Ancelotti: Terry going nowhere

New Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti is adamant the club want to keep captain John Terry at Stamford Bridge “forever”.

The Italian used his first formal press conference since succeeding interim coach Guus Hiddink as a platform to make it clear he saw Terry as part of the Blues’ long-term future despite interest in the England defender from Manchester City.

“John Terry is a symbol of this team,” said the former AC Milan coach.

“He will be captain next season. He said he wants to stay forever and we want to keep him forever.

“Now there is a question of Manchester City, but for Terry (there is) no price. Terry will be at Chelsea forever.

“He said he wants to stay, there is no problem for him for us, the story continues – Chelsea and Terry.

“I like to have a captain like Terry, he is very close to (former AC Milan defender Paolo) Maldini for professionalism, for quality and he will be the best captain for Chelsea.”

Ancelotti also confirmed the club had completed the signings of Russia international Yuri Zhirkov from CSKA Moscow and Daniel Sturridge from Manchester City.

He said: “Zhirkov, Sturridge – these are Chelsea players.”

As for what Ancelotti anticipated Zhirkov’s role in the team would be, the Italian added: “Zhirkov is naturally on the left.

“I think he can do all the work and can play in defence and in between.”

However, the former AC Milan boss refused to confirm Deco and Ricardo Carvalho would be leaving west London despite the pair being heavily linked with Inter Milan.

He said: “Carvalho and Deco are Chelsea players.

“If in the future a player wants to go they have to speak with the club and we will take the right decision for the player and for us.”

Zhirkov is understood to have signed a three-year contract with the option for a further year.

Chelsea are believed to have paid around £18m for the 25-year-old left-back, who likes to get forward.

Zhirkov has played 28 times for Russia and came to prominence during Euro 2008 when the national side reached the semi-finals under former Chelsea boss Hiddink.

Ancelotti was also asked about the future of Ukrainian striker Andriy Shevchenko. The player is set to return to the club for pre-season training on July 9.

He spent last season on loan to AC Milan but only started two matches under Ancelotti and now looks certain to serve the final year of his contract out at Stamford Bridge.

“Shevchenko is a Chelsea player and I want to speak with him,” said Ancelotti.

“Shevchenko will come in London on July 9 and will work with us in pre-season and at this moment we will speak with him to find the right solution for us.”