Blues skipper Marcel Desailly has hinted that he may hang up his playing boots after France's defence of the European Championship in 2004.

Despite a series of rumours linking him with a move away from London during the summer the 33-year-old confirmed his commitment to Chelsea by signing a one-year extension to his current contract which will expire in 2004.

The defender said: "I still have not won a championship with Chelsea and it's something I want to do before I retire. But I must be realistic, players of my age don't play much after they reach 35 or 36.

"I would still like to play at the highest level, and help France defend the World Cup and the European Championship. After that I can't see myself carrying on."