Goalkeepers

No problems here. In Carlo Cudicini and Peter Cech we have two of the best in the world, let alone the Premiership! Cech, despite an uncertain start to Euro 2004, has got stronger as the tournament has gone on... he could even bring a winners medal back with him to Stamford Bridge. And after missing large chunks of last season, Carlo will be back better than ever. Should be quite some battle between these two! And backing them up should be the highly competent Jurgen Macho, back to full fitness after a career threatening knee injury.

But who should go? Well, Neil Sullivan is too old now and, frankly, not good enough. Marco Ambrosio, despite doing a great job when deputising for Carlo last year, could also be on his way out. Mourinho only wants 3 goalies, and 2 of those are set in stone, with Macho almost certain to be the third.

Defence

In John Terry and William Gallas, we have the best central defensive pairing in the Premiership. Wayne Bridge is as solid a left back as you will come across, and on the other side we will have Paolo Ferreira, formerly of Porto. Very impressive back four in my opinion!

We have back up at right back in the form of the excellent yet, at times, eccentric Glen Johnson. At left back, Celestine Babayaro is a more than able deputy for Bridgey.

But what of our central defensive back up? Well, it is pretty non-existant to me! Marcel Desailly isn't good enough for this level. His time has passed, and it is time to move on. Robert Huth is still very young, and has a lot to learn. He will be doing this on loan next season, possibly at Aston Villa. So that leaves us with no cover in the centre of defence!

Who should come in? Well, I would go for another of Mourinho's ex-Porto players, Ricardo Cavalho. He has been excellent at the heart of the Portugese defence this summer and would be a welcome aquisition in my eyes. That would still leave us a man short, so we would still need to sign another.

Who should leave? Winston Bogarde and Mario Melchiot ae both out of contract, so they will leave. Robert Huth is expected to be loaned out, so add him to that list. And Marcel Desailly should also find himself surplus to requirements.

Midfield

No doubt about it that Frank Lampard will have an integral part to play next season! Exceptional in the season just past, let's hope he doesn't let it go to his head and can continue working as hard as he does. Scotty Parker is another player who played very well for us after signing in January, despite not getting the credit he deserved. With a full pre-season under his belt with Chelsea, he will be a force next season.

Joe Cole, Geremi and Damien Duff should also all be kept on for next season. I don't think any of them ever played to their full potential last season, although Duffer had a month or so when he was electrifying! And Joe, in his defence, did finish the season very well when given a sustained run in the team.

And with Arjen Robben coming in from PSV, that doesn't leave too many places in midfield.

Who should leave though? Manu Petit is out of contract, and has been released. Jesper Gronkjaer looks set to join Birmingham after Chelsea accepted their bid for the Danish winger. Bolo Zenden is expected to spend the last year of his Chelsea contract on loan again, although his destination is unclear. Mario Stanic is unlikely to stay, having barely played in the last 12 months.

Alexei Smertin, on loan to Pompey last season, insists that Mourinho wants him back at the club. After his performances for Russia in central defence at the Euro's, perhaps he could provide cover there?

Claude Makelele was extremely disappointing last season, especially for the £16 million that we paid for him. Could the club be tempted to cut their losses on him? One expensive flop is already on his way out- Juan Seba Veron off to Inter on loan for the season.

That just leaves young guns, Alexis Nicolas and Felipe Oliveira. Will Mourinho give them the chance to be part of his squad of 21? Or will he look to recruit more talent? Only time will tell...

Strikers

The only certainties here are that Eidur Gudjohnsen will be staying and Mikael Forssell will spend another season on loan at Birmingham. And Carlton Cole will also be loaned next season although, despite Charlton having an agreement with Chelsea, Carlton doesn't want to go back to the Valley. So his destination is up in the air!

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, despite finishing as top scorer last year, looks set to move on. Adrian Mutu finished last year completely out of sorts, but surely he showed enough talent in the early part of the season to warrant a place in the squad next season?!?

Now on to Hernan Crespo. I would keep him next season, purely because a good goal scorer will always come good. And Hernan is a great goal getter, as he showed at times last season. He speaks great English now and with a full pre-season under his belt, he should be a force to be reckoned with next season...

So, in conclusion, here is Rich Godden's Chelsea squad for next season:

Carlo Cudicini, Peter Cech and Jurgen Macho

John Terry, William Gallas, Wayne Bridge, Paolo Ferreira, Celestine Babayaro, Glen Johnson, new CB, Smertin

Frank Lampard, Scott Parker, Joe Cole, Damien Duff, Geremi, Arjen Robben, Claude Makelele, Jesper Gronkjaer/new right winger

Eidur Gudjohnsen, Hernan Crespo, Adrian Mutu, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink/new striker.

And there you have it- a squad of 23 players! How much are they paying Jose to do this....