Joe Cole and Michael Ballack to leave Chelsea

Chelsea have confirmed that Joe Cole and Michael Ballack are to leave the club on free transfers this summer.
Cole, 28, will depart at the start of July after the Premier League champions reportedly said they would not offer the England midfielder a fresh deal.
Germany midfielder Ballack, 33, who has been with Chelsea since 2006, will [...]

World Cup 2010: Nigeria’s John Mikel Obi ruled out

Nigeria midfielder John Mikel Obi has been ruled out of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa with a knee injury.
Mikel joins fellow Chelsea stars Michael Essien and Michael Ballack in missing out through injury, while Didier Drogba is a major doubt.
The 23-year-old underwent minor knee surgery in May and feels he has not recovered [...]

Joe Cole set to leave Chelsea – Harry Redknapp

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp says he would like to sign out-of-contract Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole but feels he has agreed to move elsewhere.
Redknapp managed Cole at West Ham United and would love to be reunited with the England star next season.
Cole, 28, has failed to hold down a starting berth at Chelsea and his contract [...]

World Cup 2010: Michael Essien ruled out for Ghana

Ghana’s Michael Essien has been ruled out of the World Cup, according to the country’s football association (GFA).
The Chelsea midfielder has been struggling with injury and has been told he will not fully recover until the end of July.
The GFA said that the decision was taken after a joint evaluation of his fitness by them [...]

Chelsea 8 – 0 Wigan

Chelsea recaptured the Premier League title in emphatic fashion as Wigan Athletic were thrashed at Stamford Bridge.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side needed victory to end Manchester United’s three-season reign as champions – and once Nicolas Anelka gave them the lead after only six minutes there was never any doubt they would reclaim the crown.
Chelsea were then able [...]

Chelsea 1 – 0 Portsmouth

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti created history as Didier Drogba’s second-half winner sank Portsmouth and sealed the London club’s first Premier League and FA Cup double.
Drogba’s precise free-kick just before the hour mark was the decisive moment of an incident-packed FA Cup final in which Chelsea hit the woodwork five times in the first half and [...]