Chelsea are still very much in the title-race, sitting just four points off the lead, however they know anything but a win over Everton will end their title hopes.

Brazilian playmaker Kaka believes it was ”essential” he stayed at Milan after being pursued by Manchester City, while he has also played down talk of a summer move to Real Madrid.

City tried to sign the playmaker during January’s transfer window for a world record fee of around £109m. The player pledged his future to the San Siro club and is convinced he made the right decision.

“I said ‘no’ to the offer from Manchester City because I think I will have lots of success here with AC Milan,” Kaka told Nemzeti Sport. “After I’ve received so much from Milan it was essential for me to stay.

“It’s hard to say anything about the future because football is, a little bit, the game of the moment, so I can just talk about my present feelings. I like this team, I love the city and I’d like to play football here for a long time.

“Real Madrid is an amazing team with outstanding players, but I’d never say that I want to leave Milan.”

There have been claims that Milan’s ageing squad requires a major overhaul, but Kaka does not believe the club’s more experienced players should be overlooked.

He added: “There’s no controversy, this is normal that players are coming and going at any club.

“I think it is important to build Milan on the players who have been playing here for a long time, but sometimes a new impulse is needed.

“Maldini, Pirlo, Ambrosini and Gattuso are the most influential players in the team. I think Ambrosini or Gattuso will be the new team captain after Maldini retires. Of course, I hope very much that some time I’ll wear the armband.”

Chelsea are still very much in the title-race, sitting just four points off the lead, however they know anything but a win over Everton will end their title hopes.

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