Chelsea legend Ray Wilkins insists club owner Roman Abramovich does NOT interfere in team selection.
Wilkins shatters the myth that Chelsea managers have no say in which players are bought and sold and are told who to pick by the club's owner.
He revealed to The Sun: "In the time that I was on the coaching staff, it was always the coach that selected the players.
"I know for a fact that Carlo wanted Fernando Torres and David Luiz so Mr Abramovich went out and got them.
"I don't know if that situation still applies today but there has clearly been a change in philosophy lately.
"They are bringing in much younger guys and hoping they can be the way forward but in my opinion it is a real mistake to be releasing the likes of Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole.
"When I see Sir Alex Ferguson talking about giving Ryan Giggs another Premier League contract at the age of 39, I've no idea why Chelsea would let Lampard go.
"Frank has a similar appetite to Ryan and the same fitness level."