BUCHAREST Romanian World Cup defender Dan Petrescu said on Monday he plans to quit Chelsea and English soccer as soon as possible after being told he was not guaranteed a first team spot. I can not be a substitute in a team where I did good things and which I loved so much as Chelsea, Petrescu told journalists before leaving Bucharest for Oslo with Romania's national team.

I have had some offers from important clubs, but I can't name them yet, he said. Romania's new coach Victor Piturca picked Petrescu for his squad for this Wednesday's friendly against Norway his first match after succeeding Anghel Iordanescu, now coach of Greece. Petrescu, who has played 70 times for Romania, was an ever-present under former Chelsea coach Ruud Gullit, but current coach Gianluca Vialli has different ideas.

Vialli told me that nobody would be sure of his place in the team, so I have to fight to be fielded, Petrescu said. But I want to play so I have decided to go. (Reuter)