Chelsea have confirmed that Joe Cole and Michael Ballack are to leave the club on free transfers this summer.
Cole, 28, will depart at the start of July after the Premier League champions reportedly said they would not offer the England midfielder a fresh deal.
He joined Chelsea from West Ham for £6.6m in 2003 and is in South Africa preparing for the World Cup.
Germany midfielder Ballack, 33, who has been with Chelsea since 2006, will also not have his deal renewed.
Ballack was set to captain Germany at the World Cup but was ruled out of the tournament with an ankle injury suffered in May's FA Cup final victory over Portsmouth.
His contract also expires at the end of June and last month he was confident a new deal with Chelsea could be struck, telling Germany's Bild newspaper: "Chelsea are absolutely my first option."
Ballack was signed by former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho on a free transfer from Bayern Munich in 2006.
He has not spoken to Chelsea for three months
Ballack's agent Michael Becker
He made a total of 105 league appearances for the club - helping Chelsea clinch their first title since 2006 this year - while also winning three FA Cups.
Chelsea say that he will remain at their Cobham training base for treatment on the ankle until it is healed.
Ballack's agent Michael Becker said the player would have been willing to take a pay cut and would have accepted a one-year deal with an option for a second year based on appearances.
Becker said Ballack, who is on holiday in Miami, was "completely surprised" by the news.
"He has not spoken to Chelsea for three months," Becker told German broadcaster RTL.
Cole's departure from Stamford Bridge will surprise many as he is expected to play an important role for England manager Fabio Capello in South Africa.
"We would like to thank him for his dedicated years of service and wish him well in his future career," read a Chelsea statement.
606: DEBATE
I can't help but feel disappointed that two world-class players are leaving on a free
District Line
He failed to hold down a starting berth in the Chelsea team this season after returning from a serious knee injury in September last year.
Cole made a total of 26 league appearances and scored two goals - including a vital strike in the 2-1 victory over title rivals Manchester United in April.
Reports surfaced during the season that Cole's future was in doubt as contract negotiations over a new contract stalled, with suggestions that the player and his representatives angered Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich with their hard-line stance over wages.
Cole featured for England in the World Cup warm-up victory over Japan and scored in the 3-0 friendly victory over Platinum Stars on Monday.
His availability will alert a number of Premier League clubs, with Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and Manchester City all linked with the player.
Last week, Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp - who managed Cole at West Ham - told BBC Radio 5 live: "I've got a feeling he may have agreed a deal with somebody.
"I don't think it's going to be Tottenham that sign him but if he hasn't agreed a deal with somebody and he doesn't stay at Chelsea then we would be interested."
Cole, 28, will depart at the start of July after the Premier League champions reportedly said they would not offer the England midfielder a fresh deal.
He joined Chelsea from West Ham for £6.6m in 2003 and is in South Africa preparing for the World Cup.
Germany midfielder Ballack, 33, who has been with Chelsea since 2006, will also not have his deal renewed.
Ballack was set to captain Germany at the World Cup but was ruled out of the tournament with an ankle injury suffered in May's FA Cup final victory over Portsmouth.
His contract also expires at the end of June and last month he was confident a new deal with Chelsea could be struck, telling Germany's Bild newspaper: "Chelsea are absolutely my first option."
Ballack was signed by former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho on a free transfer from Bayern Munich in 2006.
He has not spoken to Chelsea for three months
Ballack's agent Michael Becker
He made a total of 105 league appearances for the club - helping Chelsea clinch their first title since 2006 this year - while also winning three FA Cups.
Chelsea say that he will remain at their Cobham training base for treatment on the ankle until it is healed.
Ballack's agent Michael Becker said the player would have been willing to take a pay cut and would have accepted a one-year deal with an option for a second year based on appearances.
Becker said Ballack, who is on holiday in Miami, was "completely surprised" by the news.
"He has not spoken to Chelsea for three months," Becker told German broadcaster RTL.
Cole's departure from Stamford Bridge will surprise many as he is expected to play an important role for England manager Fabio Capello in South Africa.
"We would like to thank him for his dedicated years of service and wish him well in his future career," read a Chelsea statement.
606: DEBATE
I can't help but feel disappointed that two world-class players are leaving on a free
District Line
He failed to hold down a starting berth in the Chelsea team this season after returning from a serious knee injury in September last year.
Cole made a total of 26 league appearances and scored two goals - including a vital strike in the 2-1 victory over title rivals Manchester United in April.
Reports surfaced during the season that Cole's future was in doubt as contract negotiations over a new contract stalled, with suggestions that the player and his representatives angered Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich with their hard-line stance over wages.
Cole featured for England in the World Cup warm-up victory over Japan and scored in the 3-0 friendly victory over Platinum Stars on Monday.
His availability will alert a number of Premier League clubs, with Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and Manchester City all linked with the player.
Last week, Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp - who managed Cole at West Ham - told BBC Radio 5 live: "I've got a feeling he may have agreed a deal with somebody.
"I don't think it's going to be Tottenham that sign him but if he hasn't agreed a deal with somebody and he doesn't stay at Chelsea then we would be interested."
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