Reliable Chelsea Midfielder Responds Again to Exit Rumours

Chelsea midfielder Ramires remains focused on his career at Stamford Bridge despite reports linking him with a move to Barcelona.

The Brazilian midfielder is understood to have been shortlisted as a potential transfer target along with Juventus' Arturo Vidal and Atletico Madrid's Koke.

But the Chelsea man is unaware of any interest and says his attention has been unaffected by various media reports.

"Many people are asking about the supposed interest from other clubs in my football but I don't know anything, apart from what was reported in press," Ramires told Lancenet.

"I am under contract with Chelsea and my attention resides solely in keeping on doing the good job done at the club."

Ramires has started all 11 of Chelsea's Premier League games this season and is one of the few ever-presents under Jose Mourinho, who has employed significant rotation during the early months of his second spell in west London.

Should Ramires continue to be a major influence for Chelsea, the 26 year old will hope he can cement his place in Brazil's World Cup squad ahead of next summer.

With the tournament on home soil, competition for places is naturally fierce and having played in the friendlies against Honduras and Chile, Ramires hopes he is in pole position for a place in Luis Felipe Scolari's squad next summer.

"It's always better to win and thank God I returned home with another fulfilled goal," he added.

"We are in the final stretch for the World Cup so whenever I had the chance to play I try to always do my best so I can assure my place in the squad for this competition, which is the most important one in Brazil's national team history.

"We played our last friendly of the year and now I am focusing again on Chelsea until the next national team call-ups."