Ballack to his best

Michael Ballack has been in impressive form of late, and explains that he is feeling confident ahead of today's trip to Sunderland.
Ballack has featured prominently for Chelsea since returning from injury in late 2007, and has impressed just about everybody with his form since, chipping in with a number of superb goals.
In 17 games, the German captain has contributed five goals, and his partnership with Frank Lampard appears to be flourishing in central midfield.
Not surprisingly, Ballack is content with life at the moment, and hopes to be smiling come 5pm tonight, after our visit to Sunderland.
'I'm happy, I feel good, I had a lot of games so I feel quite confident and yes, I hope it holds on, because the big games are coming. In the big competitions these last weeks are important,' he explained.
With ten games to go there are still plenty of points to play for as we look to overturn a five-point deficit from league leaders Arsenal.
That starts at the Stadium of Light, where we come up against a side managed by former Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane.
'I think they will always be well organised, because he was a tough player, with a lot of experience and so I think he would give the same attitude as a manager to his players,' Ballack said. 'So, we expect a very difficult game, with a lot of battles and challenges.'
Ballack came up against the Irishman in the 2002 Champions League semi-final while at Leverkusen, and is hoping to go one better this year with Chelsea and win the competition, having been beaten by Real Madrid in the final that year.
'I think Chelsea has never played against Fenerbahce, so it's always good if you have an exciting game against an exciting team, especially away,' he said.
'We expect a very difficult game, with some crazy fans, but its always good if you can play the second game at home and we hope we can get into the next round.'

Zola has Chelsea manager ambitions

Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola admits he wants to manage at Stamford Bridge.
"I would be crazy to say no," he said."Let's put it this way, one day I would like to be good enough to manage Chelsea. It is in my heart. Mr Abramovich has been very good to me and asked me a couple of times to go back to Chelsea to work but what's the point of going there and not having anything to do for the club? The way I see it is that I want to go there when I know I can give something back to the club.
"I have been working for just one year, not as a manager but as an assistant to Casiraghi, so I can't really say I am good enough to be the manager of one of the best teams in Europe. I need to improve and my experience with the Under-21s has been very good. I have learned a lot in a year and a half and I hope I will carry on this way."
Zola maintains a good friendship with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and admits they've spoken about a return to London.
"As far as I know, he seems quite calm. Apparently," admitted Zola. "If I was Roman Abramovich and spending so much money obviously I would ask for something back. Probably I would want to win or at least try to win and get close. That would be my first idea. It seems that every time I speak to him or look at him on TV he looks quite relaxed. He looks to win but he also wants to see good football. He enjoys good football and I think he wants to be entertained. There's nothing wrong with that.
"I have always approached my job that way too. I don't go on the pitch just to win. I know there are people watching and they want to enjoy the game. As much as possible I try to get the balance. To get the results and also make it enjoyable."

Chelsea's Anelka: I could still be in Liverpool colours

Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka has defended his brothers, Claude and Didier, for their roles in a career which has spanned eight clubs.
"One lives in Miami and the other one stayed in Madrid," Anelka said.
"The stuff about my brothers is, how do you say, legend. I think it was said because I was young and I don't think people could believe that someone so young could decide they wanted to move. So they tried to suggest it was my two older brothers influencing me.
"But when I had to leave Paris Saint Germain and move to Arsenal, I made the decision.
"It was the same when I left Arsenal. You can ask Arsene Wenger. He came to me and asked me if I wanted to go to Real Madrid. I said I did. And my brothers were not there. Real Madrid was the biggest club in the world at the time and I wanted to move there.
"When Michael Owen went to Real Madrid it was okay. When David Beckham went to Real Madrid no one turned on him. But when I went it was like I had killed someone.
"And yet one year later Petit and Overmars went to Barcelona and nothing like that happened to them. And remember, Arsenal bought me for £500,000 and sold me for £23m. I don't think I did anything wrong.'
Anelka insists his brothers have only ever acted on his wishes. But at 29, which he was yesterday, he now accepts it might not have been wise to move on.
"I was very young at Arsenal and at Real Madrid and maybe I didn't realise the chance I had," he says.
"At that age you have nothing in your life to measure it against and you don't think so much about the future.
"It wasn't my intention to play for eight clubs in 10 years. I didn't want to move again and again and there were times when I wanted to stay where I was. Had Liverpool wanted to sign me on a permanent deal I think I would still be there."

Ronaldinho urges Chelsea's Lampard to choose Barca

Ronaldinho has urged Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard to quit London and join him in Barcelona next season.
Lampard is already being courted by Italian giants Juventus, but Ronaldinho wants Lampard at Barcelona - who have sounded out former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho about the possibility of succeeding Frank Rijkaard as boss.
Ronaldinho said: "Frank Lampard is a great player and he has shown that at Chelsea for many years. Obviously I would like to have him at Barcelona."
Lampard's partner Elen Rives is Spanish, and he has said he wants their two children to be bilingual - fuelling speculation he would welcome a move to Spain.

Liverpool, Chelsea tracking Schalke's Rakitic

Liverpool and Chelsea are chasing Schalke 04 midfielder Ivan Rakitic.
The 19 year-old attacker has intimated he's ready to move to a bigger competition next season and has been watched by Liverpool and Chelsea scouts in Champions League action this term.
"I just want to join a team which will help me grow as a player," said Rakitic.

Gattuso backs AC Milan to land Chelsea's Sheva, Drogba

Rino Gattuso hopes AC Milan can re-sign Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko - and Didier Drogba.
"If the club wanted to sign Shevchenko, he would be a good addition," Gattuso said at the presentation of FIFA Street 3. "He hasn't succeeded to play at the top of his abilities in England, but if he returned he would have such a great hunger and would be good for the atmosphere.
"I have heard that Sheva doesn't want to return, but the important thing is that we bring in a top striker and other champions.
"Didier Drogba is the kind of man who can make the difference and Luca Toni is also a match-winner."

Lampard advisor: He can leave Chelsea for £5M

Frank Lampard is in the dark over whether Chelsea want to keep him.
Lampard's advisor Steve Kutner admitted: "We're feeling left in the lurch and beginning to worry that Chelsea don't really want Frank.
"As things stand, he can leave in the summer for £5million under FIFA regulations or can sign a pre-contract with a foreign club in nine months' time and leave for free."
Kutner added: "His priority is to stay with Chelsea - so it is not difficult to understand why he is desperate to get it sorted out now.
"It's no secret that Jose Mourinho would love to team up with Frank again but the fans have got to understand that it is not Frank who is holding everything up.
"We were promised a definitive, final offer in January and we've still not heard a word from Chelsea."

Two Chelsea stars caught out by police

Two Chelsea stars have been caught committing the same crime - talking on a mobile phone at the wheel of a car.
Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard were not bothering with seatbelts either as they drove away from Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night with phones clamped to their ears after a 6-1 win over Derby, which featured four goals from Lampard.
But they both risk being hauled up by police and issued with a �60 fine, and up to six points on their licence, for the double misdemeanours.

Sevilla's Alves hopes "Chelsea train" passes again

Sevilla fullback Daniel Alves has declared he's ready to leave in the summer.
Chelsea and Tottenham have been linked with the Brazil international, who was also watched by Manchester United chief scout Martin Ferguson last month.
Alves remains upset at missing out on a move to Chelsea last August and said: "I think it will be difficult for that train last year to come round again. But I'm sure there'll be other trains passing that will be good for me.
"The president has his opinion and I have mine. I believe the price he demanded was too much for a wing-back. The president has always said no player is essential."

Chelsea, Inter Milan won't go higher than £30M for Aguero

Chelsea are stepping up their bid for Atletico Madrid star striker Sergio Aguero.
Chelsea and Inter Milan are both competing for the Argentina international, whose buyout clause was recently hiked up to £37 million.
Italian sources say Blues owner Roman Abramovich is willing to go as high as £30 million for Aguero, though neither he nor Inter president Massimo Moratti are willing to meet the striker's get-out clause.
Atletico president Enrique Cerezo has declared plans of a major overhaul for the current squad, which could force the sale of El Kun if coach Javier Aguirre fails to guide his team into the Champions League places this season.

Man Utd, Chelsea monitoring Valencia's unsettled Villa

Manchester United and Chelsea are ready to pounce for Valencia striker David Villa.
Villa is unsettled at Valencia after a disappointing campaign and the fallout from a raft of controversial decisions from coach Ronald Koeman.
United chief scout Martin Ferguson has watched Villa in action in recent games, while Chelsea football chief Frank Arnesen rates the Spain international highly.
Villa has made it clear to his representatives he won't contemplate another season settling for mid-table mediocrity.

Mourinho rep denies England's return

Jose Mourinho's representative has all but shut the door on a return to England for the ex-Chelsea manager.
Eladio Parames said: "Papers mention the Liverpool job, too, but Mourinho has had no contact there, either. Definitely he will be managing a top-flight club in Europe next season."
Mourinho is tempted by the prospect of managing in Spain or Italy, but is unlikely to return to England.
"Quite often Jose says to me, 'Everyone links my name to the clubs in trouble, but the truth is that I remain without a job and I'm getting used to the speculation'.
"Why does he prefer Italy or Spain rather than England? Because he wants new challenges. He is not banned [a clause was made in his settlement with Chelsea that he could not manage another Premier League club this season].
"Those leagues [Italian and Spanish] play a different style and he is attracted to this challenge. It does not mean that he will not return to England. He can do."

Chelsea boss Grant denies Diego link

Chelsea boss Avram Grant has played down reports linking them with a bid for Werder Bremen star Diego.
The Chelsea manager said: "Chelsea are linked with so many players it is impossible to comment every time, but sometimes it is necessary to protect the players we have.
"I can say we have no interest in this player. He is a good player of course, but he is not being considered."

Grant confident Lampard will stay with Chelsea

Chelsea boss Avram Grant is confident four-goal Frank Lampard will sign a new contract with the Blues.
After their 6-1 thrashing of Derby, Grant said: "Frank came back very well after his first injury and then he got injured again.
"Now he is back again and we need to protect him because sometimes he feels something.
"He has scored more than 100 goals and I think he will score 150 for Chelsea, I am sure of that.
"Any player who plays like this is not easy to replace but he is a very important player for the team.
"He can score and he can also defend. The situation with Frank has not changed.
"The club wants Frank and he wants to stay so nothing has changed. As for the negotiations, that is not my area.
"We plan something for next season and I can tell you that Frank will stay at Chelsea, I am almost sure about that. But when I speak with the players it is between them and me."

Agent: Chelsea, Man City can match Modric price

The agent of Dinamo Zagreb star Luka Modric says Chelsea are closing in on the Croatia star.
Marko Naletilic said "Luka is a fantastic player. He is already among the best in the world. What seems certain is that you won't see him in Italy. Dinamo Zagreb calls for at least £17 million, a figure beyond the reach of any team in Serie A.
"I think that for Modric the doors of the Premier League could open. Among many clubs, there are Chelsea, which have been following him for some time now. But there has been movement recently from Manchester City."

Real Madrid discuss bid for Chelsea star Drogba

Real Madrid directors are locked in talks over a potential move for Chelsea striker Didier Drogba.
Real's board are discussing whether to make an offer for the Ivorian, who has just turned 30 this week. Should they decide to push through with their bid, Real would also splash out on a younger forward to act as cover for Drogba and the 32 year-old Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Real know Chelsea won't stand in Drogba's way should a major offer arrive for the prolific striker in the summer. But the player's age remains an issue for certain directors.

Chelsea, Arsenal must cough up £12M for Caceres

Chelsea and Arsenal know they must cough up £12 million to win the race for Villarreal defender Martin Caceres.
Villarreal sporting director Jose Manuel Llaneza claims Chelsea have made an £8million bid for the 21-year-old centre-half.
But Real Madrid and Arsenal have also been tracking Caceres after he was chosen as the best defender in the Copa America Under-20 tournament last summer.
Chelsea have made the first move, even though their valuation is below Villarreal's £12m asking price.
Caceres, on loan at Recreativo Huelva, said: "I am calm and nothing will affect my game. I have heard the rumour about Arsenal but I haven't spoken with anyone from the club."

Chelsea to raise £60M from player sales

Chelsea's summer clearout could raise over £60 million.
Owner Roman Abramovich has ordered a brutal purge of fringe players - and with several top stars such as Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard also set to depart, Chelsea will see their squad ripped apart at the end of this troubled campaign.
Winger Florent Malouda, signed for £13m last summer, will be allowed to leave if the right offer comes in, as will £4m full-back Juliano Belletti, while long-serving goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini, at fault for Barnsley's winner, is another who will be told he can go. Steve Sidwell, Claudio Pizarro and Tal Ben Haim will also be shipped out.
Ukrainian misfit Andriy Shevchenko, who has drifted further and further out of contention this year, may well rejoin former club AC Milan, while veteran Claude Makelele is expected to retire at the end of the season.

£25M Diego emerges as prime Chelsea target

Chelsea are ready to offer £25 million for Werder Bremen star Diego.
Chelsea are going for the Brazil international as fears grow that Frank Lampard will refuse to sign a new contract at the end of this season.
Diego was watched by scouts from all over Europe at Ibrox last week where Bremen lost 2-0 to Rangers in the UEFA Cup.
Last season's Bundesliga Player of the Year scored Brazil's injury-time equaliser in the friendly against England at Wembley nine months ago.
He is under contract to 2011 but Bremen - second in the German league - will find it difficult to refuse a big-money offer.
An insider said: "There is a lot of talk going on around the club about Diego.
"There is loads of interest across Europe but Chelsea are the most likely to come up with the money."

Chelsea fear losing Lampard in summer

Chelsea fear losing midfielder Frank Lampard in the summer.
Chelsea already have Werder Bremen ace Diego lined up as Lamps' replacement as he continues to baulk at opening new contract talks.
A club insider said "Frank's one of our most loyal players yet, unbelievably, there is still no sign of a new contract, even though we all know he can go on a Bosman soon as he has one year left on his present deal."
"Now there's a real fear the club are ready to lose him and bring in a Brazilian who has no experience of the English game."

Chelsea make bid for Villarreal's Caceres

Chelsea have made an offer for Villarreal defender Martin Caceres.
Real Madrid made an enquiry for him, but Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is now reported to have stepped in with a £7 million bid - though that was apparently rejected.
Caceres' buy-out clause stands at £15 million which neither Chelsea or Real are likely to go to - but the English side have not given up.
It is claimed Villarreal's sporting director Jose Manuel Llaneza flew to London earlier this month for talks with Abramovich, when the initial bid was lodged.
Villarreal have now left the ball firmly in Chelsea's court and although they are willing to talk, they are more than happy with their valuation of the player.

West Ham closer to landing Chelsea's Sidwell

West Ham United are set to land Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell at the end of the season.
Sidwell will be shown the door by Chelsea in the summer, with West Ham eager to take him to Upton Park.

Abramovich, Grant plan major Chelsea clearout

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is ready to oversee a major clearout in the summer.
If Abramovich chooses to persist with Avram Grant then there is likely to be a major overhaul of the squad this summer, starting with last year's free signings - Juliano Belletti, Tal Ben Haim and Steve Sidwell - and including Florent Malouda, who cost £13.5m from Lyons, and Carlo Cudicini.
The futures of Frank Lampard, with one year left on his contract, and Didier Drogba are also in some doubt, as both are "big personalities" in a dressing room that may need to change.

Chelsea go for £20M Atletico Madrid sensation Aguero

Chelsea are planning a sensational bid for Atletico Madrid's Argie star Sergio Aguero.
Chelsea will make a £20million-plus move for Aguero - officially the best teenager in the world.
Avram Grant's top spies have now put the South American striker at the top of their wish list, with Didier Drogba hotly tipped to move on this summer.
The 19-year-old, who turns 20 when the transfer window opens, was voted the top player at the World under-20 finals last summer where he was also leading scorer.
Magical Aguero has been on the Chelsea radar for weeks, with Grant receiving rave reviews from scouts in Madrid.
The player was also watched against Bolton in the UEFA Cup when he was sent off for spitting.
Chelsea are convinced the young genius is the star striker they want to land for next season having bagged his Argentina U-20 team-mate and close pal Franco Di Santo for £3million from Audax Italiano in January.

Anelka: We should be better than this

Nicolas Anelka has begun the post-mortem on Chelsea's FA Cup campaign by highlighting a simple truth - top players didn't produce top performances at Barnsley.
Anelka was the central figure in a three-man attack in the absence of Didier Drogba but he and his colleagues were nullified on Saturday evening at Oakwell, registering just four attempts on-target and rarely troubling keeper Luke Steele. It left the team powerless to save the game after Kayode Odejayi had headed in.
With the Blues making a habit of dealing with lower division opposition in the past decade and so few top flight clubs remaining in the FA Cup, there have rarely been more surprising nor painful defeats in our history.
However, Anelka defends the team over the most common accusation on such occasions, that they lacked application and hunger.
'We knew it was going to be difficult because they played with their lives and everyone in the dressing room was determined to win this game. Sometimes in football, things go wrong and you have to accept it.
'Barnsley played well and sometimes these results happen.
'The tactics were right,' he insisted. 'Chelsea is a big club and we should be better than this.
'The criticism must be about the players because we didn't play well and we have to accept the fact. We know the media will be after the manager but you know as players when you played well and today we didn't.'
Unlike many of his colleagues on the pitch, Anelka has yet to win his first trophy at the club. He hasn't given up hope of achieving it this season with the title race continuing on Wednesday and the Champions League draw on Friday.
'I hope we change this losing of important games and now we are talking about the double.
'We have talked about the Champions League and I think we can do it because we have big players. We will try our best to do it.'

Chelsea boss Grant accepts he faces sack

Chelsea boss Avram Grant held crisis talks with his players yesterday after their shock FA Cup defeat by Barnsley.
The Israeli summoned his entire first-team squad to training at their Cobham base yesterday, addressing his players in an attempt to discover why his line-up - without Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard who had not travelled to Barnsley as, according to the club, they were injured - failed so miserably against Championship opposition. It was damning that the home goalkeeper Luke Steele's only significant save came after 53 minutes.
Asked afterwards whether he accepted he now has to win one of the two major competitions in which Chelsea are still in contention to keep his job, Grant admitted: "I will accept it. When I am responsible for the team, and when my team loses at Barnsley, there will be many negative things said about it. On the other hand, we have two major competitions left. I am concentrating on them, not other things. But this is a massive disappointment."

Chelsea plan £10M raid for Blackburn's Bentley

Chelsea are planning a £10 million bid for Blackburn Rovers midfielder David Bentley.
Blues boss Avram Grant has been alerted to the fact that Bentley is stalling on contract talks at Blackburn, and is hoping to lure the winger back to London.
Former Arsenal trainee Bentley signed a new contract last year that ties him to Ewood Park until the summer of 2011.
But given his excellent form, Blackburn are keen to offer him an extended deal on vastly improved terms in an attempt to keep him sweet.
Rovers chairman John Williams said: "David signed a new contract a year ago but needs a new one now. I would hope we could keep a player like David Bentley happy."

Chelsea boss Grant: Cech seven days away

Chelsea boss Avram Grant expects goalkeeper Petr Cech to be out for seven days.
"He's getting better but it will take about one week more," Grant said of Cech's ankle injury.