Love is in the air at Chelsea, with players committing themselves to the cause well ahead of next season. Many had thought that the offer of first-team football would have persuaded Wayne Bridge to leave Stamford Bridge this summer, joining Portsmouth for roughly £7million. However, The Times reports that the England defender is happy to stick around and pick up his pay packet every week fight for his place with Ashley Cole.

Bridge’s deal was agreed before Grant’s dismissal, but Scolari welcomed his decision to sign. “I’m very pleased,” the manager said. “I have been here only a few days but have seen that he is one of the best professionals at the club.”

Peter Kenyon, the club’s chief executive, said: “He’s a key member of the squad and we are fortunate that we have the two best left-backs in England. That is a source of pride to us.”

Indeed, Scolari already seems to be nurturing a sense of loyalty at his new club, with Ricardo Carvalho looking like he’s going to stick around and play for his former national coach.

“It is good to see all the people again, fighting for the club like we have for the past few years,” Carvalho said.

While Ricky will almost certainly be a first-team pick next season, is Bridge right to stick around and play second fiddle to Ashley Cole? Or might Big Phil throw a few surprises into his team selections, picking the former Southampton man ahead of his team-mate?