Coentrao was in good form for Portugal at the World Cup

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has denied that he is preparing to sign Benfica left-back Fabio Coentrao as a replacement for Ashley Cole.

"It is not true, totally rubbish," said Ancelotti, who has recently stated he is not going to sell Cole.

England defender Cole has been linked with Real Madrid, who are now managed by former Blues boss Jose Mourinho.

But Ancelotti did hint that Brazil international Ramires is close to completing an £18 move from Benfica.

"Ramires is, until now, a Benfica player," added Ancelotti.

"When he is here, I can speak about him, not now.

"I don't want to speak about Ramires. When Ramires will sign a contract for Chelsea, he will sign. This is the same for other players. I read a lot of names in the newspapers."

For us, after a fantastic season, it was very difficult to change this squad Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti

Ramires has 16 caps for Brazil and played at the World Cup in South Africa, ostensibly operating as a holding midfielder.

He is understood to be on the verge of moving to Stamford Bridge subject to passing a medical.

Meanwhile, it had been suggested that Cole would welcome a transfer to Spain to escape intense media coverage of his private life.

But Ancelotti recently stated: "Everyone can forget the idea he will leave the club. There is no price that will make us sell."

Michael Ballack, Joe Cole and Juliano Belletti have left Stamford Bridge, while Yossi Benayoun is the only senior arrival at the club after joining for an undisclosed amount from Liverpool.

"For us, after a fantastic season, it was very difficult to change this squad," said the Italian.

"We were totally agreed to maintain this squad. To put some young players in this squad from our academy, this was our aim.

"After a fantastic season, we could repeat the same season this year with these players.

"I think that the teams that can win the title will be the same as last year, including, obviously, Man City, because they've bought fantastic players."

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Chelsea take on Manchester United in the Community Shield at Wembley on Sunday - and Ancelotti is predicting a good performance from John Terry.

The Blues skipper has only recently returned to training after his involvement in England's World Cup campaign and had an uncertain game during a pre-season defeat at Hamburg.

"After seven days, it's difficult to say he is fit 100%," added the Ancelotti .

"Maybe he made some mistakes but this is normal after seven days. Terry remains a fantastic player, a fantastic captain.

"I have trust in him, that he will have a fantastic game on Sunday."

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