Crespo Off

[dww]

Crespo has headed back to Italy, heading to Inter according to the BBC. Seems odd that Chelsea might bring him back in a year.

[red g]

Crespo is a great striker......glad he is leaving them!

[Shanks65]

Hope they don't plan to replace him with a certain Ginger Dutchman

[Mumsafan]

Strawberry blonde!

[Rich]

They have let him leave on a FREE transfer - another dodgy deal by the Russian.

[Shaggy]

Torres next for Chelsea?

[JRG]

Are you sure mate, the BBC's saying he's gone on loan

[Shaggy]

Is it not a free 'permanent' transfer with the option for Chelsea to have him back (presumably for free again) after a year?

[univofchicago]

Chelsea misfit Crespo joins Inter on free transfer

Hernan Crespo has left Premiership champions Chelsea on a free transfer to join Inter Milan in a two-year deal.

The Blues striker returns to his former club three years after arriving at Stamford Bridge in a deal worth £16.8million.

However the Premiership champions have the option of taking the striker back after one season.

A statement on the Italian club's website read: 'Hernan Crespo is an Inter player.

'The striker has signed a two-year contract until June 30, 2008.

'He joins on a two-year free transfer from Chelsea, who have the right to take the player back after one season.'

Crespo has never found it easy to settle in England - spending a year on loan with AC Milan in 2004-05 and helping them reach the final of the Champions League.

Crespo scored twice in their final defeat against Liverpool and despite a successful season back at Chelsea last term the Argentinian striker has never made any secret of his desire to return to Italy.

The move is likely to prompt Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho to move into the transfer market before the start of the season with just Didier Drogba and Andriy Shevchenko the main strikers in his squad.

Crespo struggled to tie down a starting spot during his time at Chelsea and had been heavily linked with a move back to Italy, with both Milan clubs thought to be keen on signing him.

The 31-year-old recently spoke of his desire to return to Italy, telling Clarin newspaper: 'I've talked to (Blues coach Jose) Mourinho and things are clear. We'll have to wait if an offer appears and if it interests Chelsea or not.

'They (Chelsea) love me and I love them a lot. They have been treating me very well, but I'd prefer to go to Italy because I feel more comfortable socially. They understood my situation.'

It will be Crespo's second spell at Inter, having played for them in the 2002-03 season.

He becomes the third player to leave Stamford Bridge since Chelsea retained the title, following Damien Duff and Asier del Horno out of the exit door - to Newcastle and Valencia respectively.

[JRG]

Thanks mate, that's cleared that up.

I'm glad he's gone.

[dww]

Very odd deal.

[red g]

sothey have got kalou, Drogba and Shev? is that it?

[dww]

For a couple of days at least.

[Shaggy]

For a couple of days at least.

Quite.

Who next then? I'm guessing Torres.

[dww]

I have a bit of a fear it may be Kuyt. Partly to frustrate us, partly because Rafa and Mourinho seem to like the same sort of players.