Alex: It's time to leave Blues

The Brazilian claimed earlier this month he was hoping to find a new club after failing to hold down a regular place in the Blues side.

Chelsea rejected claims that Alex had handed in a transfer request, but the player is adamant he needs to move on in search of regular first-team action.

Panathinaikos and Alex's former club PSV Eindhoven are both believed to be interested in signing the tough-tackling centre-half.

Alex claims he tried to leave the west London club in the summer and he is confident his wish will be granted in January.

"I know it's not the best time to go in January, in the middle of the season. But I have to think about other things, I have to think about my own interests," Alex told The Sun.

"I tried to leave before this season started but when (Luiz Felipe) Scolari arrived they did not want to let me go. I had already spoken to the club before he came. Now that the transfer window will open again in January I will try again. I think this time it will happen."

The 26-year-old admitted the form and partnership of John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho made it difficult for him to establish himself in the Chelsea starting XI.

"It's a difficult situation for me. I have nothing against the manager but he has two great defenders in Terry and Carvalho. I have nothing against the guys who are playing - they are always very good," added Alex.

"Chelsea have one of the best defences in the world. Terry and Carvalho are doing very well. They don't make many mistakes and have been playing together for four years."

Alex insists he has no problems with Blues boss Scolari and that he is only seeking to leave so that he can play on a regular basis.

"It wasn't a question of whether the new manager was Brazilian, it was always going to be difficult for me," he added.

"There are big clubs where I could be playing while here it's more difficult for me. There are so many big clubs who need centre-backs. There were so many offers in the summer but they did not let me go.

"The only problem is I want to play, that's the only problem I have."

Good on him, if a player isnt being played as much as he deserves, he should go to a club where he will get 1st team opportunities

yhh and chelsea have so many good players it is hard to break into the team!

Thats true, you cannot have all star players on your team because not all of them can play, you just need a few stars

ALEX SET TO STAY
Brazilian defender Alex has told Chelsea coach Luiz Felipe Scolari he wants to remain at Stamford Bridge.

In a private meeting with Scolari, the Chelsea defender denied he wanted to leave the club and was happy to remain a key part of the squad.

Speculation over Alex's future surfaced in the light of two newspaper articles in which the player was quoted as saying he wanted to quit.

But Scolari insisted he had no reason to doubt Alex's explanation and commitment when the pair held talks over the issue.

"When the player comes to my room and tells me he has not said anything and I am happy here, I don't want to go, I believe him," said Scolari.

"He told me is not thinking of leaving. The club have a contract with all of us and they respect the contract. The players respect the contract with the club."

However, none of Chelsea's squad will be sold in the forthcoming January window according to chief executive Peter Kenyon.

Scolari has now accepted Kenyon's philosophy and does not foresee any change.

"Peter Kenyon has said many times now that we will not sell players and we won't buy players," said Scolari. "Peter is my boss and if he says that this is the philosophy, it is okay, it is finished."

Alex will be part of the squad that travels to Merseyside on Sunday in preparation for Monday night's clash with Everton at Goodison Park.

But Scolari will still be without central defender Ricardo Carvalho for a further 10 days.

The Portugal international has been sidelined with a knee injury he sustained against Hull at the end of October.

Scolari was hoping to have him back for the festive period but now accepts that he will have to wait a little longer.

"Ricardo is not in good condition at the moment," said Scolari. "He needs another 10 days maximum."

Chelsea have a 100% away record so far this season and should continue that record-breaking run against an Everton side that has also struggled at home this season.

But the big dilemma facing Scolari is how to accommodate strikers Didier Drogba and top scorer Nicolas Anelka in the same system.

The Brazilian coach hinted that training ground work had evolved to an extent that a change to his 4-3-3 system could be on the cards.

However, Scolari may choose to remain loyal to Anelka and select him as the main striker against Everton while unleashing his new system against West Brom on Boxing Day.

"We need to adapt the system to suit the characteristics of the players," said Scolari.

"The spirit of the players for the system is better than before. If I don't have confidence in the system and need to get a result, it is impossible.

"This week we trained many times for the future and had more time to look at one more system.

"The last few days have been very good for us and maybe in the next game at Stamford Bridge, we'll see what's happened."

Well, Alex must have changed his mind, well, I hope he doesnt regret what he is saying, good luck to him