Bogarde: I'll fight for place

Despite playing only four games in three years, Winston Bogarde today claimed he could form a key part of the Russian revolution at Chelsea.

The Dutchman faces a tough task having failed to convince manager Claudio Ranieri to pick him even before Roman Abramovich's £37million investment in new signings.

Bogarde, who has a year left on his £42,000-a-week contract, said: "It was like coming back to a different club when I returned from vacation this year.

"I have no idea whether the radical changes are going to be good or bad for me.

"I still want to play first-team football for Chelsea. There have already been several new signings and it looks like there may be more to come, so getting a place in the team will be harder than ever, but I won't give up hope.

"I really want to play for this club and I only have this year to achieve that. Competition will be tough, but I will fight for my place like everybody else. This looks to be an exciting season for Chelsea and I would love to be a part of it."

Bogarde had little chance to impress Ranieri on the pre-season tour to Malaysia as he was forced to fly home early due to a family emergency.

Two other members of the Chelsea old guard were today linked with moves away from Stamford Bridge.

Emmanuel Petit is reported to be attracting interest from Tottenham, while Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's-future looks in doubt after Chelsea were linked with a £15m bid for Real Mallorca striker Samuel Eto'o. Abramovich's football adviser, Pini Zahavi, is believed to have flown to Madrid to discuss the Cameroon star with Mallorca officials.

Eto'o's arrival could clear the way for Hasselbaink to finally move to Spain. Real Betis are the latest club to be linked with the Dutchman after he was courted for several months by Barcelona.

Meanwhile, Bobby Zamora and Ledley King look set to miss Tottenham's pre-season friendly against Kaizer Chiefs in Cape Town tonight because of slight injuries.