Michael Ballack, Joe Cole released by Chelsea

London: Chelsea is releasing midfielders Joe Cole and Michael Ballack. Both players' contracts expire at the end of the month and they are now free agents.

Cole, who is with England at the World Cup, has been at Chelsea for seven years since leaving West Ham.

Ballack, who was ruled out of Germany's World Cup campaign through injury, moved to Stamford Bridge four years ago from Bayern Munich.