Pre Season - Guangzhou Pharmaceuticals vs Chelsea

Chelsea's pre-season friendlies start today with their first match against Guangzhou Pharmaceuticals in China. Its likey that Bosingwa and Deco will make their Chelsea debut today. But the squad that Scolari is going to pick for this match is very unpredictable. It will be intersting to see if Scolari goes with a full strength squad, or if he will play youngsters like Di Santo and Ivanovic. Pizzaro is left out of the squad that has travelled to Asia while Drogba is unavailable due to injury.

The Peruvian is left behind from the squad playing pre-season frendlies citing injury problems but that might not be the case. Paris St Germain, who have already signed Claude Makelele from Stamford Bridge, are said to be interested in Pizzaro. This might be the wise thing for Chelsea and Pizzaro, who has failed to settle at Stamford Bridge. Meanwhile Florent Malouda, who has gone on tour, is rumoured to be wanted on a loan deal by Roma. Roma, need to replace Mancini after selling the Brazilian to Internazionale and is understood to have offered only €13m.

The Robinho tansfer saga continues as reports suggest that Chelsea are still in hunt for the Brazilian winger. If Chelsea are indeed to sell Malouda and Wright-Phillips (to Portsmouth?), then Robinho will be an excellent replacement. Chances are that Robinho will be Blues' last signing this summer, but certainly not the last transfer deal. Ben-Haim is linked with a move to Manchester City while Belletti is linked with a move to Benfica. With Bosingwa and Ferreira in the squad as right-backs, I don't see any reason why Belletti won't be sold. After Cech, Essien And Bridge signing new contracts, Carvalho seems to be the next in queue as the club seems to be doing everything to settle the uncertainities.

Daily Express reports that Lampard, after weeks of confusion, has finally been offered the deal he wants at about £150,000 a week and is all set to commit himself to Stamford Bridge for the rest of his career. £150,000 a week !! I don't know if that's a wise decision, assuming the rumour is true. But rather than Frank staying for a year and then leaving to Milan for free, something ought to be done. Either he should be sold now or this absolutely outrageous deal should be accepted, settling the matter once and for all. But Lampard bcoming the highest paid British footballer doesn't look fair.

“How can they accelerate beyond what they’ve done? I don’t see outstanding progress in a team that is in their 30s", says Sir Alex about Chelsea's chances next season. So the verbal duel begins. Obviously the United manager is too worried about the threat we provide and has come up with statements like this weeks before the league will begin officially. One must also take into account that the average age of United players is 27, and that of Chelsea is 28. So I don't see much difference there. Moreover Fergie shouldn't be saying this because taking Ronaldo out of the equation, his greatest weapons are people like Giggs, Scholes and Van Der Saar, who will probably be in old age homes in a few years. So the best reply would be to ignore the old wily red nose!

TV Timings: 1300 Chelsea TV(BST), 23/07/08. Guangzhou Pharmaceuticals vs Chelsea