Everton V Chelsea preview

Dec 21 2008

STUTTERING Chelsea have been handed a double boost as they prepare for the tricky trip to Everton tomorrow night.

Brazilian defender Alex has told Luiz Felipe Scolari he wants to remain at Stamford Bridge - and the coach has also been assured none of his squad will be sold in next month's transfer window.

Alex has denied he wants to leave despite two newspaper article in which he was quoted as saying he did.

But Scolari insisted: "When the player comes to my room and tells me he has not said anything and is happy here, I don't want to go, I believe him.

"He told me he is not thinking of leaving. The club have a contract with all of us and they respect it.

The players also respect it."

Chelsea's chief executive Peter Kenyon has reiterated that no-one will leave in January.

And Scolari added: "Peter has said many times now we will not sell players and we won't buy. He is my boss and if he says this is the philosophy it is okay, it is finished."

Alex will be part of the squad that travels to Merseyside but Scolari will still be without central defender Ricardo Carvalho - out with a knee injury since October - for another 10 days.

Everton will be trying to wreck Chelsea's 100 per cent away record this season and stop-gap striker Tim Cahill could fill that role again.

The Aussie midfielder was drafted in as an emergency frontman for last Saturday's clash at Manchester City and scored a last-minute winner.

Everton assistant manager Steve Round said: "He was outstanding but he has scored goals all through his career so it wasn't a surprise."