SOCCER:CHELSEA CHIEF executive Peter Kenyon has reiterated the club's stance that captain John Terry is not for sale.

England skipper Terry continues to be linked with a big-money move to Manchester City.

Reports have claimed City are prepared to pay over €200,000 per week to the 28-year-old, whose lack of public comment on the matter has fuelled the speculation.

But Terry has three years remaining on his contract at Stamford Bridge and Kenyon is adamant he will not be leaving.

“I don’t know what they are offering but I am confident John is going to remain with us,” Kenyon said. “John is a talisman. He is the heart of Chelsea, came through the academy, he is our captain and has also become captain of England while he has been here.

“We are not going to sell John, so it is irrelevant what another club will offer.

“We are very confident he will be leading us in the years to come.”

Uefa have reduced the European bans handed to Chelsea striker Didier Drogba and defender Jose Bosingwa for their conduct in the wake of their Champions League semi-final elimination by Barcelona in May.

European football’s governing body has reduced both players’ suspension by one game on appeal.

Ivory Coast frontman Drogba will now miss the first three Champions League games this season and Bosingwa the first two.

They faced charges of being in breach of the principles of sportsmanship by insulting the referee by making offensive comments.

Drogba launched a foul-mouthed rant at Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo after the final whistle.

Chelsea conceded a late equaliser to draw the game 1-1 and go out on away goals and there were angry scenes afterwards, with Chelsea furious at having four penalty claims turned down during the game.

Drogba, who had been substituted in the second half, appeared from the tunnel to confront the referee.

Bosingwa later described Ovrebo as a “thief” in an interview on Portuguese television.

Both players subsequently apologised for their behaviour.

Aston Villa are working to tie up a move for England winger Stewart Downing after agreeing a €14 million fee with Middlesbrough.

The 24-year-old midfielder arrived at Villa’s training headquarters on crutches yesterday as he took a break from his rehabilitation from foot surgery to hold talks with manager Martin O’Neill.

He headed for the midlands after the clubs reached agreement over his value amid continuing speculation that Ashley Young could be heading through the exit door at Villa Park.

Downing’s injury, suffered in a clash with Villa midfielder Stiliyan Petrov in the penultimate game of last season, means he is unlikely to play again until October at the earliest, and he may be out of action for some time longer.

However, O’Neill has made his move in the hope of avoiding a bidding war in January when other clubs might have been prepared to do business more readily once he had proved his fitness.

Hull hope to begin talks with Fulham striker Bobby Zamora this weekend after agreeing a €6 million fee with the London club.