Pirlo plays down Chelsea link

AC Milan midfielder Andrea Pirlo has denied expressing an interest in moving to Chelsea this summer.

Reports on Tuesday claimed the Italy international said he could be tempted to follow former boss Carlo Ancelotti to Stamford Bridge.

He was quoted as saying: "Perhaps it's possible that I could join Ancelotti in London. He is a great coach, perhaps I could play with him again."

But the World Cup winner, who is in South Africa playing in the Confederations Cup, said on Milan's official website: "I have never spoken to the Irish Independent [one of the newspapers which carried the quote].

"I have not made any of the comments that have been attributed to my name."

The 30-year-old, who is under contract at the San Siro until June 2011, made 26 league appearances as AC Milan finished third in Serie A last season.