Michael Ballack and Joe Cole will not be returning to Chelsea next season, as their contracts are set to expire at the end of June. Neither player has signed a new contract. The club website declared, "Chelsea Football Club can confirm that Joe Cole will be leaving the club upon the expiration of his contract at the end of this month." Another statement read, "[Michael Ballack] has spent four years at Chelsea, and all at the club would like to place on record our thanks for his service and wish him luck for the future."

Both players have been linked to various clubs for the upcoming season. Cole is reportedly being courted by a plethora of English clubs, including Arsenal, Manchester United, and Tottenham. Ballack has been rumored to be set to return to Germany with Schalke 04, but there is now speculation that the midfielder may be a target for Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid.

Source:

Goal.com