Maldini turned down Chelsea role, Ancelotti reveals

Published on Tuesday 30 June 2009 13:44

CARLO Ancelotti has revealed Paolo Maldini turned down an offer to become part of his coaching staff at Chelsea.

Ancelotti joined the London club from AC Milan last month and had hoped Maldini would follow him to Stamford Bridge after hanging up his boots at the end of the season.

"I made that proposal to him," said Ancelotti in an interview with Radio Deejay.

"But he wanted to take time off and after so many years playing, it's understandable.

"But if I could have taken anyone to Chelsea, it would have been Maldini."

Chelsea have not made any summer signings so far despite being linked with moves for AC Milan striker Alexandre Pato and Inter Milan full-back Maicon.

"The transfer market is really complicated," said Ancelotti.

"Following Cristiano Ronaldo's transfer to Real Madrid, everything has gone mad."

Ronaldo moved to Madrid from Manchester United for a world-record 80million transfer fee, shortly after Kaka also joined the Spanish side from Milan.

Ancelotti, who signed a three-year contract with Chelsea, is spending the summer learning English but admits he is struggling.

"There is a bet going that (Chelsea striker Didier) Drogba will learn the Milanese dialect before I learn English and my money is on Drogba," joked Ancelotti.

Ancelotti, meanwhile, is expected to complete his first signing of the summer tomorrow with the capture of 18million-rated Yuri Zhirkov from CSKA Moscow.

The 25-year-old, a long-time target for the Blues, can play either on the left side of midfield or defence.

Chelsea are also reported to be close to completing a deal for young goalkeeper Ross Turnbull, out of contract at Middlesbrough, while the fee for Daniel Sturridge, the Manchester City forward, will be decided by a tribunal.