Barcelona have dismissed speculation linking Chelsea with an audacious move for Brazilian star Ronaldinho.

Sport director Txiki Berguiristain shrugged off rumours that Chelsea's billionaire owner Roman Abramovich held two meetings with Ronaldinho's brother and adviser in a bid to persuade the Barcelona star to join the Blues .

Berguiristain said: ''We do not want to sell him. Ronaldinho is our player and I am totally convinced that he will remain at the club. In this aspect the decision of Barcelona is clear."

Chelsea have refused to comment on the rumours.

Meanwhile, England left-back Ashley Cole paid tribute to midfielder Frank Lampard after the Chelsea ace scored his fourth goal in as many games for club and country.

Cole said: ''You come here and Frank is loved by the Chelsea fans and again he produced the magic that we needed.

''I think it is a disgrace personally that before the England game he got booed. A player like that needs to be shown some respect and him scoring in that game showed so much spirit and fight and belief in himself.

''For me he is one of the best midfielders around and he is also one of the most under-rated players.

"He was brilliant every time I watched Chelsea play when I was at Arsenal with the amount of goals and assists he gets, and he popped up again with the winner this game."