six months later, Real Madrid made an offer to Milan and we arrived at a good agreement and I went there — and I went because, if I was going to leave Milan I wanted to play for Real Madrid and nobody else.

“And now I want to stay.

“I have had a bad two years personally because of the injuries. But this year we won the Copa del Rey, reached the semi-final of the Champions League and were second in the league.

“But I want to do better.”

Kaka’s decision is likely to end a three-year chase by Chelsea for the Brazilian midfielder and it comes at a time when Roman Abramovich is finally beginning to realise that a skilful playmaker is the missing link in a side that has power, pace and determination but little finesse. Another Brazilian, Neymar, as well as Tottenham’s Luka Modric could be alternatives — but if Kaka’s announcement proves one thing, it’s that you won’t find the answer on Twitter.

* Kaka was speaking at the launch of the new adidas adiPower Predator boot.