Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka look set to head the exit the door – but defenders Paulo Ferreira, Jose Bosingwa and Yuri Zhirkov also look set for the cull. The future of Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba remains unclear.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is ready to sanction the next stage of the re-building plans, after Chelsea lost out in the title race due to their ageing players and lack of squad depth. Malouda has been criticised for going missing for significant periods this season and Anelka had a very poor game against Manchester United in the Champions League semi-final.
New signings have been earmarked in the shape of Spurs winger Gareth Bale and Ajax right-back Gregory Van Der Wiel and a central midfield playmaker is also being targeted. The summer recruitment policy will be that to bring in players between the ages of 21 and 28 – that will be established internationals.