http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/3839441.stm


Gerrard 'on way to Chelsea'

Chelsea are set to sign England star Steven Gerrard for a British transfer record £36m, according to reports.
The Daily Express claimed Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has authorised the fee plus a £120,000-a-week package for the influential Liverpool midfielder.

The paper said new Anfield boss Rafael Benitez had told one leading European agent: "Let's go and find some players - I've just sold Steven Gerrard."

Chelsea have denied Damian Duff and Scott Parker will leave this summer.

There has been speculation that the midfield duo will depart Stamford Bridge to help facilitate Gerrard's arrival.

But Chelsea issued a statement on its website which said: "The club would like to make clear that both players will remain important members of its squad and team."

New Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has made it clear he wants to work with a squad of no more than 24 players.

But the Portuguese coach, who guided Porto to the Champions League title last season, has admitted he is keen to include Gerrard in his plans.

"The only thing I can say is if he comes I will welcome him with open arms," Mourinho told BBC Radio Five Live.

If Chelsea land Gerrard they are likely to end their interest in Porto midfielder Deco.

The club have already agreed a £13.2m fee for defender Paulo Ferreira with the European champions.


When will it end?? :eek:

Have Chelsea actually sold anyone yet?

The Daily Express? :eek: I'm not sure I'd believe the date if I read ir in there.

Come on, Fergie. Time to open the Old trafford pockets.

Have Chelsea actually sold anyone yet?

Well Gronkjaer seems to be on his way out. Either to Birmingham or Spain I think. I don't know who's out of contract, other than Melchiot, who will also leave.


The Daily Express? :eek: I'm not sure I'd believe the date if I read ir in there.

Oh, yeah, I didn't notice that. :blush:

It's not really important though, we've known for ages that this was happening. Pick four from Lampard, Gerrard, Makelele, Cole, Duff, Parker, Robben...:eek:


Come on, Fergie. Time to open the Old trafford pockets.

Do you have anyone in mind?

Either this deal is about to happen and the paper has gotten wind of it or Gerrard's agent want to talk up the possibility in the hope of getting a better contract deal from Liverpool. I believe it is the latter.

Either this deal is about to happen and the paper has gotten wind of it or Gerrard's agent want to talk up the possibility in the hope of getting a better contract deal from Liverpool. I believe it is the latter.

I certainly think that's the optimist's take on things.

Gerrard does not need his agent to talk up the possibility of anything. That idea is a complete non starter. The speculation has been going on for months and it certainly seems real. We know Chelsea want to sign him and we know they have the money. Liverpool simply lack the quality; they aren't a big enough club, or so it seems Gerrard thinks. He certainly won't win a Premiership title there any time soon.

I think it's a safe bet he'll be starting the next season at Stamford Bridge. At this rate though, he'll be on the bench...

Edit: Also note Liverpool's admissions that this may be the case and Gerrard's failure to deny it.

If Gerrard does go then I think we should try to get Duff as part of an exchange. Maybe throw in Parker as well.

If Gerrard does go then I think we should try to get Duff as part of an exchange. Maybe throw in Parker as well.

Well that would certainly help soften the blow!

That's the thing though...Duff has been at Chelsea for one season, Parker for half a season; yet we're hearing rumours about both departing. :eek:

I doubt Duff will leave though. When he was fit, he was great for Chelsea. As for Liverpool, if they do get this money in for Gerrard, and if they can find some Thai investors or any other substanstial source of money, then that would be great. If Benitez had a a large transfer budget to work with, then Liverpool could surely be challenging for a top three place.

This transfer looks as if it will go ahead. Gerrard is a great player and will really help Chelsea. But what's puzzling is that Mourinho said when he signed for Chelsea that he wanted a much smaller squad, of only 24 players. Given that they're already in the market for so many new players, there is going to have to be one heck of a clear out.

Chelsea is going to do like Inter - lots on money spent and no results. Money can't buy cups

Are you sure? What about REAL MADRID? ;)

When you start buying randomly you won't go anywhere. Real payed his transfers this season: no defender in but Beckam (useless as they had Figo). Moratti is famous for wasting money, and Ranieri said Abramovich doesn't know anything about football. Even if he wins something, he will surely waste lots of money.

I think he has already wasted lots of money. See Veron...

Are Chelsea going to try and sell Veron now since does he actually stand any chance of playing next season?

He's on loan at Inter with a view to a permanent move.

I got to say that I'm sick at all them purchases by Abramovich, and hope next season will be a disaster. :(
The sad is that I've been a Chelsea supporter for ten years (and I'm 18 now), and in the beginning when he bought the ream it was great. But for every new player he bought or wanted to buy it just gets worse. The drop the tippled the can was when he fired Ranieri for not getting the results he wanted. :mad:
Ranieri did a fantastic job with loads of new players, what does he have to complain about?

What does he have to complain about?
The first game against Monaco comes to mind.

The first game against Monaco comes to mind.

Of course, but if you see to the season in general, I doubt another coach had manage better with the material.

The thing was that Ranieri was already there when he brought Chelsea so he was always going to want to bring in his own choice of manager eventually...

Of course, but if you see to the season in general, I doubt another coach had manage better with the material.
Coaches live and die by their decisions. Ranieri made an awful one and was sacked.

Plenty wanted Ranieri to stay. I'm not a Chelsea fan, but even I wanted him to stay.

I bet the majority of Chelsea fans are pleased to have Mourinho though.

Yeah I thought he probably should have stayed but in the end it seems that Chelsea may well have gotten a better replacement...

If Duff goes the other way, Liverpool will have got the better end of that bargain. It's a no-brainer to me - share the left wing at Chelsea, or become a hero at 'pool :hmm:

Mourinho seemed to be talking sense - trimming the squad of mercenaries. But Roman demands spectacular buys, piles on the pressure, and I fear Chelsea fans will be disappointed again.

I think one of the reasons behind Gerrard's decision to stay at Anfield is the Abramovich pressure... Gerrard wants to win things, but with a team rather than, as you put it, a squad of mercenaries.

I fully expect the speculation to continue, though :)

http://www.sportinglife.com/story_get.dor?STORY_NAME=soccer/04/06/28/manual_122736.html

Apparently not

http://www.ananova.com/sport/story/sm_1003583.html?menu=

Here's the story in full as reported by the BBC (how can you people use another news source?? :eek: )...


Gerrard stays at Liverpool

Gerrard was an inspirational captain last season
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has pledged his future to the club.
The 24-year-old, linked with a move to Chelsea, will stay despite admitting his discontent at the club's lack of progress in the last two years.

"The last three or four weeks have been really confusing and for the first time in my career I thought about moving on," said Gerrard.

"But I have gone with the decision that is in my heart and that is to stay with Liverpool. I love the club," he added.

A club statement said: "Steven Gerrard has quashed all speculation linking him with a move by pledging his future to Liverpool Football Club."

"The news will come as a huge relief to Liverpudlians everywhere who feared the club was set to lose the services of their highly influential captain."

Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry refused to comment on speculation that Chelsea tabled a £30m bid for Gerrard.

"I'm not going into the details of whether there was a bid or not - this is Stevie's day and his message is he's here. I can tell Steve's totally committed.

"It's great news for us and the supporters and for Rafael Benitez coming in - he's delighted.

"Rafael went to Portugal to meet Steve and all the England players. Steve says he's a great appointment, we're moving forward."

Parry admitted that it had been a tough time for the Merseyside club, but remained confident that striker Michael Owen could also be persuaded to stay.

"It's been a rollercoaster of a summer and we've not kicked a ball yet.

"We've always said we are reasonably optimistic about Michael and I hope this will help - we'll see."

Owen had previously hinted that his future at Liverpool may depend on Gerrard's decision to remain at Anfield.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/l/liverpool/3847081.stm

Either this deal is about to happen and the paper has gotten wind of it or Gerrard's agent want to talk up the possibility in the hope of getting a better contract deal from Liverpool. I believe it is the latter.
Why do people continue to question me?

But he signed a 4-year contract a couple of months ago. Liverpool hardly renegotiated that, did they?
Am I being naive?

Why do people continue to question me?

In fact, you were wrong.

A pretty good reason, I think.

People you are missing the point. I was less wrong than the rest of you.