Chelsea Fights Back Again to Move Atop English Premier League

Source: Dan Baynes (Bloomberg)

Aug. 19 (Bloomberg) -- Chelsea came back from a goal down to win for the second time in four days and move atop English soccer’s Premier League.

Second-half goals from Michael Ballack, Frank Lampard and Deco last night canceled out Darren Bent’s 18th-minute strike for Sunderland as the Blues won 3-1 at the Stadium of Light.

Chelsea, seeking its first Premier League title since 2006, also fought back to defeat Hull City 2-1 on the opening day and came from behind to beat Manchester United on penalties in the Community Shield, the annual season curtain-raiser.

“You have to maintain control of the game and we have done that in those three matches,” Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti said in an interview with the BBC. “Even when we were behind, we were in control.”

Ballack started the latest rally seven minutes after halftime when he converted Lampard’s corner from close range. Bent had earlier put the home side ahead when he beat Petr Cech after Kenwyne Jones’s shot had been blocked.

Lampard added Chelsea’s second from the penalty spot in the 61st minute after Didier Drogba was tripped, lifting his tally to 132 goals for Chelsea to tie Jimmy Greaves in fifth place on the all-time list.

Deco sealed the win with 20 minutes remaining with a right- foot shot from the edge of the penalty area that went in off the inside of the goalpost.

“We tried our utmost, gave everything we could give, but in the end we just couldn’t cope with Chelsea,” Sunderland manager Steve Bruce told the BBC. “That is what we aspire to.”

In last night’s other Premier League match, newly promoted Wolverhampton Wanderers won 1-0 at Wigan to rebound from an opening-day home loss to West Ham. Wigan began the campaign with a 2-0 win at Aston Villa, which finished sixth last season.

Andy Keogh’s sixth-minute header sealed the victory for Wolves, who failed to win a single match away from home when they last competed in the top flight in 2003-04.

Manchester United continues its title defense tonight at Burnley, while last season’s runner-up Liverpool hosts Stoke City. Portsmouth visits Birmingham and Hull hosts Tottenham.

Chelsea given 24 hours to come up with £50m for Aguero

Source: Andrew Slevison (Tribalfootball.Co.Uk)

Chelsea have been given 24 hours to meet the £50million get-out clause for Atletico Madrid’s Sergio Aguero.

The Spanish club are preparing for a Champions League qualifier against Panathinaikos on Wednesday and if no deal is done, Aguero will play meaning he will be ineligible to play for the Blues in Europe, suggesting a deal would be extremely unlikely.

Atletico will be loathe to lose the Argentine striker but Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti would hate to miss out on another potential target.

Michael Ballack Happy With Chelsea's Diamond Formation

SOURCE: Stephen Darwin, Goal.com

Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack has offered his backing to the diamond formation installed at the club under newly appointed boss Carlo Ancelotti.
The Blues utilised the system in their Premier League opener against Hull City on Saturday and struggled to a 2-1 victory. The new-look formation abandons the use of wingers, using four central midfielders in a diamond shape behind two advanced strikers.

Germany captain Ballack was replaced by John Obi Mikel at half-time against Hull, but despite a less than convincing start, the former Bayern Munich star is confident that the diamond system can work.
"Everybody is a little bit expectant about what we can achieve this year," Ballack told The Press Association.

"We have a new manager and we play a new system. We played it under Jose Mourinho when I arrived, and it feels different not to play with wingers and to play with two strikers.
"So tactically things will be different for us, but it depends how you implement it, by which I mean you can play any system with good players and they have to show their ability."
The 32-year-old went on to play down the significance of the formation, claiming that individual performances are the most important aspect in dictating whether a setup will work.

"It is not about the system, it is about how individuals perform on the pitch and whether they do the right things, so it is not as simple as just picking a system," added Ballack.
"You gain a small advantage through the centre but there's more hard work for the four midfielders because they have a lot of work to do on and off the ball in this system."
Chelsea travel to the Stadium of Light on Tuesday to take on Sunderland in the Premier League.

Didier Drogba: Chelsea Were Lucky, But We Earned It

SOURCE: David Kifford, Goal.com

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has admitted his winning goal against Hull was intended as a cross, but believes getting the win was all that matter.Drogba scored twice after Stephen Hunt's early strike had given Hull City the lead in opening fixture of the Premier League.

The Ivory Coast international snatched all three points for the resilient Blues with a stroke of fortune in the dying minutes of the game.After dribbling to the byline Drogba lofted a ball towards the back post which looped over goalkeeper Boaz Myhill and into the net.Drogba told Chelsea's official website, "To be honest it was a cross for Salomon Kalou, but the intention was there and I had so many chances that I think it was a gift."You have to create your own luck, and although I wanted to cross for Salomon, the ball went into the goal, so I was lucky and it is always good to win the first game."

We had a difficult second half because we could have scored a lot of goals but we were unlucky. I could have scored two or three goals before the last one, but we won and that's the most important thing."The 31-year-old secured an opening day win with his late strike and he praised the spirit of the squad to respond so well to falling behind."They came here last year and created a lot of problems," he added. "So we knew it was going to be difficult, especially when they scored, but the spirit we showed today was good."Drogba wasted a good chance after just two minutes of the match and admitted he was pleased to right that wrong with his brace."I was frustrated because I could have scored before," he revealed.

"That was a great chance, and when City scored I was upset with myself, but the reaction was good with the free kick."The striker reserved praise for the fans at Stamford Bridge and promised to do all he could to help bring the Premier League trophy back to Fulham Road."The crowd was fantastic, they have been good with me for a while now and I'm loving it, it is important for me," he asserted."With Chelsea the aims are simple, difficult, but simple. Win the titles, all the competitions we are going to be involved in. It will not be easy, but we are going to try and win the Premier League again."

Chelsea to offer Bosingwa in Ribery swap deal

Source: (Rory Finnegan) FIRST POSTED.CO.UK

Chelsea are still in the hunt for Bayern Munich's wantaway winger Franck Ribery and the latest deal to be touted involves £25m in cash plus full-back Jose Bosingwa, according to the Sunday Express.
Former Arsenal target Marouane Chamakh of Bordeaux is interesting West Ham. The London club are in financial trouble and may offload £10m rated defender Matthew Upson to Manchester City to ease their situation. If that deal goes through, Gianfranco Zola hopes to have enough spare cash to bid for the Moroccan striker.

Tottenham misfit David Bentley could be on his way out of White Hart Lane. The winger may be haeding for Manchester City according to the Sunday Express but they face competition from Everton - both clubs are ready to pay £9m for the winger.

Hull, who are still looking for a striker, could break the bank with a £12m move for Real Madrid forward Alvaro Negredo. Their previous record signing was Jimmy Bullard, who coast £5m from Fulham.
Down in League two Notts County director of football Sven-Goran Eriksson is busy trying to persuade Pavel Nedved and Luis Figo to come out of retirement according to the Mail on Sunday. The former England boss is also hoping to sign Inter Milan's Patrick Vieira

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba admits he copied Ronaldo's free-kick technique

Source: Martin Lipton (Mirrorfootball.Co.Uk)

Didier Drogba pulled Carlo Ancelotti out of the sticky stuff to extend the longest opening day winning streak in Premier League history - and revealed the debt he owed to Cristiano Ronaldo.

While Drogba was the first to admit his injury-time match-winner that left Ancelotti gasping for a fag and Phil Brown spewing was a fluke, the African ace had already scored one of the goals of the season.

Drogba’s stunning first half free-kick to draw Ancelotti’s Blues level after a solar plexus blow from Stamford Bridge hate-figure Stephen Hunt was a replica of the Ronaldo stunner against Portsmouth two seasons ago.

And the Chelsea hit-man conceded he had been more than happy to steal from the Portuguese star’s bag of tricks.

Drogba said: “I guess it was a bit like the one Ronaldo scored and it was deliberate. I tried to do it like that and lined it up to hit the valve.
“Everybody is aware of this technique now after Ronaldo and it’s true that when you hit the valve the ball comes down more.
“But it is just technique - and I think his free-kick was bit better than mine."
Drogba and his Chelsea team-mates were all smiles after ensuring their bombardment of Boaz Myhill’s goal was rewarded with the three points that should have been sewn up before the break.

For all Chelsea’s incessant pressure, Ancelotti’s diamond once again lacked natural width as Hull flooded the midfield and as the striker reflected: “It was relief at the end, not celebration.
“We created so many chances that I hadn’t scored. So the manager’s reaction was simple - ’Phew!’“

Ancelotti, who punished John Obi Mikel for a shocking first half by replacing him with Michael Ballack at the break, was equally willing to admit the pressure of his first taste of the Premier League had got to him, especially when he was not able to lean on his preferred emotional crutch, nicotine.

“I’ve given it up - before the match,” said the Italian. “Finito.
“But I start again as soon as I can afterwards. Before the match, finished. After the match, start again! But seriously it’s not difficult for me. In Italy you cannot smoke on the bench. It is the same as here. It is not a problem.”
What might have been a problem would have been two points tossed away, with Drogba’s lucky strike - after a string of chances had come and gone either side of Hunt’s opportunist tap-in - coming in the second minute of stoppage time to make it eight successive opening weekend wins for Chelsea.

Brown, who had theatrically punched the air in mock delight when fourth official Phil Dowd indicted the additional time, joked: “We’re not allowed to bet as managers but my money would have been on five.

“When six went up I was expecting Michael Turner to come off as a substitute. I’d made three so maybe Ancelotti was bringing him off.”
Drogba needed just two to win the game, further evidence of his value and Ancelotti added: “Didier has good motivation right now. He is a very important player but he is more than that because he has a very good personality, too.

“We are happy that he has started the season with two goals. He is training very well, and we want that to continue. He says he still feels young and when he does things like that for me, so do I.

“What was important is that we maintained the idea of how we want to play, and we deserved to win. It is why I celebrated with passion.
“Whoever works in this environment has passion - passionate players, passionate fans, a passionate coach, passionate journalists. Because this is nice work for us, and for the players.
“I know it’s impossible to win every game, but what is important is to believe we can win every game. This is my philosophy.”

Ancelotti’s players know they have to share that philosophy to wrest back the title, and Drogba agreed: “We needed to show that spirit to win it because it is in times like that the strength of the team comes out.

“To win the league you need to win all your home games and try to make some good result away. You need to beat teams like Hull here and if not, that is how you lose the league.
“I don’t think you lose the league against Manchester United or Liverpool; you lose the league because you are not consistent and you drop some points.”
Hull’s ambitions are understandably very different, and Brown moaned that all the hard work - including brilliant last-gasp tackles by the excellent Michael Turner and Andy Dawson and a stoic display from new midfielder Seyi Olofinjana - had been undone so cruelly.
“I thought we defended valiantly as a team,” said Brown. “We were unhinged by a cross but you’ve got to deal with it.

“Now we have to get up to speed in next three or four games. It’s important that we get points in those matches to go into the next international break.”

Chelsea Owner Roman Abramovich To Offer €46.5m For Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery

Source: Adithya Ananth, Goal.com


The top boss of Chelsea is reportedly going to meet the representative of the Bavarian club to offer €46.5 million for the Frenchman.


Roman Abramovich appears to be keen to flash his wallet after convincing John Terry to remain with Chelsea. Franck Ribery is the primary target, and the Blues’ owner is reportedly going to fly to Germany and meet Uli Hoeness, the general manager of Bayern Munich.According to The Sun, Abramovich is willing to break the British transfer record by tabling a bid of €46.5 million in order to bring the Frenchman to Stamford Bridge."Uli was taken by surprise by the phone call but was very honest and courteous with Mr. Abramovich," a senior Bayern source is quoted in the tabloid as saying."We are still resolved to keep Ribery but Hoeness agreed to meet with Abramovich in Germany to discuss any offer.

"The Blues have a lot of competition to sign Ribery. The Frenchman is reportedly on the radars of Manchester United, Real Madrid, Inter and Barcelona.Die Roten have declared in the past that the diminutive player is not for sale. But rumours continue to abound that the 26-year-old may have signed a pre-contract deal with los Blancos. The tabloid believes that this will anger FC Hollywood enough to sell their player to the Pensioners instead.Adithya Ananth, Goal.com

Chelsea dominates Man U in shootout

SOURCE: THESTAR.COM (Associated Press)

Salomon Kalou scored the winning penalty yesterday as Chelsea beat Manchester United 4-1 in a shootout to clinch the Community Shield in Carlo Ancelotti's first competitive match in charge.
The traditional curtain raiser to the English season at Wembley is rarely a spectacle, but on this occasion was hotly contested with a heated conclusion.

With the match level at 1-1 in the 71st minute, United's Patrice Evra was lying on the ground after being fouled by Michael Ballack when Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard made it 2-1.
The goal sparked a furious reaction from United players, who felt the game should have been stopped.

"With a replay you can see Ballack has elbowed the boy, and if the referee had seen it properly, it is a red card," United manager Alex Ferguson said. "The referee is in line with it, and should have at least stopped the game."
The Premier League champions, however, equalized in stoppage time when Wayne Rooney broke free.

But it was FA Cup winner Chelsea who dominated the shootout.
"This is sweet," Lampard said. "It feels nice to make a winning start to the season."Salomon Kalou scored the winning penalty yesterday as Chelsea beat Manchester United 4-1 in a shootout to clinch the Community Shield in Carlo Ancelotti's first competitive match in charge.
The traditional curtain raiser to the English season at Wembley is rarely a spectacle, but on this occasion was hotly contested with a heated conclusion.

With the match level at 1-1 in the 71st minute, United's Patrice Evra was lying on the ground after being fouled by Michael Ballack when Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard made it 2-1.
The goal sparked a furious reaction from United players, who felt the game should have been stopped.

"With a replay you can see Ballack has elbowed the boy, and if the referee had seen it properly, it is a red card," United manager Alex Ferguson said. "The referee is in line with it, and should have at least stopped the game."
The Premier League champions, however, equalized in stoppage time when Wayne Rooney broke free.

But it was FA Cup winner Chelsea who dominated the shootout.
"This is sweet," Lampard said. "It feels nice to make a winning start to the season."

Blues Back In For Pato

Source: Goal.Com

Tabloid reports from England suggest that Chelsea are readying a unique, mega-money offer to Milan for Alexandre Pato. Apparently, the Pensioners will bid to buy the Brazilian striker outright for €52.5m - and loan him straight back to the Rossoneri for the 2009-10 campaign.

Chelsea v Man Utd

Source: BBC.CO.UK SPORTS

Chelsea have two injury doubts ahead of Sunday's game with midfielder Yuri Zhirkov doubtful with a knee injury.

Midfielder Joe Cole is still out with a knee ligament injury but Michael Ballack (toe) could be passed fit.

Manchester United are without defenders Nemanja Vidic (calf), Wes Brown (thigh) and Gary Neville (groin).

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson must decide whether to choose Ben Foster or Tomasz Kuszczak in goal with keeper Edwin Van der Sar out with a broken finger.

Ferguson is refusing to be drawn on who will replace Van der Sar on Sunday, and for the remaining eight weeks the Dutchman is absent for.

But in Kuszczak and Foster he knows he has two perfect understudies for the veteran Dutchman.

"I will speak to both of them about the situation," said Ferguson.

"We have a selection dilemma as to who plays in goal on Sunday. It is not an easy one for me."

With Vidic, Brown and Neville all injured a lot also rests on the shoulders of centre-back Rio Ferdinand to remain fit.

And despite the injury problems he encountered towards the end of last season, Ferdinand says he can be relied on to lead United's defence.

"I am fine, there are no problems," said Ferdinand.

"I have not missed any training sessions this pre-season, not missed any games and played a lot of minutes.

"I am delighted and feeling good. Long may that continue this season.

"The club have been really good. I've had rest and maintenance, a good pre-season tour and training. That's the most important thing. "

For new Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti the game will be the first time he has managed a side at Wembley.

Ancelotti took over as Chelsea manager in the summer having previously spent eight years as boss of AC Milan.

And the Italian is relishing the opportunity of facing the Premier League champions in English football's traditional curtain raiser.

"I think we are ready to start this season against Manchester United on Sunday," said Ancelotti.

"It will be a very difficult match but we are excited and very happy to play at Wembley.

"It will be the first time for me to be at Wembley. It is not a friendly game, it is very important for us. We play against a great team. They were in the final of the Champions League last season.

"We have respect for this team but we want to win and play well. We want to put our quality on the pitch. It will be an interesting match."

With Cole's injury long-term, Zhirkov is likely to be the only absentee on Sunday from Ancelotti's pre-season squad.

"Zhirkov is the only player with a problem," said Ancelotti.

"He has a knee injury. He didn't train in the last few days and I don't know if he can play Sunday. He is the only one. Maybe we have to wait two days and then we will see if it is possible for him to play."



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chelsea (from): Cech, Hilario, Turnbull, Belletti, Alex, Terry, Carvalho, Mancienne, Bosingwa, A Cole, Ballack, Sturridge, Mikel, Deco, Lampard, Anelka, Drogba, Ivanovic, Kalou, Ferreira, Malouda.

Man Utd (from): Foster, Kuszczak, O'Shea, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra, Valencia, Fletcher, Carrick, Scholes, Anderson, Gibson, Nani, Giggs, Rooney, Owen, Berbatov, Macheda, Tosic, Fabio, Cleverley, De Laet

John Terry set to join top earners after Chelsea reward captain’s loyalty

Source: Matt Hughes (Timesonline.Co.Uk)


Chelsea have offered John Terry a new four-year contract worth £151,000 a week, which he is expected to sign before the start of the Barclays Premier League season in nine days’ time.

The Chelsea captain publicly committed his future to the club last week by rejecting the opportunity to move to Manchester City and will be rewarded with an improved deal with an additional year, tying him to Stamford Bridge until 2013.

Terry’s new deal will re-establish him as the highest-paid player at the club alongside Frank Lampard, who received a significant pay rise when he turned down the chance to join Inter Milan by signing a five-year contract with Chelsea 12 months ago.

Although structured slightly differently, the contracts of the England internationals have effectively been synchronised, with Chelsea delighted to have secured their two most influential players for the rest of their careers. The club have been given verbal assurances that they do not wish to play for anyone else.

Robinho is the only Premier League player to earn more than Terry and Lampard, by about £9,000 a week, but such a status for the pair has been hard earned despite the riches at the disposal of Roman Abramovich, the owner, with Andriy Shevchenko and Michael Ballack top of the payroll until recently. Terry has expressed an interest in staying at Chelsea at the end of his playing career and will begin studying for his coaching badge when time permits during this season.

He signed his previous deal only after lengthy negotiations two years ago and, in ordinary circumstances, would not even begin talks on an extension until next summer, but after his decision to snub an offer of £200,000 a week for five years from City, Chelsea were happy to break from protocol. This latest deal has come together far quicker, with Terry speaking to Abramovich on the club’s pre-season tour to the United States and thrashing out the details with Peter Kenyon, the chief executive, since returning to London.

Terry’s decision to commit to Chelsea is a huge boost for Carlo Ancelotti, the new manager, but the club’s willingness to give the captain an extra year also represents vindication for the player himself. The 28-year-old has been hit by a series of back problems in recent years and there were fears that he would struggle to play on into his thirties. However, his fitness record improved last season as he started 51 matches.

Terry has been given a thorough physical evaluation by Chelsea’s medical staff this summer, which he passed with flying colours. Indeed, given the success of the holistic methods used by Bruno Di Micheli, the sports scientist who accompanied the manager from Milan, Ancelotti is confident of extending Terry’s career. Di Micheli worked in the famous Milanello lab for 25 years and played an integral part in helping players such as Paolo Maldini and Alessandro Costacurta to play until they were approaching their forties.

Chelsea continued the process of consolidating their squad yesterday when Didier Drogba signed a two-year extension, ensuring that he is contracted to the club until 2012. Florent Malouda has also signed a similar extension this summer, while talks are taking place with Ashley Cole and are about to start with Joe Cole and Salomon Kalou.

Drogba, who has scored 94 goals in 216 games for Chelsea, cited winning the Champions League as his remaining big ambition, even if he will miss the first three games of this European campaign through suspension.

“I have decided to extend my contract with Chelsea for two extra years and I am very happy and proud to continue to wear the blue of Chelsea until then,” Drogba said. “I stay because I am ambitious to pick up lots more trophies, regain the Premier League title, win cups. It’s for this that I have extended my time at Chelsea. But my No 1 objective is to win the Champions League. I am convinced that this year we can go to the end and finally lift this trophy.”

Money talkers

Barclays Premier League’s top earners (a week):

Robinho (Man City)£160,000

F Lampard (Chelsea) £151,000

J Terry (Chelsea) £151,000

E Adebayor (Man City) £140,000

C Tévez (Man City) £140,000

Drogba renews contract with Chelsea

Source: Reuters International

Chelsea's Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba [ Images ] has signed a new three-year contract, the Premier League club said on Wednesday.

"I have decided to extend my contract with Chelsea for two extra years and I am very happy and proud to continue to wear the blue of Chelsea until then,' said Drogba, who had a year to run on his previous deal.

The 31-year-old, whose new contract with the FA Cup holders runs until 2012, joined Chelsea from Ligue One side Olympique Marseille in 2004 when Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho paid over 20 million pounds ($33.95 million) for him.

The Ivorian had previously been linked with a move to Serie A champions Inter Milan where Mourinho now manages.

"I stay because I am ambitious to pick up lots more trophies, regain the Premier League title, win cups, it's for this that I have extended my time at Chelsea," Drogba told the club website (www.chelseafc.com).

In his five seasons at the west London [ Images ] club Drogba has scored 94 goals in 216 appearances winning two Premier League titles, two FA Cups and two League cups.

"But my number one objective is to win the Champions League [ Images ]. I am convinced that this year we can go to the end and finally lift this trophy," he said.

Drogba is likely to figure for Chelsea against Manchester United [ Images ] in the Community shield at Wembley stadium on Sunday.

The traditional curtain raiser to the start of the Premier League season will be Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti's [ Images ] first competitive game in charge of the Londoners.

Chelsea To Lodge Bid Of £38m Plus Deco For Atletico Madrid's Sergio Aguero

Source: Alan Dawson, Goal.com

Atletico Madrid may face a laborious battle in keeping star asset Sergio Aguero at Vicente Calderon as a bid for the player from Chelsea edges closer to the Spanish club's £50 million valuation.

The Stamford Bridge side, under the new management of Carlo Ancelotti, are readying an offer of £38m plus a player - Deco, according to The Daily Mail. It is believed the inclusion of the Portuguese playmaker is to compensate for the £12m difference.

Aguero, affectionately nicknamed 'El Kun' due to his likeness to a Japanese cartoon character - Kum Kum - is just one prong of a trident being targeted by Chelsea for summer recruitment.

The club have been relatively inactive in the market thus far, having signed Ross Turnbull, Daniel Sturridge and Yuri Zhirkov; yet Aguero, along with Bayern Munich attacker Franck Ribery and AC Milan midfielder Andrea Pirlo, have also been sounded out for potential switches.

Prior to captain John Terry's decision to declare his desire to remain at Stamford Bridge, he requested assurances that the club's ambitions matched his own, to which owner Roman Abramovich implied that Chelsea had been operating in the market, only for their estimations of the players to fall just short of the selling club's valuation. A £100m budget is reportedly the amount that Ancelotti has to play with.

The Blues will face competition for Aguero should negotiations for the highly-rated forward reach an advanced stage, as Manchester United are also keen.


Deco will favour a return to Spain, where he helped sustain the name he made for himself at FC Porto with Catalan outfit Barcelona, as he has struggled to establish himself in Chelsea's line-up.

Report: Chelsea Plan £100m Raid For Ribery, Pirlo & Aguero

Source: Owen Watson, Goal.com

Chelsea are planning to submit bids for Bayern Munich's Frank Ribery and Athletico Madrid's Sergio Aguero, according to a report in The Daily Mail.




Roman Abramovich is set to make a signal of the club's intent following club captain John Terry seeking assurances from the Chelsea hierarchy that the club would seek to bolster their ranks.




The report states that manager Carlo Ancelotti wants Milan's Andrea Pirlo to play in the holding midfield role in his diamond formation, with a fee of £12m plus Claudio Pizarro being mooted as possibly enough to persuade the Italian giants to do business.




Chelsea are then set to battle it out with Manchester United for the signature of Aguero, who is rated at £45m by his current club, Athletico Madrid. It is claimed Aguero was seeking wages of £200k a week to move to the Premier League, and this had initially cooled Chelsea's interest.




Meanwhile, the club are also planning to offer more than £40m to tempt Ribery to Stamford Bridge, and believe Bayern Munich will be tempted into selling as the transfer deadline approaches. Bayern had previously insisted Ribery would see his contract out at the club.

Carlo Ancelotti is Chelsea's new Special One, according to Blues midfielder Frank Lampard

Source: Sportsmail Reporter (Dailymail.Co.Uk)

Frank Lampard has heaped praise on new Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti, revealing that the Italian has already forged a close relationship with the players and changed the way they are approaching the new season.
The former AC Milan coach has a proven track record when it comes to winning major trophies and Lampard feels the players are desperate to win major silverware once again.

Lampard said: 'Carlo Ancelotti has been very impressive. He has many strengths but, for me, being very close with his players and being very organised are the main ones.
'Recently we have been working very much with the organisation of the team. We know ourselves that we need to have organisation in the team, from the start, front and back.
'Once we have that base and that quality, we can score goals and create goals all the time. It [training] has changed this year.

We did quite a lot of running without the ball last year, this year there is a lot more run­ning with the ball and a lot more football-based stuff.
That’s something players always want to do, especially if they can bring something new into their game.
'From the first day I came back we were playing small-sided games, keeping posses­sion and working with the ball, so there has been a nice mix of working hard and playing football.

Chelsea still in the hunt for Franck Ribery despite Bayern Munich's £80million price tag

Source: Jeremy Wilson (Telegraph.Co.Uk)

A bid in excess of £40 million from Chelsea has already been turned down and, while the FA Cup holders may be prepared to table a fresh offer, few in football would regard Munich's latest price-tag as realistic.

"Should Bayern just give Ribery away?" said Franz Beckenbauer, the Bayern president. "We naturally want what the market demands and if a Cristiano Ronaldo is worth 94 million euros [£80 million] then Ribery is worth a similar amount. If this is not being offered then he will just have to stay with us as he has a contract until 2011."

Werder Bremen, meanwhile, still hope to sign Claudio Pizarro from Chelsea, despite the Peruvian recently stating he wants to fight for his place at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea have also made an inquiry for Portsmouth goalkeeper Asmir Begovic as they seek to find further cover for Petr Cech following the January sale of Carlo Cudicini to Tottenham.
Begovic, though, is extremely highly regarded at Portsmouth, who see him as their long-term replacement to David James. They intend to send Begovic on loan next season so that he can play regular first-team football.

That is the reason behind this week's move for former Southampton and Fulham goalkeeper Antti Niemi, who retired last year because of a wrist injury. Niemi, who has worked previously with James's goalkeeping coach David Coles, would be happy to simply provide experienced backup for the England international.

After shoulder surgery, the reports are positive regarding James's recovery and he is confident of being available for forthcoming England duty.
Portsmouth are also close to agreeing a loan deal for Amr Zaki, as well as adding former Liverpool defender Steve Finnan and Croatia striker Nikola Kalinic.

I Want Chelsea To Win The Premier League Again - Frank Lampard

Source: Adithya Ananth, Goal.com

Frank Lampard has marked his target as winning the Premier League this season.Although the Chelsea midfielder admitted that the Champions League is still a substantial presence on his to-do list, he remained resolute as he said that there was no contest when it came to choosing which of the two honours he would rather have.“For me, it is the [Premier] League,” the 31-year-old declared on the club’s official website.“I grew up watching the Premiership, and the League before that, and it's a lovely feeling to be the best team in your country, and I want to get that back.“The Champions League is definitely something I want to win at least once in my career, but for me the League is where we need to get to the consistency levels we had a few years ago.”The England international went on to elaborate on the days of glory under Jose Mourinho, before explaining that the Pensioners’ team spirit is presently on a high.“We now need to get back to winning ways in terms of the League, we were dominant for two years and now Manchester United have been playing fantastically for three years,” he reminisced.“But now there's a real feeling between the players that, although winning the FA Cup was great this year, we want to go that one step further and get consistency in the League back and then push for the Champions League.”The Blues have had a promising pre-season, winning every game they have played, scoring eight goals and conceding only one in the process. They return to England after triumphinh in the World Football Challenge in America

Ancelotti's diamond won't be Joe Cole's best friend at Chelsea

Source: Matt Barlow (Dailymail.Co.Uk)

Carlo Ancelotti's midfield diamond seems to be here to stay but it leaves a big question mark over Joe Cole's future at Chelsea.

Manager Ancelotti insists Cole is a player he admires and someone capable of slotting into his preferred formation on either the left or right, or behind the strikers

But the England midfielder has been out injured since January, missed the intensive pre-season work on the new system and, not for the first time since joining from West Ham, faces a fight for his place.

Ancelotti said: 'I like football, so I know everything about Joe Cole. He is perfect to play behind the strikers, the same position as Frank Lampard, for example.

'He can also play on the left or the right and, when he's well, I want to try this. He is very good at playing in a small space and is a good dribbler. I will wait until he's recovered from injury and then try him.'
Cole is still three weeks away from action after more knee surgery last month. His contract runs out next year and talks on a new one have been delayed by Chelsea's US tour. Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, who nurtured Cole at West Ham, will watch events unfold with interest.


Cole, 27, insists he has no desire to leave Chelsea and is keen to sign a new deal. He has faced similar situations before and forced his way back into the reckoning, most notably when he converted himself into a hard-working left winger to win a place in Jose Mourinho's line-up.

Realistically though, he is not going to oust Lampard from the tip of the diamond, the natural place for his undoubted talents.

Ancelotti has decided this is the best place to use Lampard's tireless running and goal touch and has given him considerably more game time in pre-season than others to get used to the role.

'Lampard is very good behind the strikers,' said Ancelotti. 'He moves well without the ball and works hard defensively.'

Michael Essien, John Mikel Obi and Michael Ballack, when he resumes training after a toe injury, will compete for the positions at the diamond's base and on the right, and rumours are rife in Milan that Chelsea are moving for Andrea Pirlo. Milan coach Leonardo last night denied knowledge of any mooted deal involving £8.6million, plus Claudio Pizarro and Michael Mancienne on a year's loan.

Franck Ribery remains another big-money Chelsea target, which cannot help Cole's prospects, while on the left, a position he once made his own for club and country, the England man faces stiff competition from £18m new boy Yuri Zhirkov and the reborn Florent Malouda.

Nicolas Anelka backing Chelsea to take advantage of Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez leaving Manchester United

Source: Sportsmail Reporter (DailyMail.Co.UK)

Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka is hopeful his side will have the measure of Manchester United this season now Cristiano Ronaldo is no longer at Old Trafford.

The Blues have had to play second fiddle to United in recent seasons, with Sir Alex Ferguson's men winning three successive Barclays Premier League titles


Chelsea are aiming to halt that run this campaign, and claim their first league trophy since 2005/06.

And Anelka believes the transfer of Ronaldo to Real Madrid, plus the departure of Carlos Tevez to Manchester City, could be just the boost United's rivals need.

'United are still a strong team and Ferguson is a good manager who knows what to do, but I don't think they'll be as strong this season,' said the Frenchman.

'Ronaldo has gone, Tevez has gone, and maybe that will give us more of a chance to win this title and to be stronger than United.


'We have a strong squad this year and everyone is together, so we'll have a better chance.

'It will be a tough title race. All the teams at the top are very strong, and even Manchester City have some good players.

'Because United have lost two big names, it gives everyone else - including ourselves - a big chance to win it. We will fight until the end and see.'

Mourinho: Chelsea have won nothing since I left

Source: Tribalfootball.Com

Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho has taken a pop at former club Chelsea.

Mourinho told the Daily Mail: "I had many conversations before Chelsea and I decided on a divorce. It was difficult because we loved each other but the relationship went in one direction and it was best for everyone.

"Since I left I became champion again but they have not been champions again. I keep winning and they don't."

Mourinho led Inter to another Serie A title last season and wants to bring the Champions League to the club 54 years after their last European Cup success.

He said: "I have a project in hand and I am very excited. When I went to Chelsea the big obsession was to win the Premier League after half a century. At Inter winning the Italian League is very important but we have something else on our minds."

Nicolas Anelka: Chelsea are a threat to Manchester United

Source: Jason Burt in Arlington (Telegraph.Co.Uk)


Having completed their pre-season tour to the United States on Sunday night, attention for Chelsea switches to domestic matters with Nicolas Anelka claiming they can mount a more serious challenge to Manchester United who, he believes, have been weakened by the summer's events.

"I don't think Manchester United will be as strong this season because (Cristiano) Ronaldo has gone, (Carlos) Tevez has gone and maybe that will give us more chance to win this title and to be stronger than United," Anelka said. "United are still a strong team, (Sir Alex) Ferguson is a good manager who knows how to do it and they will be like they are every season – very strong. But maybe this season because we have a strong squad and everyone is together we have a better chance."

Travelling across five different time zones, and criss-crossing the United States, may not appear to be ideal preparation and the Chelsea players have admitted to tiredness from their exertions over the past 11 days. But victories against Seattle Sounders and, more impressively, Inter Milan and AC Milan, before Sunday's fixture here against Club America, have helped to breed confidence under the new manager Carlo Ancelotti. The John Terry transfer saga has overshadowed events somewhat but there is a sense of cohesion and of capitalising on the belief that interim manager Guus Hiddink instilled during the second-half of the last campaign.

"We finished last season strongly and got better as the season went on," Anelka said. "Now we just have to keep going like we did and I think that will give us a great chance of winning the league. I think we are stronger going into the season. We have a more settled squad and a manager who believes in us. We haven't changed many players this summer which means we are settled."

There is also a new system to adapt to – and with two strikers, ahead of a diamond in midfield – it is one that Anelka, naturally, welcomes especially as it appears that, in the absence of any more signings, he will be first-choice to partner Didier Drogba in attack. "I think we can be the best partnership in England because we are strong together as a pair," Anelka, who finished last season as the Premier League's top scorer although he, at times, failed to convince especially in the big games, stated.

"I always want him to score, he wants me to score and we like to play together and we will get chances to score. What is possible is to win the Premier League because if I play with Didier we will both get chances to score from each other. We have a good understanding."

That hasn't always been apparent. Luiz Felipe Scolari struggled to make the pairing a success while Hiddink preferred to play Anelka in a wide position as part of a front three. It helped that Drogba, struggling with injury and disillusioned under Scolari, was finally fully fit. "When I signed for Chelsea I always thought I would play with Didier and I wanted to play with Didier. He wanted to play with me as well and overall last season I think we did well as a partnership," Anelka argued. "Now we have the chance to start the season together up front to score goals and play well together."

Like several other Chelsea players, Anelka believes that big-spending Manchester City – one of his former clubs – will provide an intriguing threat to the traditional top four. Indeed Anelka is in the fairly unique position of having played for three of the current top four, having started his career in England at Arsenal and spent time on loan at Liverpool. "I think it is going to be a tough title race," he said. "They are all very strong, even Manchester City have some good players. I think they will be competitive and it will be hard to beat them. It will be hard for them to win the title but they have big players.

"I was surprised Ade (Emmanuel Adebayor) went to Man City. Maybe he wanted something more from his career. I played for them and I know it is a good club. In the last three or four seasons Arsenal have been challenging for the title, so maybe Adebayor thinks with City and their big money and buying a lot of players he has more chances of winning the title."

With Daniel Sturridge signing from City, and scoring on his debut while also fitting in well, Ancelotti will now attempt to move on some of his other strikers. Both Andrei Shevchenko and Claudio Pizarro can leave while the manager will consider whether to send Franco Di Santo out on loan – he is wanted by Blackburn Rovers. Another player who may be surplus is Salomon Kalou who has featured little on this tour.

Chelsea Two Good For Club America

Source: Mike Maguire, Goal.com

Chelsea claimed a 2-0 win over Club America in Arlington, Texas, thus sealing their place atop the standings in the World Football Challenge.

It was the English who had the first clear chance of the game, and early on too. A dangerous cross from Salomon Kalou gave young Daniel Sturridge a glorious opportunity in the ninth minute - but the new boy's touch let him down and the effort looped over.

It didn't take America long to get into the game, however, and they gradually won the ascendancy as Enrique Esqueda, in particular, gave the Blues' back line a headache or several.

The young Mexican attacker was ubiquitous as America began to slice through the Londoners, especially down the flanks, and could have put his side ahead in the 22nd minute. His side-foot shot, though, bent agonizingly wide.

Chelsea picked up their intensity as the half progressed, however, and were clearly the dominant side as the whistle neared. Kalou hammered a Florent Malouda set-piece into the woodwork in the 35th minute, and Ricardo Carvalho did the same just moments later.

Still, it was goalless as the interval arrived. Carlo Ancelotti made a number of changes for the start of the second 45, with Andriy Shevchenko replacing Daniel Sturridge, Franco di Santo on for Scott Sinclair, and Hilario making way for Ross Turnbull.

The two sides traded some promising, but ultimately fruitless, attacks after the restart - Shevchenko getting involved for the Pensioners, CA sub Joaquin Marquez threatening to open things up at the other end.

Chelsea, who had thus far been untroubled by set-pieces, were lucky not to concede from such a play just after the hour. Salvador Cabanas couldn't quite get his head on a looping free kick, which proceeded to ricochet off the upright.

And yet it was Ancelotti's men who, on 75 minutes, got the breakthrough. Ashley Cole - only just introduced - fed Malouda, who then found Di Santo streaming through the America defence to poke home from close range.

Three minutes later, it was 2-0, as the assistant and scorer of the first goal exchanged roles. The young Argentine cut back towards Claudio Pizarro, who left it for Malouda stroke into an unguarded net.

Their spirits shattered, the Mexicans could not find an answer as Chelsea maintained their advantage to claim top spot in the World Football Challenge.

Terry confirms commitment to Chelsea

Source: (UKPA)

Chelsea captain John Terry has confirmed he is "totally committed" to the Stamford Bridge side.

The England skipper, 28, has responded to persistent reports linking him with a big money move to Manchester City by releasing a statement in which he insists he has never contemplated leaving Chelsea.

"There has been a lot of speculation recently about my future and I want to clear this up once and for all," his statement read. "I am totally committed to Chelsea and always have been."

He continued: "Chelsea have also made it clear to me consistently that there was never any intention to accept any kind of offer."

Terry admitted to having a high regard for City boss Mark Hughes but decided to make public his determination to stay with Chelsea after "numerous discussions" with owner Roman Abramovich convinced him that the Russian's ambitions matched his own.

The statement went on: "When you are linked with any club or with a manager who I have huge respect for, it will always make headlines but me leaving Chelsea was never a possibility.

"I know there has been comment that I should have made a statement earlier. However, throughout this period there have been numerous discussions between myself, the owner and the Chelsea board and we all agreed that the timing of any statement would suit everyone involved in those talks, not any outside influences or agendas.

"What is clear to me following those discussions is that Chelsea's ambition remains as high as ever. This has been further proved by the appointment of Carlo Ancelotti. I am certain that he will take this club on to the next level.

"Another important factor was knowing that Chelsea would be securing key current players for the long term. The strengthening of the squad around this core is crucial to pushing us on to greater success.

"I am as committed as ever to helping drive Chelsea forward and I will be proud to lead the team as long as I can."

John Terry Annoyed By Chelsea Pressure

Source: Gill Clark, Goal.com

Chelsea captain John Terry is reportedly angry with his club for insisting he break his silence over his proposed move to Manchester City.

The Sunday Mirror claims that the England skipper feels pressurised by the Blues to speak out over his future and confirm that he wishes to remain at Stamford Bridge.

The report goes on to say that Terry is still unsure where his future lies and certainly, “has not given the club assurances he will remain Stamford Bridge.”

The news comes on the same day that Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti spoke out, yet again, about his skipper.

Speaking on the club's pre-season tour of the United States, the Italian insisted Terry would stay and urged the club’s fans to trust him that this would be the case.

Meanwhile, back at the Sunday Mirror, the tabloid quotes a close friend of the player as saying that the defender will not make a decision about what he intends to do until he returns to England.

“JT doesn't want to speculate about his future until he returns to England on Tuesday and has time to speak to his family and his advisers,” claims the paper’s informant.

“But it appears Chelsea seem to think harassing him at every given opportunity and giving misleading briefings to the media will force him into submission.”

I'm above Sir Alex Ferguson's mind games says Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti

Source: By John Cross 25/07/2009 (Mirror.Co.Uk)



Carlo Ancelotti last night warned Sir Alex Ferguson he will not get caught up in his mind games.

And Chelsea boss Ancelotti told his Manchester United rival: "Little things worry little minds."

United boss Ferguson has used mind games to great effect to wind up Rafa Benitez, Arsene Wenger and Kevin Keegan in the past.

But Ancelotti says he has already made friends with Ferguson and will be able to handle himself - setting his sights on winning the Premier League and Champions League Double in his first season.

Former AC Milan boss Ancelotti said: "Little things worry little minds. I don't care about that.

"It's not something that bothers me. What I worry about is getting the team ready, preparing the team to beat my opponents, to win against Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal.

"That is my objective. In the Champions League semi-final (Milan won in 2007), I got on well with Alex Ferguson.

"We drank some very nice red wine together after the match, it was a surprise for me because usually in Italy the coach of my opponents is usually angry if they've lost.

"But with Alex, it was a good moment and he happily drank some wine with me after the game."

Ancelotti believes he can lead Chelsea to glory in his first season in charge and added: "I want to win the Premier League or the Champions League - or maybe even both. It won't be easy but we will try to do it."

Away from the pitch Ancelotti is every inch the proud Italian, but admitted he is already learning to love English cooking, like fried breakfasts.

He said: "I like the cinema. My favourite films are the Godfather series, one, two and three but I like the first film the best.

"I also like Once Upon A Time In America. I haven't seen the Sopranos. I like The Deer Hunter. My favourite actor is Robert De Niro. I haven't met him - but maybe he will come to Chelsea one day!

"I like England. I have no problem with English food. English food is roast beef and you have very, very, very good breakfasts.

"In Italy it is only coffee and brioche. I even had Yorkshire pudding the other day and I thought it was really good. I can eat it but the players can't! Their diet is more controlled than mine."

Ancelotti took David Beckham out for dinner to his favourite restaurant in Parma by way of a thank you after the England captain spent the end of last season on loan at AC Milan. Frank Lampard, John Terry, Ashley Cole et al can all expect a dinner invitation, too, as Ancelotti made it clear that he wants to be close and on first-name terms with his players.

It is impossible to imagine Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson allowing their players to call them by their first name.

But it will be a different, more relaxed attitude at Chelsea.

Ancelotti said: "Usually I like to be called boss but some players like to call me Carlo. In Italy, they usually called me Mister. It's not a problem.

"But discipline is another thing. I have my rules and I will enforce them. But I want to respect the players and I want to earn respect from them. So if they want to call me Carlo, that's no problem."

Ancelotti studied English for six months - he claims just to learn another language - before taking over at Chelsea and, when he struggles, his assistant Bruno de Michelis prompts him in perfect English.

Former Italy international Ancelotti, 50, won the European Cup twice as player and coach with AC Milan where he worked for eight years under Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. Ancelotti smiles when asked about the comparisons between Berlusconi and Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, as both men like a hands-on approach.

Berlusconi famously wrote an open letter to Ancelotti in Italian newspaper La Gazetta Dello Sport urging him to be more attacking and told him to play with two strikers.

Ancelotti added: "For the coach, the most important thing is to have the support of the owner. Nothing else matters. Berlusconi supported me for eight years and now Roman is supporting me as I do my work.

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"Berlusconi never said to me to pick one player or another. There's different ways of interpreting that letter because he saw Kaka as an offensive midfielder and I saw him as a striker.

"Roman is looking for a much clearer personality for the club, something he can point to and say: 'this is our identity.' This is what I was told should be my goal, to find a clear identity for the team.

"In this team, there are top players. I like their quality, I like their mental attitude. Above all, I like the English players. Terry, Lampard, Ashley Cole (left). I also like Didier, Petr, they all have a very good mentality.

"If you have these English players, it's much easier to build an identity for the club because of their fantastic mental attitude.

"I want to do my work with all my strength and this is my objective. I also want to build up the club over a long time because the club has very solid foundations.

"They have very good players, very good facilities and the staff are all very professional. There's the possibility to build and to stay here for many years.

"Milan has a history and a big tradition. Chelsea is a new club. I would like to create a new history and tradition for the club.''

Kerber and Black are on holiday

THE MANAGERS THAT FERGIE'S GOT TO ..

ARSENE WENGER

The Arsenal boss has kissed and made up with Fergie, but the pair have often clashed in the past.

Things turned sour during Pizzagate, when the United boss was hit by food thrown by an Arsenal player. The incident followed United's 2-0 victory and the Gunners boss said: "I will never answer any questions any more about this man."

RAFA BENITEZ

After a spell in his sick bed last season, Benitez clearly had enough of listening to Fergie's complaints about the fixture list.

And in his now infamous rant Rafa said: "One solution is Mr Ferguson organises the fixtures in his office and sends it to us and everyone will know and cannot complain. That is simple."

KEVIN KEEGAN

The then-Newcastle boss clearly lost the plot in a classic post-match rant as the Magpies title hopes slowly slipped away.

As Fergie's United overcame Newcastle's 10point lead at the top to close in on the Premier League title, the pressure finally told on Keegan and he unloaded his legendary "I'd love it, just love it if we beat them" outburst.

My heart's telling me JT will stay

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti believes John Terry will pledge his future to the club within the next 48 hours.

The Italian is convinced skipper Terry will snub Manchester City's £240,000- a-week offer and sign a new deal at Stamford Bridge.

Ancelotti said: "Terry is a symbol for what he does on the pitch and what he does when we're all together. He is a leader, he leads by example.

"It's better to not only have one leader but others who have the same objectives and professionalism. But it's great to have such a captain as Terry. I feel it in my heart that he is staying."

Chelsea tops AC Milan, 2-1

Source: Kevin Van Valkenburg (THEBALTIMORESUN.COM)

It's probably accurate to say that the final score of Friday's World Football Challenge match between Chelsea Football Club and AC Milan at M&T Bank Stadium wasn't particularly important. At least not nearly as important as the selling of "the beautiful game" to American fans, both those in attendance and those watching on television.

Officially, Chelsea walked away a 2-1 winner in the exhibition, primarily thanks to a well-struck blast by striker newcomer Yuri Zhirkov in the 69th minute. Zhirkov, the Player of the Year in Russia's Premier League in 2008, was making his debut for the club after signing a three year, $29 million contract this month.

But the sellout crowd of 71,203 just as likely walked away dazzled by a number of balletic plays by Milan striker Ronaldinho or the acrobatic play in the net by Chelsea goalie Petr Cech. On a night when organizers fretted about the weather, the traffic and the prospect of a scoreless tie, Chelsea and Milan delivered a spirited and at times intense contest that featured several flashes of the kind of play-making that has made soccer the most popular sport in the world.

It was not perfect. Not by any means. But if watching Ronaldinho execute a bicycle kick that just misses or seeing him bend a free kick that deflects off the crossbar doesn't get you hooked on soccer, probably nothing will. So in that sense, the event was a success.

"We have many thanks for all the fans in the USA because the atmosphere was beautiful," Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti said. "Both teams played well, and it was a good match."

Said Milan coach Leonardo: "I think it was very exciting for the future of America and for soccer. It was very good for us to be here, and I think football here is very, very important. People play soccer and want to know about soccer here in America. To see them follow us is very good."

Fans didn't have to wait long to see why the teams are regarded as two of the best in the world.

In the seventh minute, Chelsea forward Didier Drogba gathered a pass from captain John Terry, and with a motion a fluid as a hammer striking a nail, he drilled a shot in the far corner of the goal -- the upper 90 -- past the outstretched arms of Milan keeper Zeljko Kalac for a 1-0 lead.

Drogba, who was nearly 35 yards from the net when he launched his right-footed blast, ran to midfield and was engulfed by his teammates as the crowd roared in appreciation.

Moments later, it was Ronaldinho's turn to dazzle the spectators. Although once regarded as perhaps the world's best player, famous for his golden shoes, pony tail and entertaining Nike television commercials, Ronaldinho, 29, suffered through something of a disappointing season last year with Milan. That led to questions about the Brazilian superstar's age and his commitment to the game.

But against Chelsea, he looked like the player of old. Although Ronaldinho didn't find the net during the match, he delivered flair and excitement nearly ever time he touched the ball, including the most exciting near-miss of the game. Cech had just stopped a hard shot from Milan forward Andrea Pirlo when Ronaldinho hammered a bicycle kick back at him. The ball struck the back of teammate Marco Boriello's left shoulder, though, and Chelsea was able to clear.

In the 38th minute, Ronaldinho did help get his team on the board, leaving a beautiful touch pass for his teammate Clarence Seedorf in front of the box, and Seedorf ripped a shot that sneaked just under the crossbar to tie the score at 1.

It was an beautiful example of Ronaldinho's soft touch in traffic. He left Seedorf with just enough space to gather himself and boot the ball without breaking stride. Ronaldinho didn't stop to speak with reporters after the game, but it was clear he was pleased with his play. Fans of both Milan and Chelsea rose to their feet to offer appreciation when he was removed from the game in the 79th minute.

"I'm really happy for our performance because we stayed in the match for 90 minutes," Leonardo said. "We created a lot of situations, a lot of chances on goal. I'm real happy, not with the score, because we lost, but with our performance."

Chelsea's attack, however, was a bit too much for Milan in the end. Zhirkov's goal came on a deflected shot after Chelsea forward Andriy Shevchenko made a nice spin move to get open on the right side of Milan's defense, forcing Kalac to make a dramatic save. The ball ping-ponged around in front of the net until Zhirkov one-timed a low line drive that Kalac couldn't reach.

"He is a very good player," Ancelotti said. "It was not surprising [to see him score so quickly]."

Shevchenko's handful of nice plays were a bit of a surprise considering he didn't start, didn't enter the game until the 64th minute and is rumored to be on his way out of West London. The Ukrainian was once regarded as one of the world's best strikers, and he is still the fourth-highest scorer in the history of European club soccer. When he played for Milan from 1999 to 2006, he was highly coveted by Roman Abramovich, the Russian billionaire who bought Chelsea FC in 2003 and vowed to spare no expense to make it the best club in the world.

But Shevchenko's time with Chelsea has been a massive disappointment, to the point where the club lent him to Milan for most of last season. Zhirkov was signed in part to replace the firepower Shevchenko failed to provide.

Milan defender Oguchi Onyewu, who grew up in Silver Spring and attended Sherwood High in Olney, didn't start in front of his family and friends. But he did enter the match in the 67th minute and nearly tied it during injury time with a header on a corner kick. His attempt sailed just wide of the goal, but it earned him a noticeable roar from the crowd and some post-match kudos from his coach. He's a sign that American soccer is gaining credibility with the rest of the world.

"I think that football is more and more international," Leonardo said when asked about Onyewu. "If he's a good player, like 'Gooch' showed today, with a good style, it would be very good to have him. [Onyewu] is a very nice guy, a smart guy. If we find a guy like him, we try to sign him."

Chelsea's Carlo Ancelotti plans to bring John Obi Mikel out of shadows and into the limelight

Source: By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 12:27 PM on 24th July 2009 (DailyMail.Co.UK)

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has been singing the praises of Blues midfielder John Obi Mikel as he attempts to transform the youngster from a promising prospect into the finished article.
The Nigerian international joined the club three years ago for £16m from Lyn Oslo but at times has shown only glimpses of his true potential.
But his new Italian manager clearly feels Mikel could have a huge say in whether or not his reign at Stamford Bridge is a success or a flop.


He says Mikel has great technical and creative ability, and is capable of becoming the playmaker of the team. In fact, upon closer inspection, many comparisons can be made between the two stars.

The Italian knows what it’s like to be overshadowed in a team full of high-profile players. As a combative midfielder, he was often overlooked when it came to handing out the plaudits during his playing career at AC Milan, where he won two European Cups.
While Ancelotti had Ruud Gullit and Marco van Basten hogging the headlines, for Mikel it is Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba.

The 49-year-old clearly sees something of himself in Mikel, but more significantly for Chelsea, he also sees an unappreciated talent who could lead the club to glory.
The Italian said: 'I have a lot of trust in Mikel, I think he can be the playmaker of this team. He is a young player, but has great quality, both technical and tactical.
'For the present and for the future he is a very important player for us. We are very happy he has signed a new contract and I hope that he stays at Chelsea for a lot of years.

'I would like that he puts in his great quality for the team.'

Such praise can only be good for a player’s confidence and for Mikel, it has made him aspire to become more of a dominant force in the Premier League and in Europe.

And as far as he is concerned, he couldn’t wish for a better coach to help him achieve his goals.
Mikel said: 'He was a great player himself and it is a great honour that he sees something in me.
'He says I am a player with great qualities, but thinks I can be even better. It is going to take a bit of time, but I am going to work very close with him to make it happen.
'He likes the fact I am strong and can play with the ball, but says that I still need to add more things to my game — if I do that then he thinks I’m going to be fantastic.

'Hopefully things are going to go well and he will bring out the best in me.

'I have worked with him for two weeks and we are trying to get to know the formation he wants to play.
'Before the season starts we are all going to be mentally focused and we’re going to get the system right. The team wants to win titles and this is why he is here.'
For Mikel, there could be no better role model and he is already full of respect, as well as some envy, for his new boss.
So far he has picked up two FA Cup winners’ medals and one in the League Cup for all his efforts, but it is the kind of success Ancelotti has tasted in the Champions league which he craves.
He said: 'The manager has won it twice as a player and as a manager and I really envy him for that.

'We have come close so many times and I think that is why the club have brought him here, to take us to that final step.
'I haven’t talked to him yet about what it’s like to win the Champions League, but I hope he will have a big impact on my career.
'The way he has come in and the ideas he has as to how to set the team up, I think we can win everything.'
Ancelotti’s first task though is to continue Chelsea’s winning momentum on their preseason tour and tonight they face his former club AC Milan in Baltimore where new million signing Yuri Zhirkov could make his Chelsea debut.

Chelsea's Deco looks for new lease of life under Carlo Ancelotti

By Jason Burt in Baltimore (Telegraph.Co.Uk)

On Chelsea’s pre-season tour last summer – as they travelled around Asia – it appeared that Deco was to be the man to provide the art that the team lacked. He was to be their pass master. Adding the missing brushstrokes; that extra colour.

Deco seemed rejuvenated, after being left jaded and disillusioned as he was pushed out by Barcelona, and also relieved to be managed by Luiz Felipe Scolari, the coach who had promoted him into the Portuguese national team. At £8 million it was hoped that Chelsea had gained a creative bargain to add an extra dimension.

It didn’t work. The early season promise faded, badly, while injuries also took their toll. Deco was marginalised and wanted out of the club when the campaign ended. It appeared that another of his former managers, Jose Mourinho, who had helped Deco make his name at Porto, where the pair had won the European Cup, would offer him an escape route. But a deal for him, and fellow Portuguese international Ricardo Carvalho, has stalled. The latter has been told he has to now stay at Chelsea and the former says, however reluctantly, he wants to do so also.

I’ll be here. I have a contract,” Deco said on what he hoped would happen before the season starts. “I talked with the manager [Carlo Ancelotti] of course when he arrived. We talked a lot about things, about the game, about what he was thinking about the team, the tactics. Like I said, I will be here and I will do my best.

“The important thing is for me to start well and keep at the same level and play well all season, not just at the beginning like last season. And don’t have the injuries. That’s what I’m hoping for.”

Last season – he declares it the worse of his career – was, indeed, marred by injury for the midfielder, who is 32 next month, and who has had a history of problems in recent campaigns.

“The last season was difficult for me. I had many injuries. I played a few games. I didn’t like last season. I hope this season will be different. I’m happy to play. Every player needs to play and wants to play. I hope this season I don’t have the injuries and can play the way I know.

“It wasn’t just the injuries but when you have four injuries in the same year it is difficult. You recover and get fit again and, straight after, another injury. It’s so difficult. I don’t like to make excuses but I hope to work hard and start this season playing well. I hope I can show fans what I can do. I’m happy to be here. The club is good, the atmosphere around it is good. I like being here. I just need to play and be fit. To play and do my best for Chelsea.”

So far on this pre-season tour to the United States, Deco has started both games – playing in two different, specific positions which are crucial to the way that Ancelotti wants to set out his team. The Italian is hoping to use a diamond formation in midfield and against Seattle Sounders last Saturday, Deco played at its base as the holding midfielder. Against Inter in Pasadena on Tuesday, he was at its tip as the link to the two strikers.

Too much may be read into his presence in the team. It’s still possible that Deco may depart this summer, despite his publically stated intention to stay and, privately, it’s understood he’s extremely upset by the collapse of the move to Inter. The slower tempo of the Italian game would suit his style while the lifestyle in England has not been to his liking. Other clubs have also made inquiries and, if Ancelotti signs the creative player he desires, it could be that Deco, at the very least, goes out on loan.

However Deco maintains it was “the right decision” to join Chelsea and also shrugs off the disappointment that Scolari, his mentor and father figure, was sacked last February. He had a good relationship with Guus Hiddink also, he said, who had wanted him to play, but injuries held him back.

Meanwhile Didier Drogba, who is set to sign a three-year contract at Chelsea at the end of this tour, said he would “love” to now end his career at the club.

“I told you before, a year ago now, that I was going to stay and nothing has changed,” the 31-year-old striker said. “If there was speculation about me leaving it was not from me. I am happy at Chelsea so I am enjoying the games.”

However Drogba was unhappy under Scolari, when he was left out of the team. “It is football and managers have to take decisions and it doesn’t always suit everyone but I waited for my chance to be back on the team and I knew I would get a chance and I am delighted to be here,” he said.

Chelsea face Ancelotti’s former club, AC Milan, in Baltimore on Friday.

Ancelotti Instrumental In Securing John Terry's Chelsea Future - Report

Source: Arjun Miglani, Goal.com

A source close to Chelsea has revealed that Carlo Ancelotti played a major role in securing John Terry's stay at the club.

Although no official announcement has been made yet, Terry is expected to commit his future to the Blues in the near future.

According to The Sun, it was Ancelotti who was determined to keep Terry at the club. They quote a 'source close to Ancelotti' as saying, "No one asked Carlo to get involved in the Terry situation but he wanted to find out what was in the player's heart."

He then revealed that Terry had had a meeting with Ancelotti during their first training session, continuing, "That meeting was very important as it made Carlo go back to the directors and ask what the solutions were.

"At that point, though, the club did not seem willing to make the first move so Carlo decided to get more information before going any further."

According to the source, Ancelotti then asked the squad what the impact of Terry leaving would be, and having learned of the huge damage to morale it would cause, he instructed the board to make sure their captain stayed at the club

John Terry is expected to announce he will be staying at Chelsea

Source: Dominic Fifield in Pasadena guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 22 July 2009 23.00 BST

John Terry has reached an agreement in principle to remain at Chelsea despite persistent interest from Manchester City, with the England captain expected to reaffirm his commitment to the club publicly before the weekend.

Terry maintained his silence on City's interest in the wake of today's comfortable 2–0 victory over Jose Mourinho's Internazionale at the Rose Bowl, in which he was one of two players to feature for the full 90 minutes. But he departed the stadium saying he would speak "very soon" on the matter. Both Peter Kenyon, Chelsea's chief executive, and Roman Abramovich, the club's owner, are in the United States as the club's four-match tour progresses, with Terry having spoken to both over the last few days.

Chelsea have indicated a willingness to renegotiate the player's contract, aware that City – whose £30m bid was rejected out of hand this month – were prepared virtually to double his £135,000-a-week salary over a five-year deal if he swapped Stamford Bridge for Eastlands.

However, Chelsea will wait until Terry has delivered his public statement of commitment before moving to secure the defender on improved terms. His representative is not due to travel to the US, suggesting nothing will be signed before the team return after Sunday's game against Club America in Arlington, Texas.

The club's hierarchy have consistently remained confident and "relaxed" on the issue over the last few weeks, despite City's conviction that the England captain could still be prised away to join the swathe of players recruited by Mark Hughes this summer. Carlo Ancelotti insisted in the build-up to the game against Inter that he expected his captain's future to be resolved within "one week", while Terry's team-mates are confident he will stay. "He's our captain and we need him," said Didier Drogba. "We know he's going to stay with us and win more trophies."


While Chelsea are unlikely to report money-flushed City for any illegal approach for Terry, the Manchester club's interest – and the fact that the defender was clearly tempted on some level to consider a move there – should make next season's confrontations between the sides intriguing. Not that all in Chelsea's ranks are hoping they labour next term.

Ashley Cole expressed admiration for Manchester City's ambitious moves in the transfer market this summer and even joked that he hoped they ousted his former club, Arsenal, from the Champions League places.

"This year might be tough for them but, next year, you never know given the guys they are buying," said the England full-back. "The players they are bringing in are good quality. You never know – they may just gel, click, straight away and it's magic. But you won't really know until you see them play. I hope they do. I have friends there and I hope they do really well – and they finish above Arsenal."

That was delivered with tongue firmly in cheek, though Chelsea's own sights are set higher than merely a place in the top four. "Some players here might want to win the Champions League but, for me, winning the Premier League again is my main aim for the season," added Cole. "That's the best trophy to have. It's the best league to play in and that feeling you have when you win it makes you realise it's a great achievement for any club.

"It makes the players proud. It's a tough old season in the Premier League and it's only getting harder so, if you win the title, you are true champions. Sometimes, the best team doesn't always win the Champions League. It depends more on how you play on a certain day. In the league you have to play consistently well."

That remains the challenge for Ancelotti, who saw Drogba and Frank Lampard, from the penalty spot, dismiss Mourinho's Inter in Chelsea's opening game in the World Cup Challenge in front of 81,224 supporters at the Rose Bowl. The Italian is set upon giving his team the identity Abramovich thought they lacked at times last season but, despite winning Serie A only once in his eight-year reign at Milan, believes he can secure domestic silverware en route.

"I think I can win the Premier League for Chelsea," said the Chelsea manager. "I am here for this [reason]. I am here to win and to play well. But it's not only the victory that is important. I want to put entertainment into the team. Our style of play is very important. It's too early to put my stamp on this team, but I have time to do this and I think it's possible."

Chelsea and Manchester City to prise Liverpool's Xabi Alonso from Real Madrid

By Telegraph staff
Published: 10:31AM BST 22 Jul 2009


Alonso joined up with the Liverpool squad this week for their Far East tour with his future at the club still uncertain and the two Premier League clubs are set to end weeks of speculation by making an offer for the £35 million-rated midfielder, according to the Express .

Alonso met manager Rafael Benitez and the Anfield squad in Vienna after flying from Spain - where he got married last weekend - following weeks of speculation that he was about to join Real Madrid
Alonso is flattered by the interest shown by Real Madrid, even if he has little say in where he ends up playing next season.

"The fact that Real wants you is always nice, above all, taking into account where I am in my career. But I've already said, at this point, what could happen is not my decision," Alonso said. "We will have to see what happens."

Alonso, however, said he was open to playing for the Spanish club, which has already spent more than £180 million on Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Karim Benzema.

Roma, meanwhile, say that Liverpool are on the move for midfielder Alberto Aquilani as a replacement for Alonso.

Benitez refused to take questions on the future of Spanish midfielder Alonso this week. Alonso arrived with the squad for an exhibition match against Thailand taking later today, and Liverpool's local supporters have left him in no doubt that they want him to remain at Anfield.

During a promotional event Tuesday at a Bangkok shopping mall, more than 250 fans chanted his name and waved banners reading "Alonso Please Stay". He acknowledged the fans but made no comment about the transfer talk.

Chelsea beats Inter Milan, 2-0, at Rose Bowl

Source: By Grahame L. Jones, On Soccer
July 22, 2009

Didier Drogba as goal scorer? Sure. Happens all the time.

Drogba as peacemaker? Not so common, but it happened at the Rose Bowl on Tuesday night.

Drogba as fantasist, inventor of surprising passes and superlative moves? Sure. Apparently there isn't much the Ivory Coast international is not capable of doing on a soccer field.

Tormentor of referees? User of sometimes shocking language? Yes, also true, but there are few who would claim Chelsea's 31-year-old striker is not worth the price of admission.

On Tuesday, 81,224 showed up in Pasadena's Arroyo Seco to watch Drogba and the rest of the Blues defeat Italian champion Inter Milan, 2-0, in a first-rate international friendly.


Drogba scored the first goal, combining vision with touch to steer the ball just inside the right post from 30 or more yards a mere 10:22 into the match.

Frank Lampard grabbed the second goal, confidently stroking a penalty kick past Vid Belec, Inter's 19-year-old Slovenian goalkeeper, in the 50th minute after Inter's Ivan Cordoba had been called for handling the ball.

It seemed a harsh call by referee Ricardo Salazar because Cordoba had turned his back on the play when the ball struck him. He did not appear to intentionally handle the ball.

But back to Drogba.

There isn't a soccer fan who will not remember him from May's run-in with Norwegian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo after Chelsea had been knocked out in the semifinals of the European Champions League by eventual champion Barcelona.

Scenes of Drogba's wild-eyed tirade against the referee were beamed around the world. Viewers in Britain were also treated, much to their surprise, to the colorful language he used.

Drogba was given a suspension for that meltdown and will miss some of Chelsea's early Champions League matches in the upcoming season that begins next month.

On Tuesday, however, he was keeping the peace.

About 20 minutes into the game, as both were chasing the ball, Lampard sent Inter Milan defender Nicholas Burdisso crashing head-first into the advertising boards to the right of the goal.

Burdisso was ready to take Lampard on right there and then, but Drogba intervened and the incident was over.

Quicker to the ball, smoother in its passing and closer to its Aug. 15 English Premier League season opener than Inter Milan is to its own Serie A opener a week later, Chelsea carried the game to the Italian champions.

Not surprisingly, Drogba was involved in most of the first-half highlight moments.

He looked to be in mid-season form, and perhaps he is because reports Tuesday suggested that, rather than being traded away as was rumored earlier this year, the veteran forward is about to sign a contract extension with Chelsea.

New Coach Carlo Ancelotti, who has moved over to Chelsea from AC Milan, must like what he sees in Drogba.

Inter Milan Coach Jose Mourinho, who coached Chelsea to two Premier League titles before being released in 2007, could have told Ancelotti of Drogba's quality.

"It's easy for a coach to work with a player that has this type of character," Mourinho said this year, "because he is someone born to work, to win, to be loyal, a friend, a team player."

Drogba played only the first half Tuesday, but that was enough for the largest crowd to see a soccer game in Southern California since the U.S. defeated China in the 1999 Women's World Cup final, also at the Rose Bowl, and the biggest for men's soccer since the 1984 Olympics.

Roll on, the new European season.

Didier Drogba to sign new deal as Andriy Shevchenko nears Chelsea exit

Source: Dominic Fifield guardian.co.uk, Tuesday 21 July 2009 23.00 BST

Carlo Ancelotti anticipates Andriy Shevchenko leaving Chelsea before the end of the transfer window, though Didier Drogba has informed the manager that he will sign a new three-year contract on his return from the team's pre-season tour of the United States.

Chelsea travelled to the US with seven recognised strikers in their 26-man party, including Shevchenko and Claudio Pizarro who spent last season on loan at Milan and Werder Bremen respectively. Ancelotti indicated after the 2-0 victory against Seattle Sounders that he hopes to field two forwards in games in the season. With the young signing Daniel Sturridge having already impressed in training and on debut against the MLS side on Saturday, Ancelotti feels he boasts the firepower to unsettle opponents next term.

Given the options the manager already boasts, Shevchenko is expected to move on ahead of the new campaign. Dynamo Kiev and Fenerbahce have expressed interest in securing the Ukrainian, who has a year to run on his £130,000-a-week contract, with the club to hold talks with the forward on the team's return to London.

"For now, Shevchenko works with the team and plays with the team," said Ancelotti. "He's a [Chelsea] player now until 31 August and then, together, we will make a decision. I speak to Shevchenko every day and the situation is this: he's with us until 31 August and then we take a decision together. But I don't know what will happen as the club has not received any offers."

Ancelotti intends to trim his squad ahead of the new season from the 27 who have featured in the US – Michael Ballack has returned home with a toe injury, while Yuri Zhirkov has linked up with the party – to a more manageable number, although those cuts will not include the winger Florent Malouda who has signed a new three-year contract.

"It would be better to have 23 players, but now I want to see them, people I don't know very well," he said. "There will be less players [at the start of the season], but 24 or 25 is not a problem."

Confirmation that Drogba, a player revitalised by Guus Hiddink's brief tenure last season, intends to remain at Stamford Bridge was anticipated, but will be welcomed by the management team nevertheless. The Ivorian was admired by Ancelotti while he was at Milan and, when fit and focused, remains a potent weapon.

"Drogba is a very important player for us and we want him to play for Chelsea," said Ancelotti. "I think he's irreplaceable as no other striker in the world can do the same job. I've spoken with Drogba and know very well what he wants. I believe in Drogba and told him this. He told me he's happy to stay."

There is an assumption that Drogba and Nicolas Anelka will be the first-choice forwards under the Italian, though Sturridge has already shown flashes to justify Chelsea's efforts in prising him away from Manchester City, much to Mark Hughes' frustration. The fee for the striker has still to be decided by a transfer tribunal – City are seeking up to £10m for a player they nurtured in their youth academy – but Ancelotti already considers him in his senior-team plans for the season ahead.

"He's a young player and has good quality and we expect him to have a very good season," added Ancelotti, who will also see Mikel John Obi, Ashley Cole and Joe Cole sign new contracts before the start of the season. "He's [Sturridge] started very well. To score a goal in the first game [against the Sounders] and that's good for us and good for him. He will improve and has to improve. He has a lot of quality as a striker who is quick and intelligent with his movement for others – I like that. It's important that he improves, but he's a good striker for Chelsea and will be in the first-team [squad] this season.

"He's not a star. He's a young player, a very good player. But it's a good sign that he wants to improve. We have a lot of strikers at this club, but he is young and we believe in young players at this club."

Meanwhile, Malouda revealed that, despite signing a new contract, he will have to adapt to a new system with Ancelotti preferring a diamond formation up front. "This year he wants to try the new system with a diamond so I have to adapt myself and that is why we are training really hard to do what the manager wants," Malouda said.