Kenyon expects only exits from the Bridge

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon has admitted there could be transfer activity within the club before the summer window closes tonight – but it is likely to be an exit rather than the arrival of another big name.

Speculation about a possible move for Barcelona’s Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho was yesterday quashed by Kenyon, speaking at the Champions League draw in Monaco where the Blues were pitted against Valencia, Schalke and Rosenborg in Group B.

A move for Porto winger Ricardo Quaresma was also mooted but Kenyon insists the club’s incoming signings are complete for the time being.

He did concede, though, that defender Glen Johnson could be on his way out of the club.

Johnson spent last season on loan at Portsmouth and has seen extra competition for the right-back spot in the shape of Juliano Belletti who has arrived from Barcelona.

Kenyon said: “Our (buying) plans are complete but there may be a couple of players leaving.

“That will become evident within the next 24 hours. Glen may be one of those who is looking to move on.”

The Blues meet Aston Villa on Sunday and their forward Shaun Maloney believes team-mate Ashley Young is already starting to prove a bargain at £8million.

Maloney has seen enough already to be convinced Young, whose fee could rise to £9.65million, will provide excellent value for money.

And he is optimistic Young has come to terms with the price tag on his head.

Maloney told PA Sport: “I think within the group of lads we knew what a good player Ashley was when he first came to Villa in January.

“I think he was under pressure but this season so far he has been one of our better players. He was outstanding in the last league game against Fulham and it looks like he has come to terms with things.”

Arsene Wenger is convinced teenager Theo Walcott has all the attributes to spearhead Arsenal’s attack but he will not ask the highly-rated youngster to fill that role against Portsmouth at Emirates Stadium on Sunday – or in the near future.

Gunners boss Wenger is likely to restore the front-line partnership of Dutchman Robin van Persie and Emmanuel Adebayor for the visit of Pompey despite Eduardo Da Silva’s first Arsenal goal in the 3-0 Champions League qualifier triumph over Sparta Prague on Wednesday and Walcott’s brilliant first-half display on the right wing in that match.

He said: “The quality Theo has can be decisive. He’s very direct and quick and he’s improving his link-play and is more aggressive now.

“Once he plays through the middle he can be very dangerous. He has the quality to make good runs behind the defenders. So in the future, certainly, he will be a central striker.

“He can make a difference because in England you have not many strikers with his qualities. He is so quick that defenders feel if they are even one yard behind him they will never catch him back.

“But it’s good for him to still learn the job on the flank and improve his short game nearer the touchline.”

Portsmouth midfielder Matt Taylor believes they are capable of bettering last season’s draw at Emirates.

Pompey held the Gunners to a 2-2 draw last term in what was one of their best away showings and sees “no reason” why they cannot do the same again.

He said: “We played extremely well at Chelsea last week and despite a narrow defeat there were plenty of pluses for us. It was our first loss this season but if we can reproduce that type of performance we could get something at Arsenal.”

Gelson Fernandes is aiming to build on a whirlwind two weeks for the club and country.

Fresh from being handed his first cap for Switzerland, he made his first start for Manchester City in midweek.

Both games ended in victories for the former Sion midfielder, who turns 21 on Sunday when Sven-Goran Eriksson’s side travel to Blackburn.

“The cup is a very important competition for this club,” he told Radio Manchester.

“We got a victory and that was important. Now we have to see who we will face in the next round.

“But it is not important which team we face. I just want to play then.”

Blackburn boss Mark Hughes welcomes City to Ewood Park buoyed by the performances of England candidate David Bentley.

“David has to play well for Blackburn and some people are already acknowledging he will be given a chance for England at some stage,” said Hughes.

“But whether it will be for the Euro qualifiers we will have to wait and see.”