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.”