Sky Sports pundit lauds "unplayable" Chelsea star

Author: Ben Moss
Posted on:24 September 2010 - 11:11



Paul Merson has picked out Didier Drogba as the man to watch in tomorrow’s lunchtime Premier League encounter between Chelsea and Manchester City, suggesting the Ivorian is unplayable on current form.

The defending champions have begun the season in imperious fashion albeit having had a favourable start to the season, but Carlo Ancelotti’s side face a stern test of the title credentials at Eastlands tomorrow, and Merson believes the aforementioned striker is the man to look out for.

Drogba has already netted five goals to help Chelsea open up a four point lead at the top of the table, and Merson suggests the striker has merely continued his superb form from last year.

The former Arsenal star told Skysports.com: “I don't know how City are going to stop Drogba, who is almost unplayable at the moment.

“Kolo Toure always struggled with him at Arsenal and I don't see how he's going to do any better now he's at City.

“Drogba looks like scoring every time he goes onto the pitch.”


http://www.sport.co.uk/news/Football/44171/Sky_Sports_pundit_lauds_unplayable_Chelsea_star.aspx

Chelsea legend sends warning to Terry and Lampard

Author: Nigel Brown
Posted on:24 September 2010 - 11:22


Former Chelsea legend Graeme Le Saux has warned Frank Lampard and captain John Terry that their status in the football world does not guarantee them first team football at Chelsea advising them that Carlo Ancelotti will pick in-form players not players with big reputations.

Le Saux had two spells at Stamford Bridge, the first between 1987 and 1993 and the second between 1997 and 2003, performing at both left-back and left midfield for the club establishing himself firmly in the hearts of the blues followers.

Despite admitting how important Terry and Lampard are for Chelsea Le Saux has admitted the duo must prove their fitness and form to stake a claim for a first team spot at Stamford Bridge.

Le Saux told Goal.com: “John and Frank are the cornerstones of that side, so they’re hugely valuable players for that team,” Le Saux said.

“But we all know as players that you have to be fit. If you’re not fit and it gives someone else an opportunity, then it’s up to the manager. If he sticks with a player because he is playing well, then you have got to sit and wait it out.

“It depends how they train. If Frank Lampard is training well and looks like he has completely recovered from the hernia, then Ancelotti will pick him because he is a very special player in terms of his goalscoring and his contribution.

"But if him or John is not 100 per cent fit and he can justify not playing them, then I don’t think he would have a doubt about not playing them for that game or the short-term.

“Any good team is built on a squad and the more confident a squad is, the more the fringe players feel part of it, the more likelihood that when one of the big names comes out there is a seamless transition.

"Do you leave someone out because they’re not playing too well or do you put someone in because they’re a big name? It’s an interesting conundrum. I’m sure Carlo Ancelotti will be pleased to have the competition but it’s going to give him a headache.”


http://www.sport.co.uk/news/Football/44178/Chelsea_legend_sends_warning_to_Terry_and_Lampard.aspx

Lampard return delayed again

---

24 September 2010, 16:31

Frank Lampard has still not returned to full fitness following a hernia operation and will miss Chelsea's trip to Manchester City on Saturday, the English league leaders announced on Friday.

The England international midfielder underwent surgery at the end of August but is not yet ready to resume competitive football.
"Frank is not 100 percent so we don't want to take a risk. We need to have more time to be fit," said Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti.

The Blues have made a perfect start to the defence of their Premier League title, winning their first five games and scoring 21 goals in the process to establish a four-point lead at the top of the table.

They were knocked out of the League Cup after losing 4-3 at home to Newcastle on Wednesday, however, and lost both Salomon Kalou (thigh) and Yossi Benayoun (calf) to injury during the game.

Ivorian forward Kalou is likely to be out for around three weeks, with Israeli midfield schemer Benayoun predicted to spend a similar time on the sidelines.

Both players will therefore miss Chelsea's Champions League game at home to Marseille on Tuesday, as well as the trip to City.

"Yossi and Salomon had a check yesterday, I think they will be able to come back after the internationals, maybe three weeks," said Ancelotti.

"With muscle injuries it's always three weeks."

http://www.supersport.com/football/barclays-premier-league/news/100924/Lampard_return_delayed_again

Chelsea will win title - Mancini

Friday September 24 2010

Roberto Mancini has already conceded the Premier League title to Chelsea.

After spending more than £100m on new players this summer, it was felt Manchester City would be able to provide some sort of challenge for the championship, even if they eventually fell short.


Yet, after seeing his team fall seven points adrift of Carlo Ancelotti's men, and then have his squad decimated by injury, Mancini has apparently thrown in the towel, not just for his own club, but the rest of the league as well.


"Chelsea are probably going to win the Premier League title easily," he said.


"They are the best team in the Premier League at the moment.


"They are a strong team, who have been playing together for many years, with a fantastic manager.


"They have worked to reach this situation."


It is quite possible Mancini did not quite mean his words to come out the way he did.


Nevertheless, it is quite baffling just five matches in to the season and on the eve of Chelsea's visit to Eastlands to defend their 100pc record.


Yet it seems Mancini does feel City are years behind Chelsea at present, even if they are making ground up fast.


"We must work hard to be their equals," he said.


"We can be a strong club in one or two years. But we must improve, month after month, year after year."


The City faithful might not be impressed by such talk. In midweek the Blues crashed out of the Carling Cup, a competition that many felt was the easiest way of ending a trophy drought that dates back to 1976.


"With the problems at this moment we couldn't play in four competitions," said Mancini.


Given the squad building they have undergone in the last couple of years, few will shed any tears at Mancini's complaints at being short of so many players.


Yet when he was assiduously piecing together his squad this summer, he did so on the basis he was buying for the future, as well as the present, believing the day would come when City could hold their heads up alongside Chelsea as one of the Premier League's top dogs.


"We have got strong players but we have also got young players," he said.


"We have one of the youngest squads in the Premier League.


"David Silva and Yaya Toure played in the Champions League for many years, Mario Balotelli won it with Inter, Aleksandar Kolarov and Jerome Boateng are international players.


"We have bought strong players. When they play together we can change everything."


However, Kolarov and Balotelli are out with long-term injuries after playing just one match. Boateng has not even managed that yet after aggravating a knee injury in a collision with an in-flight trolley.


Boateng has finally managed to get a full week's training under his belt but is badly lacking match practice.


Yet such is Mancini's desperate need for defenders, down to just three fit ones at the last count, he is among the options to fill the left-back role, along with the equally rusty Joleon Lescott, youngster Dedryck Boyata, James Milner and Gareth Barry.


"Joleon has worked with us for one day. He is not ready to play 90 minutes," said Mancini.


"Jerome has been working with us for one week. He is not ready to play 100pc.


"I do not know what I am going to do just yet. I will speak with Joleon and Jerome, but if they are not available I am not sure. Maybe Boyata, but I am not sure."


Emmanuel Adebayor should be fit enough to make the bench after a recent spell on the sidelines with a dead leg.


However, with Shaun Wright-Phillips joining Aleksandar Kolarov and Mario Balotelli on the sidelines with a knee injury, Mancini cannot believe his squad has so rapidly been torn apart.


"I am disappointed we have all these injuries at the moment," he said.


"I only have 11 players who are 100pc fit."

Press Association

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/premier-league/chelsea-will-win-title-mancini-2352196.html

feeling a bit lonely in here joff? :p

mind you, i'm surprised at how few chelsea fans are on here

Ancelotti knows only too well the real goal

SOCCER ANGLES: Carlo Ancelotti can lose at Manchester City today and be relatively relaxed . . . . but lose to Marseilles and he might not be allowed to forget it, writes MICHAEL WALKER

REMEMBER A man called Luiz Felipe Scolari? Big Brazilian bloke, England tried to get him as their manager after dismissing Sven Goran Eriksson? Scolari said Manchester City also tried to sign him.

Scolari did eventually arrive in English football after certain drama but it was not in east Manchester, it was at Stamford Bridge. It was only two years ago, but time does fly.

This weekend in 2008 Scolari was leading Chelsea for the sixth time in the Premier League. They went to Stoke and won 2-0 to go top. Chelsea then won six of their next seven matches to stay there and Scolari was looking like an eclipse of Avram Grant in terms of succeeding Jose Mourinho. All we and his players could do was praise him.

Less than three months later Scolari was sacked. Drawing at home to Hull was deemed the final straw. In came Guus Hiddink until the end of the season. That brought stability, the FA Cup and almost a victory over Barcelona in the semi-final of the Champions League.

Scolari was forgotten already. Hiddink seemed a perfect fit at Chelsea but he had promised himself elsewhere so Roman Abramovich had to seek another manager, Chelsea’s sixth in the Russian’s time at the club.

So then came Carlo Ancelotti. It felt like a safe rather than spectacular appointment. Ancelotti had a major profile due to his European and domestic achievements with AC Milan of course, but we are a small-minded people: what would he bring to Chelsea? The answer was “The Double” – the Premier League and the FA Cup. Before the invention of the Premier League that was a revered achievement but Abramovich’s money was part of the dilution of the term’s status.

That could be seen in Ancelotti receiving more praise for beating Manchester United to the title than for adding the FA Cup via victory over basket-case Portsmouth at Wembley. Stopping United meant something.

Courtesy of a winning, self-deprecating personality, Ancelotti also eased himself into our general affection. There was none of the rampant egotism of Mourinho – which we sometimes enjoyed – instead there was a lower-key humour.

That has been on view again this season as Chelsea have begun the season with five straight league victories, 20 goals and one against. Only Scott Parker has broken through. The opponents – West Brom, Wigan, Stoke, West Ham and Blackpool — are likely to figure in the bottom half of the table in May but they represent a quarter of the division. Alex Ferguson has queried the degree of difficulty involved but you beat what’s in front of you.

It is an even better start at Chelsea than last season. Then they won their first five league games under Ancelotti, scoring 12 times. Tottenham came to Stamford Bridge for the sixth match and this was to be “the first serious test”, much as Chelsea’s game at Manchester City is being marketed today. Chelsea beat Spurs 3-0.

Over the next few weeks Chelsea beat Blackburn 5-0, Bolton 4-0, Wolves 4-0 and Arsenal 3-0. After Christmas they put seven past Sunderland, then Aston Villa and Stoke. On the season’s final day Chelsea beat Wigan 8-0. In total they scored 103 goals. How quickly we forget.

There must be a reason for that and the reason is surely Mourinho. Ask a member of the general public to select one Chelsea result from last season and a fair percentage will say Chelsea 0 Internazionale 1 in the Champions League.

It could even be the one Abramovich nominates.

Being eliminated by the competition’s winners, and a former manager, once again raised the stake that Abramovich, Ancelotti and Chelsea are playing for. It is the European Cup.

Going out of the League Cup to Newcastle on Wednesday was a blow to the club, just as a loss today at Eastlands would be – and Chelsea lost twice to City last season.

But if this time next year we are reviewing Chelsea’s triumph in the Champions League – the first London club to win it and at, of all places, Wembley – then these will be considered irritations, if they are considered at all.

That knowledge of Chelsea’s European emphasis is also part of why the total of 103 goals last season is not heralded in the way it would have been had Arsenal or United managed it – Ancelotti and Scolari could have a discussion about memory at Chelsea.

It is why, for the all the intrigue at City this lunchtime – Ancelotti meeting an old colleague in Roberto Mancini – the game that looms large for Chelsea is Marseilles at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday. Last year’s French champions, by six points, Marseilles will have more substance than Blackpool displayed last Sunday. Ancelotti can lose at City and be relatively relaxed. Lose to Marseilles and he might not be allowed to forget.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/0925/1224279658105.html

MANCHESTER CITY v CHELSEA

SportingPreview.com: 25 September 2010

Salomon Kalou and Yossi Benayoun are out for Chelsea for three weeks and Frank Lampard has not recovered from his hernia problem and will not play against Manchester City this lunchtime.

Benayoun and Kalou are expected to be out for up to a month after suffering calf and thigh injuries respectively in the 4-3 Carling Cup defeat by Newcastle.


Paulo Ferreira will revert to the sub's bench to make way for captain John Terry who missed the 4-0 win over Blackpool five days ago with a rib injury but played against Newcastle.

Nicolas Anelka will replace Kalou in the only other change from last week.

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has to cope with a defensive injury crisis.

Micah Richards, Wayne Bridge and Aleksandar Kolarov are definitely out, and the fitness of Joleon Lescott (groin) and Jerome Boateng will need to be checked before Mancini can finalise his line-up.

Further forward, Emmanuel Adebayor returns after missing four matches with a dead leg, but Shaun Wright-Phillips is also out.

Manchester City Squad: Hart, Given, Zabaleta, Kompany, K Toure, Boyata, Cunningham, Lescott, Boateng, Silva, De Jong, Y Toure, Barry, Vieira, Milner, Johnson, Tevez, Adebayor, Jo, Santa Cruz.

Chelsea Squad: Cech, Ivanovic, Terry, Alex, Cole, Ramires, Mikel, Essien, Anelka, Drogba, Malouda, Ferriera, Borini, Bruma, Zhirkov, Sturridge, Turnbull, Van Aanholt, McEachran.

http://www.sportingpreview.com/matches/10110418.php

Drogba hauled off by Carlo but champions' problem is they had no one to replace him

By Rob Draper Last updated at 11:49 PM on 25th September 2010

Carlo Ancelotti defended his decision to replace Didier Drogba with Daniel Sturridge 15 minutes from time - when Chelsea were chasing the game - and insisted he was happy with the strength of his squad.

A glance at the respective benches yesterday gave an indication of the changing balance of power in the battle of billionaires.

Whereas Chelsea called on the inconsistent and inexperienced Sturridge, 21, Yuri Zhirkov and 17-year-old Josh McEachran in their hour of need, Manchester City could introduce exciting international players in Adam Johnson, Jerome Boateng and Emmanuel Adebayor to shore up their position.

The Chelsea manager said of the Drogba substitution: 'I wanted to put more speed up front with Anelka and Sturridge, and he was fresh so that's why I took this decision.'

Though manager and player exchanged a respectful handshake, the Ivorian shook his head as he approached the bench.

Injuries to Frank Lampard, Yossi Benayoun and Salomon Kalou have exposed the relative lack of depth in Chelsea's squad.

Talented though McEachran is, he is not yet a player to rescue Chelsea on one of their rare off days, and when Ancelotti looked to his bench to strengthen his failing midfield, he had only the slight teenager to turn to.

The Chelsea manager insisted: 'Josh McEachran came on for 10 minutes and played well. We have to have confidence in the young players and we do have confidence in them.'

Yet the rapid promotion of McEachran, 19-year-old Frenchman Gael Kakuta and 20-year-old Dutchman Patrick van Aanholt has been born out of necessity rather than design.

Fellow substitutes Ross Turnbull, an inadequate reserve goalkeeper, and Sturridge, a man in danger of wasting his early promise, were free transfers also recruited in the new age of austerity under owner Roman Abramovich.

While Chelsea did include among their seven substitutes yesterday Paulo Ferreira who, at 31, represents a good back-up full-back, Zhirkov, their most expensive substitute who cost £18million from CSKA Moscow, increasingly looks out of place at Stamford Bridge.
City, by contrast, boasted a full complement of internationals among their seven substitutes, assembled at a collective cost of £85million, with the experience of Shay Given, Patrick Vieira and Adebayor sitting alongside the burgeoning talents of Boateng and Johnson.

Joleon Lescott and Jo, though out of favour at present with manager Roberto Mancini, are also still full internationals.

Chelsea, who were once the recipients of similar bountiful transfer funds from their indulgent owner as City now receive, must have looked on a little enviously.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1315268/Drogba-hauled-Carlo-champions-problem-replace-him.html#ixzz10aecYepe

Sticky this shit Joff, you have the power

Joffa can keep this in the top 20 threads on the page via sheer spamage.

Chelsea Midfielder Florent Malouda: Winning The Champions League Is Our Main Target

Frenchman says they won't take their eyes off Premier League though...
By Peter Lennox
Sep 26, 2010 6:00:00 PM

Chelsea midfielder Florent Malouda says the club's dream is to lift the Champions League at Wembley in May.

Malouda has been in outstanding form this season, and already has six Premier League goals to his name.

The 30-year-old told the Daily Star Sunday that it is European success which drives the club on.

"It's a big target for this club to win the European Cup," he said.

"Coming so close has been frustrating and we really do feel this is the year we can win it”

The strength in depth of the Chelsea squad, Malouda believes, holds the key to their success.

"The manager can put one team out on a Saturday and another out in the week. They would both be world class."

The dynamic French midfielder also thinks that their manager Carlo Ancelotti is the perfect man to lead them to glory, both at home and in Europe.

“I think our manager is one of the most proven managers there is," he said.

"Every single player at the club is having a lot of fun playing under him and he wants the Champions League as much as us. This can be the season for us."

Malouda insisted, however, that any talk of the Blues taking their eyes off the Premier League should be quickly dismissed.

He said: "Any talk of us putting more importance on the Champions League than the Premier League is wrong - we know how important both are to the club and the fans.

"We want them both. We know how hard that will be but we have a fantastic squad.”

http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2010/09/26/2137804/chelsea-midfielder-florent-malouda-winning-the-champions

LYNN OSGOOD: WE`VE DONE HIM PROUD

Posted on: Sat 02 Oct 2010

Lynn Osgood and Elaine Hutchinson, along with the Chelsea faithful, have been driving forces behind the new statue of 'The King of Stamford Bridge' that was unveiled yesterday (Friday).

The widows of Peter Osgood and his former strike partner, Ian Hutchinson, knew him better than anyone and were able to guide sculptor Philip Jackson when photos of the star were not enough.

They did well, as the nine-foot statue captures the spirit of our famous number 9, as remembered by those lucky enough to have seen any of the 380 games Osgood played for Chelsea.

'It's amazing,' said Lynn, speaking to the Official Chelsea Website. 'You talk about it for a long time when it is a work in progress but it is completely overwhelming seeing it full size.

'I was a nervous wreck before that moment because you have in your mind's eye what it is going to look like, but having seen it, it's a thousand times better than I imagined.

'It depicts him perfectly. It's definitely got his character and personality - The King of Stamford Bridge,' she added.

Helping create the statue has been a time of reminiscing for Lynn (pictured below left) and for Elaine (below right), whose husband, another Chelsea legend, was Osgood's close friend on and off the pitch and even ran a pub with the famous striker once their playing careers came to an end.




'We have been searching through all the old pictures for what seems like years now,' explained Elaine.

'Lynn had a lot of photographs but I also had a lot of Peter and Ian working and playing together.

'It has been a very emotional journey. The nerves were there throughout. You're worried that the reveal would happen and you'd think "That's not Pete" but it really is.

'The way he stood and everything, it's perfect. It looks like he's standing at the back door going "Come on, are you coming out or not?" - It's just him!'

Apart from the figure's features, there was attention to other detail needed. Club historian Rick Glanvill informed Jackson on the type of boots Osgood would have worn, what the kit was like during the Sixties and Seventies and even facts on the ball itself.

'There's so much information that went into this,' said Lynn. 'Pictures, video footage and books have all been looked at and Rick has been very good providing a lot of background.

'Because of those sorts of things it has taken us a while to get to this stage and to see it real is just fantastic, Philip has done a fantastic job.'




Osgood's son Darren was also impressed: 'It's quite amazing. That look, that expression, it's him.

'Supporters who come to games will see the statue outside and remember him, it will be a focal point at the ground from now on.'

Since Osgood's death in 2006, Lynn has helped build The Peter Osgood Trust, a charity set up to enhance the lives of disadvantaged children and young people in the UK.

The charity receives a lot of support from fans, who Lynn was keen to thank for all their help with the piece.

'It's all down to the fans that we've got this statue, it was their vision and they pressed to have something like this outside of Stamford Bridge and it's absolutely fitting. It's amazing!

'It will tie in with the Peter Osgood Trust (www.thepeterosgoodtrust.org) and hopefully help build awareness for the charity as well.'

Elaine added: 'I hope they [the fans] will love it. It's going to be there forever so that is a lasting, befitting tribute to the King of Stamford Bridge.'

'He'd love it, absolutely love it and I think we've done him proud,' decided Lynn.

'We're fantastically proud ourselves, he was a very special man and he deserves this very much.'
http://www.chelseafc.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10268~2172287,00.html

CHELSEA KING JOHN TERRY CAN RULE FOR YEARS AT STAMFORD BRIDGE

3rd October 2010 By Harry Pratt

JOHN TERRY has been hailed the new ‘King of Stamford Bridge’.



That title has always belonged to the late, great Blues star Peter Osgood – and this weekend the club unveiled a statue to honour their legendary hitman of the 60s and 70s.



But, according to assistant-manager Ray Wilkins, Chelsea already boast their own modern-day version in captain fantastic Terry.


Yes, Terry may have lost the England armband last season after revelations about his private life but Wilkins insists he has never put a foot wrong in SW6.



Indeed, he even went as far as to suggest the inspirational defender is the perfect role model – on the pitch at least – for the Blues’ current crop of blossoming talent.



Wilkins said: “It was a very difficult decision placed on Fabio – but I don’t want to talk about England because when John Terry plays for us he’ll always be captain of this team


“Yes, he probably is the modern ‘King of the Bridge’. John has been a wonderful servant to this club and he remains the first name on the team sheet – even though we have some wonderfully-gifted players alongside him.



“All I can say is that I hope Terry continues to play in the same vein for us that he has been for many years – and leading the team in the way he always has done.


“We have been talking a lot this season about our young players coming through. But it’s only when these young men are learning their trade from fellas like John that they will improve.”



Some critics reckon Terry, 29, has lost a lot of pace over the last 18 months and should no longer be considered an automatic starter with England.



But Wilkins added: “Everyone keeps going on about John not being quick enough but I’ve never seen him outpaced – because he reads the game so well.”


He confirmed Carlo Ancelotti will be in the dugout today despite the death of his dad on Friday and admitted Chelsea were lucky to come into the weekend still three points clear at the top, after defeat at Manchester City.



“We felt quite fortunate to get away with dropping three points,” added Wilkins. “It turned out to be a pleasant weekend in the end.”

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/156629/Chelsea-king-John-Terry-can-rule-for-years-at-Stamford-Bridge/

Terry to shrug off rib problem

Author: Nigel Brown
Posted on:06 October 2010 - 08:10 AM

Chelsea captain John Terry will shrug off a continuing rib problem in order to play in England's Euro 2012 qualifier against Montenegro next week.

The defender was recalled to the squad after missing the qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland last month with a hamstring injury.

Terry has no intention of missing another England game despite being troubled by a rib problem in recent weeks.

He explained: "I take elbows in the ribs in a lot of games but it is one of them where I have a bit of bruising and the masseurs can't get into it because it is too sore.

"I had an X-ray and a scan and thankfully it came back all clear. It is a case of getting on with it but sneezing and coughing is really painful."

http://www.sport.co.uk/news/Football/44744/Terry_to_shrug_off_rib_problem.aspx

Chelsea sign 11-year-old wonderkid Gyasi

October 15, 2010 - 4:39AM

Chelsea signed 11-year-old wonderkid Michael Gyasi from League Two club Northampton Town for an undisclosed fee on Thursday.

Gyasi had been playing for Northampton's Under-11s since joining the club's centre of excellence three years ago and the striker showed enough potential at his tender age to persuade Premier League champions Chelsea to pay a fee that could rise significantly due to several clauses in the deal.

Northampton's centre of excellence chief Trevor Gould believes the opportunity to join Chelsea's youth academy will help Gyasi deliver on his potential.

He said: "Not only is this is a superb opportunity for Michael but it reinforces the quality of player we are bringing both into the club and through our centre of excellence.

"Michael has progressed well and has improved with our coaching, and while we obviously want to produce and keep our best players, when a Premier League club like Chelsea come knocking then as long as the deal is right for the club, we will never stand in a boy's way."

© 2010 AFP

http://www.watoday.com.au/breaking-news-sport/chelsea-sign-11yearold-wonderkid-gyasi-20101015-16m84.html

After a lacklustre season so far, John Terry could be tempted to leave England to rejoin Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid.

According to reports from Sport, the La Liga giants could look to tempt Chelsea to cash in on their captain by offering Pepe in a part-exchange, part-cash deal.
The 29-year-old England star is a target of Mourinho, who is looking to add some backbone to their defence.
Currently Pepe is persona no grata at Real after his wage demands of £85,000 a week were deemed over-the-top by the club’s hierarchy, and with two more years on his current contract, Mourinho could either sell him for £20 million or secure a direct swap for the Portugal international. (ESPN)

There appears to be a growing amount of speculation that John Terry could be set to to rejoin form Blues boss Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid, but is there any truth to the rumours? Well it seems hard to believe that any deal that would take the England international would involve some sort of swap for Portuguese international Pepe as there is quite a gap of class between the two players.

Carlo Ancelotti will not want to lose his skipper and will fight off any interest in the centre back and perhaps news of a potential move is merely mindless rumour mongering. After all Ashley Cole has always been strongly linked with a move to the Bernabeu and many had predicted the full back would move to the La Liga giants last summer but no such deal took place.

What do Chelsea fans think? Is this plausible? Or just blind speculation
http://www.caughtoffside.com/2010/10/16/chelsea-skipper-john-terry-set-for-real-madrid-move/

Carlo Ancelotti Reveals Didier Drogba Is Certain To Miss Spartak Moscow Clash
Salomon Kalou set to replace Ivorian for Russian test
By Gareth Lovell
Oct 16, 2010 3:00:00 PM

Carlo Ancelotti has revealed that Didier Drogba is almost certain to miss Chelsea's Champions League clash with Spartak Moscow on Tuesday night.

The tie sees the Blues return to the Luzhniki Stadium, the scene of their Champions League final misery of 2008 when they lost to Manchester United on penalties.

If Chelsea are to be without Drogba, who is still suffering from illness, it will be the third successive Champions League game the Ivory Coast international will have missed due to being suspended for the first two opening games of the campaign.

The fever Drogba is suffering from has prevented the prolific marksman from training all week and will also see him miss his side's Premier League game against Aston Villa today.

Ancelotti told the Daily Mail:"I don't think he will be able to play on Tuesday because he hasn't trained this week, and he needs to train.

"He will be here at Cobham. He'll have to recover from the illness. We can cope because we will have a fit Salomon Kalou over there."

Chelsea will have Salomon Kalou back from injury and Daniel Sturridge as possible options to replace Drogba for the clash against an unbeaten Spartak Moscow.
http://www.goal.com/en/news/1716/champions-league/2010/10/16/2168475/carlo-ancelotti-reveals-didier-drogba-is-certain-to-miss-spartak-

Rooney would be ideal for Chelsea: Terry

October 21, 2010 - 6:49PM


John Terry admits Wayne Rooney would be the ideal signing for Chelsea if the unsettled Manchester United striker is allowed to quit Old Trafford.

Rooney sent shockwaves through the football world this week when he revealed he would not extend his stay at United beyond the end of his current contract, which expires at the end of next season.

The 24-year-old claimed a lack of assurances over United's ability to improve the squad to ensure they can still compete for major honours was behind his decision to end talks over a new contract.

Reports suggest Rooney has also angered United by demanding wages of STG150,000 pounds ($A241,332.15) a week after tax and he could even be sold in the January transfer window.

Given the spending power of Chelsea's billionaire owner Roman Abramovich, the Premier League champions are one of the few clubs who could afford Rooney, and Terry knows a swoop for his England team-mate would improve Carlo Ancelotti's squad.

"Wayne is the best young player in the world. I am no different to any other player in saying that," Terry said.

"You obviously have to respect Manchester United and Wayne, but who knows what's going to happen.

"We've got a great squad of players and he would add to that and strengthen the squad. He is the best player in the world for me."

French striker Nicolas Anelka, a team-mate of Terry's at Chelsea, agrees that his club should do everything to sign Rooney - even though he would be a direct rival for his place in the team.

"If he wants to come to Chelsea he would be very welcome," Anelka said. "Would I buy him? Of course I would, he's a good player."

A meeting between United boss Sir Alex Ferguson and the club's chief executive David Gill was set for Thursday to discuss the best way to resolve the saga.

© 2010 AFP

http://www.watoday.com.au/breaking-news-sport/rooney-would-be-ideal-for-chelsea-terry-20101021-16w5r.html

Lampard still out but Drogba back for Blues

22/10/2010 - 07:21:09

Frank Lampard will remain a frustrated by-stander as Chelsea look to extend their lead at the top of the Barclays Premier League when struggling Wolves visit Stamford Bridge tomorrow.

While striker Didier Drogba is ready to return after missing the last two games with a virus, Lampard continues to work on the comeback trail.

England midfielder Lampard has been out of action since August 28 following a hernia operation, but is slowly closing in on full fitness.

“Frank is progressing really well,” assistant first-team coach Paul Clement confirmed. “He had a terrific session earlier in the week with [assistant fitness coach] Chris Jones doing some individual work. He is really pushing himself.

“Frank is very frustrated and can’t wait to get back. We have missed him and we look forward to him returning.”

While Drogba will give manager Carlo Ancelotti fresh options in attack, with Alex also not yet able to return to the first-team fold as he recovers from a thigh problem, it will again be something of a makeshift backline.

Branislav Ivanovic, though, has enjoyed the experience of playing alongside captain John Terry at the heart of the defence.

“To play with John is a great experience for every player,” said the Serbia international, whose usual position is on the right. “He gives to every player great confidence and I just try with him to give my best on the pitch.”

Brazilian midfielder Ramires missed the midweek Champions League victory over Spartak Moscow because of an ankle injury, but should be back in contention.

Striker Salomon Kalou played his first game since sustaining a thigh strain in the Carling Cup defeat against Newcastle last month and produced an impressive display at Luzhniki Stadium – the venue of Chelsea’s heartbreaking Champions League final penalty shoot-out defeat to Manchester United in 2008.

Blues captain Terry paid tribute to the support of the travelling fans in Moscow.

The England defender hopes another victory over the Russians at Stamford Bridge next month would enable Ancelotti to give some of his players a welcome breather.

“The support we get up and down the country is brilliant and it is especially so when you come to places like Russia. It is tiring enough for us players, but when the fans have to get up and go in to do a nine-to-five job it is great and we want to show our support to them as they do to us,” the centre-back said.

Terry added: “It would be very good to qualify early with the games coming thick and fast in the Premier League.

“With not only us, but other sides picking up injuries it will be nice if we can get the job done early on and maybe we can then rest a few players.”
http://www.thepost.ie/breakingnews/sport/eyqlidqlkfmh/

Chelsea - Best Fans In The World?

After valiantly leading the Chelsea backline in Moscow this midweek, in a stadium that will no doubt have brought back painful memories, captain John Terry took time out to praise the few who often don't get much of a mention or second thought.

In the aftermath of our 2-0 win in the Russian capital, a win that sets us up very nicely in the group, JT was full of admiration for the 1500 or so Blues fans who followed the team halfway across the continent.

'The fans have come a long way to watch us and it is obviously very expensive and many are not going to be getting back until very late,' he said.

'A lot of them are going to be taking days off work or getting back really late and going straight into work, and that is brilliant.'

It was a bare-chested Terry that led the players over to the corner of the ground where the Chelsea fans were situated, a ground where they too would have had horrible memories from two-and-a-half years ago.

However, it was a different story this time as goals from Yury Zhirkov and Nicolas Anelka sealed the points for Carlo Ancelotti's side. Terry went on,

'The support we get up and down the country is brilliant and it is especially so when you come to places like Russia. It is tiring enough for us players but when the fans have to get up and go in to do a nine-to-five job it is great and we want to show our support to them as they do to us.'

Many who braved the sub-zero temperatures in Moscow will have been up in the Midlands the previous Saturday also and, most likely, will be back at Stamford Bridge this weekend when Wolves come to town.

The best supporters in the land? We think so.

Read more: http://www.chelsea.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=520817#ixzz134ebutzA

Ancelotti wants ruthlessness

30 October 2010-PA Sport

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has warned his players that they will have to stop taking their foot off the accelerator during games if they are to successfully retain their English Premier League crown.

Chelsea has taken advantage of a number of slip-ups by its rivals to establish a five-point gap at the top of the table with almost a quarter of the season gone.

Yet the Blues boss, who clinched the title last season in his first year in charge, has voiced his concerns recently that his team is not performing to its potential.

The Londoners had to rely on a late goal from Salomon Kalou to seal a 2-0 victory over Wolves last week and has been guilty of easing off on its opponents at times this season - most notably against Stoke and Blackpool.

Ancelotti thinks his team will have to be more ruthless in closing out matches if it is to claim victory in the key battles against Liverpool, Tottenham, Manchester United and Arsenal that lie ahead.

"We have started the season well but I think we can play better because we played very well in some parts of some games but not continuously," the Italian said.

"We have to play 90 minutes how we want to play. We have to improve our play and our intensity. We can't just play for 45 minutes like we did against Wolves. We want to play well for the whole of the match and we haven't been able to do that so far this season."

Ancelotti takes his team to Blackburn on Sunday morning (AEDT) knowing that his team has under-performed in its last two league matches away from home.

Defeat at title rival Manchester City was followed by a goalless draw at Aston Villa, where it could have lost all three points had Nigel Reo-Coker not squandered a golden chance in the dying minutes.

Although Ancelotti's team swept aside Wigan and West Ham in its other two away league games, the former AC Milan boss admits his side must do better on the road if it is to hold on to its title.

"In the last two games away we didn't score against Man City and against Aston Villa," said the 51-year-old.

"We had a good away game in the Champions League at Spartak Moscow but it is strange for us not to score away in two consecutive games in the Premier League.

"We had a fantastic performance when we won at Wigan 6-0 but we have to be better away."

Alex will return to the heart of the Chelsea defence tomorrow after recovering from a thigh injury but Ramires (ankle), Frank Lampard (hernia) and Yossi Benayoun (Achilles) remain sidelined.

Chelsea will be clear favourite to take all three points and maintain its grip on the title against a Blackburn side whose three-match winless run has seen it plummet to 17th in the table.

However, Ancelotti expects the game to be one of the toughest of the season and has warned his side that defeat could seriously affect its chances of winning back-to-back titles for the second time in the club's 105-year history.

"It's very important to maintain that gap on the other teams," said Ancelotti, whose side drew 1-1 at Ewood Park last year.

"Man City, Man Utd and Arsenal are interested in our results and they would like us to lose some points. For this reason it will be an important game tomorrow.

"If we are able to win this game I think that we can improve our confidence and we can give disappointment to the other teams."

Sam Allardyce has come under fire in recent weeks for the physical style that he employs but Ancelotti fully respects Sunday's opposing manager.

"Sam Allardyce is doing a good job at Blackburn," Ancelotti continued.

"He is putting on the pitch a very strong team that are using a particular physical style of play and for this reason to play against them is not easy. Tactically they are one of the best teams in England, particularly defensively."

http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/1029367/Ancelotti-wants-ruthlessness-

ANCELOTTI IN NO RUSH OVER CONTRACT

Posted 03/11/10 08:41

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti insists he has no need to discuss a new contract any time soon.

The former AC Milan chief has 18 months left on his current deal at Stamford Bridge but is unconcerned by talk of his future, insisting that a coach's contract is very different to that of a player.

"I have a contract with Chelsea until 2012 and I want to respect this," he said.

"So we haven't started talking about a new one yet - it's not necessary.

"Now is not the time. There is a long season to play. Then we will see.

"Maybe a player would start to talk now but a coach is not like a player. The situation is different.

"The coach's contract has a different weight from the contract of a player because the coach's contract is not the property of the club.

"If a player misses two games, the club doesn't say to him 'You have to go.' If the coach gets it wrong and loses two games, maybe sometimes they do!"

Ancelotti insists he is not thinking about leaving Chelsea, but admits he would relish the chance to manage a national side one day.

"I hope to stay. I won't have a problem to sign a new contract," he said.

"But even then this won't be my last job. I would like to have experience with a national team."

http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8652_6483724,00.html

Carlo Ancelotti not interested in Fernando Torres

Date: 3rd November 2010 at 8:40 am | Written by FFC News Desk

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has no interest in signing Liverpool striker Fernando Torres when the transfer window reopens in January.

Speaking ahead of his side's Champions League clash with Spartak Moscow at Stamford Bridge, former AC Milan boss Ancelotti insisted he was happy with his table-topping squad.

He confirmed:"I've always said that Torres is not our aim for the future because we have trust in a lot of young players.

"We have fantastic strikers in Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka and Salomon Kalou. We also have fantastic young players like Daniel Sturridge and Gael Kakuta.

"So, at this moment, we don't really need to have a striker, a fantastic striker, like Fernando Torres.

"We can be competitive in all competitions with this squad. The most important thing is to avoid injury, when possible.

"We have to maintain the squad with all the players fit. This is the most difficult thing to do, but we're trying and working hard to do this, to control the recovery of the players.

"I want to be sure that the players who will be involved in the game against Spartak will be fresh. If everyone stays fit we won't need anyone else. I think we have a fantastic squad."

http://www.footballfancast.com/2010/11/football-news/carlo-ancelotti-not-interested-in-fernando-torres?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ffc_Premiership_Blogs+%28FFC_Premiership_Blogs%29

Chelsea v Spartak Moscow live online tonight

Aiden McGeady is back from the USSR with new club Spartak and you can watch their Champions League match with Chelsea live online with STV. As well as seeing all the action on our high-quality stream you can join the discussion with our interactive chat.

.03 November 2010 07:30 GMT

Chelsea face Spartak Moscow at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night knowing that a win will guarantee them qualification for the knockout stages. With the Champions League trophy the one prize coveted most by Roman Abramovich, progression from the group stage is a necessity for Carlo Ancelotti and his players.

With maximum points from the three games played in the competition so far, it seems a safe bet that Chelsea would make it out of the group even if they failed to win against Spartak. The efficiency that has been the watchword under Ancelotti means there is little chance of Chelsea taking it easy though.

Spartak travel to London accepting that a draw would be a decent result but, although they currently occupy second place in the group, have some concerns over qualification themselves. With Marseille sitting three points behind but taking on bottom seeds MSK Zilina while the top two play at Stamford Bridge, the Russians know that any points gained against Chelsea could be vital after losing to Ancelotti’s side in Moscow two weeks ago.

"Chelsea are expected to win every game they play, so for us it doesn't make a difference," former Celtic winger Aiden McGeady said ahead of the match.

"You want to win every game, but if not then a draw would be great."

McGeady’s side have reasons to be both optimistic and wary. Though out of the running for the league title, Spartak have put together an eight-match unbeaten run in domestic football, including a win over league leaders Zenit. However, injuries are starting to rack up for the Moscow side with Brazilian striker Ari and Austrian defender Martin Stranzl already ruled out.

Chelsea have injury problems of their own. Frank Lampard, Jose Bosingwa and Yossi Benayoun remain unavailable and Florent Malouda, arguably the side’s best player this season, will play no part after picking up an ankle knock.

The players that remain should be enough to cause Spartak problems though and after winning the Moscow match with a little to spare they will be confident they can dispose of the same opponents in front of a home crowd.

Ancelotti hinted that he may rotate his squad a little as the games come thick and fast for Chelsea but he insisted he was not taking the match lightly having seen signs of Spartak’s strength in the previous game. He also put forward his opinion that there were no easy matches in what he felt was the toughest competition in world football.

“Spartak played very well in the last game and we had a problem in the second half,” he said. “We had a lot of difficulty and we want to avoid this kind of difficulty tomorrow. We had a problem in the second half, we played too defensively and we want to play a different game tomorrow.

“The Champions League is the best competition in the world; it shows better football in comparison to the World Cup because the team has a possibility to prepare their play and squad during the season.

“You can see football is better compared to the World Cup, as a club side it is the best competition in the world.”


STV will be streaming the match live online with interactive chat from 7.30pm. Everyone has an opinion, what's yours?

http://sport.stv.tv/uefa-champions-league/206349-chelsea-v-spartak-moscow-preview/

Who do Chelsea really owe their current success to?

By William Turvill on November 4th, 2010.

“Scolari reckons that Chelsea’s success is all down to him”, “Scolari insists that Chelsea’s current domination of England is thanks to him” and “I made Chelsea Great!” are ludicrous statements from a number of newspapers recently.

I’m sure many other football supporters, like me, were intrigued by how ridiculous and audacious these claims sound. Everyone who loves controversial/absurd statements like this will be disappointed when they read that Luiz Felipe Scolari was actually just pointing out that he has contributed to the progress of several Chelsea players.

However unfounded the headlines from various newspapers were this morning; they do raise an interesting question. How much, or little, have Chelsea’s previous 6 managers, in the last 7 years, contributed to the current success of the club?

Claudio Ranieri: 2000-2004
Without Ranieri’s team defying the odds and qualifying for the UEFA Champions League in 2003, Abramovich probably wouldn’t have taken over the club and Chelsea wouldn’t have experienced the success that they have done in the last 7 years. Ranieri was also responsible for the signing of Frank Lampard and was the first manager to make John Terry a captain.

Despite this, he was sacked within a year of Abramovich coming to London because he wasted a lot of money, only finished second in the Premier League and only reached the semi-finals of the Champions League. As this information suggests, not many Chelsea supporters wanted him to leave the club.

Contribution to current success: 10%

Jose Mourinho: 2004-2007
Mourinho’s instant impact at Chelsea meant that Ranieri was soon forgotten. Chelsea only lost 1 game in his first season in charge as they stormed to the title with a record number of points. There was more success the next year and then an FA Cup win the year after that. Despite his domestic success, Mourinho was surprisingly sacked after a slow start to the 2007-2008 season, some uninspiring signings, a lack of Champions League success and, most importantly, a scrappy style of football that didn’t suit Abramovich’s taste.

Contribution percentage: 30%

He brought the winning mentality and is not forgotten at the club.

Avram Grant: 2007-2008
Grant never really stood a chance. Not until he begun to lead Chelsea towards a title fight did the Chelsea supporters, who were still mourning the loss of Mourinho, really begin to warm to him. Things could have been so different if John Terry had not slipped in Moscow. Grant may well have still been at Chelsea instead of fighting to keep West Ham in the Premier League.

However well Grant did in his short spell at the club, Abramovich was not convinced by his managerial skills and ruthlessly sacked him.

Contribution percentage: 5%

He took Chelsea to the Champions League final; this could prove a really important experience for the Chelsea players in getting there again this season.

Luiz Felipe Scolari: 2008-2009
He had a fantastic start to life in London but, within 7 months, Scolari was largely considered a liability by the players, supporters and, crucially, Roman Abramovich. He may, as he has claimed, have contributed to the development of a few crucial Chelsea players but he was the worst manager for Chelsea, on this list. The last 2 months of his Chelsea career were a terrible time to be a Chelsea supporter – especially for the humiliating losses at Old Trafford and Anfield.

Contribution percentage: 0%

If anything he took the club backwards. He may be thanked by a few players in 20 or 30 years, but he won’t be just yet.

Guus Hiddink: 2009
Hiddink’s time at Chelsea was short and sweet. His original goal was to ensure that Chelsea qualified for the Chamipns League and he nearly mounted a serious title-challenge. He was also desperately unlucky not to lead Chelsea to a second Champions League final in a year. The players, the supporters and, probably, Abramovich didn’t want Hiddink to leave but he was still the national manager of Russia so there was not much hope of him staying.

Contribution percentage: 5%

He did really well and brought a little bit of belief back to the players after a tough year, or so.

Carlo Ancelotti: 2009-present
Arguably, Ancelotti had the hardest job of all of these managers. He had come at a time where the supporter-confidence in the appointments of Abramovich was at an all-time low. There was a lot of worry that Ancelotti could emulate Scolari so it took a long while for Chelsea fans to truly believe in Ancelotti. As it transpired, Ancelotti, like Mourinho, led Chelsea to victory in his first year; unlike Mourinho, he did it in a style which suited Abramovich’s taste.

Ancelotti was, and is, exactly the type of manager that Chelsea need. He is a good manager who has brought the best out of Chelsea and he deflects the controversy that the English media are so keen to dig-up at Chelsea.

Contribution percentage: 50%



He really has done well. It was all set-up for him to falter like Scolari did, but he has actually put Chelsea into a better position than ever before. He is getting the best out of all of his players, he is gradually bringing younger players through the system and he is making Chelsea a better and more admirable team.

http://soccerlens.com/who-do-chelsea-really-owe-their-current-success-to/60320/

Frank Lampard finally poised for Chelsea comeback

Date: 11th November 2010 at 9:40 am | Written by FFC News Desk

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti is confident that England midfielder Frank Lampard will finally make his return from injury in the clash with Sunderland next Sunday.

The 32-year-old has been sidelined since late August after undergoing hernia surgery, with his return delayed on several occasions, but Ancelotti is hopeful that Lampard will play some part against the Black Cats.

He told reporters:"I think he'll be okay for Sunday. He started to train two days ago with the team.

"He doesn't have a problem and is showing confidence. I hope he will be ready, not necessarily to play for 90 minutes, but just to be involved in the squad.

"If he's okay, he can start. I don't think he will be able to play 90 minutes, but he can play part of the game – he can do that."

http://www.footballfancast.com/2010/11/football-news/frank-lampard-finally-poised-for-chelsea-comeback

This should almost be renamed the Joffa posts articles related to Chelsea thread. They have no support

CARLO ANCELOTTI: I COULDN’T SAVE MYFRIEND FROM THE AXE



Carlo Ancelotti is disappointed to lose Ray Wilkins
Saturday November 13,2010
By Tony Banks CARLO ANCELOTTI says he was powerless to prevent assistant Ray Wilkins being ruthlessly ousted by Chelsea after a 38-year association with the club.


Wilkins was told his contract was not being renewed on Thursday afternoon and left the club immediately, 12 hours after helping Ancelotti guide Chelsea to a 1-0 win over Fulham that put them four points clear at the top.


A clearly uncomfortable Ancelotti was left to field questions alone about the brutal dismissal of a man he had called “fundamental” to his success at the club, with chief executive Ron Gourlay, the man who had wielded the axe at half-time in a reserve game 24 hours earlier, conspicuous by his absence.On a damaging day for Chelsea, it was also confirmed that England midfielder Frank Lampard had yet another setback in his battle to recover from a groin problem and will be out for at least three more weeks.


Ray was a fantastic assistant and I want to thank him because he was superb support last season
Carlo Ancelotti has said Wilkins was crucial in winning the double last season


Without revealing the reasons for Wilkins’ sacking, Ancelotti said: “Ray was a fantastic assistant and I want to thank him because he was superb support last season, and this. He did a brilliant job. He helped me and the team win the Double. He is my friend. I have a fantastic relationship with him.

“The club made this decision. It was difficult for everyone. I respect the decision. So does Ray.”

It had been thought Ancelotti had not fought very hard to keep a man he had cited as so crucial. But last night it was clear Italian Ancelotti had given his opinion but had little choice once owner Roman Abramovich had decided the fate of the £350,000-a-year former England skipper.




“A job is one thing, a personal relationship is another. As far as that goes I don’t have a problem, Ray doesn’t have a problem,” said Ancelotti.

“Is it ideal to change now? I don’t know. The staff can maintain the same job without Ray. Sometimes clubs take these decisions. I have experience. You move on and maintain your focus.

“Nobody will forget what Ray did for this club. I don’t think this decision fails to show respect for him. Everyone has respect for Ray.”

Ancelotti also insisted that speculation that he would be choosing his new assistant from outside the club was misguided, and that someone from within the set-up would step up. Assistant coach Paul Clement is highly regarded, as is director of scouting Michael Emanalo.

The loss of Lampard for another three weeks is a desperate blow, especially with fellow midfielder Michael Essien banned for three games after being sent off against Fulham.

Ancelotti, whose side meet Sunderland tomorrow, was adamant no further surgery is needed on the groin problems that have now already sidelined Lampard for 11 weeks.

“Frank did a fantastic session but then had a problem on his adductor,” said Ancelotti.

“He will be out until the start of December. We are disappointed because he was so close. We are unlucky.

“It’s bad news but we have to move on. We have to wait but he will not need more surgery.”


http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/211301/Carlo-Ancelotti-I-couldn-t-save-myfriend-from-the-axe

Chelsea captain John Terry faces 'months' on sidelines

Terry has been suffering with the problem since last season

Chelsea captain John Terry could be out for "months" with a nerve problem in his right leg, BBC Sport understands.

The mystery injury forced Terry to miss Chelsea's 3-0 home defeat by Sunderland and he has also pulled out of England's friendly against France on Wednesday.

A Chelsea source told BBC Sport: "It could be months although that's the pessimistic view.

"We don't know the route of the pain and he can't keep struggling so he has to get to the source of the problem."


http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/9193773.stm

Chelsea To Sign £15m England Man To Solve Defensive Problems



The John Terry fitness debate looks certain to dominate Chelsea’s winter.

Carlo Ancelotti said on Friday that he was more optimistic Terry would soon recover from his painful back injury and return to action.

But medical experts fear Terry could be sidelined until March.

That would be a massive blow to the Blues and probably spark a January move for a new central defender such as Bolton’s £15million-rated Gary Cahill.

The fear is that Terry’s long-term problem can only be cured by rest. (Mirror)

If reports are true and John Terry faces a number of months on the sidelines, Gary Gahill would be the perfect solution. He has consistently proved his worth in the Premier League, and would be eligible to play in the Champions League with Chelsea.

At £15million, he may be a little over-priced, but Chelsea will need to bring in such a player in order to solve their defensive issues, which have seen them lose two games on the bounce in the Premier League.

http://www.caughtoffside.com/2010/11/21/chelsea-to-sign-15m-england-man-to-solve-defensive-problems/

Chelsea players fear Ancelotti will soon leave

tribalfootball.com - November 23, 2010, 11:08 pm

Chelsea players fear they will lose manager Carlo Ancelotti.

The Sun says they are worried the Italian has been seriously undermined by the axing of assistant Ray Wilkins and the appointment of Michael Emenalo as No 2.

Ancelotti was not involved in the decisions - taken at board level.

And he has cut a lonely figure as the Blues have lost at home to Sunderland and away at Birmingham.

But club owner Roman Abramovich has told the team to buck up - and wants Ancelotti to belt up and get on with the job.

The feeling is Ancelotti can only be humiliated for so long before deciding he cannot take any more.

http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/football/news/article/-/8377423/chelsea-players-fear-ancelotti-soon-leave

ROMAN COULD START CIVIL WAR SAYS FRANK LEBOEUF

Frank Leboeuf blamed Ancelotti for causing the sudden instability at Stamford Bridge.

Saturday November 27,2010
By Tony Banks

CHELSEA legend Frank Leboeuf has accused Roman Abramovich of “knowing nothing” about football and told him to let manager Carlo Ancelotti get on with his job.


Ancelotti leads injury-hit Chelsea into a crucial game at Newcastle tomorrow on the back of three defeats in his last four Premier League matches, knowing anything less than a win will increase doubts about his reign.

But former Chelsea and France defender Leboeuf blamed the club’s owner for causing the sudden instability at Stamford Bridge, and warned he could even spark a civil war.

Abramovich sacked Ancelotti’s assistant Ray Wilkins two weeks ago and promoted inexperienced Nigerian Michael Emenalo to replace him. That coincided with a dramatic slump in form with Chelsea scoring just one goal in four domestic outings. But World Cup winner Leboeuf, who played more than 200 games for the club, winning two FA Cups and the European Cup Winners’ Cup, pointed the finger at Abramovich for causing the problems.
“Roman Abramovich knows nothing about football, knows nothing about how to prepare a team or a club, unlike Carlo Ancelotti,” he said.

“Saying things because he is the chairman, and not knowing the consequences of his acts – that’s a problem for Chelsea.

“It is bizarre that after a few losses, everything is in jeopardy for Chelsea. Yet they won the league and FA Cup Double last year. Ancelotti is doing a good job. But they lose two games so there is a drama. You need stability and calmness in a club. At every level of Chelsea, it is a war.


“When we thought everything was going OK, you suddenly see Ray Wilkins leaving the club. I worked with him under Gianluca Vialli. He is the nicest guy in the world. Him leaving the club, it is a crisis.

“The problem with the new assistant coming in is that the players got on very well with Ray, and maybe don’t accept the new assistant. That is a problem created.”

Ancelotti will ask Brazilian centre-back Alex to push himself through another game tomorrow, even though the 28-year-old is due to have keyhole surgery on his knee next week. With skipper John Terry still a week away from fitness and Newcastle’s in-form England striker Andy Carroll lying in wait, he has little choice, but full-back Jose Bosingwa is available again.

Ancelotti, forced to deny he was quitting a week ago, admits he is under pressure but insists that it is not from Abramovich.

“The owner doesn’t put me under pressure,” said Ancelotti. “That is because of results. However, when I am under pressure I have more concentration.

“The owner always supports me and is supporting me now.”

If either Manchester United or Arsenal win today, Chelsea will be knocked off the top of the table for the first time this season.


http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/213991/Roman-could-start-civil-war-says-Frank-Leboeuf

CARLO ANCELOTTI revealed Chelsea have cash available for next month's transfer window - but that is if he is around to spend it.

Poor form has left the Blues and the boss facing their 'destiny' in the next three league games.

The run kicks off tomorrow at Tottenham, followed by Manchester United and Arsenal - this on the back of four defeats in eight games.


Ancelotti held crunch talks with billionaire owner Roman Abramovich after the latest faltering step in the season - Wednesday's 1-0 Champions League defeat in Marseille - to secure funding for boosting a squad which suddenly looks woefully weak.

The Italian said: "We spoke about the situation of the team. If we need to improve our squad in January, the owner is available for us to do this.

"But now's not the time to think about this. We have to play with these players against Tottenham. Our aim for now is the three games against Tottenham, United and Arsenal. Our destiny passes through these games.

"For this reason, we must not lose focus by looking at January. If we need to do something then, we will.

"The next games will show if we are able to fight for the title this year. My destiny is the same as the destiny for my players.

"I don't fear for my job. I feel I have the total support of my players, which is very important. I feel I have the total support of my club.

"I am an optimist that everything will be OK for this season. I spoke with Roman after the game and he gave me total support. He understood the problem of the team. He's doing his best to give every one of us at the club, my players and my staff, his total support. I have trust in him and I think he has trust in me."

Ancelotti is Abramovich's sixth manager in seven years at Stamford Bridge. Recent results and shifting sands behind the scenes suggest a growing distance between the two men.


Chelsea have been heavily linked with a move for Benfica's £25million-rated defender David Luiz and Abramovich's support of his manager will be tested at a time when Chelsea do not traditionally spend big.

Ancelotti's team, have conceded EIGHT goals in the last six games, compared to just two in the first six when they raced out of the blocks. Skipper John Terry fears they have lost their early grip on the defence of the title.

Ancelotti added: "The easy things are difficult at this moment, but we can't lose confidence. We have skill, ability and personality.

"I don't think it's a question of appetite. Terry and the players have appetite.

"We can use the Spurs game to move on. You have to go back to basics, defend well to make sure you don't concede and play simply.

"We want to play our football, not change identity or shape. We've been working with it for a year and a half. We have to stay calm, don't be afraid.

"We are changing some drills to avoid the same old routine in training, but to break totally everything isn't the right way.

"We're doing more tactical sessions, but nothing bigger. Maybe walking over hot coals is an idea!"

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3271519/Will-Carlo-Ancelotti-stick-around-long-enough-to-spend-Chelseas-money.html

Lampard to miss Spurs showdown
Dec 10, 9:42 am EST


COBHAM, England (AFP) - Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti admitted on Friday that Frank Lampard will miss his side's crucial London derby at Tottenham this weekend.

Lampard has been sidelined for three months after hernia surgery and a groin injury, but it was suggested this week that he would feature at White Hart Lane on Sunday after returning to training.

However, Ancelotti believes Lampard needs at least one practice match before he is ready for the demands of the Premier League, so he will once again be without the England midfielder for a match his team desperately need to win.

The Blues have slipped to third in the table after taking five points from their last six matches and another loss to Spurs would only increase the pressure on Ancelotti.

Instead, Ancelotti hopes his star midfielder will prove his fitness in a friendly this week and then return to action when Manchester United visit Stamford Bridge next weekend.

"He is not fit again. He is out. I can say this with a smile because he trained well but we think it will be a very tough game against Spurs," Ancelotti told reporters at the club's training ground.

"We didn't have a chance to test him in a game. We have to arrange a game for him, maybe on Thursday, after that he can be available.

"He trained well, he doesn't have a problem to train, but this is a tough game. So he will play a friendly and be ready for the Man Utd game."

Ancelotti will also be without Jose Bosingwa as the Portugal right-back struggles with a torn hamstring, but captain John Terry and left-back Ashley Cole will be fit to start.

England defender Terry came off in the second half of Wednesday's defeat against Marseille to protect an ankle injury, while Cole missed that Champions League tie to rest an ankle problem.

"Terry is ok, Ashley Cole had a problem on his ankle, but he is ok as well. Bosingwa is out with a tear on his hamstring," Ancelotti added.

http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/news?slug=afp-fblengprchelseatottenhamlampard

Sir Alex Ferguson says Manchester United's clash with Chelsea will go long way to deciding Premier League race

From: AFP December 17, 2010

MANCHESTER United will attempt to take a grip on the Premier League title race this weekend when they travel to Chelsea aiming to end an eight-year winless streak at Stamford Bridge.
Sir Alex Ferguson's men have not tasted victory at Chelsea since April 2002, but a win in the heavyweight encounter on Monday morning (Qld time) will leave United six points clear of the champions, having played a game less.

United, who remain unbeaten this season after 16 games, head into the match fresh from a 1-0 victory over rivals Arsenal at Old Trafford last start.

Another three points against top four opposition will fuel United's belief that they can mount a sustained challenge for a record 19th league title.

"Sunday is a massive game," said Ferguson.

"That will go a long way to establishing what happens at the top of the league.

"We are 16 games undefeated. Now we have to make it 17."

After a slow start to the season, United have now won 20 points from their a possible 24, with Ferguson believing the return to form and fitness of the United defence has played a crucial role.

Chelsea, by contrast, are still searching for their first Premier League victory in six matches after a dismal run of form stretching back to early November, which has seen them take only six points from a possible 21.

Elsewhere, Arsenal will seek to bounce back from the disappointment of defeat at Old Trafford when they face mid-table Stoke at the Emirates.

The match will be the first time Stoke defender Ryan Shawcross faces Arsenal since he broke Gunners' midfielder Aaron Ramsey's leg in February.

But Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger dismissed suggestions the game would have an edge to it, and denied reports that Shawcross would be given a special security detail on arrival at the ground.

Wenger, who has angered Stoke in the past by branding them a "rugby team" because of their physical style, says past encounters will count for nothing.

"It is Arsenal against Stoke. Every game is different and it is a new start," Wenger said.

"We do not have any preconceived ideas before the game about any individual. We want to win the game, focus on it and respect our opponent as we always do. What happened in the past, happened in the past."

Manchester City, meanwhile, will hope to set aside the simmering spat involving captain Carlos Tevez when they entertain Everton at Eastlands on Tuesday morning (Qld time).

Tevez stunned the club this week by issuing a transfer request, but it is not clear whether the Argentine international will continue to be available for selection.

Tottenham will hope to maintain their push for a place in the top four when they travel to Blackpool on Monday morning (Qld time).

Blackburn will begin life without sacked manager Sam Allardyce with a match against West Ham at Ewood Park.

Hammers boss Avram Grant has reportedly been given three matches to save himself from the sack as West Ham try to haul themselves off the bottom of the table, where they are four points adrift of safety.

English Premier League fixtures
Sat: Sunderland v Bolton (10.45pm, Fox Sports 1)

Sun: Arsenal v Stoke (12.55am, Fox Sports 1)

Birmingham v Newcastle (12.55am, viewers' choice)

Wigan v Aston Villa (12.55am, viewers' choice)

Blackburn v West Ham (12.55am, Fox Sports 3)

Liverpool v Fulham (3.25am, Fox Sports 1)

West Brom v Wolves (9.55pm, Fox Sports 1)

Blackpool v Tottenham (11.55pm, Fox Sports 1)

Mon: Chelsea v Man Utd (2am, Fox Sports 1)

Tue: Man City v Everton (6am, Fox Sports 1)

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/soccer/sir-alex-ferguson-says-manchester-uniteds-clash-with-chelsea-will-go-long-way-to-deciding-premier-league-race/story-e6frepmf-1225972715142

Lampard can stop the rot at Chelsea

By James Lawton
Friday December 24 2010

John Terry was scarcely handing out a state secret when he announced this week that Chelsea have never attempted to spread themselves so thinly ever since Roman Abramovich first started throwing around the roubles.

Everything is relative, however, and the presence of Terry, Frank Lampard and Michael Essien at the Emirates Stadium next Monday is a reminder that the reigning champions are far from dead.

Misfiring, certainly. Heading for decline in too many vital areas, inevitably. But the team-sheet against Arsenal is potentially the most significant statement in what at times has seemed a terminally irresolute struggle for the title.

Terry and Essien are still hugely important ingredients of a successful Chelsea team. Whatever you think of Terry's style off the field, he remains an immense factor on it, strong in his self-belief and inspiring to his team-mates. Essien on his best days is a force of nature, witheringly powerful in the tackle and unswerving in his application.

It is Lampard, though, to whom coach Carlo Ancelotti will look most hopefully at the Emirates.

crude

One of the main reasons for Ancelotti's current disenchantment, apart from the crude axing of his faithful 'Man Friday' Ray Wilkins, is that he believes he was sold desperately short by the oligarch owner in the summer transfer action.

He wanted Bastian Schweinsteiger, a German Essien to say the very least of it, and he got Ramires, a frail Brazilian wisp who operated on the margins of his nation's failed World Cup bid.

Ancelotti said that with Michael Ballack gone, Chelsea would be left desperately exposed in the vital midfield engine room if mishap should befall either Lampard or Essien. Ramires, at £18m, was not his idea of a bargain and if there was any doubt about his conclusion it has been confirmed at least half a dozen times as Chelsea have floundered in the absence of the man who in many ways has been confirmed as their most influential player.

Without the thrust and the hunger of Lampard, Chelsea have looked a much slighter team, still gifted, still capable of deadly menace in front of goal, but also plainly diminished by the absence of their central and unifying force.

The instinct here, certainly, is that with a re-instated and healthy Lampard, Chelsea are about to re-emerge as the best bet to end the competitive drift at the top of the league.

Plainly, there are four serious runners and one -- Tottenham -- roughly 90pc of the way towards that status. Of the top four, Manchester United might be said to be the least flawed in terms of consistency but still desperately short of the bite they lost when Cristiano Ronaldo fled Old Trafford the summer before last. The crisis of Wayne Rooney hasn't helped -- and nor has the ageing of Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs which requires that they are used increasingly sparingly.

Yet their biggest deficiency is the one that, in the shape of Lampard, Chelsea may just be about to rectify.

The Brazilian Anderson has done well enough to earn a second chance at Old Trafford and Nani has become their brightest, if somewhat flickering, light but from Michael Carrick there is still dismaying evidence that he is player of class who has irretrievably lost his way.

Darren Fletcher is Darren Fletcher, impressively committed but not in the same league as Lampard or Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri.

Rooney's form and state of mind is another imponderable -- and another nudge towards the belief that the finishing order is likely to be Chelsea, United, Arsenal and, and short of a full-scale psychological meltdown, Manchester City.

City's capacity for self-destruction remains huge, as we saw earlier this week when Everton went to Eastlands and, despite being a man down for most of the second half, gave vital lessons in the advantages of looking like a team rather than an over-priced rabble.

It hints at least that Tottenham might just get into the late running, given Rafael van der Vaart's full recovery from injury, Luka Modric's continued creativity and optimum progress by the discovery of the season, Gareth Bale.

Alex Ferguson granted Harry Redknapp's team the status of a serious threat to his own hopes when he announced that "Harry has done brilliant work bringing on Tottenham and no team in the league can now afford to ignore them. They've become a serious team."

It is something Arsenal have been speculating fondly about themselves for some time but with always the same bleak result: harsh evidence that nothing is more guaranteed to dim their brilliance than the presence of one of the leading teams, who now, devastatingly for old certainties, include their north London neighbours.

Spurs' 3-2 victory at the Emirates last month was confirmation of a new durability and optimism -- and an old soft centre at the heart of Arsenal's effort. Arsene Wenger denied that his team had showed fatal frailty in the absence of the injured Thomas Vermaelen in the middle of defence. He said that his team still had a winning mentality and could still lift their first trophy since 2005.

He was saying the same thing a few weeks later when Arsenal went to Old Trafford to prove that they had indeed acquired a new quality of defiance. Unfortunately, he was working from even less hard evidence. The margin was just one goal but the narrowness of the result was illusory. In terms of commitment and belief there was only one team in it. Now Barcelona present themselves, again, in the first round of Champions League knock-out action.

Last season Barca supplied a firestorm of superiority and their current form threatens a repeat -- one that may well strip away the last of Arsenal's besieged belief that they are finally ready to slug it out at the highest level.

This leaves us with one certain point of conviction. It is Frank Lampard's refreshed belief that once again he can give Chelsea an impetus that a few months ago appeared to have separated them from the rest of the Premier League -- and most of the European game. It is, anyway, the best bet in the league that so far no-one has proved they can win.

- James Lawton

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/lampard-can-stop-the-rot-at-chelsea-2473133.html

How Chelsea fell apart
Senseless sacking of Wilkins sparked champions' decline
By Alan Smith


Friday January 07 2011
Over-Reliance on didier Drogba

You cannot expect the centre-forward to deliver all the time. After leading the charge in previous seasons, there will inevitably come a spell when Didier Drogba struggles, be it through lack of form or, in this case, a bout of malaria.

Critically, no one has made up the shortfall. Florent Malouda has managed just two league goals in his last 20 appearances, Salomon Kalou only one in 11, while Nicolas Anelka has not scored in nine.

In addition, Daniel Sturridge has failed to make an impression off the bench. If you study the statistics, this is clearly more of a problem than anything happening elsewhere.

Changes in Defence

It is indeed surprising that the team have conceded only one more league goal than at this stage last season, when they went on to clinch the Premier League and FA Cup.

That said, the lack of a settled back four has not helped understanding.

Jose Bosingwa has been in and out, Alex is recovering from a knee operation and Paulo Ferreira has proved unreliable.

Consequently, the rearguard have lost some of their aura. Opposing strikers now fancy their chances of getting some joy.

frank Lampard's Absence

Losing the midfielder for four months hit extremely hard. It was not just his goals either, though that was bad enough.

Having scored 27 last season, he has so far only managed two, leaving a huge hole in Chelsea's tally. And even if he does not score, those brilliantly-timed runs beyond the strikers cause the opposition all sorts of problems.

Without them, however, Chelsea became more predictable, often playing in front of teams rather than getting behind.

The good news, though, is that Lampard is finding his feet again, delivering some killer passes and popping up unmarked in the box. That will certainly help Drogba, who depends on his team-mate for the quick pass.

Ageing Squad

Not so easy to solve, this one, unless you have got a spare £100m. The club have allowed this talented group of players to grow old together without gradually introducing younger components.

Against Aston Villa recently, seven players in their 30s started the game. The result is a team lacking energy and verve. Set against Arsenal's young bucks or the pace at Tottenham, Chelsea start to look rather pedestrian.

Neither do the young kids being promoted look capable of solving the problem. Josh McEachran definitely has a big future, but the others are either not ready or not good enough. It is going to be a massive problem at Stamford Bridge.

No Room for Rotation

The squad is not just ageing, it is also very small, leaving Carlo Ancelotti with little room for manoeuvre.

As a result, the same faces are being asked to turn out every match. No wonder some looked tired at Molineux. Most of them had played four games in 10 days -- a stark contrast to their main rivals, who can rotate.

So with the FA Cup upon us and the Champions League resuming next month, Chelsea desperately need more bodies to cope with the challenge.

Low Confidence and Morale

When all is said and done, this is the main reason for Chelsea's woes. The senseless sacking of Ray Wilkins kick-started the decline and a string of poor results has compounded the problems.

In essence, some very good players are failing in the basics -- always a sure sign that confidence is low.

Think of how easy it was for Villa's Stewart Downing to get in his cross for Emile Heskey's headed goal last Sunday.

Ashley Cole, normally so reliable in these situations, did not do enough to stop the cross.

It was a similar story at Wolves the other night. Lampard failed to do his job properly at the near post, adopting the wrong position to allow a low corner past, resulting in Bosingwa's own goal.

What's more, at times like these someone needs to have a quiet word, either in the dressing room or on the training ground.

Without Wilkins, Ancelotti finds himself alone, robbed of experienced lieutenants who can speak with authority.

With all due respect to Paul Clement and Michael Emenalo, will established internationals listen to a former youth team coach with no playing experience, or a bloke promoted from chief scout, boasting Molenbeek and Notts County on a limited CV?

In this regard, then, Ancelotti finds himself isolated, unable to call on trusted advice. (© Daily Telegraph, London)

- Alan Smith

Irish Independent

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/how-chelsea-fell-apart-2487596.html

Ray Wilkins backs Carlo Ancelotti to halt Chelsea slump• Ray Wilkins says his former boss can cope with pressure

• Sacked assistant rules out chance of return to Chelsea

guardian.co.uk, Sunday 9 January 2011

Ray Wilkins has backed the Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti to turn around the club's torrid season.

Chelsea have gone into freefall since Wilkins was sacked as assistant coach two months ago, slipping from the top of the Premier League to fifth place, nine points behind the leaders Manchester United.

Wilkins puts Didier Drogba's loss of form down to his bout of malaria, but admits other players have shown a surprising lack of belief. Wilkins said: "When I watch them play there's a lack of confidence there from a few of the players that shouldn't really be the case because they are top quality players, and I'm sure they will get back to the standards that they have performed at.

"It's been very disappointing. If you look at the level of performance it certainly hasn't been there and when you have a number of world-class players not actually playing to their maximum it's magnified 10 fold."

However, Wilkins believes Ancelotti will cope with the pressure. He told BBC Radio 5 Live's Sportsweek programme: "Carlo's obviously been manager of AC Milan for eight years, therefore that does come with a lot of pressure so Carlo is used to the pressure that comes with big jobs. The one thing that will be hurting Carlo won't be the media attention, it will be the way the team are playing. He's extremely passionate about his football.

"He's a very decent bloke and he is a fun guy and he is laid back, but he has this burning passion for the fact that the players aren't really playing to their full potential."

Asked if he could return to Chelsea, as some reports have suggested, Wilkins added: "No, I wouldn't have thought so. I think once Roman [Abramovich, the owner] has made up his mind that something will happen, then it happens."


http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/jan/09/ray-wilkins-chelsea-carlo-ancelotti?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+theguardian%2Ffootball%2Frss+%28Football%29

Lampard: 'I'll need to nurse injury for the rest of my career'

By Mark Fleming
Tuesday, 11 January 2011

Frank Lampard has revealed that he will never fully recover from the torn tendon injury that kept him out for four months, and that he was not told the full extent of the problem by Chelsea's medical staff.


Lampard, 32, has played six games since returning from the longest spell on the sidelines in his career, which began in August when he missed England's Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland to undergo keyhole surgery on a hernia. At the time manager Carlo Ancelotti said: "He will be out for one or two weeks. It is not a big problem."

However, Lampard admits he trained too hard too soon after the operation and subsequently the hamstring tendon was torn from a bone close to his pelvis, resulting in a further three months out of action. The England midfielder only found out the full extent of the injury when he decided to seek another opinion and visited a Harley Street specialist, who gave him the full story.

After scoring two goals in Chelsea's 7-0 thrashing of Ipswich in the FA Cup on Sunday, Lampard spoke of how his frustration over the injury was compounded by the confused messages he had been given.

Lampard said: "It was a bad injury and I wasn't really told that in the beginning. I was expecting it to be a few weeks and people were telling me that, and in the end I went to see someone who told me it was a three-month minimum injury.

"Once I got my head round that it was easier to take. When you think you're going to be back every week and everyone's asking you about it and you're not, it becomes even more frustrating."

Lampard said the problem was not one of misdiagnosis: "It wasn't misdiagnosed. It was probably a bit my fault because I always try and push. If I could go back I would have given it a lot more rest when I first got the injury. I was trying to push to be fit for games. It's always easy with hindsight," he said.

Chelsea have suffered several injuries to key players this season which have proved tough correctly to diagnose. John Terry's trapped thigh nerve was a recurring problem until the captain visited the renowned chiropractor Dr Jean-Pierre Meersseman in Milan. In October midfielder Yossi Benayoun claimed his torn Achilles tendon had been "missed" by Chelsea's doctors until he underwent an MRI scan in Israel.

Lampard also said his injury is so severe he will never fully recover but will be something he needs to nurse for the rest of his career. With Terry also having to manage his thigh injury, and Ashley Cole carrying a chronic ankle problem, it is worrying news for Chelsea.

Lampard said: "I've got to try and keep it strong because I've got a weakness there. My tendon came off the bone and it doesn't go back, you just have to stay very strong in that area. I've spoken to players who've had it and they know the frustrations and the aftermath and what you have to do. It's no problem, you just have to do an extra two or three sessions a week in the gym to keep it strong.

"It was a bad injury and I still feel it occasionally. There are no sharp pains or anything, but the more games I play the sharper I'll be, and I'm determined to have a good second half to the season because I basically missed the first half."

Sunday's victory was just Chelsea's third in 12 games and Lampard gave an honest assessment of the team's recent lack of form.

"There are quite a few reasons, a lack of confidence being one of them, but there has also been a lack of quality and workrate," he said.

"We need to step it up across the board to get back to where we want to be. Everyone at Chelsea understands we're not expected to have the run of results we've had. We have high standards and the results we've had the last two months is not the level we expect."

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/lampard-ill-need-to-nurse-injury-for-the-rest-of-my-career-2181158.html

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti to replace Claudio Ranieri at Roma in summer - report
13 Jan 2011 13:09:00

Find the best odds and bet on the Premier League. For all the latest reports and transfer rumours, visit our dedicated section here.

Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti and Roma's Claudio Ranieri could face a tumultuous summer at the end of term with the former replacing the latter in the Italian capital.

Tuttosport claims friction between Ranieri and club legend Francesco Totti – who has been left on the bench numerous times this season – has seen tensions rise to the extent that many feel the coach will step aside.

In England meanwhile, Ancelotti has not had it as good as pre-season expectations suggested. Chelsea have been unstable and are well off the pace in the Premier League title race.

Owner Roman Abramovich is said to have lost patience with the Italian, who could return to Serie A and take over Ranieri at Roma.

However, Ancelotti would require a degree of financial backing from Roma if he takes over - that also depends on who buys the club from its creditors UniCredit.

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/01/13/2303395/chelsea-boss-carlo-ancelotti-to-replace-claudio-ranieri-at

Guus Hiddink: Chelsea Have Slipped Alarmingly This Season And Have A Number Of Problems

Dutch manager backs Carlo Ancelotti to get Blues back on track
Jan 21, 2011 1:23:00 PM
By Tom Bellwood | Southern Correspondent

Guus Hiddink believes his former club Chelsea have "slipped alarmingly" and says it's a "mystery" why the Blues' recent form has been so poor, but has backed his successor Carlo Ancelotti to get them back to winning ways.

Hiddink took temporary charge at Stamford Bridge in February 2009 after the sacking of Phil Scolari, leading the club to a Champions League semi-final, while lifting the FA Cup and losing just one game in charge.

Carlo Ancelotti replaced Hiddink and led Chelsea to the first Double in the club's history last season.

But now they sit fourth in the Premier League, seven points behind leaders Manchester United after squandering the five-point lead they had built up earlier in the season.

The Blues have suffered a number of damaging injuries, most notably to talismanic midfielder Frank Lampard, but Hiddink is baffled as to why his former team's form has dipped so dramatically.

"They were on top for so long and they looked very good but their slip over recent weeks is alarming, it's a real mystery," said Hiddink at the Nike Chance global finals in London.

“I've seen them play a few times since I left and they have a number of problems.

“But Ancelotti is a good manager, I'm sure he will turn it round and they will recover."

But the Dutchman, currently in charge of Turkey’s national side, has ruled out the possibility of a return to west London.

Hiddink is committed to the project he has taken on and will see out the contract which ties him to the job until the summer of 2012.

He said: “I can tell you I’m fully committed with a lot of joy to the Turkish federation. The national side is in a state of transition, we are trying to build a competitive team.

“That’s all I’m focused on and that is what I’m sticking to.”

http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2011/01/21/2316477/guus-hiddink-chelsea-have-slipped-alarmingly-this-season-and

Carlo Ancelotti says Chelsea style is paramount

By Ben Rumsby, PA


Monday, 24 January 2011

Carlo Ancelotti has admitted his Chelsea side are incapable of winning ugly, but insists he would not have it any other way.

Ancelotti accepts the Blues are currently no match for unbeaten Barclays Premier League leaders Manchester United when it comes to grinding out results.

The Italian's claim casts huge doubt on the champions' hopes of staging an extraordinary comeback in the title race, with the team that finishes top often proving the best at picking up points when playing badly.

However, Ancelotti has no intention of changing the approach which brought Chelsea the double last season.

"For Chelsea to win a game, we have to play well, play good football," said Ancelotti, whose side travel to Bolton tonight 10 points adrift of United.

"We are not able to win a game if we are not able to play well. We played very well last season and when we didn't play well, we lost the game the same way we have lost them this season.

"Our aim is to improve our football. This is the way to win the game. It is our philosophy.

"We don't want to stay back and maybe use the long ball or use the counter-attack.

"Maybe this is also the reason that if we don't play well, we are vulnerable."

United stretched their club-record unbeaten start to the season to 22 games on Saturday, but Ancelotti is convinced they will not emulate Arsenal's 2004 'Invincibles'.

"I think it's impossible because if we want to come back to fight for the title we have to beat Man United," Ancelotti added.

As well as beating United home and away, Ancelotti admits Chelsea must also win their head-to-heads with third-placed Manchester City and fifth-placed Tottenham at Stamford Bridge in the second half of the season.

"We have to win these games. That is the key to come back to win the title," said Ancelotti, who admitted he had not been completely satisfied with his team's performance since they beat second-placed Arsenal almost four months ago.

"We have to play twice against Man Utd, we have to play Man City, Tottenham, Liverpool."

Ancelotti has already admitted Chelsea must win at least 13 of their remaining 16 games to retain the title and knows there is almost no margin for error, as he found out in similar circumstances while captain of Roma 25 years ago.

"In 1986 we needed to close a gap of eight points when it was two points for a win," he said of his side's battle to overhaul Juventus.

"We ran for two months closing the points, eight, seven, six, five.

"The last but one game we were level and we lost 3-2 at home to the bottom team, Lecce.

"Before, there was a celebration in the stadium. The coach of Lecce even said, 'I am a fan of Roma. I hate Juventus'.

"We were not able to win and Juventus won the title. This is life."


http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/carlo-ancelotti-says-chelsea-style-is-paramount-2192833.html

Torres asks for move as Chelsea set to increase offer to a record £38m

Abramovich confident of signing striker and David Luiz / Liverpool hope Suarez deal will convince Spaniard to stay

By Mark Fleming
Saturday, 29 January 2011

Fernando Torres will be the subject of another record-breaking bid from Chelsea

Chelsea are to make another bid for Liverpool striker Fernando Torres before the transfer window closes on Monday night, and will offer Daniel Sturridge as a potential makeweight in the deal.


The Premier League champions have already seen two offers for the Spaniard turned down by the Liverpool board, but they are hopeful their third attempt of around £38m – which would be a new British record – will be successful, particularly as Ajax yesterday accepted Liverpool's offer of £22.8m for Luis Suarez.

The Anfield club had hoped the Uruguayan striker Suarez would be a partner for Torres, but it may yet prove he is instead to be the World Cup winner's replacement, as Torres is understood to be keen to leave.

The Chelsea owner, Roman Abramovich, believes he can lure Torres to Stamford Bridge in the next three days as the Spaniard's representatives have indicated he has reached a point where he believes leaving Anfield is the right move for him.

Chelsea first offered £28m earlier this week and then £35m but they were rebuffed by Liverpool who are keen to hold on to Torres, particularly with new manager Kenny Dalglish having only been in the job for a matter of weeks. Torres was unsettled in the summer but was talked into staying by the then managing director Christian Purslow. However, he now feels some assurances given to him at the time have been broken and he is believed to have informed the club's owner, the Fenway Sports Group, that he would like them to agree terms with Chelsea.

Representatives from Chelsea believe there is a good chance a deal will be struck, even though Liverpool are saying Torres is not for sale. Chelsea are prepared to offer striker Sturridge, valued at £5m, in part exchange. Liverpool enquired about taking the England under-21 striker on loan to Anfield in December, although that was before previous manager Roy Hodgson was sacked.

At the time Chelsea ruled out the deal, but are willing to use the 21-year-old as part of the Torres transfer. Abramovich is prepared to offer Torres a basic £160,000-a-week salary, plus bonuses and a substantial signing-on fee. Torres moved to Liverpool from Atletico Madrid in July 2007 for £23m, and has scored 81 goals in 142 appearances for the club.

Should the deal come off, it would break the British transfer record of £32.5m set when Manchester City signed the Brazilian Robinho from Real Madrid in August 2008.

It would also be by far the most stunning transfer of the eight years that Abramovich has been ruling the roost in SW6. At 26, Torres is in his prime and would be eligible to play in the Champions League. His first game for his new club could potentially be when Liverpool visit Stamford Bridge next weekend.

Chelsea's interest in Torres comes after the club suffered the worst run of results in more than a decade. Manager Carlo Ancelotti has said that his squad is strong enough to recover, but in private sources say he has been championing the need to strengthen.

The club have already lost out on £3m midfielder Steven Pienaar, who chose Tottenham over the defending champions when he moved from Everton, and are in danger of missing out on defender David Luiz, as negotiations with Benfica over the Brazilian's move to London have proved to be a long, drawn-out affair.

Chelsea are still confident of signing Luiz, despite claims from the Portuguese club that negotiations have broken down. Sources say Chelsea have offered £28m for the 23-year-old centre-half, who has recently broken into the Brazil team, but Benfica are demanding a further £4m to cover development fees to Luiz's former club Victoria da Bahia and commissions to the agents involved.

Benfica issued a statement on their website yesterday which read: "Negotiations between Benfica and Chelsea, with a view to the possible transfer of David Luiz, were concluded today without the parties having reached an agreement. Contrary to reports, David Luiz never tried to force his way out of the club and is a model professional."

Chelsea nevertheless seemed optimistic a deal could still be concluded before the window closes. It would be a remarkable piece of business if they could land both Torres and Luiz for a total of more than £60m in the next three days.

Ancelotti said yesterday that he is delighted the club is attempting to recruit such talents. In a sometimes tetchy press conference, Ancelotti was clearly uncomfortable fielding so many queries about Chelsea's moves in the transfer market. He wanted to talk about today's FA Cup fourth round tie at Everton, but the questions were all about Torres.

"The club is doing a fantastic job in this transfer market," he said. "It is not desperation. If we didn't buy, the squad would be good enough. We have fantastic strikers and midfielders also. We are looking not just for this season but for the future of the club."

Ancelotti added that he was sure he could fit Torres into his attack alongside Didier Drogba, even if it might upset Nicolas Anelka. "Drogba can play with anybody, including Torres. He doesn't have a problem. He has to play in front. But the pitch is wide," he said. "I don't have to say anything to Didier and Nicolas."

Liverpool hope the news that they have concluded a deal with Ajax for Suarez may convince Torres to stay. The 24-year-old Uruguayan will join next week subject to agreeing personal terms and passing a medical.

Liverpool initially offered £12.8m but after further negotiations involving Damien Comolli, Liverpool's director of football strategy, and the Ajax general manager, Rik van den Boog, in Amsterdam yesterday a deal was struck.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/torres-asks-for-move-as-chelsea-set-to-increase-offer-to-a-record-16338m-2197678.html

Dalglish agrees to sell Torres to Chelsea

It is being reported this morning that the Liverpool striker Fernando Torres will be leaving for Chelsea on Monday after Kenny Dalglish agreed that he didn’t want an unhappy player at Anfield, but Chelsea will need to pay the full £50m asking price.

It seems that Torres has not been happy at Anfield for a long time and feels that the promises made to him when he signed a new contract in 2009 have not been fulfilled. They quote a “team-mate” as saying: “He has always been admired by his teammates, but not loved.”

The Mail reports that John W Henry and Kenny Dalglish have agreed that they will let the “sulky” Spaniard leave if the price is met, but will ask for Nicolas Anelka to be included as part of the deal.

The Mail then goes on to say that Chelsea will tomorrow offer £38m plus Daniel Sturridge, but Liverpool will demand the full £50m in cash or £42m plus Anelka, and Chelsea boss Roman Abramovich is willing to pay whatever it takes to secure the 26 year-old, especially as he will be eligible to play in the knockout stages of the Champions League next month.

Torres is set to go down in history as the most expensive player in a transfer between two Premiership clubs ever.

http://www.footylatest.com/dalglish-agrees-to-sell-torres-to-chelsea/19544

Chelsea turn to Far East for new stadium sponsor

03.02.11 | tribalfootball.com


Chelsea hope their trip to the Far East later this year nets them a stadium sponsor.

The Guardian says Chelsea's best hopes of plugging the £75m gap in their finances left by their January transfer business rest with their stadium-naming rights.

Chelsea hope their participation in the Asia Cup in Hong Kong in July will showcase them to potential sponsors.

It's suggested we are more likely to be referring to the China Mobile Stamford Bridge rather than the Vodafone Stadium in future.

http://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/chelsea-turn-far-east-new-stadium-sponsor-1427201

Torres explains Chelsea move

5 February 2011-PA Sport

Fernando Torres has revealed Chelsea made its move for him long before the close of the January transfer window as he promised Liverpool fans the full story behind his controversial Anfield exit.

The Blues' record-breaking swoop for Torres looked to have been a classic smash-and-grab affair, with the £50 million ($79.45 million) deal sealed shortly before Monday's 11pm deadline and only four days after the Reds confirmed they had rejected a £35 million ($55.61 million) bid for the striker.

But Torres revealed during his unveiling as a Chelsea player at a jam-packed press conference that he learnt Chelsea had approached Liverpool '10 days or 12 days' before the window shut, demonstrating the Premier League champions had spent some time attempting to prise him away from Merseyside.

Torres also confirmed that was the point when he told the Reds hierarchy he wanted to leave, which was at least a week before he submitted a written transfer request.

"As soon as I knew that Liverpool and Chelsea were talking about that, I told them then that the decision was made and I would like them to talk seriously about the possibility," he said.

"I was the first one to go straight to the manager and all the people to tell them I wanted to leave."

Torres revealed upon signing for Chelsea that it was last northern summer when he began to feel he needed to move on, when his new club reportedly had another bid for him rejected.

That fuelled speculation the Spaniard had not been fully committed this season but he said: "I never lost my ambition. Too many people are talking about that, but it's just their opinions.

"I was playing out of form for months.

"I was not just playing there for six months, but for three-and-a-half years, and I always tried to help the club move forward."

Torres also spoke on Tuesday about the Blues being on a different level to Liverpool, London offering a better lifestyle than Merseyside and his desire to score against his former club this weekend, comments which irked some already-angry Anfield supporters.

A few had been filmed burning replica Torres shirts when his departure began to look inevitable and he attempted to placate the disenchanted when he said: "I only have good things to say about the Liverpool people and the supporters especially.

"I had a great three-and-a-half years there. They made me feel really good there.

"I will never say anything bad about that club, that city.

"I understand they will be angry and won't understand my decision.

"I'm sure in a few days, weeks, I will explain all the reasons."

The 26-year-old, who joined Liverpool from Atletico Madrid in the northern summer of 2007, added: "I was an Atletico Madrid fan and when some of the top players left the club, I didn't understand.

"But, in time, I understood they did the best for themselves and their families and their careers.

"I'm sure, with time, they (Liverpool fans) will see what I did there and will think it was fair.

"Football is like this. From one day to another, people can love you and then hate you.

"But I'm sure the majority of Liverpool fans are not thinking like the ones you can see on the TV."

Torres also promised not to celebrate if he scored against his former club, saying: "I have big respect for Liverpool fans."

But he admitted the thought of going one step further and asking to sit out the game had not crossed his mind, adding: "Why would I?"

Such was the interest in Torres, groups of journalists were forced to take turns to interview the most expensive player ever transferred between British clubs.

That was his first taste of the scrutiny he would be under at Stamford Bridge but the super-confident Spain star said: "I have been in this situation before when I signed for Liverpool - big money, big expectations - so it's nothing new for me.

"I'm more than ready for the challenge.

"I'm excited about this new life and this new era I have in front of me."

http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/chelsea/news/1043513/Torres-explains-Chelsea-move

Chelsea wages soar

February 4, 2011


Chelsea's annual wage bill has soared to £172.5 million - almost £40 million more than the next highest payers Manchester City.

The figure for the year ending June 2010 is revealed in Chelsea's full annual accounts lodged with Companies House on Friday and shows a significant increase on the previous year.

In 2009, the club spent £165.6 million on wages but that sum included pay-offs worth £12.6 million to sacked manager Luiz Felipe Scolari and his assistants. Excluding the pay-offs, the rise in wages is £19.5 million and represents a 12.7% increase.

Manchester City's wage bill is £133.3 million, Manchester United's £131.7 million and Arsenal are fourth with £110 million spent annually on salaries, according to their most recent accounts.

Chelsea's wages are 82% of their turnover - more healthy than City's 106% - but way off United's level of 46% and Arsenal's of 49%.

The figures also confirm that Chelsea reported losses of £70.9 million compared to £44.4 million the previous year. The club indicated earlier this week that they believe they will halve their losses in the next financial year.

The latest accounts also reveal that Chelsea will be liable for £3.8 million extra in National Insurance contributions if HM Revenue and Customs succeeds in its legal case that image rights payments should be taxed as income.

If that is proved, the players themselves would be liable to pay any tax individually in relation to image rights.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/875881/chelsea-wages-soar-to-L172.5m?cc=3436

Chelsea plan summer move for Fabregas

0Share.Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is planning a summer swoop for Cesc Fabregas, according to The Sun.

After splashing out for Fernando Torres and David Luiz, Roman Abramovich is eager to continue reinforcing the team and he is prepared to try and bring Cesc Fabregas to Stamford Bridge.

The Spanish midfield maestro has been linked with a return to Barcelona as the Catalans are ready to reignite their interest in the La Macia graduate after having a £40 million bid rejected last summer.

Fabregas has hinted on numerous occasions that he would love to return to Barca, but the £60 million price tag slapped by Arsene Wenger is proving to be a stumbling block for the Catalans.

However, Roman Abramovich will try to hijack any Barca bid in the summer as reports suggest he is willing to offer £50 million for the Spain international.

The possible obstacles to the move could be Fabregas’ desire to join Barcelona as well as his devotion to Arsenal fans, so the Blues will have a lot of persuading to do if they are to land the Gunners star.
.http://www.soccernews.com/chelsea-plan-summer-move-for-fabregas/69922/

Chelsea's wages are 82% of their turnover - more healthy than City's 106% - but way off United's level of 46% and Arsenal's of 49%.

Thats crazy.

Guus Hiddink Does Not Want Chelsea Return - As He Feels He Is Too Old For Club Management

The 64-year-old Turkey manager feels more suited to international football
Feb 9, 2011 9:14:00 AM

By Wayne Veysey

Guus Hiddink has distanced himself from a return to Chelsea or any other leading club managerial role – because he thinks he is too old.

The 64-year-old Dutchman was sounded out in December through third parties whether he was interested in being parachuted into the Stamford Bridge hot seat for a second time should Carlo Ancelotti be sacked as manager.

But Hiddink does not believe he has the energy to take on a major club job and do it to the standard that he would want.

The highly decorated coach is contracted to manage Turkey until 2012 with the option of another two years but it is understood that there is a break clause which allows him to leave in October should they not qualify for Euro 2012.

Hiddink is under pressure following three consecutive defeats, including a 1-0 qualifying loss to Azerbaijan that he described as “a complete disaster”, and Turkey’s Euro 2012 fate could be sealed by a March 29 visit to Austria, the team’s direct rivals for second place in a Group A that is comfortably led by Germany.

It is understood that even if Hiddink loses his job, he will not be seeking another rescue act at Chelsea, where he enjoyed a good relationship with owner Roman Abramovich.

Golden Guus | Hiddink has the respect of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich

“He doesn’t want to go back to club football,” a friend of the Dutchman told Goal.com UK. “I know the impact that Chelsea have on him but if he’s a club manager he wants to be on the pitch every day six days a week.
“He thinks that at his age being on the pitch six days a week for two to three seasons is not possible. If he goes to a club he wants to build something and doesn’t want to go for one year. He wants to go for two to three seasons. At his age, that is the main reason why he doesn’t want a club job.”

In 2009, Hiddink came in as a short-term measure following the dismissal of Luiz Felipe Scolari, and juggled his job as coach of Russia with a three-month spell in charge of Chelsea. During his brief reign, the Londoners finished third in the Premier League, won the FA Cup and were controversially defeated by eventual winners Barcelona in the Champions League at the semi-final stage.

It is believed the former South Korea, Netherlands and Australia boss would favour another international post or a senior executive role at one of Europe’s elite clubs.

The news will be a blow for Tottenham, who have the Dutchman on a shortlist of names to replace Harry Redknapp if he takes over the England team when Fabio Capello steps down next year. Manchester City and Liverpool have also sounded Hiddink out over the last 18 months about a return to the Premier League.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2011/02/09/2344438/guus-hiddink-does-not-want-chelsea-return-as-he-feels-he-is

Roma Keep Track Of Chelsea Coach Carlo Ancelotti As Claudio Ranieri Stalls On New Deal - Report

Ancelotti in, Ranieri out at Roma for next season as American owners plan ahead...

By Salvatore Landolina
Feb 9, 2011 10:09:00 AM

Find the best odds and bet on the Premier League. Claudio Ranieri is about to lose grip on the power he holds at Roma as the new owners want to bring in Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti.

Thomas R. DiBenedetto is ready to wield his influence on the Premier League and haul Ancelotti back to his former club.

Il Corriere dello Sport reports Roma's new American owner is eager to bring in Ancelotti, whose season in London has been less than perfect.

Latest reports follow news on Tuesday claiming Ranieri has turned his back on a one-year extension offer.

His deal expires in the summer, leaving him with two options - brush aside reluctance and renew his bonds with Roma, or leave the club.

The latter would pave the way for Ancelotti to come in. Ranieri's next step would be a return to the Premier League with Liverpool.

Guus Hiddink was linked as the man to replace Ancelotti, but Goal.com UK revealed a return to Chelsea, where he had a brief spell in 2009, is unlikely.


http://www.goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2011/02/09/2344497/roma-keep-track-of-chelsea-coach-carlo-ancelotti-as-claudio

Lampard fears Chelsea 'disaster'

February 19, 2011

.Chelsea stalwart Frank Lampard has admitted failure to qualify for next season's Champions League campaign would be a "disaster" for the London club.

Chelsea have slipped to fifth position in the Premier League with 12 matches to go following a protracted form slump followed by a failure to win either of their last two matches.

The troubled campaign has left Chelsea in an uncomfortable scrap for a Champions League place, a competition they have played in every season since 2003-2004.

"We must finish in the top four and can never take our eye off the ball. It would be a disaster if we didn't qualify," Lampard told the BBC.

With their chances of retaining the league virtually extinguished -- Manchester United are 12 points clear of the Blues -- Lampard said the club would focus on winning the FA Cup and Champions League.

"There's huge importance because you can see the league's going to be difficult and that means it's more important to reach finals," he said.

Lampard, 32, also believes that Chelsea's record STG50 million ($A79.94 million) signing Fernando Torres will eventually settle into the goalscoring groove after flopping in his first two matches for the club.

"He's made a huge difference," Lampard said. "No, he hasn't scored in two games but all the spotlight is on him. There's a huge responsibility, people are looking to him to do it instantly, but he will make a difference to us.

"He's a top-class player, he has boosted the lads already and for sure will come good, he's going to add to us in a big way."

Lampard also praised new defender David Luiz, the second component of a January transfer spree that took Chelsea's spending to 75 million pounds. Lampard said he had not expected Chelsea to spend big in the window.

"I was slightly surprised but it was very exciting and I was pleased," he said. "It's a huge boost to have such quality players that we needed at the time.


http://www.smh.com.au/sport/football/lampard-fears-chelsea-disaster-20110218-1azvh.html.

Not too hard to understand seeing as there is only two regular Chelsea fans.

we'll pick up form : )

OldSchool, you, joffa, 11.mvfc.11...

Have no idea who the first guy is, and I don't come in WF all that often because its infected with Arse/Liverpool/Manure superiority

[size=6]Frank Arnesen to join Hamburg as sporting director [/size]

Chelsea sporting director Frank Arnesen has signed a three-year contract to take up a similar position at Bundeliga side Hamburg in the summer.

The 54-year-old Dane, who previously held a comparable role at Tottenham, announced last November that he would leave Chelsea at the end of the season.

"I am convinced that with the strength we have and the right decisions we can develop something big," said Arsensen.

Chelsea's chief scout Lee Congerton will also make the move to Germany.

Hamburg approached Arnesen after their first choice, German football federation technical director Matthias Sammer, turned down the job.

Club chairman Ernst-Otto Rieckhoff said the signing of Arnesen was a "great solution" to their two-year search for a sporting director.

Former Denmark international Arnesen played for Ajax, Valencia, Anderlecht and PSV Eindhoven, before retiring to become Bobby Robson's assistant at PSV Eindhoven in 1991.

Three years later he became PSV Eindhoven's sporting director, staying for 10 years, during which time Brazilian striker Ronaldo and Dutch winger Arjen Robben both joined the club.

In 2004 he joined Spurs before moving to Chelsea a year later.

The Premier League champions have been criticised for spending huge sums on players rather than producing new talent through the club's academy, which was also Arnesen's responsibility.

Chelsea won the FA Youth Cup last season, the first time since 1961, and 17-year-old English midfielder Josh McEachran has increasingly been used by first-team boss Carlo Ancelotti.

Captain John Terry is the last significant home-grown player to establish himself in the first team.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/9402747.stm

Mourinho: I still love Chelsea! Real Madrid boss refuses to rule out a return to Stamford Bridge

By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 9:04 AM on 22nd February 2011

Jose Mourinho has offered his strongest hint yet that he would relish a return to the Stamford Bridge hotseat.

Pressure is mounting on under-fire Italian boss Carlo Ancelotti following Chelsea's alarming lack of form that has seen last season's double winners lose a grip on their Premier League title and dumped out of the FA Cup.

There has been a growing clamour among Blues supporters to see The Special One return after the Portuguese coach was axed by Russian owner Roman Abramovich in September 2007.

Mourinho, who guided Chelsea to two championships, two league cups and the FA Cup during his three-year tenure, revealed he still loves the west London club and is unsure whether he will see out his four-year contract in charge of Real Madrid.

He said: 'I don’t know. I love Chelsea. I was the happiest man when I was there. I was thinking I would be there all my life. So you never know.

'When I sign a contract, I sign with the intention to respect the contract and be happy.'


Doubts persist over whether the 48-year-old will stay at the Bernabeu beyond the the current campaign. Real are five points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona and Mourinho has encountered a frosty relationship with the club's sporting director Jorge Valdano of late.

Chelsea take on Copenhagen in the last 16 of the Champions League this evening, knowing that the European competition is their last hope of salvaging their disappointing season with silverware.

Mourinho's Real side are also in action tonight, against French outfit Lyon, and the Madrid boss wants to reach the May final at Wembley to defend the European Cup he won last year with Inter Milan.



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1359409/Real-Madrid-boss-Jose-Mourinho-hints-Chelsea-return.html#ixzz1Eg7agk7P

Gronkjaer lifts lid on first days of Abramovich Chelsea empire

21.02.11 | tribalfootball.com

FC Copenhagen veteran Jesper Gronkjaer has recalled the first days of Roman Abramovich's takeover of Chelsea.

Abramovich came in with his £140 million offer in 2004.

"I was on holiday in Denmark in my summer house when I heard about the takeover. I didn't imagine he (Abramovich) would have so much money and everything would change. No one did," Gronkjaer told the Independent.

"I remember on the second day of pre-season Abramovich turned up at the training ground and spoke to us in Russian, with someone translating. There were rumours about everything – new coach, new players, new training ground, new stadium. He wanted us all to calm down. It was a stressful period for everyone, and the players had mixed feelings. Most of the players were worrying about their own situations, would they stay or go?

"We went on pre-season tour and new players were arriving all the time, which was funny. One day Wayne Bridge would arrive and someone would leave, the next day Damien Duff turned up, then Geremi, Joe Cole, Veron. He bought a whole new team in a few weeks."

To add to the surreal nature of that season, Abramovich took to sitting in the dressing room after games, saying nothing, just taking it all in.

"I don't know if he could understand but he would just sit there, like one of the boys," Gronkjaer said.

http://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/gronkjaer-lifts-lid-first-days-abramovich-chelsea-empire-1464821

Failing to Bridge the gap

February 24, 2011
By Norman Hubbard

Reports of their demise are not so much exaggerated as invented. That is the party line from Chelsea, proclaimed with a defiance that some of their displays can lack. While it is greeted with scepticism, the ultimate test lies in time. There are reasons to believe Chelsea are in decline, whether the age of their squad or their faltering form of late, but perhaps the greatest factor for believing that the greatest spell is nearing an end is simpler: history.

Put simply, only two English clubs have ever managed to extend excellence without interruption: Manchester United for the past two decades and Liverpool for the two before then. A case could be made for the inclusion of Arsenal, who are on course for a 15th successive top-four finish, but although a six-year wait for silverware might be ended on Sunday, a fallow period of that duration would be unacceptable for Chelsea. But even in marrying transition with damage limitation, Arsene Wenger is a rarity.

When others thought they had a dynasty, their subsequent slide proved they merely had a team. That is a particularly pertinent concern for Chelsea. Since the spine of Petr Cech, John Terry, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba was formed in 2004, some key components, such as Arjen Robben, Damien Duff, William Gallas, Claude Makelele and Ricardo Carvalho, have been removed and others - Michael Essien, Ashley Cole, Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka - added. Yet in style and personnel, it is effectively one team. While the sense of stability has not extended to the dugout, several managers have implemented a similar ethos.

The £75 million investment in Fernando Torres and David Luiz is the latest attempt to extend Chelsea's glory years; the much-hyped youth policy was another. But posterity proves that breaking up a team is hard to do: replacements are often inferior or ill-fitting. Don Revie's Leeds side grew old together, as did Stan Cullis' Wolves. One of the charges that can be levelled against Kenny Dalglish is that, in his first spell at Anfield, he failed to prepare for the future - instead, Graeme Souness steamed in with too much money and too little judgment and discovered Dean Saunders, Mark Walters, Paul Stewart and Julian Dicks could not carry on a tradition of trophies.

Jamie Carragher made a compelling point last year when he argued that it was not Sir Alex Ferguson who knocked Liverpool from their perch but Souness. The warning, should Roman Abramovich choose to heed it, is that managerial changes often account for the fall from grace. Manchester City's finest team was steered off course when Malcolm Allison displaced Joe Mercer, going from sidekick to driver. Revie left Leeds, perhaps unwilling to face the reality that his stalwarts were nearing the end, but the incendiary choice of Brian Clough as his successor backfired. Everton played it safer in 1987, promoting from within by choosing Colin Harvey to carry on from Howard Kendall, but two league titles in three seasons have been followed by none in 23.

Herbert Chapman ensured the end of an era at Huddersfield by decamping for Arsenal, and the combination of his death in 1934 and the advent of World War II five years later stopped dominance becoming a theme at Highbury. It is one of two prime examples of misfortune: the greatest is at Old Trafford. Sir Matt Busby built three great teams, either side of two lulls. The first was caused by ageing, the second by the Munich Air Disaster. Without that, it is possible to imagine the generation of George Best, Brian Kidd and Nobby Stiles seamlessly succeeding the original Busby Babes while Duncan Edwards and Bobby Charlton straddled the eras. It was not to be, however, and United fell as far as 19th place in 1963.

Clough - after his rehabilitation at Nottingham Forest - and Tottenham's Bill Nicholson were other managerial patriarchs to capture silverware in their later years, but only after a dip. Each had two different teams at his respective club but bridging the gap contained difficulties.

The fly-by-night feats of one-time winners are explained by a more equal distribution of talent at the time. At a stage when more money separates top from bottom, the elite are more established. But sustained success has only been achieved twice. The formula is inexact: United have had one manager, Ferguson, whose extraordinary will to win helps explain it; Liverpool had four (Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley, Joe Fagan and Dalglish) with the Boot Room philosophy offering continuity.


The group of players who acquired the collective nickname 'Fergie's Fledglings' remain huge contributors at Old Trafford and, while Anfield's homegrown contingent included such notables as Phil Thompson, Jimmy Case and Sammy Lee, they benefited more from identifying young - sometimes cheap and unknown - players whom they schooled and improved. From Steve Heighway, Ray Clemence and Kevin Keegan through to Alan Hansen, Ian Rush, Bruce Grobbelaar, Ronnie Whelan and Steve Nicol, the list is long and distinguished.

Liverpool were prepared to spend heavily, whether on Dalglish or John Barnes and Peter Beardsley, but did so comparatively infrequently; United, from Gary Pallister, Paul Ince and Roy Keane via Dwight Yorke, Ruud van Nistelrooy, Rio Ferdinand and Juan Sebastian Veron to Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov, have done so more often.

Yet both could rely on much else besides the chequebook: a winning mentality, an environment where emerging players bloomed, a mix of youth and experience and excellent long-term planning. Despite their considerable prowess, Chelsea tick too few of the boxes and decline could be the consequence.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story/_/id/884807/norman-hubbard:-chelsea-may-be-approaching-the-end-of-an-era?cc=3436

Chelsea owner Abramovich may sell Terry in summer

27.02.11 | tribalfootball.com

John Terry could be SOLD by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich in the summer.

The Sunday Mirror says Abramovich is ready to dump captain Terry, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba as he continues his Stamford Bridge revolution.

The billionaire has begun a fresh recruitment process that will lead to the dismantling of the Blues’s ageing squad.

The £74million purchases of Fernando Torres and David Luiz in the January transfer window were brought in as direct replacements for Drogba and Terry.

And Lampard’s position is under threat with Chelsea’s global scouting network under instructions to find a younger replacement.

http://tribalfootball.com/articles/chelsea-owner-abramovich-may-sell-terry-summer-1476581