| Chelsea could face a fight to keep hold of several of their best players after the departure of Jose Mourinho. Reports are rife that many of the club's highest profile players now want to follow him out of Chelsea. Defender Ricardo Carvalho said: "It is a very sad day for me and the team. I had a big offer from Real Madrid but I stayed at Chelsea because of Mourinho." And summer signing Florent Malouda added: "I joined Chelsea because of my first meeting with Mourinho." Several reports claim striker Didier Drogba is "furious and upset" at the parting of the ways between Chelsea and their charismatic Portuguese coach. Reports claim Michael Essien, who was brought to the club by Mourinho in August 2005, could be considering his future. Paulo Ferreira, also brought to Chelsea by Mourinho, is said to be mulling over his future at the club. A huge question mark will also hang over the future of England midfield man Frank Lampard, who has already put talks on a new contract on hold and was regarded as one of Mourinho's most trusted lieutenants in the dressing room. Lampard has long been linked with a move to Spain with either Real Madrid or Barcelona. Veteran midfield man Claude Makelele added: "This news was like a bomb for me. I would never have believed we would see the exit of the coach just two months into the season. | 
