1) Chelsea have now rejected two official bids for England International, Frank Lampard. Both the bids are from Inter Milan and the first bid of around £6.5 million was rejected before Scolari’s first press conference. The second bid of £8 million was put up by Inter after the press conference. It was also rejected.
Chief executive Peter Kenyon and Chairman Bruce Buck are both expecting Lampard to see out the remaining one year of his contract, during which the new contract offer of £140,000 per week, four year deal would always remain on the table. Lampard has said that he would love to stay at Chelsea but prefers a five year contract. Inter are offering four years and an option of the fifth.
Is this a good strategy by the club ? If they hold out a little more Lampard can fetch around £10 million. That is for a player who is 30. But on the other hand £10 million is not a big amount for owner, Roman Abramovich. Its the kind of amount, which I think he carries around in his pocket. Consider the fact that £30 million was spent of someone like Shevchenko, even though I think that he has not been that bad, spending £10 million on Lampard would not be that bad as there is 20 more goals in bag for this season, guaranteed.
2) Steve Sidwell, the first one of the mass exodus to follow has left Chelsea to join Aston Villa for £5 million. The guy never made it while at Chelsea and he leaves after only one season at the Bridge. He joined on the free transfer from Reading. He played only a few times, most as a substitute in the dying moments and has scored one goal. He was made to look worst of the worst in a midfield that consisted of Ballack, Lampard, Essien, Mikel and Makelele. Good luck to him for the future.
3) Scolari has said that there will be quite a few players leaving the bridge as the squad size is too large for him to work with. There are currently 32 members which is huge in any club. Scolari is looking to trim it to 25 which means 22 outfield players and 3 goalkeepers. So expect nearly seven players to depart the bridge. The top the pile would be Ben Haim, Malouda, Pizarro, Shaun Wright Phillips.
Thanks for the image to Dailymail.
The Lampard transfer saga has gone a bit too far. Lets hope it ends soon.
Aravind, that is the same feeling for me. But I want him in this last year and then let him free to go next year. That would be great for both parties.
Whatever happens he will remain a club LEGEND.