Alex is reported eager to quit Chelsea in order to secure regular first team football.

The centre-back has spent four years of Chelsea, three of those out on loan at PSV Eindhoven due to work permit problems. But after being granted permission to launch his Premier League career he has struggled to make an impact.

With John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho firmly in place as first choice chances have been limited. Carvalho’s injury problems seemed to clear the way for the Brazilian to stake his claim but Serbian defender Branislav Ivanovic has also been used alongside the England skipper.

The former Santos player has started 10 games this season with five of those coming in the Premier League. But the 26-year-old wants to play week-in week-out and has revealed he wants to leave Stamford Bridge to realise that drcam.

"1 told Chelsea a few days ago that 1 wanted to leave," he was quoted as saying in The Sun.

"There are many options But I have to think them thnnigh and see if Chelsea will let me leave in January."