Soccer: Desailly 95% certain to stay with Chelsea

Marcel Desailly insists he is 95% certain of staying at Chelsea next season even though he describes the demands of the Premiership as "terrible" and the Blues’ training ground as "disgusting".

Desailly, 32, has recently admitted his frustration at Chelsea not having made a genuine title challenge this year, especially as he feels he may have only two seasons left at the height of his abilities.

However, although he accepts that the Blues will not be playing in the Champions League next season, he insists it will not affect his future at the club, where he has a contract until 2004.

"It is a pity because it is so beautiful in the Champions League, it is a pleasure to play against such competition," he said.

"But the fact we’re not playing in it next season doesn’t call my future into question. My future is sealed, it is at Chelsea.

"Therefore I can tell you that there is a 95% chance that I will play for Chelsea next season."

Desailly’s commitment comes despite him echoing the sentiments of team-mate Frank Leboeuf in highlighting the rigours of the English game following last weekend’s home defeat by Charlton.

"Chelsea did not play a good match. We were physically tired because we had played the previous Tuesday and the requirements of Premier League are terrible," he added.

"For me, the English championship is far more testing that other European championships, and I am rather well placed to speak about it because I played in both France and Italy.

"There are a succession of small details which all add up, such as the refereeing, which is a little different from what is practised elsewhere in Europe, and the mentality, this famous fighting spirit of the British."

Desailly also refers to "phases of play which would be completely incomprehensible in Italy", such as high balls played forward for tall centre-forwards to flick on.

"They have a very particular jumping technique. They get their balance by using their elbows on you and if you try to beat them, you don’t know whether or when to jump and it’s easy to get hung up about it," he added.

"I succeeded in adapting to the physical and tactical requirements of the Premier League, but I can tell you that sometimes, when it comes to jumping, I suffer."

Desailly’s other main complaint is a familiar one at Chelsea their training ground, a windswept stretch of land next to the M4 and Heathrow Airport.

The Blues currently have plans to build a new training ground with more hi-tech facilities but this will take time to complete.

"I went through one very difficult period during last winter because the training centre of Chelsea is nasty," said the centre-back.

"Fortunately I always had the passion for football, because I can tell you that certain mornings, I did not really want to go to training and be on those disgusting grounds.

"I believe that the club is making efforts in this direction, it plans to buy a centre whereas at the moment, it rents. I hope that will change."

Speaking ahead of France’s friendly against Portugal tonight, Desailly also defended his right to earn a large salary at a club who are at least near the top of the players’ wage table.

"In boxing, you never imagine yourself in a ring with Mike Tyson. In Formula One, you don’t see yourself at 300 kmph in Michael Schumacher’s Ferrari. The NBA is inaccessible. They’re all two metres tall," he insisted.

"An actor who goes on TV to promote his film doesn’t get asked if he’s earned £1.5m to £2m for the film. I’m shocked that people constantly refer to how much I earn.

"People forget that football is a profession, that there’s a lot of work behind it all and that the salaries respond to market laws."

While Desailly was effectively committing himself to the club, there was a further boost in the wake of doubts over the futures of Gustavo Poyet and Gianfranco Zola.

Midfielder Slavisa Jokanovic revealed this week’s World Cup qualifier against Russia will be his last international for Yugoslavia, so he can devote his energies fully to Chelsea.

Jokanovic, 33, who has so far won 57 caps,said: "I have been in the national team for 10 years and two more if you include the Under-21s.

"So I think that it is time I gave my place over to a more youthful player."

Jokanovic, who has started nine matches for the Blues since his £1.7m move from Deportivo La Coruna in October, added: "I want to offer to Chelsea the most I can.

"Although this year we are unlikely to qualify for the Champions League, it is our aim to be serious contenders for the title and end Manchester United’s long years of domination.

"Everybody in the team is already preparing for that and we are determined to give it our best shot.

"So after the match with Russia, I will only think of Chelsea and hopefully contribute to fulfilling their wishes."