Ramires Denies Chelsea Exit Amid Reports of Transfer to Real Madrid

Chelsea midfielder Ramires insists he has heard nothing other than media speculation about a possible move to Real Madrid, according to Sky Sports' Paulo Freitas.

The rumour had been circulating in recent days, per Freitas' article, that former Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti had identified the Brazilian as a possible recruit for his Madrid side.

Ramires, though, told Globo Esporte he knows nothing of any approach and is happy at Chelsea. Freitas provides the quotes:

"

Nothing has come to me, I have just heard about this through the press. My agent hasn't told me anything either. Maybe it is just speculation. I am focused on my work, one can't talk about something that he knows nothing about.

It's good for the ego (to be linked with Real), it's a sign that people somewhere like your work. I am very happy to know that, but neither Chelsea nor my agent have told me anything. It would be a lack of respect to say anything if the club didn't talk with me.

I am under contract until 2017 and I don't want to leave while there isn't anything happening and I am happy in the team. I will only leave if the club want me to. I feel have adapted well.

"

Over the past couple of seasons, Ramires has been an integral part of the Chelsea side that has won both the Champions League and the Europa League titles, as well as finished in the Premier League top four.

His bustling runs from midfield and astonishing stamina make him an excellent box-to-box midfielder, with his occasionally ungainly dribbling style hiding what are generally very good technical abilities.

He has also become a firm favourite with several Chelsea managers due to his versatility, playing as a winger, an attacking midfielder and a defensive midfielder in addition to his regular role.

Were Real Madrid—or any other club—to look to secure his services, Chelsea and Jose Mourinho would be far from inclined to allow him to move cheaply.

Indeed, given Mourinho's long-standing preference for energy and power in the centre of midfield, it has been little surprise to see Ramires remain a central figure this season, starting all nine league games thus far.

With three years remaining on his deal at the end of the current campaign, per the player's own words, there would seem little chance of a deal being struck anytime soon.

Speculation may well continue, but Ramires is ideally suited to life in the Premier League and is too valuable an asset for the Blues to even consider selling to a Champions League rival.

Madrid, then, will have to look elsewhere to add midfield dynamism.