Source: Team_Talk
Chelsea to take triple gamble
Andre Villas-Boas says Chelsea will not have to sell Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka and Salomon Kalou before their contracts expire next summer.[LNB] This season looks certain to be Anelka's last at Stamford Bridge, while there is increasing uncertainty over the future of Drogba, who has yet to agree a new deal.[LNB]Villas-Boas revealed this week that Kalou had also been offered a contract extension, but time is running out for Chelsea to secure these assets, each of whom will be able to negotiate a free transfer at the turn of the year.[LNB]But despite the club reporting losses of £70.9million in their last annual accounts amid the new era of Financial Fair Play, Villas-Boas insists they would not need to sell.[LNB]"I don't think so, it happens all the time," said the Blues boss, pointing out he encountered a similar scenario at Porto last season.[LNB]"The most important thing is for the club to try to defend its interests. We know these players are of higher importance.[LNB]"That's why the offers are on the table, apart from with Anelka, end of story.[LNB]"We will try to get them to reach an agreement."[LNB]Should all three move on, Chelsea would go from having an embarrassment of riches up front to arguably lacking numbers.[LNB]"That's why the talks are ongoing," Villas-Boas added. "We still have plenty of time."[LNB]Indeed, two and a half months must seem like an age to Villas-Boas celebrated his second anniversary as a manager on Friday.[LNB]The Portuguese, who also turns 34 on Monday, has packed a remarkable amount into his short career, transforming the fortunes of Academica before leading Porto to an incredible quadruple.[LNB]And he has revealed he might even have taken a different path had he accepted an offer to join Sporting Lisbon shortly after becoming a manager.[LNB]"I was two weeks into a job and I was being offered a job at Sporting Lisbon," he said before explaining why he stayed put.[LNB]"First, there wasn't an agreement for compensation for Academica. Eventually, the decision came to me and I didn't want to go. I felt well where I was."
