Chelsea legend Marcel Desailly believes his old club must build a British core.

Desailly believes that there should be a nucleus of homeland players at a club.

He said: "When I was at Milan, having Italian ­players at the club kept the identity of the club.

"Manchester United have it and Chelsea should have it as well. It is a big blow if Cole and Lampard go. You lose a bit of the history of the club. Chelsea have some English youngsters like Ryan Bertrand.

"It is crazy because they have won quite a lot at youth level. It is a pity not to see any come through and be the next John Terry or Frank Lampard."