England next port of call

"This is the best way to finish my career with Porto. In two and a half years we have won everything-The club were sleeping a little-bit (two and a half years ago) and it has woken up very, very well. I am proud in what we did but the time to leave has arrived.

"I have to speak with the club (Porto) because I have a contract with them and I desire to leave. I decided I would like to go when I felt in Portugal there was nothing more to win, the challenge was not big enough for me."

Kenyon refused to confirm that Claudio Ranieri was about to be sacked but revealed that the beleaguered Italian's future would finally be resolved next week.

He said: "There's been a lot of speculation and it's important that the matter is resolved - it will be next week. This is not a holiday period for us and we have to start planning for next season.

"We had a chat with Claudio about players the other day and the manager has to be involved in that process. That will happen next week."

Meanwhile, John Terry has insisted Roberto Carlos would face a tough battle for a place in the Chelsea line-up from Wayne Bridge if he arrives at Stamford Bridge this summer.

Terry believes that, behind another England international, Frank Lampard, Bridge has been Chelsea's most consistent player this season.

However, Chelsea are being linked with an unlikely £20million move to sign the Brazilian international left-back from Real Madrid, where he has so far failed to agree new contract terms.

Standard Sport understands there is interest from Chelsea in the Brazilian star but they will not consider paying anything close to that fee for a 31-year-old.

Terry said: "I'm sure there are going to be another two or three signings this summer. I've heard rumours about Roberto Carlos and a couple of others. But it doesn't make you nervous, it makes you excited really. It's going to make our chances even better next year.

"All Bridgey can do if we do sign Carlos is to continue what he's been doing. And I'm sure if we do sign him, he's going to have a tough job to get Bridgey out of the side. That's the way Wayne has to approach it because he has been brilliant.

"Behind Lamps, he has probably been the second best player at Chelsea this season. He's pushing Ashley Cole all the way at left-back for the Euro 2004 finals. It's not just his game, he never misses training and he's such a fit guy."

While Lampard was an ever-present in Chelsea's Premiership line-up this season, Terry and Bridge both appeared in 33 of the 38 games.

Many observers are nevertheless still expecting a huge turnover of players at Stamford Bridge this summer, especially with Ranieri set to be replaced. Terry added: "Obviously Roman Abramovich wants the best players. But last year we brought in some good players and, out of everyone, Lamps was by far the best player and he was already there."

"I was pleased with the way the new lads came in and adapted straight away. Normally with foreign lads it takes two or three months to settle in. I was pretty glad they did it so quickly."

Terry, Bridge and Lampard, as well as Joe Cole, may still be monitoring events at Stamford Bridge from England's training base in Sardinia, but their main focus is now on the Euro 2004 finals.