Trio Released

Last updated : 03 July 2004 By Rich Godden
For Winston Bogarde, the writing has been on the wall since Ranieri joined. Despite his £40,000 a week wages, Claudio didn't rate Winston at all and as a result, the Dutchman leaves us having played just 12 games, starting just 4. That's an average of one game started for every year spent at the club!

Whilst Manu Petit wasn't at his best whilst with the club, much of this was down to several serious injuries. He still managed over 70 games for the club, but only started 4 last season due to two serious knee injuries. Once Abramovich took over the club, and the likes of Geremi, Makelele and Parker were signed, Manu probably realised then that his future would lie elsewhere.

Mario Melchiot will leave as the most loved of the three. Signed in 1999, he wouldn't make his debut until we were near the end of that season- but his timing was immaculate, forcing his way into the side in time to start the FA Cup Final victory over Villa. That game was just his 6th for the club!

His next game would be in the Charity Shield against Man Yoo, where he scored an outstanding goal! Over the next three seasons, Mario was Claudio Ranieri's favoured choice as right back, but he was always prone to being a little bit too casual.

When Glen Johnson signed last summer, and then went on to start the early part of the season at right back, it seemed as if Mario was surplus to requirements. But he came back strongly to share the duties with Jonno throughout the rest of the year and had a pretty solid year.

But when news broke of Jose Mourinho making Portugese right back Paolo Ferriera his first signing, Mario knew his fate...

Chelsea Mad would like to wish Mario Melchiot and Manu Petit all the best in the future.