Barcelona star Ronaldinho has spoken of his admiration for Frank Lampard and encouraged the Chelsea man to join him at Camp Nou
The England international spoke out yesterday after growing increasingly frustrated by Chelsea's lack of movement on a new contract.
Lampard wants to stay at Chelsea but admits to being unsure where his future lies especially after Roman Abramovich ordered a Stamford Bridge summer sale following last weekend's loss at Barnsley.
Mourinho Link?
Juventus are known to be interested in the midfielder, but Barcelona are also keeping tabs on him. José Mourinho has repeatedly been linked with the Barça hotseat as manager Frank Rijkaard's days look numbered. The Portuguese coach would also doubtless be keen to reunite with one of his favourite Chelsea players.
Ronnie: Lampard's Great
And speaking of Lampard, current Blaugrana star Ronaldinho says the England man would be a terrific addition to an already strong squad. "Frank Lampard is a great player and he has shown that at Chelsea for many years," said the Brazilian. "Obviously I would like to have him at Barcelona."
Lampard impressed onlookers at Camp Nou last season with a superb late goal to net Chelsea a 2-2 draw in the group stages.
Pedro Valverde
Ronnie: Come Join Me At Barça, Frank
Drogba Wary Of Potential Rivals
Chelsea's Didier Drogba admits that all seven potential opponents left in the Champions League worry him, but he remains confident that his side has what it takes to go all the way...
The Ivorian striker explained that there is little point setting one's heart on a particular team in today's Champions League draw, and that instead Chelsea must be prepared to do whatever it takes to progress.
He told his official club website, "I am scared of every team in this stage of the competition so it's going to be difficult, no matter who we get, but our objective is still the same.
"To win this Cup you have to beat every team in front of you so I don't mind.
"This competition is so special; you can be the best, the best, the best and then fall down in the last two games. I just want to play the next round."
Coach Avram Grant added, "I think any draw in the quarter-final will be a big game, like a Cup Final, so you cannot say before what is a good draw.
"In the last 16 there are no easy games, not for us or the teams that need to play against us."
Last season, Chelsea advanced past Valencia in the last eight, before losing out on penalties to Liverpool in the semi-finals.
Steve Michaels
Chelsea Set To Tie Down Carvalho
Chelsea defender Ricardo Carvalho wants to stay at the club and will put pen to paper on a new contract soon.
The Portuguese stopper, who moved to Stamford Bridge in 2004 for near on €30m (£20m) from then-European champions FC Porto, has been a solid presence at the back for Chelsea over the seasons.
Along with skipper John Terry he's helped form a strong central defensive partnership and has no intention of trying his luck elsewhere.
A few minor details in the new deal must yet be ironed out with the player's agent, but it's close to certain that Carvalho will sign on in the coming months.
“Talks about a new deal have been ongoing and they should be concluded before the end of the season," a Chelsea insider told The Sun.
It is not yet known for how long the new deal will be, but there is more than a chance it could mean the 29-year-old Portugual international will see out his career at Stamford Bridge.
Carvalho follows in the footsteps of fellow Portuguese Blue Paulo Ferreira: the full-back signed a new five-year deal last month.
Of course, the news is entirely different on Frank Lampard, who has been frustrated by the club's lack of action. His wishes to stay on, but demands that the club treat him at par with Michael Ballack and Andriy Shevchenko.
Talks seem to have practically collapsed since the departure of Jose Mourinho, who made no bones about the importance of the club hanging on to him. Avram Grant has refused to treat him as one of the untouchables, and being dropped for the weekend's Carling Cup clash has also peeved him.
Chelsea are also looking to hand John Terry a new contract, but once again, his pay demands are similar to Lampard's.
Jimmy James
Gattuso Joins The Sheva Brigade
Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso says he would be strongly in favour of a plan to bring Andriy Shevchenko back to the San Siro.
Several other Milan players have gone on record as saying that they would welcome the Chelsea flop back to the club with open arms, in the face of increasing rumours tipping the deeply unsettled striker for a sentimental return.
“If the club wanted to sign Shevchenko, he would be a good addition,” said Gattuso.
“He hasn’t succeeded to play at the top of his abilities in England, but if he returned he would have such a great hunger and would be good for the atmosphere.
“I have heard that Sheva doesn’t want to return, but the important thing is that we bring in a top striker and other champions.
“Didier Drogba is the kind of man who can make the difference and Luca Toni is also a match-winner,” Gattuso added, before sharing his thoughts on the potentially career ending injury of Ronaldo.
“It has upset me to see him out of action,” the World Cup winner continued. “He is football and he shouldn’t have to be reduced to watching.
“His future? I can’t make judgements but I’m sure that he will only sign a renewal to his contract if he manages to recover.”
Derek Wanner
