Roman looks to tighen his and the club’s financial belt!
ROMAN ABRAMOVICH will order a ruthless summer purge of Chelsea’s pensioners.
The billionaire owner wants a clear-out of the club’s ageing stars — including Michael Ballack, Didier Drogba and Deco. The Stamford Bridge squad includes eight players aged over 30 with only Frank Lampard and Ricardo Carvalho from that group safe.
Abramovich knows a £35million exit of the oldies is the only way to create space for some fresh, young talent.A source close to Abramovich admitted: “This looks like being the third year in a row Chelsea have failed to win the title and that’s not good enough.
“Roman believes it is time to revitalise the squad so there’ll be quite a few of the thirty- somethings sold and the money used on younger stars with the skills to make a difference.”
Lampard and Carvalho remain key figures so are unlikely to be sold. But the future of Drogba is in doubt with the strikers wanted by Manchester City and Inter Milan. Ballack and Deco (right) will also be vulnerable after disappointing this season, while Juliano Belletti, Paolo Ferreira and Hilario look sure to leave. (News of the World)
Of the six mentioned in this piece I would have thought that Didier Drogba has warranted a stay of execution. The Ivorian has been in fine form of late and still has a lot to offer the club. Deco has been a big disappointment since he arrived from Barcelona and Michael Ballack has had bouts of poor form throughout his Stamford Bridge career. Of the six mentioned by NOTW who would Chelsea fans most like to see stay and who is the player most in need of being offloaded?