Chelsea centre-half Ricardo Carvalho has warned that several star players could leave the club after the Champions League final against Manchester United next week.

Carvalho, 29, has been a rock alongside England international John Terry in the Blues defence this season after they recovered from the departure of former manager Jose Mourinho to contest the Premier League title until the final day of the season and reach a first Champions League final.

The future of current boss Avram Grant has also been the subject of speculation in the media, while Carvalho - despite signing a three-year deal last summer - does not know whether he himself will remain at Stamford Bridge.

"You have to be prepared for the team to disperse," he said, before referring to the planned departure of fringe players such as Andriy Shevchenko and Steve Sidwell. "When it's like that, someone goes, someone stays, someone comes.

"I don't know yet whether I'll stay, but I have a contract."

Midfield duo Frank Lampard and Michael Ballack have only one year remaining on their contracts, while superstar striker Didier Drogba (pictured above with Carvalho) has hinted at a desire to play elsewhere.

Portuguese Carvalho, who won the Champions League with Mourinho at Porto in 2004, was complimentary of life in west London under Russian owner Roman Abramovich.

"I don't know what will happen, but it's good here," he continued. "Everyone has known each other for a long time and we enjoy each other's company.

"Every season I think we get stronger. We have a compact team, so I hope that in this last game we can show those qualities, play well and show our experience.

"Back then at Porto no one was expecting us to win the Champions League. Now everyone says Chelsea has to win the Champions League.

"We have big players here - and it is important for us to win it now."

Chelsea have won two previous European trophies: the now-defunct European Cup Winners' Cup in 1971 and 1998.

They lost out in the Premier League title race to defending champions Manchester United last weekend when the Red Devils beat Wigan in Lancashire.

Jonathan Symcox / Eurosport