JOHN TERRY is determined to lead Chelsea to glory next season - but admits it will be like starting all over again under Carlo Ancelotti. The Italian coach officially started his new role this week as permanent incumbent in the Stamford Bridge hot seat after Guus Hiddink's successful caretaker reign.
Ancelotti has made it clear he intends to freshen up the squad, with the arrival of €21 million-rated full-back Yuri Zhirkov from CSKA Moscow expected to be confirmed shortly, Milan midfielder Andrea Pirlo reportedly being tracked, while the fee for Daniel Sturridge, the Manchester City forward, will be decided by a tribunal.
Young goalkeeper Ross Turnbull, out of contract at Middlesbrough, was meanwhile confirmed as a free signing last night and has agreed a four-year deal.
Reserve keeper Hilario (33) has also signed a new two-year contract which will run until 2011.
Chelsea do not have long before they embark on a pre-season tour of the US, which will see matches against Ancelotti's former club AC Milan as well as a Inter, now managed by Jose Mourinho.
While Chelsea will want to hit the ground running, Terry accepts it will be something of a new chapter. "I want to make sure first and foremost that I am in the team," the England skipper said in an interview with TalkSport Magazine. "I want to be the captain of Chelsea next year, but the manager is yet to make those decisions." Terry added: "These are things that go through your mind as a player.
"It does not matter who you are - when a manager comes into the football club he can have different ideas. You have seen in the England team with Michael Owen, when people are out of favour they do not get a look in."
Liverpool have made two additions to their backroom staff with the arrival of Eduardo Parra Garcia and Ivan Ortega from Spanish club Celta Vigo. Garcia will work as a fitness coach, concentrating specifically on rehabilitation work, while Ortega joins the medical team as a sports therapist.
Wigan have signed midfielder Hendry Thomas from Honduran club Deportivo Olimpia on a three-year contract, subject to international clearance.
The 24-year-old was due to join the club last summer but his move was turned down as he did not meet the work permit criteria because he had not played enough games for his country.
However, that situation has now improved and a deal was agreed a couple of months ago between the clubs, with the player now passing a medical and agreeing terms.
Sol Campbell is ready to make a decision on his future but looks unlikely to agree a new deal with Portsmouth. The former England centre-half is out of contract at Fratton Park and is now eager to get a contract in place for next season.
The 34-year-old appeared sceptical about the likelihood of extending his stay with Pompey, who he joined in 2006, suggesting there was no deal yet on the table.
"I'm out of contract and will listen to different offers. I want to make the right choice," Campbell told Sky Sports News. "There are a few options out there. Portsmouth have to organise themselves and there's a lot happening there," added Campbell.
Wolves have announced Serbia midfielder Nenad Milijas has been granted a work permit. The Premier League newcomers signed the 26-year-old from Red Star Belgrade two weeks ago but he fell just short of the minimum number of international appearances required to secure a permit.
Wolves are also on the verge of signing Sunderland full-back Greg Halford for €2.34 million.
