Carlo Ancelotti has given another clear indication he wants Manchester City target John Terry to stay after identifying the Chelsea captain as one of the "very important" members of his squad.

The former AC Milan boss has taken charge of his first pre-season training sessions since moving to Stamford Bridge and has already labelled Terry, Frank Lampard and Joe Cole as lynchpins.

Terry is thought to be considering his future as reports suggest City are preparing to table a €40million offer for the England skipper.

But Ancelotti, who described Terry as a "symbol" of Chelsea during his maiden press conference as manager, is in no doubt of the significance of the centre-back, while also hailing Lampard and Cole.

And he's well aware that Terry is vital to Chelsea's core as summer arrivals Ross Turnbull, Daniel Sturridge and Yuri Zhirkov settle in.

When asked how Turnbull, Sturridge and Zhirkov were bedding in, the Blues chief told Chelsea's official website: "Yes, no problem. They work very well. They have a good relationship between the players, a very good team spirit.

"There are some players that are important for this team. Terry, Lampard, Cole, very important."

Chelsea embark on a US tour on Thursday with their first pre-season friendly against Seattle on Saturday.