“This is only the beginning”

So said Roman to the players and staff after our CL win in Munich I read. And while most of us are still on cloud 9, living off our own memoires of that truly amazing game; the club are now in that beginning, the beginning that was promised at the start of the season, reemphasized when AVB was sacked. The beginning of evolution for this truly epic squad.

They have done it all, won it all. Premier League, FA cup, League cup and now, finally; the Champions League. In that we have had a League and League cup double, FA cup and League cup double, The double and last but certainly not least, FA cup and Champions League double. After all this those that do leave will be welcomed back in future years, able to talk over their fond times and great achievement, receiving the heroes reception they deserve for climaxing the hard work began all those years ago by Claudio’s vision and Zola’s goodbye present. Harnessed by Roman’s and Jose’s greatness, coaxed on by lucky Guus; reinvigorated by Carlo and thrust over that final hurdle by Di Matteo.

While we bask in this the club are likely already putting together the pieces for next season. Hopefully sooner rather than later we have a permanent manager. I would like to see Robbie given a full season, allowed to make his own signings. He deserves the chance. Though if it is not to be for him what an incredible 4 or so months it has been, he can probably walk in to a decent few jobs now.

We have Marin signed already but, for now, I want to focus on who is likely to (or should) leave the club.

Drogba can make his own choice. Zola left after a great achievement and Didi deserves to leave when he wants, and I get the feeling leaving after his last outfield play goal saved us and last kick won us the CL is the perfect time for him. Will be very sad to see him go but, like Franco, can accept it and let the last memories of him be truly great. I believe I am right in saying the other two lads out of contract now are Kalou and Boswinga. Both of who I would allow to leave. Kalou has already mentioned a desire to return to Holland with his former side and Bos, well Bos has done well of late but we have to consider the home-grown quota.

When you look through the rest of the squad you have those who you do not expect to go, nor want to go. Mine would go from Cech, Cole, Bertrand, Terry, Luiz, Cahill, Brana, Mikel, Romeu, Lampard, and Mata.

Missing from that list are Hilario, Turnbull, Paulo, Essien, Meireles, Malouda, Josh, Kakuta, Lukaku and Torres. (Unless I forgot someone...) I do not expect all of those players to leave. To begin here I do not want Josh, Kakuta or Lukaku to be sold, however if they are not to be given first team chances next season I would want them loaned to clubs that will play them (unlike what poor Josh had this season...).

Paulo, Essien and Malouda have not offered enough this season for me to remain for the next. When we saved our “first team†and gave these guys games in fixtures they could prove their metal in, we usually lost, showing our back up guys are not good enough and could be trimmed. Our backup keepers we cannot expect to be as good as Cech, but Hilario wastes a home grown spot and Ross is...well Ross is not good enough imo.

Lastly Meireles and Torres. The former made it clear he was not happy to see AVB go and I have a suspicion he pushed on this year being told he could leave the club in the summer. Torres is making noises, and I doubt if he is the man to fill the Drogs shoes. He could leave or stay, but am not banking on either. More a wait and see.

So my views on our squad there. What do my fellow blues expect to see and want to see in terms of ins and outs?