English champions Chelsea have announced that midfielders Joe Cole and Michael Ballack will leave the club at the end of the month. Both players’ contracts expire on the 30th June and they will be free agents.
Ballack played a key role in the centre of Chelsea’s midfield last season but will still find himself without a club early next month.
England international Cole has only played a bit part of late for the champions due to injury. However he did score a vital goal at Old Trafford last season to help the Blues to the Premier League title.
He has undoubted talent but doubts about his fitness and high wages demands have meant Chelsea have decided to him leave without much of a fight. It’s very rare that a player of his quality is available on a free transfer. There is now a host of clubs queuing up to sign the 28 year-old.
Manchester United and Tottenham are current favourites to sign the playmaker. Arsenal and Liverpool are also believed to be in the hunt. A move to Tottenham or Arsenal would be his more favoured options as he would prefer to stay in the capital.
The exit of the pair leaves Chelsea short on experienced midfield players. Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti could now look to dip into the transfer market for new midfield talent. Here is a list of possible new arrivals at Stamford Bridge this summer:
David Silva (Valencia)
The Spanish winger could be sold off to help ease Los Ches heavy debts. The 24 year-old is currently with the Spanish squad preparing for the start of the World Cup and has said he will put his club future to one side until after the tournament.
Chelsea are interested in acquiring his services but face stiff competition from Manchester United and big spending Manchester City. Spanish Real Madrid and Barcelona have shown an interest in Silva in the past but it looks as though a move to the Premier League is now more likely.
Thiago Alcantra (Barcelona)
The talented 19 year-old has also been linked with a move to Chelsea. Thiago is the son of former Brazilian international Mazinho and is highly rated by the coaching staff at Barca. However it’s believed he could shun a move to the Premier League in favour of signing a new deal at the Nou Camp.
Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich)
The German international has been in good form this season and helped his club achieve a domestic league and cup double. He is rated in the £25million bracket and Bayern could be persuaded to part with the midfielder. It’s believed he could be tempted by a big wage and a crack at the Premier League next season.
James Milner (Aston Villa)
The Aston Villa midfielder has impressed with his energetic running and work ethic in recent seasons. Villa have already turned down big money bids from Manchester City and Chelsea could now also enter the bidding. The 24 year-olds versatility makes him a very good option to have.
He has played on the wing, in the centre of midfield and even at times as a full-back. The Blues won’t want a bidding war with City, so Milner may prove out of Ancelotti’s financial reach. Chelsea are wealthy but City are the wealthiest club in the world.
Youth
Ancelotti could decide to use some of his talented young players next season instead of spending big this summer. The club recruits youngsters from all over the world for their youth academy and reserves. Next season could prove to be a big one for some of those youngsters.
Two of the most promising young midfielders at Chelsea are French ace Gael Kakuta and Serbian star Nemanja Matic. Both players had a taste of first team action last season and will be hoping for more next season.
Kakuta is rated as one of the best young attacking midfielders in Europe and his rise to the first team squad last season could have prompted Chelsea to allow Joe Cole to leave. Kakuta could be one of the young players to watch in the coming season.
Another player who could make the move into the first team next season is exciting young Slovakian Miroslav Stoch. The 20 year-old spent last season on-loan at FC Twente where he scored ten league goals and helped the club to the Eredivisie title. He is currently with his international side and a good World Cup could put him in Carlo Ancelotti’s plans.
Strong
Even without Michael Ballack and Joe Cole Chelsea are still strong. Carlo Ancelotti knows what he is doing and wouldn’t have let the pair leave if he didn’t have a back-up plan. Whether Chelsea sign players or not this summer they will no doubt still be fighting for the big trophies next season.
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