Ronaldinho staves off Stamford Bridge

Ronaldinho was less than pleased when asked if he'd leave Barcelona for Chelsea.

LONDON - Barcelona star Ronaldinho has ruled out a move to Chelsea.


The Brazilian had been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge following Jose Mourinho's departure from the club by mutual consent a fortnight ago.


But the Barca forward, who has been injured for the last three games, has two-and-half years left on his current deal and insists he is not thinking about quitting the Nou Camp.


Ronaldinho told El Mundo: "Not Chelsea or Milan. I want to stay with Barcelona - that is my wish, that is the wish of Ronaldinho."


Ronaldinho's private life has been under public scrutiny in the last few weeks and that has led to accusations over his professionalism but he is determined to do his talking on the pitch.


He added: "It [the report] has bothered me because I have been here for five seasons now and I have always been in the same position and behaved in a similar manner.


"It bothered me, but that is normal - life isn't always wonderful. I am content because my life is centred on my work and I will give my answers on the field. It is there where I will respond."


Ronaldinho is back in the Barca squad ahead of Tuesday's Champions League clash at Stuttgart but Chelsea, who play Valencia on Wednesday, are still assessing the fitness of captain John Terry following his cheekbone fracture.


Terry underwent surgery on Sunday morning after Clint Dempsey's elbow left him with a broken cheekbone during Saturday's goalless home draw with Fulham.


Chelsea have not ruled him out of Wednesday's Group B game although he would have to wear a mask if selected.


Terry is understood to want to play but Chelsea insist they are still undecided whether to risk him.


A spokesman for the club said: "John Terry underwent an operation on Sunday morning on a depressed fracture to his right cheekbone.


"His availability for Valencia will be assessed following the surgery."


Dempsey will not face any punishment over his challenge on the Chelsea and England captain.


The Blues were hoping the Football Association could take retrospective action but referee Martin Atkinson considered the matter was dealt with at the time.


Under FIFA guidelines, retrospective action can only been taken if the incident was not seen by the referee or if there has been a huge error in judgment, as was the case following Manchester City defender Ben Thatcher's infamous challenge on Portsmouth's Pedro Mendes.


Chelsea did not agree with the FA last week over the decision to charge them for the conduct of their players and assistant coach Steve Clarke during the defeat at Manchester United and are set to defend the charges.


They also lost an appeal over Mikel John Obi's red card during that match and the midfielder still has one match of his domestic ban to serve.


Meanwhile, Chelsea are hopeful Michael Essien and Shaun Wright-Phillips will be fit to face Valencia after both missed the draw with Fulham with calf and hamstring injuries, respectively.