Champions League: Do Chelsea Really Need A Clear-Out?

What can I say that has not already been said already?

Nothing really, but over-riding emotion is pride. I'm proud the club made it to the final, proud of their performance, proud of our captain and proud of our overall achievement.

With one exception, the team gave their all and were very unlucky not to come away from Moscow as European Champions. Hard to take that United have won it all this season and we have won nothing after we have run them so close.

Hardly seems fair, but when was football ever fair?

I do not wish to demean United's achievements either. They are a great team and held their nerve at the end, so well done to them.

What breaks my heart is that in a few years, people will just remember the result rather than the manner of it. Our magnificent efforts will be forgotten. I just hope we get another crack at it soon, so we can overcome the pain of this result.

Personally, I felt worse when Liverpool beat us in the semi on penalties last year, That one really crushed my spirit, but I feel strangely uplifted by Wednesday night's efforts. I feel the players will use it to motivate them to go on to greater things in the next few years.

Now that all the Champions League hype has died down and I have come to accept the fact that United will be domestic and European champions until the end of next season, the question is now raised.

What will happen to Chelsea now?

Chelsea signed Bosingwa from Porto in a 16M deal prior to the final. We are now being linked with a 28M move for Robinho from Real Madrid. We have been constantly linked with the likes of Sergio Ramos (55M), Messi (88M) and Kaka (50M).

First of all, Messi and Kaka are not what Chelsea need at the moment as we already have too many ego clashes. I'm afraid that we might turn into the so-called "Galactico" type of club.

It didn't work for Real Madrid, so why will it work for us?

Secondly, what makes people think that their clubs (Milan and Barca) are going to let them go, when their respective clubs have their teams build around them.

The players I would like to see at Stamford Bridge next season are as follows: Dos Santos from Barca (12M to 15M maybe), Promote Di Santos to first team, Robinho (28M). That's it!

Players I would like to see the back of: Drogba (pathetic attitude, plus he wants to leave), Pizzaro, Sidwell, Ben Haim, Ferreira or Belletti, Malouda and SWP.

Apart from Drogba, these players offer nothing.

On a separate note, on the few times I've seen them partnered, Ballack and Essien look formidable together.

Does this mean Lampard has to go? I'm stuck in a dilemma on that one.  

Then we have the manager situation. Do we get rid of Grant? I personally think he has done enough to be given real crack at it next season. He exceeded everybody's expectations and has rightfully earned a chance to do better next season. The question is, will he get his wish?

With the current Chelsea upper management, we know one thing for sure. They are not a very patient lot.