Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas intends to perform a big-name clearout at the end of this season. The Independent says some departures have been expected: neither Nicolas Anelka nor Didier Drogba have agreed new contracts.

Similarly, the prospect of Villas-Boas clearing the decks of expensively remunerated fringe players - Alex, Salomon Kalou, Paulo Ferreira and Florent Malouda are all understood to be vulnerable, while it is hardly inconceivable Branislav Ivanovic or Jose Bosingwa might be sold.

The big shock is Petr Cech, whose distribution has concerned AVB.