Lampard wants to stay forever but the club wont give him the contract he wants. Alves wants to join but the club don't seem prepared to meet the asking price, both are players that the manager seemingly wants in his squad.

So what's happening? I'm glad the club are starting to be a bit tougher on the millions they're throwing around, most of our RA signings we could have got for much less if we'd played the game properly (okay we might have missed out on one or two). But is it too late?

The Alves thing is interesting and to be honest I'd rather the club public make their final offer and let the world know that it's the final offer we're going to make, no bullspitting just here it is if you want to sell him. If we miss out then so be it, we miss out. Gut feeling is that we'd get him.

Lampard is a completely different situation but one that I think follows the same lines, 2 years ago the club would have given Lamps the contract he wanted without too much of a fight. The trouble is what they now need to do is to make a statement to the players regarding some sort of a salary cap. The top two earners I think everyone would agree should be Frank and JT, now if that means busting the bank because Shev and Ballak are earning more than they're worth, so be it that has to be the benchmark.

What do the club do now, make a stand against the ridiculous spending that they've been doing in recent years and risk loosing important people, or carry on and let the rest of the football world try and catch up???

None of us know why Lampard hasn't signed a contract, could be Chelsea's fault... Legel stuff may not have been completed, wording not legally binding or whatever. I dunno, I don't know how football contracts work, a lot of ins and outs and throughs and overs. We tend to assume its over money, but then that isn't helped by the media always putting stalling of contracts, transfers, everything down to money. I'm not saying most cases aren't money oriantated, its a key issue in any job - but not the only one.

Of course it could be Frank holding out for more money, no one but him and the club knows... But don't (not aimed at you Barn, just in general) always think its Frank and his wage demand thats prevented the contract from being signed yet.

A bit off topic to Barn's original post - sorry mate.

I think you're right Gem, it is the way we tend to look at it. Funnily enough despite my original post, I was talking about it the other day and I said to my dad that the feeling I get from the interviews I've seen with Frank is that it's not money that's holding it up. But if it's money or not, the club don't seem to be willing to play ball at the moment -surely our club aren't getting tough at the top???

I think you're right Gem, it is the way we tend to look at it. Funnily enough despite my original post, I was talking about it the other day and I said to my dad that the feeling I get from the interviews I've seen with Frank is that it's not money that's holding it up. But if it's money or not, the club don't seem to be willing to play ball at the moment -surely our club aren't getting tough at the top???

I read the battle is over Image Rights. But honestly, do Lampard shirts really sell like Becks?

Maybe Lamps want a company car?

Eddie Mac all over again?

Brian - Apparantly Lampard's shirts outsell other CFC players' shirts by 4 times. No, not quite like Beckham, but then Lampard hasn't married a Spice Girl and sold himself as a brand. Nothing wrong with that mind, I doubt the Beckham clan will go hungry in the near future.

Barn - I think its down to length of contract, maybe we're offering 3/4 and he wants 5. Not exactly tightening the strings, but more covering their backs.

Brian - Apparently Lampard's shirts outsell other CFC players' shirts by 4 times.

Well, that shocks me to be honest. My money would've been on JT selling more shirts than anyone else.

Which maybe explains why I'm not one to gamble!

PS: Like Henry / the Henry saga, Lamps / the Lamps saga will end up with the player moving to Spain. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow. But one day. And for the rest of his life...

Well that figure was stated by his agent, so like most things coming out of his mouth, it could be a load of bollocks. I see more kids with J.Cole on that back then any other player, but I guess those 3 are the main sellers.

Lampard has already said he'd like to move to Spain after he's finished football. Don't blame him, look at our poxy Summer.

Make sure they have a spare room for you to stay in and catch up with your friend Elen!

I think thats a given Valerie, its one the main things they look out for, along with central heating and double glazing.

I think you are right Gem... They have always said on Chelsea TV that players contracts are extremely complex things and when a paper quotes a player is on ?120K a week or whatever it is often well wide of the mark becuase it is impossible to determine.

I would imagine that Frank himself probably gets edited hightlights from his agent and advisors and would not be the only decision make in this.