Chelsea's fans can expect a very intelligent player. He is somebody that is able to read the game and solve any problems that arise for his team. He does not rush and dribble with the ball at this feet but he finds good things to do with the ball.

AS : "It should be officially tomorrow. This is one of the players on which there were. He sees the game, is intelligent and is a very good footballer. There was no question of letting him go. I met him very quickly after my arrival, to show him my confidence. He still had one year contract and he proposed to extend but he told me four eyes it did not interest him and he wanted to leave Lens. And I realized, after 48 hours, why, when I learned that Chelsea wanted. But I understand. Now I think that staying in Lens was a very good solution for him to continue to flourish. "
Antoine Sibierski on RC Lens Website

"Choc ice is classic! hahahahahahha!!"

Mr Abramovich wanted to win major trophies in Europe and he built the team to achieve this and I think that is what my new owner is doing.

All professionals have the burning desire to play and I'm no different, but I need to raise my level of professionalism and to perform better than ever to make an impression at this club. Everything I have seen at Chelsea is a step up from what I have been used to, but this is a good thing for me.

Several players - including Frank Lampard, Fernando Torres and Petr Cech - had signed copies of a prepared statement that said: "I have never heard John Terry use any form of racist language and have never heard any suggestion that he may have done so."

Real Madrid have cooled their interest and the only recent inquiry Spurs have received [for Luka Modric] is from Chelsea

Heard that Roman was in the German camp today and had a talk with Bastian Schweinsteiger, Joachim Lowe has confirmed that they were together and talking but he doesn't know what about. If that doesn't set alarm bells (albeit good ones) ringing then I don't know what does. Would love to see him at Chelsea and could be a potential Lampard replacement

It was a very intense end to the season, I'm enjoying the break right now but already looking forward to next season. The club have made a decision and I respect any decision which they make. I'm just happy that my legacy with this club continues. The club's ambition has always been clear, we've shown that in the past and we will continue to do so.

I had a wonderful break with my family, it was very enjoyable but now the work starts. I have to start planning for pre-season. We've lost a few players who are out of contract and we've already signed a couple of players, so there will be a slight change, but there won't be a complete overhaul of the squad. I won't discuss now what we will do in the market, all of that takes place behind the scenes, but we will try to make the right signings for the functionality of the squad.

We certainly want to do better in the league; last season was a difficult one and we want to bridge that gap between us and the two Manchester teams and obviously continue to do well in the cup competitions. We return in early July, but the players at the Euros will come back later and there's also the possibility of some of our players going to the Olympics as well.

A new season always brings hope, enthusiasm and excitement. We have a good team and we will try to improve where necessary, but we have a good team already. The fans have been superb, last season and over the years when I've been here, and I'm sure they are looking forward to it.

It may be grating to hear every defensive display being described as a team "doing a Chelsea" [...] but it may be that Chelsea's displays against two highly proactive sides in Barcelona and Bayern Munich [...] confirmed in the minds of others that reactive football can be successful.