Watch Chelsea vs. West Bromwich Albion Live Stream Soccer 14/8 Barclays Premier League
Carlo Ancelotti hopes that Ramires will play an important part in his plan for Chelsea to dominate the English game for years to come.Watch Chelsea vs. West Bromwich Albion Live Stream Soccer 14/8 Barclays Premier League
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The Blues could have their first big-money transfer in place by the time they begin their Barclays Premier League title defence against West Brom after Ancelotti revealed that a deal for the Brazil midfielder was close to completion.
Chelsea have been in negotiations with Portuguese side Benfica for more than two weeks over the transfer of the 23-year-old for a fee believed to be in the region of £17million.
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Club representatives finally secured a work permit for the Brazil man despite the fact that he has not played the requisite 75% of matches for his country.Watch Chelsea vs. West Bromwich Albion Live Stream Soccer 14/8 Barclays Premier League
Ramires underwent a medical at Chelsea earlier this week and Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti now hopes the midfielder will put the finishing touches to his move soon.
“Ramires is doing medical tests again and we hope that he will sign a contract,” said Ancelotti.
“I hope he will sign soon. He is a fantastic player. He will be the future of the Brazil national team and I hope he will be the future of Chelsea.”
Petr Cech and Alex have both overcome calf injuries in time to be fit for the game.
Full-back Jose Bosingwa is out with a knee injury while the Blues will give a late fitness test to Frank Lampard, who picked up an ankle knock while on England duty in midweek.
Didier Drogba (groin), will also be fit to take on the Baggies after he had to settle for a place on the substitutes’ bench in last week’s Community Shield.
Meanwhile, Roberto Di Matteo has admitted he could not have been handed a more daunting introduction to Barclays Premier League management as he prepares to face the champions at Stamford Bridge.
As if that was not bad enough for Di Matteo, Albion’s next three away games are at Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United.
Despite that tough start, Di Matteo, twice an FA Cup winner with Chelsea, is upbeat in his ambition for Albion to get rid of their reputation as a yo-yo club after being promoted or relegated six times in the last nine seasons.
Although only in his third year as a manager, Di Matteo feels that Albion have the ability to avoid relegation and eventually establish themselves in the Premier League.
Di Matteo said: “I want to stay positive and believe we can stay up and remain up in the future. That is my personal aim, the players’ aim and the club’s aim.
“I am very pleased with the group of players I have. They have been fantastic to me. Last season they gave me everything with effort and commitment.
“But I do believe that we need to add a bit more competition, quality and experience to our team because we cannot dip into the loan market.”
Midfielder Graham Dorrans is winning his fight to be fit.
Dorrans has been under treatment this week for a groin strain that forced him to withdraw from the Scotland squad for their friendly against Sweden.
But he has been able to return to training and Di Matteo is optimistic that he will be available.
Di Matteo, who is set to hand debuts to left-back Nicky Shorey and central defender Pablo Ibanez, has a decision to make over who will start in goal and who will lead the attack.
England international Scott Carson, who will again skipper team this season, faces a challenge from Welsh international Boaz Myhill following his arrival from Hull.
Carson is expected to get the nod to start with Ishmael Miller poised to lead the attack as a lone striker ahead of Roman Bednar.
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