With Lampard looking increasingly likely to join Mourinho at Inter and Ballack offering his services long-term, thoughts turn to who exactly will be bossing our midfield next season.

Rumours of a possible move to bring in Deco have gathered so much pace lately, it’s hard to see how the Portugal star will end up anywhere else and according to the latest reports his £12million signing could see him raking in £92,000 a week from us in the very near future. Scolari’s a big fan of the 30 year old midfielder and his much improved form during the Euros seems to have swung a decent deal for him, with ‘a source close to the deal’ suggesting “it’s just a matter of time to conclude the affair and it should be before the end of this week.”

However, I wonder whether this ‘close source’ - who let’s face it could be anyone from the woman who brings the refreshments into the boardroom, to the man who used to live 3 doors down the road when Deco was a five year old - has taken Abramovich into account. Because sources close to our Russian owner are very clear it’s Arshavin he wants to see at Stamford Bridge next season. Although, with Russia’s brightest star preferring a move to sunnier Spain and not needing Roman’s millions, I’m not sure what sort of tactics Abramovich would have to resort to get him.

And then there’s Bastian Schweinsteiger, what about his ‘possible’ move to Chelsea? Having orchestrated Portugal’s quarter-final defeat, the German midfielder is rumoured to have left Scolari considering a bid for him as well. The 23 year old winger is certainly talking up his desire to play in the Premier League as well and a £15million bid could see it happen. Unless of course, the fact that he’s in the last year of his contract at Bayern and wouldn’t mind a better deal there has some bearing on his ‘desire’ to move?

Finally, another midfielder seemingly confused about a move is Ronaldinho. Whilst he’s in no doubt at all that Barcelona want him out, it appears the Brazilian simply can’t make up his mind where he wants to go. On the one hand, his agent seems to be informing the press the Brazilian has turned down a move to Chelsea, and yet, Man City are the only club actually reported to have made a firm bid so far. Nevertheless, the 28 year old himself suggests “I’m happy because almost all the teams want me to play for them.” Maybe Scolari should step aside for this one to avoid getting caught in the stampede eh?

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