Essien, Drogba, Frank Lampard and Ricardo Carvalho are all thought to be on Mourinho's wish list.

But Essien's agent Fabien Piveteau confirmed: "Michael is very happy at Chelsea and that is where he will be playing next season. His current contract runs until 2012. There has been no approach from Inter."

Meanwhile, AC Milan claim they have held informal talks with Chelsea over a possible double swoop for Shevchenko and Drogba.

Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani also claimed that Kaka's name came up in conversation with Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon but he insisted the 2007 FIFA World Footballer of the Year is staying put.

His claims emerged on a day when AC Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti ruled himself out of the running for the vacant managerial position at Stamford Bridge and Chelsea were linked with a move for Roma boss Luciano Spalletti.

Ancelotti dismissed speculation linking him with Chelsea as "fantasy football" but Galliani said: "Yesterday we had a chat with Mr Kenyon of Chelsea.

"We were talking about football things in general. We still have a very good rapport with Stamford Bridge."

Galliani revealed a list of names, including Shevchenko, Drogba and Kaka, had been discussed, saying: "Sure we talked about all these things. But I can tell you for example that Kaka is absolutely not for sale. Just like Carlo Ancelotti, he will be here next season."