Chelsea: Team may be disbanded, says Carvalho

Friday May 16, 2008
By Kelvin Leong

Key Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho has voiced his concern that the Blues may be disbanded over the summer.

Carvalho, who was bought from FC Porto, also stated that he was unsure of his own future. Real Madrid and Inter Milan are reportedly interested in his services.

“You have to be prepared for the team to disperse, because when it's like that, someone goes, someone stays, someone comes. I don't know yet whether I'll stay, but I have a contract,” said Carvalho.

Despite not being drawn on his immediate future, he insisted he liked life in London with the Blues.

“I don't know what will happen, but it's good here. Everyone has known each other for a long time and we enjoy each others' company.”

Avram Grant has done well ever since he took over from Jose Mourinho, but Chelsea undoubtedly remain the latter's team.

The ‘Special One’ brought the current crop of players together, and many of them remain loyal to the Portugese manager.

Some have even suggested that they will join him at his next destination, such as Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard, who were said to have informed the club’s management that they have no intention of staying put or playing under another manager.

Ivory Coast striker Drogba, who has been Mourinho's most vocal supporter, is highly sought after and seems to be heading towards Serie A giants AC Milan in the coming months.

Former West Ham prodigy Lampard is also said to be on his way out with Juventus and Barcelona the likely destinations.

Goalkeeper Petr Cech is also the subject of a massive transfer bid from AC Milan.

Fringe players Steve Sidwell, Tel Ben-Haim, Claudio Pizarro, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Andriy Shecvhenko have been put on the unwanted list by Grant as he seeks to revamp the entire squad and make it his own.

Whatever the outcome of next week’s all-English Champions League final, a flurry of transfer activities is expected at Stamford Bridge over the summer.

Maybe Grant himself is replaced.