AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti has dropped the bombshell that Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso could be a summer target for Chelsea.

Detailing his meeting with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich last year in his book Preferisco La Coppa, Ancelotti said: "Again we only talked football. How would I make Chelsea play in case they got me as a manager. President, your team is very physical, you have to put more quality in the middle of the pitch. I gave him two names, Franck Ribery and Xabi Alonso.

"He thought of a third name, that of Andriy Shevchenko, who was close to his heart. 'I can't understand why he's not playing, because since we brought him to England he's not the real Sheva.'

"President, I can't know the reason. We talk some more. I can easily chat with Abramovich. He doesn't make me feel uncomfortable, not even when he says with a low voice: 'We've just lost the Champions League final, and the league, I can't be satisfied.

'Chelsea don't have a personality. I have the ambition of winning every competition in which my team takes part, a team that at the moment I don't recognise.'

"He thinks so much about the results and the beautiful game. Another 40 minutes fly by. 'Thanks Ancelotti, we'll meet again.' No financial offer."