chrismada9

I'm waking up to this??? This is absolutely disgusting! For Ballack, I would have probably expected him to leave us because I wasn't too sure if he cut it well, particularly the season just gone. He was useful to us but nowhere near a decent player, he's 33 and for him to leave, I was partly expecting it. For Joe however, Fucking pathetic! I would have expected Chelsea to have at least thought about releasing him after the World Cup, not before there being a chance of him having an exceptional world cup for England. I think it's poor management of our players. Not only that, it's a big English homegrown loss for the Champions League. Unless we're lining up an "english" replacement. In conclusion, worst piece of news to wake up to! Gutted right now!

I would say, that Lampard plays for a better club

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it's such a shame really, that we could be losing a quality English player to Arsenal "of all clubs", we could be in deep trouble with UEFA next season if we enter the Champions League with not enough home grown players, unless of course, we decide to include some young English players to make up for it. Just fucking don't bring in Benayoun....PLEASE!!!!!!

I still prefer Aguero over Torres!

The list of big sagas regarding our top players over three summers.... Summer 2008: Frank Lampard -> Inter Milan Summer 2009: John Terry -> Manchester City Summer 2010: Joe Cole -> Arsenal ....fo some reason I feel deja vu

I've heard Alan Curbishley's name being mentioned for the job

....next!

what is it with us and over-aged players, do they seem attracted to us or something?? NO!! THANKS!!

Loving the upgrade! I used TC on my ipod and it looks awesome

I agree with Kez tbh. I'm utterly disappointed in Joe Cole. I think this is something to take note, that Chelsea players like him are too greedy because we seem to be a rich club, and that we are being taken advantage of by being demanded an increase in wages so we can be on the same level as the likes of JT and Ballack. I really hope this Cole-Benayoun nightmare doesn't come true! :mouthclosed:

The only thing I can say is, I hope we have a decent signing lined up as a replacement that's English!

if that's true, I'm awfully unhappy!

Great player I hope he doesn't go! Would be yet another waste of talent we'd be giving away.

I think on the basis of the guardian's article. As much as I don't want it to happen. I think Joe will leave. Unless he releases some kind of statement during the world cup, (which probably won't happen) there's no point in keeping a player who believes that his future is elsewhere. Two things I don't want to happen if he does have to go. I hope it's not Arsenal he goes to, and I hope we don't buy Benayoun as a replacement. At least bring in someone English!!

That has to be the worst kit in Chelsea history if that is indeed true!

It's a good thing that he's getting some of his form back at this stage. I think he was very lethal when he came on in the second half, and there's no doubt in my mind he'll be on the plane to SA. It's just such a pity that his playing time last season was ravaged by injury, and that his form wasn't half as good as earlier seasons, so if he ends up leaving because of that, it would be really disasterous for the club. As I said earlier, it's important that we keep our "best" English players here (JT, Lamps, Joe and Ashley) because of Champions League purposes. Compared to the likes of Man United and Arsenal, I honestly don't think our youth academy is any good compared to theirs, not just on the pitch but managerial as well. Fergie and Wenger have always had a mind-set on the right sort of players to arrive at the club, and where he wants them to play. If you notice as well, some of them almost immediately "fit" into their plans easier. What do we do?? With the likes of Mancienne, Rajkovic, Jack Cork, Bertrand, Stoch? We just loan them out. Yes, it's a good idea to get them Premier League experience. But some of them just want to stay where they are and not come back to Chelsea (perfect example, Jack Cork at Burnley) Bottom line: Get Joe Cole signed up, and tell Benayoun to fuck off!

I'm just concerned about the Englishness of the Chelsea team. We can't afford to offload our best English players otherwise we're not going to be able to abide by UEFA's new home grown rule for the Champions League. I say, get Cole to sign a new deal, and tell Benayoun to do one!

I agree with BomTrett when he says that Benayoun is 30. We're meant to be reducing the average age of the club, not increasing it!

Unless Ancelotti is planning to draft in young English players next season for next year's Champions League, this would be a very bad move, particularly when you think that Mourinho wants to bring Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole to Real Madrid. Supposing those three did leave in the summer. I wouldn't see us retaining the league next season. I think Ancelotti needs to make it clear that none of these rumors (including the Benayoun rumor) are true as quickly as possible.

Seriously.... If we get rid of Joe Cole to Arsenal of all teams, and draft in Benayoun I will shoot myself in the face!

I agree, in fact, I class Bos is ten times better than Srna!

Gotta say it, wouldn't mind seeing him at the Bridge! Very clinical finisher. Might like to see us go for him if the demands for Aguero are too much!

Stupid signing! (if true) 1) Not exactly a young player 2) Already have Bos and Iva, with Hutch coming in soon! 3) Just generally a waste of money would be disappointed if we signed him on the basis of that

I agree with you on this, but we're not exactly the greatest club at keeping hold of our best young players. A majority of our youngsters go elsewhere on loan and we never hear from them after that. Whatever happened to the likes of Jack Cork and Michael Mancienne who seemed destined to become big talents, and now they want to play football elsewhere. It doesn't bode well with our club. To be honest, I'd be happy for us not to sign anyone, as long as we sign one single player, and it being Aguero. I'd be happy with that.