Chelsea’s Damien Duff and Joe Cole admit they were dismayed to learn the club had signed 20-year-old Dutch winger Arjen Robben.

Chelsea paid PSV Eindhoven £12m for Robben who joins the English Premiership side in the summer.

“I must admit it was a bit of a kick in the teeth after two months out to hear about it,” Duff told The Sun.

“But I will just have to carry on doing what I always do and work hard.

“I hear that Robben is a left-winger but I do not play there very often so maybe I will get a game somewhere else in the team.’

Duff has missed much of the season through injury but is poised to make a comeback with the reserves in the next few days.

Cole was also equally disappointed at the decision to sign Robben but bvowed to fight for his place.

“I am disappointed that I have not been playing regularly this season,’ said Cole. ‘Like any footballer I want to be playing every game.

“I have been to see the manager on a number of occasions this season but that is the same as all the other players.

“Claudio Ranieri has assured me that I still have a big future at Chelsea and I am part of his long-term plans.

“I have certainly not asked for a transfer and am determined to win a regular place in the Chelsea first team.

“I want to assure Chelsea fans that I will not be seeking talks with the manager in the near future and am solely focusing on our next game against Stuttgart in the Champions League next week.”

Cole, 22, has yet to complete a full 90 minutes since moving to Stamford Bridge from West Ham in the summer.