BlueLion.

Look at Cech (summer 2008) and Essien, they've signed contracts on the same wages as before, as a sign of commitment to the fans and to the club. I really hope Joe enjoys his next pay cheque.

I do have to congratulate Abramovich on the Cole saga. In the past he might have reluctantly agreed to his contract demands, and we'd have ended up in four years time with another 32-year-old well past his best. Cole has shown his true colours and I am very proud of the maturity the club has shown. Don't get me wrong I love Joe Cole as much as the next person but he has shown himself to be very greedy, and the club have done the right thing. Roman's reluctance means the massive money he has invested in the academy can finally come into fruition - instead of playing Ballack, Kakuta can show us if he was worth all the fuss, whilst Stoch and Matic can also show how good they are as well. I also have to say fair play to Ballack - he wanted to stay and was willing to take a pay cut (if the reports are to be believed) but wanted a two-year deal and not a 12-month contract. He leaves us on good terms and whilst he may not go into Chelsea folklore as a legend he certainly played his part in the most glorious part of this club's history. Thanks, Ballack. This shows the club is heading in the right direction - FINALLY we will get to see the youth given their chance.

I'll be really disappointed if we buy Benayoun now.

The only Bayern player I'd like us to sign is Toni Kroos, other than that, no ta.

We can't wait until after the World Cup, his contract expires on June 30th. I'm glad they're both leaving because AT LAST the club is moving in the right direction. It means playing time for Matic, Stoch and Kakuta!

I agree about Cole. Very disappointed in him to be honest, I hope it doesn't taint his status as a cult hero at the club. He ought to have taken a leaf from Essien's book. We all know he will regret leaving the club when we retain the league next season.

Gutted about Ballack, fucking love the guy. Model professional and a consistent performer. I appreciate not everyone was a fan of his because he didn't score the goals we expected him to but over four seasons he put in some magical performances all across the midfield, and also as Chelsea captain on four or five occasions. Joe Cole leaves as a Chelsea legend. I'm just as upset he's gone, but it was time to move on.

That's why I'm excited.

That team looks good... but Bruma over Alex? No way, not yet.

Not idea how much he's on exactly but apparently he accepted a new deal on the same wages.

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I'd prefer Karim Benzema but the only player from those aforesaid that we have the smallest chance of signing is Aguero.

No problems at my end :/

Yes, more than likely.

Bosingwa and Ivanovic are better.

Pre-season 2010: 17 July - Crystal Palace 23 July - Ajax 1 August - Eintracht Frankfurt 4 August - Hamburger SV

Don't know if you've noticed, so is £12 million.

The thing about that is Torres played 22 Premier League matches last season and scored 18 goals. He is a world class player and one of the best strikers in European football. Actually I think he is the best. Agree with what you say about Ronaldo. £12 million raised a lot of eyebrows as well, much like Lampard when we signed him for £11 million.

Torres is probably the world's best striker and at 26 still has another six/seven/eight seasons ahead of him.

We have Sturridge, plus the likes of Borini and Mitrovic coming through the academy.

Not as weird as Santiago Canizares in 2006. He was ruled out of the tournament as he dropped a bottle of perfume on his foot. Maybe the Spanish had a training base in Cologne - he just took it a little too far.

Wilkins says the club want to keep him - http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11670_6193358,00.html

Excellent post. Very insightful. I agree about Carlo, he also has the likeability factor which has warmed him to Chelsea hearts very quickly. Mourinho was adored by the press but the majority of opposition fans couldn't stand him. What both managers do is take the attention away from their players, which is very skilful. However Carlo is more tact at doing so than Mourinho, although this is probably due to his lesser knowledge of the English language. Unlike Mourinho who leaves behind the pieces for someone else to continue, Ancelotti may well leave his very own legacy with this club. He can be the man to finally put us at Europe's top table.

Is there some kind of almighty power after all the Chelsea players this summer?