Chelsea Extend Essien Stay

Chelsea is ready to stick to their famous old guards, with the club offering new deals to veterans Michael Essien, Frank Lampard and Florent Malouda.

However, the club has released two of its first team players- Salomon Kalou and Jose Bosingwa.

In Kalou's case, Chelsea may still be willing to negotiate a new deal if their next manager wants him, The Daily Mail reports.

Lampard, 33, has a year left on his current £150,000-a-week deal, but can expect to move up with an additional £25,000, into Fernando Torres's pay scale.

Chelsea still hope Eden Hazard will sign from Lille and, according to a report in South America on Wednesday, they have had a £32 million bid for Sao Paulo midfielder Lucas Moura, 19, rejected. ( ANI)