Wise to stay at Chelsea

Dennis Wise has revealed that Chelsea chairman Ken Bates persuaded him to stay at Stamford Bridge.

The England midfielder was set to quit the Premiership club after being dropped by manager Claudio Ranieri. But he has now reconsidered his position and told the Sun: "I am staying - they all got to me.

"Mr Bates, Colin Hutchinson and Gianfranco Zola all told me how important I am to the club and I understand that. Even my mum was upset I might be leaving and said I can't.

"I'm sorry to have upset people. I am Chelsea through and through and the blood is obviously thicker than I thought.

"There's no way I could leave now. I've sat down and discussed it with everybody. I'm glad it is all sorted out and I'm happy to stay."