Carlo Ancelotti wants competition for the right-back slot with the only recognized quality player for the position being Jose Bosingwa. Carlo Ancelotti is in the market for a new right-back this summer, which is casting question marks over the futures of Portuguese Paulo Ferreira.

It is believed the Blues manager has set his sights on van der Wiel, who may be sacrificed by Ajax this summer as they look to raise funds to strengthen their squad elsewhere.

The 22-year-old has been linked with Manchester City this summer and almost moved to Bayern Munich last week, before the move collapsed at the eleventh hour.

It is being suggested in the News of the World that the Premier League champions are now set to move for the Holland international, who is rated at around £11million.

Jose Bosingwa will not be fit for the first pre-season game for Chelsea. Jose Bosingwa is however expected to feature in the forthcoming matches. Michael Essien will make a playing return for Chelsea today against Crystal Palace.

The midfielder has not appeared in Chelsea colours since December due to knee problems.

Portugal are lining up for the World Cup group stages against Brazil and the Ivory Coast, but might struggle at the back.

The glaring holes the Portuguese must plug are at the back. Portugal will miss Chelsea's Jose Bosingwa, out with a knee injury, but have Ricardo Carvalho and Paulo Ferreira. Are they still good enough?

They need to be. Portugal is hurt by quick-strike goals, high balls and set pieces.

When you are in a Group of Death with Brazil and the Ivory Coast, defence is not a position you want to find yourself worrying about.

Portugal is lucky to be in the tournament. If it is lucky enough to get out of this group it will be prepared for whatever else the tournament holds.

Portugal is confident, at the 2010 World Cup the South Europeans are once again amongst the tournament favorites, albeit still without a title. Coach Carlos Queiroz team will bring some of the best footballers in the world to South Africa and they will no doubt have a big impact on the World Cup betting markets and provide much tension in an already very competitive Group G.

With Jose Bosingwa, Ricardo Carvalho and Paulo Ferreira almost the entire defense of Chelsea FC is playing for Portugal, and might beworth backing with a sports bet online.

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has admitted his side will need to be at their very best if they are to beat Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan in the Champions League.

Ancelotti recently won on the scratch cards but admits it will take more than luck alone to win against Mourinho's new side.

"I will respect Inter Milan like I always have in the past," Ancelotti said. "We respect them, but to beat them we need to play at 100%. But if they want to beat us they will also have to play at 100%," he added.

Yury Zhirkov, Ashley Cole, Jose Bosingwa, Michael Essien and Deco, however, all remain on the sidelines.