The Chelsea Daily Drivel (Catch Up) 13th/14th July

The Chelsea Daily Drivel is a daily update of all the stories concerning our club, the rumours, the opinions and more....

So here is the latest from around the web on Wednesday 14th July 2010 including: Mario Balotelli, Ashley Cole, Joe Cole, Romelu Lukaku, Mesut Ozil, Kaka, Sami Khedira, Deco, and could this be the new Chelsea away shirt for next season?.

Firstly to news of Italian bad-boy Mario Balotelli. Ever since last season's reported spat's with the then Manager Jose' Mourinho there has been speculation that he would leave Milan. Jose has gone now but it still seems as though a move could be on the cards with United, Man City and Chelsea now being confirmed as interested in the player who without question is hot property in europe.

The other day Ancelotti had gone on record to confirm that he would love to coach the player and to have a crack at cooling his notable temperament. Let's wait and see if there are further developments on this one. I do think however, because of the Mancini factor and the fact he brought the player through the ranks at Inter, City would be a likely destination.

Now to news that World Cup winning Goalkeeper Iker Casillas has spoken about Ashley Cole. Its seems that Casillas is more than confident of Real signing Ashley Cole for a reported £30m fee in the coming weeks!!. He said:

"From what I am hearing the signs look good, I have only briefly spoken to people at the club but I am confident that he can be a Real Madrid player next year. I think it will be the right move for him both professionally and personally. A clean break from England is hopefully something he is very interested in."

It will be his last big contract and who better to sign for than his old coach Mourinho at Real,"

I have to say it sounds to me as though there is contact between Real and the Chels and it could be just a matter of days before there is some form of announcement. Its no secret its been hard off the pitch for Cole and this could be the main reason he decides to leave. More to follow....

Now to Joe Cole, it seems that he is reportedly pricing himself out of moves to other big clubs at the minute after Harry Redknapp spoke about the player. Redknapp said:

"I have spoken to Joe at length and I would like him and, when we talked, he appreciated my view that Tottenham is now a club going places, If it is beyond us in financial terms I can appreciate that but I am hoping other factors will come into play to make up Joe's mind."

Its reported that Joe had turned down £80,000 per week at Liverpool as he wanted parity with the wages paid to Steven Gerrard - a reported £120,000 per week.

Now to news of Romelu Lukaku. The 17 year old wonderkid has been at Chelsea in the last few days taking a tour of the stadium which has heightened the speculation that he is about to sign for the club. Article's appeared yesterday stating that our very own Didier Drogba had contacted him. Drogba said:

"Yes, I called him, I received his phone number from Vincent Kompany. You should sign for Chelsea I told him."

Lukaku is a self confessed Chelsea fan and is being touted as the new Didier Drogba. At 6ft 4inches and still growing he has the attention of some of the biggest clubs in Europe already. However his current club Anderlecht have re-iterated that he will be with them for at least another 12 months. A spokesperson said:

'We have a very good relationship with Romelu's father, and he is as keen as we are for him to finish his schooling here. He has another year to go, and that is another reason why we have no intention of selling him this summer. All parties agree it is in his best interests to continue as an Anderlecht player next season.'

It seems however that Chelsea could make a move and buy the player but loan him straight back to Anderlecht for the remainder of next season.

Now to the speculation regarding Mesut Ozil's future after the player was impressing everyone at the World Cup. Chelsea had been linked with the player but it seems today that Chelsea have now pulled out of the race to sign him after the player expressed his intention in seeing out the remainder of his current contract.

Kaka now and after Carlo Ancelotti spoke that he would love to have Kaka at Chelsea the other day, it seems that it has sparked negotiations between the players agent (who is his father) and Real Madrid. His father was pictured at the Bernabeu on Monday for a meeting with the high brass at Madrid. Its believed that Kaka is still not convinced that he will be a major part of Jose Mourinho's plans this season.

For me this is a no go as I can see Kaka taking up the same role that Wesley Sneijder did under Mourinho at Inter.

Now to Sami Khedira. The press are reporting that Chelsea's scouting team who had been sent out to the World Cup took to Khedira and it seems that Chelsea could focus their attentions on the Midfield man. This isn't the first time this story has broken so maybe, just maybe there could be something in it. Watch for more in the coming days.

Now more on Deco. It seems that one player at Fluminense has spoken of a deal imminent for the Portguese Midfielder. Central Midfielder Dario Conca said:

"Deco's quality has made a great career for him so far and he will help us a lot. I am sure that he will be of great service to the group as we try to have an excellent campaign in Brazil,"

I am 100% certain come kick off to the new season, Deco will not be part of Chelsea any longer.

Now finally to EPL TALK and some "leaked photo's" of what appears to be a possible new away strip for next season.

Followed by a 3rd kit..

I have to say they are rank!!.

New to something new which will be part of the Chelsea Daily Drivel. THE DRIVEL GIGGLE!.

The DRIVEL GIGGLE award today goes to the New York Red Bulls website for announcing their signing of Thierry Henry!. Now I know that Football or Soccer as they like to call it over there is not as popular as it is in Europe and South America, but surely after all the Gillette adverts with Tiger Woods and Roger Federer they know who he is..

Well the NYRB website has made it simple for you.. just in case you don't know.. Check it out here and scroll towards the bottom of the page..they even tell you how to pronounce his name!