Chelsea stars 'will be pricey'

Ray Wilkins has warned Europe’s elite they will have to pay big money to land any of their stars in the January transfer window.

Chelsea’s assistant coach underlined his club’s stance following speculation that defender Alex had slapped in a transfer request – while confirmation came this morning from PSV Eindhoven that their attempt to sign the Brazilian on loan has been rebuffed.

Wilkins wasted no time in making it clear that unless other clubs are prepared to pay massive fees, Chelsea’s players will be going nowhere next month.

Wilkins said: “Nobody at the club has received a formal transfer request from Alex.

“But if anybody was to come in for any of our players in January, knowing the quality of player we have, it is going to cost them a lot of money.

“So if anybody is out there looking at some of our players for the January sale, then they are going to have to pay lots and lots of money.

“You want players at the club who are totally committed, but (manager Luiz) Felipe (Scolari) has not sat on the fence at all. He has actually stated that if players don’t want to be at Chelsea then they will leave – but it will only be for a lot of money.

“I expect Alex to be here at the start of February. The way he has trained as well has not given me the impression he wants ’off’ in January.

“He has been a major part of the side in the last couple of games and he has done very well for us.”

Chelsea are preparing to welcome back two of their former heroes on Sunday, in the shape of West Ham coach Gianfranco Zola and his assistant Steve Clarke.

Zola scored 80 goals in 312 games over seven seasons with the Blues between 1996 and 2003. He helped them win the UEFA Cup-Winners’ Cup, Super Cup, two FA Cups, a League Cup and a Charity Shield – before leaving just after Roman Abramovich took control of the club five years ago.

Clarke joined Zola when the Italian was handed the job at Upton Park earlier this season. His defection ended a long association with Chelsea as both a player and assistant coach to the successful Jose Mourinho.

Abramovich tried everything to keep Zola at the club, but the Sardinian had already decided to honour a promise to return to his home island and play for Cagliari.

Wilkins expects the pair to be given a fantastic reception this weekend.

Wilkins said: “Gianfranco has legendary status as a player, and Steve was a coach and player her for more than 20 years”.

“I sincerely hope they get the applause they merit when they step out into that dug-out.

“It will be lovely to see them both. They have been wonderful servants to the club, and it will be nice to have them back.

“Franco is one of the greatest players to have played for our club. It would be great to see him succeed at West Ham. He is held in great esteem by our supporters, as is Clarkey, so it will only be fitting they get a rapturous round of applause when they come out on Sunday.

“Gianfranco was the ultimate professional. He had five per cent body fat – and when he took his shirt off he was like a racehorse. He was first on the training pitch and the last off it.”

Zola has found the transition into management a little more daunting than he first expected and has already had to sacrifice exciting football for a more defensive approach – especially away from home.

But Wilkins believes West Ham will give him the time he needs to succeed.

“I believe most sincerely that he is trying to get them to play some very attractive football, but perhaps the results have not gone as well as they would have liked,” said Wilkins.

“He is keeping up the West Ham tradition of getting them to play football. That will always be the way Gianfranco would approach it. He likes to see the ball played on green rather than blue.

“It was a natural progression for him. He loves the game, and that is important. I hope they give him time and I think they will.

“We are looking forward to the game and will try to kickstart our home form. Teams are coming and making it slightly more difficult for us, but it is up to us to conquer that. The players are looking forward to the challenge.”