Chelsea

According to Corriere dello Sport, Frank Lampard wants to leave England and most importantly Chelsea to move to Juventus. Juve Coach Claudio Ranieri who was fired by Roman Abramovich is the key to luring Lamps to Turin.

After the departure of Jose Mourinho Didier Drogba immediately shared his displeasure over the situation. Now it is being reported that Real Madrid are ready to make a £30 million bid for the Ivorian if the opportunity comes up. Drogba has said that he will join the Ivory Coast Olympic team next summer, and the team camp just before, meaning he will miss the pre-season with Chelsea, and also the start of the Premiership season, which has upset Chelsea.

It has been reported that Bolton’s Nicholas Anelka is free to leave the club in the January transfer window. Anelka himself is not making it any easier. The Daily Mirror claim that he is demanding a three-and-a-half year deal worth £4million a season, which would basically equal the £15m transfer fee. Gary Megson wants to use that money to buy two or even three players in January with that money. Chelsea want to get a striker to replace Didier Drogba and Solomon Kalou. while Sven-Goran Erikson is looking for a striker with the doubts with Rolando Bianchi, and with Valeri Bojinov still injured

Russian star Diniyar Bilyaletdinov has admitted he would love to play for Chelsea but also says that he would not make the starting 11.

“I heard that Grant visited our game against Tom to watch me and Ivanovic,” Bilyaletdinov said in his recent blog for Russian daily Sport.

“I must say that I was surprised with this choice as our derby with Spartak would have been much more interesting.”

Bilyaletdinov admits he would love to play for a club like Chelsea.

“It is clear that each football player dreams of playing for a club like Chelsea,” he continued.

“But I don’t think that we have such players in Russia that could go to London and take a first-team place immediately.

“I think that if Chelsea did buy me now, I would have to go to the store and buy many blue trousers to sit on the bench with!”

The 22-year-old seemingly ruled out a move until the summer at least, although even then he seems to believe he is not yet ready to leave Lokomotiv.

“It is very important to go to a team in pre-season so you can prepare with all the team,” he added.

“Also I am not sure that I’ve made big progress this season - I feel that as it stands it would be too early for me to move.”

Claude Makelele says that Euro 2008 will be his last competition with France. Saying:
“Now we are qualified I hope I will be part of the group,” he told L’Equipe.

“I have to perform well this season for my club, and then be fresh and without injury for Euro 2008.

“It will be my last competition with Les Bleus.

“I have reached a point where playing is just a bonus rather than anything else.”

He also spoke on his future with Chelsea. saying:

“Will I go on after my contract in 2009? I don’t know. It will depend on my desire and my physical condition.

“I will go on as long as I can. I will first take stock after Euro 2008.”

Frank Lampard still believes that he is still in the best shape of his career, saying:
‘I hear the manager has said I am in some of the best form of my career - and I would agree with that. I feel on top of my game.

‘In the period between the England game with Russia and the one in Austria, over the last four or five weeks, I have felt very strong.

‘Maybe what has contributed is that I came back very fresh from my time off because of injury.

‘I had several frustrating weeks on the side-lines and came back when I was fit and available raring to go. I feel fresh because of that and sharp.’

Lampard was given back his starting job for England in their friendly against Austria on Friday. He agrees with Steve Mcclaren that he is still at the top of his game

Lampard said:

‘I hear the manager has said I am in some of the best form of my career - and I would agree with that. I feel on top of my game.

‘In the period between the England game with Russia and the one in Austria, over the last four or five weeks, I have felt very strong.

‘Maybe what has contributed is that I came back very fresh from my time off because of injury.

‘I had several frustrating weeks on the side-lines and came back when I was fit and available raring to go. I feel fresh because of that and sharp.’

Lampard also spoke about England’s important Euro 2008 qualifying match against Croatia. saying:

‘Now things are back into our hands in terms of qualifying there is a fantastic feeling in the squad.

‘Since I’ve been involved in the squad when there’s been a big game on which qualification hinges, like in Turkey a few years ago, we’ve managed to get the right result.

‘We’ve performed better in the bigger games, especially the ones to qualify for major championships and we can do it again against Croatia.

‘We can beat Croatia. We know we have got the ability in the team to do it. The fact have got a chance to go through on Wednesday night will be a massive lift to the players.’

Michael Ballack hopes to be back into the Chelsea lineup next month he told the German press today. The Germany captain has not played since April after undergoing two operations on his left ankle.

“I am making great progress. I started training last week and December looks good,” Ballack said Monday. “But I am not setting a specific goal or date when I’d like to play again. I am taking it week by week.”

He hopes to play for Germany when it plays Austria in Vienna on Feb. 6.