Sevilla glad to keep Alves

Sevilla president Jose Maria del Nido says he has no regrets over snubbing Chelsea's offer for Daniel Alves, despite his recent drop in form. The president said he had never planned to sell the Brazilian and is delighted the club hung onto the right back.

During the summer the player was very close to completing a switch to Chelsea, but the Sevilla chairman Jose Maria del Nido has said he was delighted to keep hold of Daniel Alves. Alves hasn't yet hit his best form this season, however.

"The best offer we received was €35million (£24.3million) from Chelsea," said del Nido.

"I have no regrets at all about saying no. We did not want him to go. Sevilla will sell when we believe we should sell and at the price that we feel is right.

"We will not give in to the demands and desires of others, that is the only way to stay at the top.

"It is not a matter of saying that we are a buying club and that sort of thing. You have to buy and sell when it is good for you.

"I want to state that we never had any intention of selling Dani."

Del Nido has defended his recent drop in form, blaming the Copa America.

"He did not do a full pre-season because he played in the Copa America. He did not rest properly and then started playing without much preparation and is now feeling it," del Nido continued. "I think he is having physical problems.

"Not doing pre-season hurt him more than the Chelsea and Real Madrid business.

"It is true that he was thinking about Madrid one day and then playing in London the next.

"But when it was all over he stated that his life is with Sevilla and that he is comfortable here.

"What will happen in the future, only God knows. He will be back to his best soon, I have no doubt about that."