Lampard future remains unclear, plus other rumours

We need a new top class attacking player at Chelsea real fast as pre-season's starting real soon. The Lampard saga has slowed down our transfer dealings.

If it's true that Sevchenko's going on loan,do you think we'll subsidise his wages,like we did with Crespo and Veron?

Hey guys, if Lamps leaves I think we should bring in Gael Kakuta

1. @Jang - There are still six weeks remaining of the current transfer window. Calm down. :-)

2. EvilLynn - Given Sheva's relationship with Abramovich, it wouldn't be a surprise if we subsidised his wages during any loan spell. I'd like to see how he gets on under Scolari first - send him out on loan in January if he fails again.

Re: Robinho - The Sun and Reuters both have him denying any interest in joining the PL or Chelsea (as of this morning). As much as I'd like to see Robinho, I think all the stories thus far have been mere hype generated by his agent. Chance of Robinho actually making the shift are slim to none.

Nick, a few points: Lampard is a multi-millionaire so it's not about the money. One year or more? Let's be honest it's not about that either. Lets us the fans stop kidding ourselves as some on here started to with grant last year. The fact is Lampard wants to join Jose becaue of a new challenge, and probably because he feels he has a better chance of winning than he has at the Bridge simple as that. As many on here have already noted, Scholari is 60 years old and the first thing he buys is a 31 year old with no experience in the prem which by the way has a Made by JM sticker on his back...irony that!. Lets be honest once more, it does'nt forbode well does it. I hope we can win the prem this year because frankly i'm f&^^%^&ing up to here with man-u and the biggest mickey mouse 99% luck that goes for the european cup these days called the CL. When teams 30 points behind the national league leader can win it on lucky goals or ref's decision or a slip on a penalty which the whole world saw in May what a lottery it has become. the problem is Roman is obsessed and this ultimatley will be our downfall and Scholari's unless he realises that Ferguson only won it 2 in 21 years. Jose was a prem manager and with a bit of luck which eluded him a CL manager. Scholari and Deco are here only for the CL so forget about the PRem already this year. I was the first on this blog to say we would win nothing when Grant took over. i say it again, we will not win the prem this year and it makes me sad that the lunatic at the top and his little arselickers have allowed this to happen from what JM helped to build. So let Lampard go and lets not forget Lampard wanted a new deal two years ago and Kenyon said to wait so in my mind and many fans we know deep down whose fault it is and its not Franks. Who also is to blame for losing the prem the year before via Sevchenko and ballack 442 and last year via Grant. Those who made those decisions lost us everything and Frank wants no part in it anymore

schweinsteiger over robinho, come on scozzas.

Great post NICK, agree with everything you say apart from you thinking Lamps doesn't want to stay..i firmly believe that he does.
As DIO states, let's not forget that Frank has been after a new deal now for the last 2 years and has expressed publicly, on numerous occasions, his desire to stay at Chelsea. I don't doubt his loyalty to us for a second.

As you say though, he HAS TO come out at some stage in the next couple of weeks, or release a statement of some sort, informing everyone of his intentions..This farce can't go on for very much longer..surely!

As for buying Deco to win us the CL..Ha! That's a laugh. There's even a comment from Barca President, La Porta in today's Mail, saying that he's "been off the pace for the last 2 years", also; "He should NOT be idolised, in the previous 2 seasons, he was one of the players with the lowest level of performance"...
Oh, happy days!!!
I have to say, i watched him in the Euro's and was extremely unimpressed..He's never played in the Prem but is gonna win us the CL?...

Yeah, OK...
Of course he is!!!

I thought Art Deco did pretty well during the Euros -- especially since we had to watch him half the time through the filter of Clive "Let's Kick Tyldesley Out Of Football" Tyldesley making a mess in his pants every time C. Ronaldo touched the ball. The more C. Ronaldo's essential uselessness became obviosu, the more one noticed which player really made that team tick. And then I think back to those fantastic encounters we had with Barca at the Bridge: all the talk was about Ronaldinho, but it was our pal Art who was pinging the ball all over the field at ridiculous speed. He's got a natural vision for the game that you can't teach. He may be a bit past his best but I think he'll do well, and the sluggishness of the link between midfield and attack was a big problem for us last season.

I'll agree with those who are saying that we really need a striker, though. Anelka fairly obviously isn't the answer, and for all those who are backing Sheva ... come on now. It's nothing to do with the position he's played in or who his manager is or what he's asked to do. His legs have gone, it's as embarrassingly obvious as it was with Ronaldo (the Brazilian one) in the last World Cup, and the only reason we'll go on paying his wages is because he's a charity project for Roman.

I will say again, until Lampard himself actually states what he wants then all further talk based on rumours and third hand media stories is pointless. I don't believe Frank himself is in dispute or passing blame on the board, it his agent and the board playing the game to get the best deal.

It would be nice for Frank to do the noble thing and say yes I want to go to Inter for a new challenge and because I like working with Jose, but of course his agent in particular would not want that as he knows that Inter will not offer as good as deal as Chelsea. The board want the best transfer fee which again is not unreasonable given Franks standing in european football at club level. So for now Frank has to be quiet and let the deal work out amongst the real players.

I am happy for Frank to take his time and announce his intentions once a deal is worked out rather than to enter into the war of words propogated by the media.

At the end of the day loyalty in football nowadays doesn't exist when you have such ridiculous money being offered....

KTBFFH

Redknapp has clearly been watching SWP quite closely over the last couple of years.

Crouch is the only man tall enough on the planet to get his head to an SWP cross!

All Lampard needs at the moment is a bib and some lessons on how to eat properly.

I mean, have you seen the photo in todays Sun ??? It's laughable that a man of 30 can't eat a bit of spag bol without getting the sauce all down his undoubtedly designer silk shirt. Besides when / if he moves to Italy, he'll be faced with pasta and sauce based dishes 7 days a week. He'll need that extra money to pay for the dry cleaning of his clothes.

Still, I'm sure someone on here would offer to help him out of it to stop it staining, eh Lolli ???

Deco was superb in the Euros. The fact that the Barca president is now slagging him off is proof of nothing - didn't the Real president say the same when we bought Maka?

As for Lampard, if he was honest and said 'I want to move for the challenge and the chance to reunite with Jose' I'm pretty sure 99% of the fans would be supportive. But at the moment he is just looking greedy.

'Crouch is the only man tall enough on the planet to get his head to an SWP cross!'

Very good!

@ #9 limetreebower

I have to admit that backing Shevas isn't the most objective opinion as you are clearly right that he has lost pace and agility and didn't not manage to give us the "Ac Milan performance" but I still believe he is a world class striker. I think he scored many important goals for us due to his fantastic technique and shot....especially in CL and cup matches. I will always remember the equalizer against Leichester City...what a strike ^^

However....the Premier League is full with overrated players. Adebayor, Bentley, Berbatov just to mention a few. Everytime I read somewhere what they are worth I'm havin a good laugh. So I think we are fine with Shevchenko and shud see how he does under Scolari....of course assuming that Drogba leaves. What's actually happin to this bloke? He is too quite for my liking. ^^

As PETEW says, if Frank Lampard really does or does not want to go then he should end the speculation and keep his fans happy by saying something. I refuse to believe that a simple statement from him would jeopardize any ongoing negotiations and the worst that could happen to him is that he would stay an extra year - would the fans' knowing that he wants to go to Inter really affect their support of him? I know we're a fickle lot and the board sometimes borders on the lunatic but I for one would appreciate the honesty.

I also can't wait for the season to start - the suspense is killing me! Wondering who's coming & who's going is ruining my day...

I'm still chuckling over the "Silence of the Lamps'' line, can't remember who came up with that, but well done. Shame that the saga itself is far from amusing.
It's pretty quiet on the Drogba front as well ... too quiet.
Let sleeping Drogs lie?

By the way...
Micheal Ballack has just married his long-term girlfriend Simone. Congratulations, Michael!
The online edition of german newspaper BZ (Berliner Zeitung) chose the headline "Today Ballack´s got his first big title - which is being a happy husband".
I´m sure he is going to add something this season!!!

i think that giving Lampard to inter for Adrianno could actually work out to be a good thing. we need strength in our attacking game right now and we have a barrell full of midfielders (midfielders that would START in most PL teams) so we can afford to let Lampard leave. the only hang up is that he is HOMEGROWN and i like the english heart that chelsea has with FL in the team. but if Scolari can bring the true talen out of Adrianno i say go for it but keep him out of the pubs!!!

Marseille fans are trying to raise funds to buy back Drogba from Chelsea. I only wish some of the "Chelsea fans" would show the same passion and appreciation for Drogba; I feel ashamed being a Chelsea fan...

kool

why would you feel ashamed? after drogba has publicly stated his desire to leave after he decided to disrupt our champions leage hopes by getting a red card in extra time? i say let him go. yes he is a force but no one is irreplaceable!!!!!!! he OWES US!!!!

I like the idea the Marseille fans have; I'd considered doing the same thing to sign David Villa and then realised with RA in charge, it'd be a waste of not only my time, but also my money.

On the Adriano front - why not? Sure, we say he's overweight, got all these other problems but at least we know that up front. Unlike signing Sheva and Pizarro who we didn't have any pre-conceived notions about, and still turned out to be gubbins.

Whether DD stays or not, surely a forward who can score needs to be our priority. It's still eerily quiet, the pessimist in me is thinking that's because the only transfer activity at the Bridge now will be players leaving.

I had Adriano in my Chelsea team in Championship Manager a few seasons ago and he was awesome, a regular goal machine. On that basis I say give him a chance! :-)

I've become apathetic about the whole Drogba situation. I spent two seasons defending him when he first arrived - two friends I used to watch matches with were always giving him a hard time but it turns out I was right. Fantastic player but now that he's the wrong side of 30 and constantly making it clear that he wants a fresh challenge, I wouldn't care a great deal if he were to leave. That said, if he stays I'd also be happy.

@ 21. Komatosed

Drogba wanted to leave because of "fans" like you! That's why I feel ashamed!

We owe Drogba... We won those Cups in the previous seasons mainly due to his decisive goals!

Good post in the Guardian about loyalty and such in sports, mainly centred around the Ronaldo saga but could apply to any modern day footballer.

LINK

I was one of the naysayers when Drogba first arrived but have eaten many, many servings of humble pie since. That doesn't mean I should stand by him when he mouths off about wanting to leave, etc. Apart from destroying morale in the dressing room, it leaves fans with a bitter taste in the mouth. My loyalty has always been Chelsea the club, not the players (so stop the hypocritical kissing of the f**king badge). If they want to act like spoilt primadonnas then let them leave with our thanks and good wishes for the future.

Having said that and tried to sound big and forgiving, the spoilt primadonna part of me really hopes their careers nosedive after they leave us.

wo owe drogba? are you serious? i call him knees and shins because his first touch is TRASH. a player that gets in the positions he gets in should have FAR MORE goals under his belt Far more victories and FAR more trophies. if he is what you say he is we shouldn't be looking for champions league trophy we would have one. he big and clumbsy and yes score goals occassionally. drogba has done us some good but there are better strikers out there SIMON. fans like me would have kept a GEM!!! like robben and sold drogba while the getting is good

@ Komatosed

I've had many debates on Drogba on here before and I'm not in the mood to enter another one, but...

your views on Drogba are just disgraceful! No wonder he wanted to leave Chelsea!

@ 12. FIFTY

Oh, yes babes..no worries there. I'd tear..sorry..take it off him to give it a good, long soaking!!

OO-ER!! :s !

@ Simon


sorry if we don't agree on Drogba. but i feel that there are any better strikers out there, and after the way drogba has treated chelsea. SEE HIM LATER NO TEARS FROM ME. we owe him nuthing he makes 80,000 pounds a week, and still he doesn't know how to hold his tongue or keep his head in extra time of champions league final? are you serious?!!

@ Komatose

Never mind... but don't get near me 'cos I may strangle you with my bare hands!

@ Simon

No problem Simon lol. i thank drogba for his services. but if your anything like him it will take you a couple tries before you actually get the job done. and if you going to get a red card HIT the guy don't rub his face like drogba did

Rumours that Makelele has joined Paris Saint-Germain.

Tommy Docherty and Kerry Dixon on The Monday Night Club on Radio 5 Live at the moment. LINK

@ 32. NICK

WOW!!..how did they manage to keep that quiet if it's true?

Not sure what to say..:(

Only rumours at the moment, Lolli. Makelele was said to be mulling over a contract offer from PSG a few weeks ago.

He's coming to the end of his career and has given us four good years. I didn't think much of him in his first season, but he got better and better.

We're not short of midfielders. ;-) Although I think both Obi and Essien are wasted in the 'Makelele Role'. I'd like to see Obi play more, though.

As TSSO said he wanted Drogba to stay at Chelsea 200%, the Sun today claims that Drogba will be offered a new 4-year deal at £130,000 per week under the headline: A Drog is for life!

I hope it's true, and the real Chelsea fans would be overjoyed if he signs!

We Need To Buy Ronaldinho And Possibly Kaka If We Might Be Losing Lampard Otherwise The Heart Of Chelsea Will Be Gone Forever.

Totally unrelated to CFC discussion or even football but very funny for those who havene't seen/heard this from Flight of the Conchords...

LINK

I guess I am totally bored with the endless debate on transfer rumours !! Also enjoying the Tour De France and seeing an Aussie win the yellow jersey...

Cech claims Lampard is staying at Chelsea
By Sportsmail Reporter
Petr Cech today claimed Chelsea have won their bid to keep Frank Lampard at the club for next season.

Although the midfielder wants to be reunited with former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho at Inter Milan, his goalkeeping team-mate believes he will remain at Stamford Bridge.

Lampard is out of contract next summer and although Chelsea have offered a four-year deal worth ??140,000 a week, the England international wants a further season, which Inter are prepared to give.


With talks having stalled, Chelsea are determined he sees out the last 12 months of his contract and turned down a ??7.95million from the Italian champions last week.


Reports yesterday claimed Lampard had resigned himself to staying for the coming season and then leaving on a free transfer next term.


Inter haven't given up resolving the situation, but Cech is adamant Lampard will be part of new manager Luiz Felip Scolari's revolution.


Talking about Scolari's plans for next term, the Czech international told website Sport.cz said: 'To be honest, I don't have much information about changes in the squad.

'Of course, I know about coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, Deco and I know that Chelsea have succeeded in keeping Frank Lampard, which is extremely important.'


The news will disappoint Patrick Vieira, who wants Lampard to join him at the San Siro. The former Arsenal midfielder said: 'He is a fantastic player and you want to play with players of that class.'

Chelsea tempt Robinho with £48m offer
Brazilian tells Bernabéu he wants to join Scolari
Real Madrid were last night considering a bid which sources at the Bernabéu claim is worth €60m (£48m) for the Brazilian playmaker Robinho after the Chelsea chief executive, Peter Kenyon, called Madrid's sporting director, Predrag Mijatovic, to increase a €40 offer first tabled last Friday. However, the La Liga champions are reluctant to lose the 24-year-old Brazilian while their capture of Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo remains uncertain. Robinho, meanwhile, is determined to move to Stamford Bridge in order to work with their new coach Luiz Felipe Scolari.
Chelsea's renewed bid came in the wake of a tense meeting at the Bernabéu yesterday morning in which Robinho, flanked by his agent Wagner Ribeiro, told Mijatovic face to face of his desire to leave Madrid and play under Scolari. Robinho described the chance to link up with the Chelsea manager as "a dream".

Robinho failed to report to a pre-season get-together yesterday afternoon and will today fly to Brazil. His absence was officially attributed to his call-up for the Brazilian Olympic squad, but owes more to his annoyance at the Madrid side's failure to negotiate his departure. His advisers believe Real cannot oblige him to stay in light of their pursuit of Ronaldo. They are working to break the deadlock.

Robinho has been irritated by Real's attempt to use him as a makeweight in their move for the Old Trafford winger, while the club has refused to offer a contract extension.

"Madrid have failed to value him as he deserves," Ribeiro said, "and I do not like the fact that they tried to include him in the Ronaldo deal. Money is not the problem for us now. What matter

Good grief, here I am thinking the days of offering silly transfers fees were over for Chelsea. 48Mil for Robinho... while he is a good player there is no way he is worth that much particularly as he has not exactly set the world on fire since his move to RM. I guess when you have RA's money then such bids are always going to be on the table and pushed for by other clubs...

If he does come though then definitely end for SWP and lets hope he can deliver on his talent.

Will be interesting to see how Berbatov fits into Man U structure if his move goes ahead. Tottenham have done some good business there !

You gotta be kidding me,£48 million.
Please tell me this has come from Robinho's agent and not from Roman.
This is what annoys me,if the rumour's true,they're willing to pay stupid money to sign an unproven player who doesn't even want to come here,but they won't give Frank the longer contract he wants.
As I said,I really hope it's Robinho's agent trying to force Madrid's hand and not Roman's Barmy Army being stupid again.

Aren't we just giving Real the cash to pay for Ronaldo? Seems pretty smart to me...

I hope Felipe isn't thinking of selling Bridge and having Ferreira there as cover for Ashley cole.
Would really be a bad mistake if this happened.

Yeah, the news of Wayne not travelling with the squad is a worry.

Going into the new season with one left back is absurd. If Ashley gets injured, we're left with either calling 19 year old Ryan Bertrand back from his loan round the corner (for me at least) or all sorts of 'square peg in round hole' type debacles with Paulo, Juliano or Bosingwa out of position.

As I mentioned yesterday, it's all talk of people leaving. And no sign of anyone joining.

It's a worry...

Chelsea transfer rumours are pretty positive today. We've been linked with Robinho although £48m is the figure being leaked by Real. The Spanish journalists on Sky Sports News reporting from Madrid say that it'll be closer to £28-30m.

Other positive news is that many newspapers are repoting that Scolari wants 7 players to be shipped out. This should be TBH, Sidwell, Pizarro and SWP for sure but the other 3 names i'm unsure about. Could it be Lamps (probably), Didier (unlikely as no club in Europe is reported to be interested in a moody, immature striker who's only performed for 1 season), Sheva (Roman's pride blocks any possible loan deal), Maka (i hope he leaves so that we can give Mikel a chance), Boulahrouz (who wants him?), Anelka (lack of effort and lack of goals for a striker), Belletti (worst defender ever! For a right back, he can't tackle, run, head the ball and actually jumps OUT of tackles. He's pathetic) or Malouda (gets blown over by a light breeze).

One worrying piece of news is the possible departure of Wayne Bridge. It seems like Pompey have turned into the rest home for failed Chelsea players. I can understand giving them SWP for £10m but losing Bridge seems to confirm that he wants Paulo as his spare LB. This shouldn't harm the side but losing Bridge, SWP, Sidwell and possibly Lamps means that our English spirit will be demolished. The only positive out of this is that we should give Ivanovic a chance at RB and Mancienne will be our 4th CB if TBH leaves. Both have been training with the squad and will be on the plane to China along with Franco Di Santo and some other youth players, most likely Scott Sinclair. Youth will definitely be given a chance as with 7 subs next season and a larger quota of youth players needed for the Champions League squad, Scolari will need to promote some youngsters.

Same old Lamps hot air, which we can ignore. Won't get any interview with him until after Pompey game when he'll score as always and will be MOTM.

48 for Robinho??? well how much is ronaldinho or Ibrahimavic we might as well put in for cristiano ronoldo too then if that is the case. i would much rather buy another striker than midfielder. maybe Eto, lets beef up the attack and cover for the sale of bridge

Huntalar looking for new challenge schwienstiger can play up front there are endless possibilities if we are willing to spend 48 on robinho

@ Simon

if Drogba is so good and we owe him... so on and so forth then why doesn't anyone else want him?

Didier (unlikely as no club in Europe is reported to be interested in a moody, immature striker who's only performed for 1 season),

and he squanders more than he scores clubs wanted him because he is big, a bully even (one that dives though)

@ Komatosed

No clubs in the world can afford to pay for his service, it's that simple. As long as the Chelsea manager wants him 200%, I'm not interested in your silly opinion on Drogba. You had your say already, thank you.

@ Komatosed

Are you Jose Musumba in disguise? :)

Actually Komatosed, Milan have been interested in signing Drogba for a while, but according to their chairman Galliani Chelsea have not been very receptive to letting him go anywhere. The club wants him to stay. Get used to it.

I'd love Robinho, but anything more than 27m smells like highway robbery to me. Schweinsteiger is unrealistic right now; Klinsmann pretty much has him and Podolski wrapped around his finger.

@50 Dezmond - I think you're right - I knew I recognised that like-a-dog-with-a-bone stubborn refusal to give up on an argument everyone else is bored with from somewhere :-)

@ Simon and Dezmond

fair enough i do feel that scolari might be able to bring the best out of Didier. and am hoping for it even more, i feel that Avram should have paired Dider with Anelka more i think that combo would have worked itself out and benefited the team

@ A.D.

interested interested where did you read that tribalfootball? if that is the case we must be interested in the entire football world. no oone has made an offer there must be better option no? i would also love to have Robinho but for 48m Hell no. if we offer that much for schweinsteiger watch how fast he unwraps.
unless we are really offering that much to help them with the ronaldo cause i feel it is ludacris

@Blueboydave
excuse me for stating points already stated here but i am new. i am not a drogba hater i just feel we do not owe him anything.

I agree with Komatosed - we owe Drogba nothing and I'm a little ambivalent towards him after last season when he forced the operation in order to ensure he was OK for the Ivory Coast, but didn't consider it sufficient to have it done close season to minimize the impact to us. Then his constant harping onto the foreign press about leaving Chelsea hardly sets him up as a fans favourite does it? He's a great striker when in the right mood, but if he's not happy then let him go and build for the future.

And also in line with Komatosed, I hope to god we ditch the lone striker bollocks occasionally because all it leads to for us is a long ball hoof from Cech to Drogba. It's Wimbledon stuff that Dave Bassett would be proud of. Anelka barely got enough chances to perform last year because the minute DD got back all he ever did was start from the bench and then got shoved into a wingers role, which he patently isn't! 2 strikers means the defence has 2 worries and it adds to the midfield scoring capability, but means we no longer rely upon it through Lamps/Ballack/Joe Cole.

Selling Anelka after 6 months would be bloody stupid. He deserves at least another season with regular starts, preferably alongside another striker. I don't care who, and if Sheva cares to watch some old Shearer/Hughes/Lineker videos he might realise that pace isn't required to be a great scorer.

i could not agree more ChelseaTony no way should we sell anelka after six months after he stated that he would love to finish his career with us. he is a quaulity striker given the chance. the lone striker is a long ball strategy, i hate that. Drogba is not a creative striker he is a finisher so he is not suitable for the lone striker role.

Sheva Need to wake up and realize he is the EPL now and start acting acordingly he needs to pick his game up as well as others namely KOLOU. he dissappoints me.
and lets see what DiSanto can do

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and all that, but in my eye lumping the ball to Drogba who holds it up for Lampard who scores the goal which wins us the game 1-0 isn't as beautiful as it once was.

I wouldn't be upset if both were sold before the end of August - we've had the best of them so let them leave. There, I said it.

More reports out of Italy that Lampard will request that he be allowed to join Inter Milan. LINK

Wayne Bridge has signed a new four-year contract with Chelsea, according to Sky Sports News

It's on official site now,some good news atlast.

Agree, EvilLynn - it is good news. When he's fit and match sharp, Bridge is equally as good, if not better than A. Cole.

This proves that most newspapers don't have a clue - lots of reports that he was going to sign for Portsmouth and it turns out he had signed this new four year contract last month, before Scolari took over.

That is just great news EVILLYNN.

The Gooner Slayer to stay with us till 2012....just brilliant!
Legend.

BRILLIANT!!

@ BBD & Dezmond

Wrong! Komatosed isn't Mr Musumba!

@ Komatosed

Hello, Alex!... How's Avram Grant? Has he found a new job yet? ;-)

@ Simon

Alex?

@ Simon

If i am Alex then you must be Ten Cate so Panathinaikos can have drogba when you go

@ Komatosed

Yes, Alex.

Very happy to see Bridge stay, I thought that he was underused last year by Larry Grayson. and 48 mil for Robinho? we better be getting sneider or ruud as well for that type of cash. Robinho's agent might me more aggrivating than Lamps', I believe he was quoted as saying "Robinho is just as good of a player as Ronaldo, if not better"....right. i think chelsea should be considering schweinsteger, arshavin, or villa, not robinho.
Transfer season is starting to get to me, I feel as if the transfers I make up in my head have as much validity to them as the ones that get printed in the papers. how much information is needed before a reporter deems it worthy to print in a newspaper?

@ Komatosed

Sure, Alex.

@ Komatosed

Doesn't matter who you are really, I don't care. See you around!

Happy with the news about Bridgey..AND Drogs. We'd of been barking mad to of let a player of his class and consistency leave the club..

cool Simon thanks see you round. stil don't know who alex is though guess it an inside joke

@ Komatosed

If you're not Alex, you must be Jiko! They are Drogba haters.

70. Lolli

Yes, TSSO must get hold of our quality players first!

@ 73. SIMONT

Nooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As much as i adore him, I won't let him!!!

Lolli!!!!!!!! Put your glasses on!!!!

TSSO is The SO-SO One!!!!!!!

You've been drinking!!!!! Lolli!!!!!

@ 75. SIMONT

OMG!!! I wouldn't of noticed if you hadn't of said!!

AND i've GOT my glasses on.. :D

Oh dear....What a moron i am!!

@ 76. SIMONT

That's called "slander" where i come from..

My lawyer will be in touch..

Hic!..

Lolli...

You could not see the difference between TSSO and TSO!!!!!! I found you GUILTY!!

@ 79. SIMONT

It's been a long day.
That's my excuse and i'm sticking to it!! :S

Lolli...

The punishment for you is to pack Lampard's suitcases ready for Italy...

@ 81. SIMONT

No need..he ain't goin'..
He's just told me..

Lolli...

In that case, just clean his boots then as a punishment! You'll probably enjoy it! :-)

@ 83. SIMONT

I'm still trying to get the Spag Bol stain out of his designer silk shirt!!
I ain't cleaning his boots for him as well!!!

Gawd grief!! :))))

(Enter stage left speaking in booming Brian Blessed type Shakespearean Voice)

Good my Lord I bring joyful news. 'Tis widely published hereabouts (I saw it in London Lite) that Lord Percy hath this very day pledged to remain at the Bridge.

Narrator: And lo there was much rejoicing.....

(Enter again stage left speaking in booming Brian Blessed type Shakespearean Voice)

Good my Lord, there is one Chelseablogger who hath been inciting the mob with the most heretical incitements (see #57 above), he hath been taken and will this night be burnt as a heretic, using wood from renewable resources, my liege.

Narrator: And lo there was much rejoicing...

(Note: No real heretics were harmed in the making of this entertainment)

Thank God Ronaldinho isn't coming anywhere near Stamford Bridge. It might open the door for Kaka's arrival; AC's actions in signing Goofy are strange for a club apparently facing financial issues. Imagine being any team in the UEFA Cup facing Kaka and Ronaldinho in it - they'd think they were in the wrong competition!

Good news in the morning papers with two reporting that the squad will be trimmed whilst we're still looking for attacking reinforcements:

LINK

LINK

I don't see why we need to bother flying out the likes of Belletti, Boulahrouz, TBH, SWP, Maka and Pizarro to China and Russia as they should all be shipped out. Although if the Times is right it'll be fun seeing the likes of Anelka having to put in some effort in the knowledge that it could be his last game.

Most seem to think that we should get Robinho if we offer the right fee. The £48m figure leaked by Real was laughable (i think that they slipped on their keyboard and found the no. 4 instead of 2 or even 1 when releasing their valuation). If we can get Robinho then our spending, i fear, will be over. It could mean letting the likes of Silva and Villa head to Inter or Real instead of us because we can't find any buyers for Didier or Anelka.

KTBFFH

If this can be believed LINK I am happy with the summer.

The Ronaldinho transfer's an interesting one.

I'm not overly disappointed we didn't sign him, but he wasn't up to his usual standards last season and I think the stories of him being past it based on that are a little naive.

However, I could almost have guaranteed he'd have been absolute rubbish if we signed him. A 4 year deal for £130,000+ a week, and he'd have just been the next Sheva / Pizarro type useless waster. At AC, I wouldn't be at all surprised if he's firing all season now.

Just one of them things I guess.

Nice to see the board took heed of my posting yesterday lunchtime and decided we needed to get Bridgey to commit his future. Great signing IMO.

The pieces are falling together at last.. Bridgey signing, Riccy making positive noises about staying, the unwanteds gradually leaving. Hopefully Frank will make his decision and the Drog will realise which side his bread is buttered and we are off for an exciting season. Even if Lamps does go (seems likely now sorry Lolli!) then I don't see a great rush to bring in any new players as the policy now should be to start blooding the next batch of JTs and get the best out of what we have paid so much money for (i.e. Sheva, Anelka etc).

I also have a sneaking suspicion that this may be Kalou's year to show he has matured and can score more goals.. then we won't have to rely on Drogba and Lampard (who as I say most likely won't be wearing blue for the new season).

Still believe losing Lampard won't be as big a deal as it would have been the last few years. Essien, Ballack, Mikel, Deco, J. Cole, Kalou maybe even Sheva in a midfield line up is pretty formidable !

Its about 4 weeks to go and I am starting to get a little bit excited...

KTBFFH

The Bridge thing is hilarious. Remind me why we believe ANYTHING we read in the papers?

Talking of the Press, Robinho's price has gone down from 48 million yesterday, to 18 million today....... Far more sensible price, and almost worth a punt if we can get him for that.

Maybe I am misreading the Lamps situation, but I don't think he will go anywhere this year.... I reckon he will stay for 1 more season, and the Chelsea hierarchy basically have until the January window to persuade him that his future lies with us, not a Pre-Contractual agreemnet with Jose.

@Greenlight,

By my Vorderman-type calculations, does that mean by tomorrow morning Real will pay us 12 million to take him off their hands ?? I'd settle for that.

This is a stateent from Drogba's agent.

"Didier has given himself 10 days," Seydi told France Football. "If nothing happens he'll stay at Chelsea and extend his contract by two years.

"He doesn't see himself starting training in a few days with Chelsea and then leaving to a new club.

"The reality of November is not that of today. At the time Didier was affected by departure of Jose Mourinho who he was very close to.

"Today, there is nothing to say that he won't stay at Chelsea."

It gives the impression that if nothing better comes along he might as well stay.
Not really the attitude we need with the start of the season just 4 weeks away.

@94.. thats just Drogba's agent fishing for a deal. Drogba has two years left on his deal with CFC so why should they bother renogiating another 2 years. If he performs this season like he did the season before then thats different.

A focus and committed Drogba is the best signing we could make regarding forwards this summer.

LGF/TSSO to put his foot down and stop drog whining and mouthing off to obscure french football mags every five minutes ... and a return to his 2006 form pls!

@Fifty "However, I could almost have guaranteed he'd have been absolute rubbish if we signed him. A 4 year deal for £130,000+ a week, and he'd have just been the next Sheva / Pizarro type useless waster. At AC, I wouldn't be at all surprised if he's firing all season now''

I was just thinking the exact same thing this morning when i was reading of the latest rollypollydinho doings!

@ Evelyn 94

I agree. I went off Drogba last season so I'm not his greatest fan. Also next season, when SuperFrank runs towards the corner flag by the West Lower kissing his badge, I don't know whether I'll find it in me to cheer as I've done in the past so I might give some hand signal instead.

Both Drogba and Frank have now tainted their relationship with the fans and, like unfaithful lovers, it aint ever going to be the same again.

The DD one does come across as a bit of a kick in the teeth. If a better offer doesn't come along, he'll happily see out his career with us as no-one will be interested at this stage next season.

Talk about bite the hand that feeds you !!!

The story in the Times about players going on the tour making or breaking their Chelsea careers suggest TSSO is only looking at one more new player. WOuld be interesting to see what happens if Sheva and Pizarro both left. We'd be left with DD as our only striker. Bizarre.

I still think that Kalou is massively underrated... He's done better for us than Duff did in our first PL winning season, and equally as good as Joe Cole in our second which got him a place in the Team of the Year. If we view him more as a winger than a striker, which we should seeing as he hardly played up front last season, then his output is astonishing.

I dug out the stats about a month ago and can't be bothered to do so again, but thinking he can only get better upon reading them gives a lot of optimism.

2007-08 PL season:
Kalou: 7 goals, 9 assists (11 goals overall for the season in 3268 minutes)
Joe Cole: 7 goals, 6 assists (10 goals in 4232, over ten games' worth!)


2006-07 PL season:
Kalou: 7 goals, 5 assists
Robben (because Joe was injured for so much of it): 2 goals, 6 assists


2005-06 PL season:
Joe Cole: 8 goals, 4 assists
Robben: 6 goals, 2 assists

2004-05 PL season:
Joe Cole: 8 goals, 2 assists
Robben: 7 goals, 9 assists (Kalou has made the same input this season! In more appearances, obviously, but it proves his overall output is similar)
Duff: 6 goals, 4 assists

2003-04 PL season:
Duff: 5 goals, 9 assists
Joe Cole: 1 goal, 0 assists?

@101 Peregrine - I'd agree Kalou's record isn't bad given he's only ever played wide and still isn't 23 years old - as PeterTheGreat [@90] says above this could be his break through season. Here's a link to his stats:

LINK

Also if LGF is really keen to give youth a chance presumably we'll get to see a reasonable amount of Di Santo at least off the bench.

Then again there's still The Incredible Sulk too! :-(

Di Santo is a player I would definitely like to see involved with the first few games of the season. From pictures on the official site, it looks like he is training with the first team squad so we'll have at least four strikers if Drogs doesn't go and we get no one else in (Drogs, Sheva, Anelka and Di Santo - Kalou is excluded for the time being).

@ Simon

so simon how do you feel about the Big Drogs now. still not satisfied and AC got Ronaldinho now so where exactly does he think he is going? and why come out now with a statement like that, when the team in pre season training mode? where his attitude can effect the team?

i also think Kolou can be a good player he is quick but he needs to come into his game and reward CHELSEA

@105 Komatosed - you've glossed over the fact that the statement came from Drog's agent who is obviously going to tout for interest from other clubs/ a new contract extension for his client. Anyway even if it accurately represented Drogs' own feelings when they last spoke, say yesterday, he's probably changed his mind at least twice since - and according to the always reliable TribalFootball Barcelona are still interested in him.....

I loved watching Anelka play until he came to Chelsea. As far as I can recollect he was banging them in with other teams, although the stats may prove me wrong. Maybe he would come good if he was played in position.
Kalou showed he's got it during the ANC so I'm looking forward to seeing him improve again this season.

@ Mark25,

I know what you mean - both DD and Frankie have come out in a bad light, Drogba because of his poor gob control and Frankie for not saying something about all this. I can't see either of them kissing the badge with their previous relish if they do end up staying.

Maybe Drogba will see the lack of interest from other clubs as a slap in the face and be more determined than ever to show what they missed out on. Cue a 40-goal season!
Any time I feel a little pissed off at Drogba, I think of his goal against Barca in 2006 when, with his back to the goal and ball at his feet he tapped it with his heel, sent that c*nt Puyol the wrong way, spun and scored in the top right corner - it restores some of the faith.

@107 Dezmond

For me, the memory of Drogba taking the long ball with Carragher all over him, turning the scouser and rifling it past a stationary Reina will always fill my heart with cheer. Also TSO's classic "yeah, not too bad" looking pose without even leaving his seat while the rest of the bench went mental at the goal.
As long as he commits, i'll back him all the way to have an outstanding season.

yes drogba has done some great things for CFC. and has scored some great goals.

and i do agree with Dezmond i used to enjoy watching Anelka play he was always a danger to defenses and goalies alike. If only we can play him in position to see what he has left. especially with such excellent support in the midfield.

It looks like Sheva's staying according to this: LINK

Is the Lamps saga trundling to an inevitable conclusion? I stumbled on this quote today which I've taken the Chelsea player's name out of:

Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck has reiterated that the club will not sell XXXX XXXX even though the player has made it clear he wants to quit Stamford Bridge.
" XXXX is unhappy but we love XXXX XXXX and we'd like him to stay at Chelsea," Buck told BBC Radio Five Live.
"We're not interested in transferring him to a Premier League club or another club in Europe. He has one year on his contract and we expect him to fulfil that."

Though the language looks eerily familiar this actually came out of this blog's archive for 15/08/06 and is about William Gallas - and we all know what happened just 16 days later. Is it deja vu all over again - sorry, Lolli??

@ 111. BLUEBOYDAVE

I hope it's not deja vu again.
I read yesterday that Lamps would be putting in a request for a transfer "within 48 hours"...and as of yet there's been no news. So, unless there's a "breaking news report" or statement from Lamps and/or his agent within the next 24 hours saying otherwise, i'm going to think positive..
Lamps has said he wants to stay at Chelsea and I believe him..

@ Lolli

Hope all is well darling, long time no talk.

On Lamps, when was the last time he actually said this?
Are you referring to his statements prior to season end in various interviews or something more recent?

@ 113. CELERY

Hiya hunny, yeah i'm great thanks. Hope you are too? x

Yes, prior to season end AND in recent tabloid quotes etc..He's apparently frustrated at not being given 5 years on his contract as he's said many times that he wants to end his career with us.
I believe that.

Lolli

All fine here as well, thanks!

I think perhaps lots have happened between the two parties since his statements were made, possibly beyond repair. :-(

I have a bad feeling about this (Lamps leaving) but I certainly hope YOU ARE right as you have been many a time before on your predictions!

Cheers darling.

@ CELERY

That's a fair point you make about lots happening since he made his statements. I don't however believe that the situation is "beyond repair" because in all fairness to him, it's NOT actually Frank that's come out stating that he wants to leave. The info always seems to come from a "source" CLAIMING that's what he wants.

If these "sources" are so reliable, why doesn't Lamps himself just confirm it all and come out and say; "Yeah, it's all true. I'm just waiting for terms to be agreed..blah blah/whatever". It would be that easy rally wouldn't it, seeing as the World and his Wife already supposedly knows of his intentions?

Lolli

All good points and I do hope he makes some sort of statement soon as his silence is driving me bonkers!

Come on Frankie come out and tell us all you're staying (signing the new deal)and get it over with.

Hell, I'll even raise my glass of Stella to the mere thought of it. :-)

Lampard leaving would be a big kick in the teeth. Kenyon and co should be ashamed of themselves. And I agree with Lolli, Its all speculation until 1. A deal or agreement is finalised or 2. Lamps comes out and makes his intentions clear. They should be doing EVERYTHING possible to keep him and offer him what he wants but I also think that if he was desperate to stay then he would sign a new deal. We need a reaction from Frank because the press/crap is really annoying.

@Joe......

The problem with the Lampard thing is thst he should have been given the money he wanted and a 2-3 year extension 12 months ago and everyone would still be happy. The board made the error then, not now. I actually think they are right to dig in their heels now and say 4 years is enough......

For goodness sake, we are talking about giving the bloke almost 30million quid for 4 years work. Seriously, if that isn't enough to make you stay, then it clearly isn't really about the money. If Frank wants a new challenge, and Roman is prepared to forego the 8-10 million pound fee currently on the table, then he should play out his final year at The Bridge and move on with our best wishes.

Unexpected observation by Bosingwa on the most dangerous player in the league:

LINK

Maybe we should sign Morten Gamst to replace SWP whilst Robinho can be our new attacking threat to try and replace the goals of Lamps.

@ Greenlight... I agree the board is doing the right thing this time round. You just cannot reaslistically offer a 30 year old a 5 year contract on that silly money and then expect other players agents to not follow suit with similar claims.

Lampard still has 2 maybe 3 good years in him but having said that I expect him to suffer more injuries than in the past. Chelsea has had 7 amazing years of service from the player but the time is right to move on. I would prefer he go now and the club take whatever fee they can to invest in the youth system. He will still leave with my respect as like Lolli I don't believe he really wants to leave Chelsea... its his agent trying to pull one over the club and get a deal that no player deserves to get at his age.

All these agents look at RAs massive bank account and all they can think about is how much more commission they can earn compared with dealing with other clubs.

There is no way Inter can match Chelsea's offer in terms of wages so if Frank does leave it is not for the money it will be for the new challenge and the chance to continue working with TSO.

I just wish everyone would stop the rumours and let Frank and the club sort it out in private. Of course that is like wishing I could win the pools... never going to happen with agents involved and all that money on offer...

KTBFFH

On Drogba... this quote really grates with me...

''Didier has given himself 10 days. If nothing happens he will stay at Chelsea and extend his contract by two years."

Of course this is his stupid agent talking as no player with any sense of self respect would utter such bollocks. To assume that the club will automatically extend his contract just because he hasn't found any other suiters is plain arrogant. I hope the club say to his agent "we are not negotiating a new deal for your player, he can see out his current contract and maybe next season we can consider an extension IF he performs this season".

I just cannot believe the arrogance of these agents... of course we are talking serious money in commissions so it is no wonder these shysters have heads bigger than their arses...About time clubs shoved their arrogant heads up their shrivelled rectums...

Confusion over Didier but his agent still appears to be trying to drum up interest in a striker nobody wants:

LINK

Unfortuantely Maka's staying. Nothing against Maka but Mikel deserves more games. Good news that TBH is on his way. Out next should be Belletti, then SWP then Pizarro. Forgot about Boulahrouz who hasn't returned to training yet. Is he still ours? Why do we need 4 RBs? The clear out continues.

@ Habs... I am happy Maka is staying IF he now plays second fiddle and mentor to Mikel who appears to be taking on that defensive midfield role. That is assuming TSSO continues to employ that role in midfield. Maka's experience particular in Europe is still important as younger players step up. So he will bring balance to the midfield as on his day he still ranks highly in the art of spoiling and breaking down attacks. I would also miss his smiling grin every time he wrestles an opposing star midfielder to the ground !

At 35 though he is not going to be able play 40-50 games a year so he should now be filling an understudy or specialist playing role.

Brian Moore (rugby union's Brian Moore?) gets it right in a few paragraphs in today's Telegraph. LINK

"As a long-term season-ticket holder at Stamford Bridge, I realise how difficult it is for football fans to apply the same logic to their own club as they do to their rivals.

"Take Frank Lampard. He arrived overweight and a little slow, but has performed so consistently that he is now one of the best players in the Premier League. For his service, loyalty and effort, should not the club give him an extra year on the four they have offered in a new contract? Should they not chip in that extra £10,000 per week and up their offer from £120,000 per week to £130,000?

"Take away the blue-tinted spectacles and see this for what it is. A four-year contract is generous for a 30-year-old; more realistic would be a three-year offer with a one-year extension option. As for money, Lampard is seeking less than 10 per cent more than he has been offered, but that is not the point. Seen in normal terms, rather than the fantasy-island viewpoint of Premier League football, it is a question of his loyalty.

"He has given much for Chelsea, but he has been fabulously rewarded. Others get paid more, but others get paid less. He has enough money to be secure for life and will continue to be fabulously rewarded. So the question is this - was all that badge kissing a sham?

"As for Didier Drogba; Chelsea will give you a huge contract. In return, you agree to a clause stipulating that if you return to your petulant ways, as opposed to being the terror of every defender, you can be summarily sold to the highest bidder."

Not much you can add, really. They've both pretty much burnt their bridges, so to speak.

105. Komatosed

Sadly, you have been brainwashed by the silly press; Drogba's agent said he didn't make that statement.

If some people dislike Drogba's personality, that's their problem; I only judge him as a footballer. Chelsea want him 200% and real Chelsea fans love him...

So please get off his back!

How good is life... its my birthday today and my girlfriend has bought me a Chelsea beach towel which will be well used in the upcoming Aussie summer. Who needs to be earning bucket loads of money when the simple things in life mean so much more.

I think modern sportsmen and other high profile big earners lose touch of the simple gifts of life and I don't evny them in the slightest. I don't have any money to speak of but right now I am the happiest man in the world thanks to being in love with a beautiful woman. It does not get any better than that.

I hope Frank, Didier and all other footballers currently negotiating massive paydays can also enjoy the simple pleasures as well....

KTBFFH

I have to agree with Brian Moore's view on the situation, if Chelsea want to stop being held to ransom on transfer fees, they must also take the same view with contract negotiations and wages. As much as it will be a loss to Chelsea if they both move on, replacements will be found and Chelsea will cope. I've always believed that no one player, or person are bigger than the club or the sport they represent.

If Frank stays to see out his final year on his contract and then moves to Milan, that's his decision, although he's doing himself no favours with his continued silence. As long as he remains professional and performs week in week out then we have nothing to complain about, and I for one will not boo him, or any other Chelsea player while they represent the club.

The villains here are not so much the players but their parasite agents who have long spoilt this game.

And happy birthday Peter :-)

I've just had to double and treble-check the date, but it's definitely not the 1st April.

And yet, the following can't be anything other than a joke, can it ?

"Alexander Hleb last night quit Arsenal for Barcelona in a £12million deal - and was immediately tied into a £71m buy-out clause."

£71m ???? He's good, above average, but even in todays ridiculous transfer fee merry-go-round, no way on this planet is he worth £71m. Laughable.

It's a bit sad when all the talk of transfers involves other clubs. Come on Kenyon, earn your money. For once.

Happy Birthday Peter !!

@ 126 SimonT - "Drogba's agent said he didn't make that statement" - err well he would do wouldn't he? Drogba's agent, like Kutner (Still reckon that's a mis-spelling)is doing what they do, creating stories that the press willingly leap onto because frankly in the world of the EPL, nothing of any consequence is happening. Hleb to Barca? That was known about months ago. Crouch to Pompey? Quelle surprise!

As Clive says the agents are the seedy bastards in all this. Drogs and Lamps should be sensing broadsides across the agents bows if they're not happy with the publicity. But as it stands the milk has been soured for both players. I find it hard to believe TSSO is [prepared to put up with this bollocks, and his own silence , for me, speaks volumes about how the club are (for once) handling things well and the comparative amounts of truth in each story.

@ Peter, a Chelsea towel and a top bird? Add a cold beer and you've just about landed in paradise.

@ Peter the Great - "How good is life... its my birthday today and my girlfriend has bought me a Chelsea beach towel which will be well used in the upcoming Aussie summer"

Come on here gloating? Birthday? Ok I'll forgive that. Chelsea beach towel? Ok, easily forgiven? Girlfriend? OK, also acceptable as long as your wife doesn't find out.

Aussie Summer? - how dare you come on here with such obvious disregard for us Brits, for whom the concept of Summer is something merely written about in the drug addled fantasies of people like me.

@ Peter....Happy Birthday Cobber! (I once actually heard an Aussie say that!)

Not really gloating weather here in Melbourne though... about 13 degrees today.

@ Tony.......

Is it something to do with our Russian leaders that our players feel the Communist principle of everyone earning the same wage is appropriate! It's getting silly now.... By my reckoning Drogba, Frank, Ballack, Sheva all expect to be on a par with JT as the highest wage earner.

How about since JT is Chelsea through and through the board ask him to drop his wages by 50 grand a week, and then everyone can have the same 100 grand a week! Seems fair to me, hardly a pittance, and I really don't think any of our players should be whinging at 5 mill a year.... After all, imagine what they would expect if we had actually won something!

I'm pretty relaxed about the lack of transfer activity (real as opposed to agents' BS) for Chelsea. The team we've got was good enough to go all the way to the CL final and to push manure all the way last season. Now with a real manager at the helm we can go all the way. We've solved the right back problem by getting one of the best. Deco can add some midfield magic and with sheva, anelka, kalou, di santo to support drog surely we can dispense with the long ball tactic as a staple. It would be nice to have one pacy winger who could cross a decent ball, otherwise we're in pretty good shape already! I'd like to see Robinho come in, but that's looking very unlikely.

The wages thing - all goes back to Shev. Brought him in on bumper wages, more than players who had been doing it week in, week out for two years, and then let him spend most of his time on the golf course after his crap performances saw the formation changed and the manager sacked.

Forget the sums, which are crazy to us but not the people in the profession, and it's nothing to do with being loyal or disloyal, it's about feeling you are getting screwed over, or rather that other people are undeservedly getting better rewarded than yourself. I'm not saying I sympathisise, but I do know where they are coming from.

That said, it's long past the time to draw a line in the sand (should probably have done it with Terry). If we get 10m for Lampard, that's an excellent bit of business. Sell him and we can all move on. I wouldn't begrudge Frank a transfer at all - it's the best thing for everybody.

@ ChelseaTony...

As greenlight has pointed out bloody cold here in OZ at the moment but sadly yes come spring, summer and autumn it will be warm enough to make use of the towel and the beach here in Adelaide is.. well sensational. The only downside of being down here is having to watch the EPL in the wee hours of the morning. I should point out I grew up near Heathrow airport and lived in Milton Keynes for 8 years so I earned my right to the good life down under !

No worries with the wife as she left last year so will be soon be divorced and the new girl is a 100% improvement ;-))

Now off to dinner with my son and daughter...

"Real Madrid boss Bernd Schuster wants to sign Dutchman Rafael van der Vaart from Hamburg. (Marca, 1043 BST)"

For the love of God, please dont let this happen. Not only is he unlikely to play that much for Real, he'd be the ideal replacement for Franco, sorry Frank, Lampard when / if he signs for Inter.

Some more transfer gossip regarding Lamps.
Timesonline quotes the Daily Star as follows:

"Frank Lampard will be allowed to leave Chelsea if Inter Milan make a £20m bid for the England midfielder. The Blues owner has dismissed Inter offers of £8m and £10m. But, with the saga dragging on, a more realistic figure could see the England midfielder get his move. Abramovich was furious at Lampard’s refusal to sign a four-year deal worth £140,000 a week. He felt it was an excellent new contract for a player who has turned 30, but Lampard wanted five years.
Initially, Abramovich indicated he was ready to make Lampard see out the last year of his contract after he made it clear he wants to rejoin former boss Jose Mourinho at Inter. According to one source close to the Russian, he wanted to see Lampard “punished” for snubbing a contract worth over £29m in wages."

Still I believe in Frank. He's always said he would stick with Chelsea. In this respect I would like to cite a London taxi driver, who promised a frightened 10 year old boy to take him to the airport on time despite all city traffic. As he showed me the right gate for my flight back home he said: "An Englishman's word is his bond." Since then I really trust in English people, including Lamps.

Heartwarming, isn't it?

@ 135 PTG - Traded the old model in huh ;-) Top call! That should get me severely reprimanded by all our girlie contributors. I lived in Hayes - the Middlesex one until I was 26 but chose to decamp to the Sunny South Coast rather than the Sunny South Hemisphere! It seems I chose........poorly.

@ PeteW - absolutely agree mate. We've shown enough loyalty to players and if Frank truly wants out then shake his hand and wish him luck and snatch the £10m or more from Inter.

I've never really favoured the wholesale change culture during the close season and as BlueinBangkok says, we weren't a bad side last year. My view is that the players did a good job under their own steam and with , at best, a limited leadership and limited tactical nouse. TSSO, who has really grown on me, can bring in one or two, promote one or two others and jettison about 5 and we'd still be formidable.

Clive - I would never boo a Chelsea player, but if Lampard is still around next season he will get nothing but polite applause out of me.

BlueEyes - Footballers aren't 'normal' people, they live in an entirely different world to the rest of us. You will always be disappointed if you go through life believing footballers' words. (My cynicism knows no bounds this summer. :-)

I see Robinho's agent has added Barcelona to the Clubs That Want To Sign My Player list. Also, Manchester United. "It's only logical that a club like Barcelona want Robinho. He is also wanted by Chelsea and Manchester United."

The Internet has ruined the off-season. There's just too much information and too many organisations fighting for traffic. Gone are the days of reading the newspaper over breakfast hoping to see your club linked with one of the world's better players. Gone are the days of flicking through Ceefax and Teletext hoping to see mention of your club.

I sound like a grumpy old man, but I'm tired of all the bullshit and can't wait for the football to start again.

@ 126 Simon

you have got to be kidding me

@130 chelseatony

Thanks cause Simon thinks i an drogbas back when he obviously on his balls.

@ SIMON

i am a chelsea fan not a DROGBA fan i am for the club not the player sorry Simon

like i said before We owe drogba nothing and yet he still fishing for something. no other team wants him. unless they can have him on his real worth, CHEAP!!!!!!

@ ChelseaTony.. Hayes I vaguely remember I was born in Feltham and my mum in Southall during the war. I used to play on the road alongside heathrow.. cant remember the name .. Great South Western or something like that. All very different to the sunny climes of Adelaide! Although not too sunny or warm at the moment.

Funny I left the UK (from MK that is) when I was 26 ! There was no MK Dons in those days only concrete cows and blowup whales in lakes. Strange place M Keynes never seen so many roundabouts in one place ! Wonder what the city is like now. The only good thing was the MK Bowl and the amazing all day concerts they had in the early 80s..The best was Queen's concert which you can get on DVD now..aahhh good memories those...

@ 137. BLUEEYES

I wouldn't exactly pay much attention to the Daily Star, it's hardly the most reliable source of information!! Completely agree with your last paragraph though..

@ 141. KOMATOSED

I don't agree..No other team would want Drogba? Really? A GUARANTEED goal scorer..? My Pa and Bro are both die hard Man Ure fans and they'd BOTH love to see him in a red shirt...i'll be 100% honest, i NEVER wish to see Didier playing for anyone other than Chelsea..

@ PETERTHEGREAT

Happy birthday sweetie pie..enjoy your day!! x x

Thanks Lolli and everyone else who wished me happy birthday... Been a fantastic day ...doesn't matter how much birthday's I rack up I still enjoy the fun. Just got back from dinner (very tasty Indian) with my daughter and son.. now watching the froggy bike race to cheer Cadel Evans on in the yellow jersey...

One day i shall set up a profile so I don't have to keep typing my name and email address in...!

@ LOLLI

ok I do agre i would hate to see him in the epl for any other team personally i mean yeah he scores good goals he has saved us a few times. all i am saying is i am unhappy with the way he has done things after the mourinho sacking. and i do blame him for the champions league loss. his actions were dumb literally. he has been trying to hold chelsea to some sort of ransom ever since mourinho and i just don't condone it.

and my thing is that i don't think most big teams are really looking at drogba he misses alot of chances his first touch is not so good. one of the champions leauge games drogba jumped for a ball in the air and it landed about 10 yards away from him. he is big and strong yes and gives defenders a hard time but if you really think about it there are a couple of strikers who do that with a fine first touch. Amauri, berbatov, ANELKA!!!

@ PETERTHEGREAT

You're welcome..i shall raise a glass (or 2!) in honour of your birthday this weekend..any excuse!! :))

@ KOMATOSED

Most of the team went through a rebellious stage when T.S.O left and i can't say i blame them, especially with the underhanded way things were done..Most of the fans were unhappy also. It was just such a shock for everyone..

I don't blame him for us losing the CL..Tensions are always high between us and Man U at the best of times. This was Chelsea's first CL Final and Didier lost his cool for a few seconds...Trust me, it happens to the best of us!!...Yes, ok, he should've thought better of it before he did what he did but as far as i'm concerned it's all in the past now..A new season awaits and another chance to get to the CL Final with Uncle Phil and hopefully win it..

@141 Komatosed -"like i said before..." - yes you already said above at entry Nos. 21,26,29,31,48 and 54 - I think we all know by now you "don't rate Drogs and we owe him nothing" - would be good if you could try adding a more substantial argument than entries 145-6 too as explanation for this opinion.

Drogba has scored 80 goals in 4 years for us at a rate of just under 1 every 2 games, including 18 CL goals - I think that earns him quite a lot from us - at least some degree of tolerance for his intermittent rushes of blood to head/foot in mouth statements.

How much longer his apparently increasingly dodgy knees are going to last is another matter altogether which might justify cashing in while we can and saying thanks for the good times - but most top clubs would be happy to have someone with his playing record to date.

@ blue boy dave

ok yes i agree. good point

@ 148. BLUEBOYDAVE

Here, here!!

*round of applause AND standing ovation*
(from me anyways!!)

@ LOLLi

sorry lolli no harm ment

@ 151. KOMATOSED

OMG! Why are you apologising? You ARE allowed to express your opinion!!! If you don't rate a player for any reason, then you're within your right to say so, that's what a blog is for sweetie.

I just happen to really like Drogs and appreciate everything he's done for us in his time at the club and hope that he's with us for many years to come..as you say, he's won us matches on more than one occasion..

Please, please, please, don't apologise for what you think!
You'll give me a guilt complex!!! :S

i see big things for chelsea this year. don't mean to disrupt everyone. but i was hurt last season finishing second to ManU. we really should have beaten them in one compo. we finished with nothing last year no carling cup no FA nothing. this year I want something, i want people saying "oh chelsea just buys trophies" so i can say yeah and it feels GOOD

no LOLLi i understand but i agree that i was saying the same things i could have expressed a little better

Clive - I would never boo a Chelsea player, but if Lampard is still around next season he will get nothing but polite applause out of me.

@Nick
Yes I would do exactly the same, polite applause certainly would be the order of the day.




*round of applause AND standing ovation*
(from me anyways!!)

@Lolli
You would always get a standing ovation ;-)
Oh dear more innuendo... where's the morality police officer Mr Musumba when you need him?

lol

"I knew I recognised that like-a-dog-with-a-bone stubborn refusal to give up on an argument everyone else is bored with from somewhere." - BlueBoyDave

It must be the ghost of Mr Musumba still haunting ChelseaBlog...

@ Komatosed

Just say it... "I hate Drogba", so that we may see the end of your argument.

Simon

Just say it come on: "I wish I could marry Drogba... He is like a god to me..."
Dude, admit it, you wet you pants worse than Tyldsley does with (Ronaldo) when you see Drogba.

Your worship of Drogba is Disturbing....

OMG, Komatosed has an accomplice...

Mike, I remember you told Drogba to fuck off. Would you be proud of it?

I and many other real Chelsea fans worship Drogba, so what are you gonna do about it? Mike?

Simon

Yes I have told Snoop Drog to Fcuk off but that was because of 3 things:

1. The CL final. He is a professional footballer( or so I am told) so he shouldn't be the FIRST EVER player to be sent off for so-called violent behavior( he rubbed Vidic's face, didn't even get a good slap in)

2. When TSO left the 'Broken' Chelsea to break, Drogs decides to go and fcuk up the dressing room even more by his idiotic comments and harps on all year about the way he wants to leave.

3. Now, as soon as he realizes that nobody will pay him as much as we do, he says if nothing interests him, he'll stay at CFC. Unless there is a better offer of course.

Now, do realize that DD is not exactly a Zola or an Eider or even a Hasselbaink, he is just some big, powerful African bully of a football player with O.K finishing skill.

If Drogba goes, I shall say good luck and Good-bye.

Also, the only reason Ballack and Drogs fight over Free- kicks is because Ballack doesn't have " Bend over and take it" in his vocab.

@ 155. CLIVE

You're such a letch!!!!

MIKE in the red corner..
SIMONT in the blue corner..

Ding! Ding!...ROUND 1!!!!!

@ 159. MIKE

I admit to knowing a few people who wet their pants when they see Drogba! Our very own TONY GLOVER has also been known to in the past..much to Mrs G's dismay!

OH my Lord...
CLIVE's letcherous ways are contagious!!!
Save us all!!

Simon@ 160

The 'real' fans do not worship a player, they worship a club...

Lollie

Okay, first, whats a letch. (sorry, Born in South Africa)

Second, poor Mrs. G. :) (Especially if she does the laundry)

Answer my bloody questions, Mike.

Are you bloody proud of telling Drogba to fuck off?

I worship Drogba, so what are you gonna bloody do about it?

Lolli!!!!

You're such a peace maker! I love you!!! ;-)

@162
Mike
I do agree with all what you say here. These three points, provided by you, describe the situation really well!!!

Simon

Getting irritated? Lots of bloodys in that post.

On the fcuk off Drogba thing, you know what, actually I am not proud of telling anyone to fcuk off. I am actually quite indifferent. ;-)

@ 165. MIKE

A letch is a pervert who drools over younger women/ men *delete as appropriate*
For a clearer clarification, i direct you to CLIVE's profile page and take note of what he lists as his fave websites AND fave sports..

The answer to your question will become crystal clear!!

Sorry CLIVE, still love ya! ;)

Blue_Mikel

Thank you, another sensible comment.

Lollie

Ah, that sums up Simon with Drogba Quite Nicely. Thank you.

@ 167. SIMONT

Why, thankyou! I love you too!! ;))

All this arguing that's going on guys...come on! Get a grip! It's getting worse than a Spurs blog!!!

Feel the love!!

Now, all the bloody Drogba haters come out from hiding! :-)

Lollie

I am gonna go to sleep so dont worry about anything till 2moro

Simon

We dont hate Drogba, we just dont dream about having a romantic dinner in the beach with him, unlike you...

Just changing the subject back to Frank.
Did anyone see Live From Stamford Bridge tonight?
I was impressed with people calling up and virtually pleading with Frank to stay,hopefully he watched it and perhaps then he might realise how much the fans want him to stay.
Only time will tell.

Mike,

To tell someone to fuck off is hatred.

Just say it... "I hate Drogba"

@ MIKE

I wouldn't mind a romantic dinner on a beach with a multi millionaire!!
*snaps out of dream-like trance*

Would've thought you'd be into Drogs, being African and all that..you should be proud of such a great player coming from your homeland..
Whereabouts in Africa are you from? My Auntie (mum's sister), Uncle and 2 cousins live there..Transvaal to be exact. My cousins were born there. They have the cool accent that you possess!!

@ LYNN

Fingers, toes, arms and legs crossed...!!

@ 164

Real Chelsea fans do worship Chelsea players who score goals for the Club.
Real Chelsea fans don't abuse Chlesea players who score goals for the Club.

@ LOLLI
I agree but still have a bad feeling that it will end up the same fiasco as Robben and Gallas's transfers.
It will probably happen at the very last minute of the transfer window and just leave every Chelsea fan angry,hurt and very disillusioned.
I just wish he would put us out of our misery.

@ 181. LYNN

Agree. It hurts me so much that new "exclusives" are coming out daily and yet there's no word from CFC. Why do they treat us with so much disrespect? We DESERVE to know what's going on at our club don't we? We have that right..

The only difference with Gallas was that he WANTED to leave. Frank has stated time after time that he wants to stay..
I swear if he leaves, i'll probably cry for a month!!!

@LOLLI

I think Frank's silence is ominous,how difficult is it for him to tell us?
I understand that the club can't tell us too much about transfers but you are right,they show us very little respect at times.They don't seem to realise that most fans live and breathe Chelsea and it is not a job to us,it's a way of life.

@Lolli - There has been word from the club.

Peter Kenyon, last week:

"The [Lampard] situation is ongoing. We have always maintained that we want Frank to stay and an offer was made to that effect. That offer is still on the table. Frank is under contract and he still has one year to run on that. We'd like to hope we can reach an agreement but if we can't we have always worked on the basis that Frank sees out the terms of his contract.

"Chelsea has made its position very clear to Internazionale and they have come back now with a financial offer. That will be rejected."

I think Bruce Buck said something along similar lines.

It's up to Lampard now - he either signs the four-year (based on info in the press) contract offered, stays for the remaining year of his current contract, or tells the club he wants to leave this summer. I would like him to sign the four-year contract - but I agree with the club that four years is more than generous. I hope the club sticks to its guns.

If he comes out and says he wants to leave for a new challenge I'm sure most fans would wish him well and thank him for seven great years. If he leaves this summer or next because the club won't give him a five-year contract, well, he comes across as greedy and unreasonable.

I really don't know what to think any more (is this really all about wanting an extra year on an already generous contract offer?) but I do know that Lampard is digging a hole for himself - or allowing his agent to dig it for him - and the longer the current impasse goes on the deeper the hole will get.

@ SIMONT

Agree, it's his agent that's really doing a good job in turning some fans against him..i'd love to give him a damn good slap!!

Also agree that if Lamps decides to leave, then i would wish him all the best of luck.
You will NEVER get a bad word about Frank to cross my lips..

@Lolli 178

Well PeterTheGreat #127 has the Chelsea beach towel so that's a start. I'm able to provide a stiff upright pole for the sunshade. I'm sure others here can offer contributions to make your dream dinner on the beach a reality.

@ 186. MARK25


I'm waiting for the millionaire to arrive!!!!

Morning bloggers...well morning for me at least...

Seems I left the blog last night to go to bed at the wrong time judging by some of the interesting interchanges... as Mark25 has indicated.. Lolli I can provide the beach towel if you can source a millionaire...now let me think... oh yes Super Frankie might be right for the gig... and I hear is wanting to go to Italy so you could meet up on a beach in Tuscany... Just flash that gorgeous smile of yours and you should have no trouble and therefore you should not need Mark's upright pole ! Mmmm did I over step the mark there a little ;-)

@ Simon and Komatosed... good to see people vigorously defend their opinions just don't get personal about it. I have to say though I am not surprise the DROG inspires such dividing opinions given the way he acts some times, but there is no striker in the world who can put the fear of god in a defence like he can WHEN his mind is on the job. I hope he stays and TSSO fires him up this season....

KTBFFH

@ 188. PETERTHEGREAT

Good morning!!

Me and SuperFrank on a beach in Tuscany with your towel and MARK's upright pole?

Ahhh!! *sigh!*
If only it would come true!!!

Morning Lolli (even for you now if the time on your last post is correct!) Dreams do come true... some times... I met my dream girl on News Years eve last year and this weekend we are heading off to the Clare Valley superb wine region) for our first romantic weekend away together to celebrate our birthdays (both Cancerians). She is my dream come true... so keep the dream alive...you never know ;-)

BTW I thought the before mentioned subject of your dreams was supposed to decide in the next 48 hours which by my maths was yesterday.. hopefully we all shall be put out of our misery to hear the greatest midfielder in the EPL has seen the light and decides stay... its the least he can do for you Lolli given your undying support and admiration...!

Sorry SIMONT, I addressed my post(185) at you and i meant it to be to NICK!

@ PETERTHEGREAT

Awwwwww!!!!! That sounds lovely! Hope you oth enjoy yourselves. Will you bring me a bottle of vino back please? Cancerian? That's why we get along! I'm a Virgo!

Regarding Frank and my undying support and admiration of him...if only he knew, eh?
He'd probably leave for definite if he did!! Lol

Sure thing Lolli and I will bring it with me when we come to the UK to visit my family which hopefully should be later next year...subject to finances. BTW just realised my new girl has a daughter with the nickname Lolli !

Anyway got to go to work now...

@ PETERTHEGREAT

Work? Boooo!
Have fun! x

Good Morning All

The FL saga seems to be taking a new twist, a lot a news outlets are reporting this:
"The Internazionale president, Massimo Moratti, claims that the Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard is torn between the Italian club and staying at Stamford Bridge.
"Lampard is a very serious lad and certainly he is torn between having the pleasure of doing something new or having a sense of duty towards his current club," Moratti said. "In the end it is up to him to find a solution."

I seem to remember Gerard having the same dilemma a few seasons back and he ended up staying at the pool. I just hope Frankie makes the same decision and stays, because no doubt he is idolised by the fans.

Morning GEEFER x

Let's hope so eh?
Frank is indeed a serious fella and the recent rumours seem to be taking their toll on him judging by how miserable he's been looking the last couple of weeks.

I wouldn't like to be in his position at the moment..

Hi Lolli

I know we'd all like Frank to stay but in the end it's his call and whatever he decides I would wish him well,and let him go with a lot of fond memories and no recriminations.

Great news, someone wants Belletti:

LINK

Maybe they forgot to see the numerous examples of a RB who doesn't defend, throughout last season. The prime example being his contribution to the carling cup final where he tried his hardest to help concede the fastest goal in Wembley history by giving Robbie Keane the ball within 2 secs of kick off.

Watching Live from Stamford Bridge on ChelseaTV, it was shocking to see how large our squad now is and how much crap we have. Keepers are great: Cech, Carlo, Hilario. Our defence is a joke: Bosingwa, Paulo, BELLETTI, BOULAHROUZ, Ivanovic, Ricky, Alex, TBH, Terry, Mancienne, Bridge, Cole. Try and spot the 3 worst players that we need to ship out. Then there is midfield: Cole, SWP, Kakuta (now training with the first team as of this week) Mikel, MAKA, Lamps, Essien, Ballack, Deco, MALOUDA, Kalou, Sinclair. Again 3 of them should go. Then for strikers: Didier, PIZARRO, Anelka, Sheva, Di Santo. Here only Pizarro will definitely be gone and Di Santo will definitely stay. There are 32 players here including 4 youth players so 7 or 8 MUST go.

It was also interesting for Neil Barnett and Ray Wilkins to guess the starting line up against Pompey. Mine is:

Cech
Bosingwa Ricky JT Cole
Essien Lamps
Cole Deco Kalou
Didier

Robinho would be in it but he's at the Olympics! I also think that Ballack will be left out after needing a rest and missing a lot of fitness work in pre-season.

Arrived at work now ! On Frank we shouldn't forget he will also be torn about leaving his family after his mother's death. That will still be very raw and no doubt playing a huge part in his decision... which is why everyone particular the media should lay off the lad and let him work it out privately.

If it was purely a footballing decision then I reckon Frank would go for the new challenge and to work with Jose again, however knowing the man he is his family will be very important to him so I can see why he would be torn. I believe all the talk about money is a red herring as I doubt Inter couldn't really match what chelsea offered.

Whatever his decision he should remain a modern Chelsea legend alongside the likes of Zola, De Matteo, Wise, Nevin, Dixon, Vialli etc.

KTBFFH

@ Habs.. I like the bit where they say Belleti has enjoyed "moderate success" they must be referring to his attacking ability and the goals he scored as his defending was woeful most of the time.

Don't agree with you on Maka though, he may have slowed but his experience will still be useful as a backup this year particularly in the dressing room where I hear he is well respected. Besides the last report I saw stated he has decided to stay and see out his current contract.

@ GEEFER

Spot on!

@ HABS

Wow! Didn't realsie our squad was THAT big!!

@ PETERTHEGREAT

Get some bloody work done!

Yes mam ! Actually I only here for a few hours before leaving for my romantic daliance in the Clare...;-))

I shall be off the air until next Monday night when I get back and then I will setting up my profile as that greyed ouot profile picture doesn't do me justice...

Have fun blogging and whatever you all get upto over the weekend and I expect to find when I get back that Frankie has made his decision...

Have a great time, PETER..x

Lolli

You're up late

Yes, it's my day off work today. Got no plans, so you're stuck with me!!! lol

Except a sleep in tomorrow

Well, yes. There is that!

@ 191. Lolli

It's like making love with Nick and you calling out my name! Nick must be very annoyed with you now! ;-p

@ 208. SIMONT

Good Lord! It ain't that bad! LOL..
I'm sure he won't be!!! HE's TOO nice!!

Hi Lolli it looks like you didn't ave much of a sleep in, but from what I see on Neews now Chelsea, Inter are getting a bit nervous about Frank

Hiya GEEFER!!

No, had to take my Ma food shopping at 8.30, so go all of 4 and a half hours sleep!

Yeah, i've just seen it on SSN..Inter have said that although they'd like to have Frank in their team, it seems as though they'll have to look for a player with "similar qualities" as him...
Obviously because of the £20million (?) price tag that's been slapped on him..

Can't say i'm dissappointed by the news! lol

@ 130 ChelseaTony

According to the Independence, Thierno Seydi said he had not spoken to France Football magazine that carried the story. It's irrelevant even if he did. Lamps and Drog so far have not made any official statement on their positions; all we hear are just noises from their greedy agents and silly stories in the press. It may go on until the end of August!

I pray that TSSO has some magic touch and pulls out some rabbits from the hat by then!

@ 164 MIKE

thanks alot mike thats all i have to say. SimonTobviously a Drogba Lover. not a chelsea lover

@ Komatosed

You cannot accept the facts that Chelsea manager loves Drogba 200% and I love Drogba 2000%.

So sad...

@ KOMATOSED & SIMONT

Behave yourselves, you two!!!

Remember, there's a very fine line between love and hate..
So kiss, hug, and make up!

I'm tempted to have a row with Lolli just for the kissing and making up!

@ TONY

Anytime!!! lol ;))

@Simont

i am sure you do love him 200% thats my point. TSSO said that to try to pacify the big baby. phil has chelsea in mind and he knows his squad has to be happy so pacifying Drogba is a main issue. GREAT COACH already

Good news or bad news that Fergie says Ronaldo is staying?

Good: He can't possibly have another season like last year and after missing all of pre-season he'll play like Ballack or Sheva did in their first season. Fergie won't be given a £60m cheque which i personally would gladly accept. For that Fegie could replace an unhappy player with Berbatov, Villa and Arshavin.

Bad: We won't get Robinho now. Will have to look for another attacking signing. Possibly we'll return for Arshavin. Barca have Hleb, Real have Robinho, Utd have Berbatov, Arsenal have Nasri, Liverpool have...um...no-one as they're skint, so we should be looking at Arshavin or possibly that forgotten man David Villa as our star signing. Scolari wants one attacking signing to complete the squad. With Bosingwa, Deco and the youth combined with 7 or 8 departures, we surely must by at least 1 attacker. That's assuming Lamps stays. If he suddenly gets on the next flight to Milan, then we'll have to do some last minute deals to replace his goals.

I've only just realised that the opening game at home to Portsmouth has been shifted one day. This is extremely irritating as I'd arranged to fly to Italy on the Sunday after watching the game on the Saturday. The effort I put in to convincing my wife there were no available flights on the Saturday was a complete waste of time!

I think the shifting of fixtures should be governed by stricter guidelines.

@219 Habs - if Drogba is staying and Sheva/Kalou/Di Santo [and Anelka?] all to be given a chance to prove themselves don't we really need a wide player who can reliably cross for our strikers - or are we going to depend on Bosingwa for that?

@220 Mark25 - after the Everton away on a Thursday night debacle last season I don't think anyone can pretend other than that fixtures can be shifted as and when Sky/Setanta require it.

@Lolli
Why am I a letch and Tony isn't??? I don't mind sharing you, but to be spurned for a younger man hurts, experience counts. :-)

Lolli darling, look away now...

This is from Inter's official website: The president Massimo Moratti said today,

"For the acquisition of Lampard we need to have patience. We have the player's approval."

So, Lampard has approved his transfer to Inter; now it's a matter of agreeing his price between Chelsea and Inter.

@ 223. SIMONT

Seen that on SSN about an hour ago..
STILL no word from Lamps' camp though...why the hell doesn't he just say something?!

@223 SimonT/224 Lolli - Jeez I hope we're not going to have another 6 weeks of this enigmatic maybe/maybe not stuff before somebody blinks on this. Think you're right Lolli it's high time Frank made a clear public statement about where he wants to play next season.

Just noticed on the official website Pizarro is "injured" and not going on the pre-season tour. Am I being too cynical/hopeful thinking this might mean we've had a decent[any] offer for him?

@ 225. BLUEBOYDAVE

Isn't it annoying?! It's REALLY starting to get to me now! :((

Regarding Pizarro, there was an article in the Sun (dated 15july), that he's quitting Chelsea for PSG, after Uncle Phil's made it clear he's not part of the new regime. They're hoping to bag him for a reported £3million before the boys leave for their tour on Sunday, apparently, they've stated that he'll have to take a pay cut if he goes there..just to add insult to injury..as it were!.

The paper also reckons that Werder Bremen and Hamburg are also keen to take him off our hands.