Chelsea have cleared a massive £20 MILLION from their wage bill after the release of Joe Cole, Michael Ballack and Juliano Belletti yesterday.

The Daily Express says Chelsea have shaved an astonishing £20 million a year off their wage bill by allowing Cole, Ballack and Belletti to leave as free agents and Portugal midfielder Deco to join Brazilian club Fluminense after the World Cup for a nominal fee.

Cole was on about £90,000 a week, Ballack £130,000, Belletti £65,000 and Deco £96,000.