Joe Cole

Cole’s contract saga has been the source of much speculation over the last couple of months, with the 28-year-old now due to leave on a free transfer.

The former West Ham man has spent the last seven years at Stamford Bridge, but has found himself struggling for first-team football following a lengthy spell on the sidelines through injury.

Cole suffered cruciate knee ligament damage in January 2009 and although he helped the Blues to the 2009/10 title, the form of Florent Malouda saw him spend a large chunk of the season on the bench.

Chelsea were keen to keep the England international but a new deal could not be agreed, with Premier League clubs now queing up for his signature.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp, who worked with Cole at West Ham, has already expressed an interest while Arsenal and Manchester United have also been linked.

The player himself (16/1 to be England’s top World Cup scorer) insists the news will not distract his attentions away from the task in hand for his country at the World Cup.

Cole insisted: “My future will sort itself out. It won’t distract me. It has been going on for a while and it is a story to be told at another time.

“I want to try and do my best for England over the next few weeks.”

Meanwhile, Ballack will also bring to an end his spell with Chelsea when his contract expires at the end of June.

The Germany captain, who will miss the World Cup through injury, had been optimistic of signing a new deal with the Premier League champions.

Ballack, who said Chelsea were his “first option” was seeking a two-year deal and Chelsea are understood to have been offering a 12-month contract.

His agent, Michael Becker, says the midfielder would have been willing to take a pay cut and admitted he was “completely surprised” by the news.

Belletti leaves Stamford Bridge after three years at the club and will also be available on a free transfer this summer.

The Brazilian, who was omitted from his country’s World Cup squad, is now 33 and has not been offered a new contract with the west London outfit.

Having joined Chelsea from Barcelona, there are early suggestions that the defender could head back to Spain during the close season.

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