Chelsea doc upbeat over Cech injury

Chelsea doctor Bryan English believes Petr Cech could soon make a playing return.
The keeper needed 50 stitches in a cut below his lip during a two-hour operation on Sunday.
English said: "It's looking quite good. The stitches are to come out in about three to four days' time.
"It was the depth of the cut which was the concern."

Chelsea's Essien disappointed to miss Anfield leg

Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien admits he's disappointed with himself for getting booked against Fenerbahce on Tuesday.
The Ghana star is now suspended for the Champions League semifinal first-leg against Liverpool and said: "I was annoyed when I got booked against Fenerbahce but now I think maybe it helps a little bit because imagine if I was booked in the second leg of the semi and I missed the final.
"I would rather play in Moscow! So maybe it is worth it, though I love playing at Anfield.
"It's a very special place to play but I will just have to wait to play in the home leg."
Essien was part of the Blues side eliminated by Liverpool in a penalty shootout in last season's semi-final. And he reckons the pain he and his team-mates still feel will help them go one better this time.
He confessed: "It hurt a lot. To lose at the last match before what could be the biggest game of your career - a Champions League final - is very, very painful."

Chelsea's Essien: Mourinho keeps in touch

Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien has revealed former manager Jose Mourinho still keeps in touch.
The Ghana midfielder said: "He was the person who put his faith in me and done a lot for me. We stay in touch though we don't talk about football that much.
"He's a good man who does not forget people he cares about and he sends good-luck texts before games.
"I expect he'll send one before the Liverpool game."

Chelsea investigate Drogba laser attack

Chelsea are investigating a laser attack on Didier Drogba during last night's Champions League victory over Fenerbahce.
Club staff spoke to the striker after witnesses claimed a Fenerbahce fan aimed a green laser at Drogba.

Chelsea's Lampard ready for latest Liverpool showdown

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard admits there's unlikely to be any surprises ahead of their Champions League semifinal against Liverpool.
"It's amazing how often we have been in this situation," he said after victory over Fenerbahce last night. "We have been to Liverpool, we know everything about them and they know everything about us. It will be a tough game and it's important we show the same concentration we showed yesterday."

Chelsea keeper Cech insists he'll be back before season end

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has rejected suggestions that he might be ruled out for the rest of season and Euro 2008 through injury.
Cech has been forced to undergo surgery to his lips and chin following a collision with team-mate Tal Ben Haim in training on Sunday.
The Czech Republic international was reported to have had 50 stitches in the wounds with widespread reports in England suggesting the injury could sideline him for the remainder of the season and possibly this summer's European Championship finals in Austria & Switzerland.
"I might possibly be back in two weeks. It depends on what the plastic surgeon will say to me," said Cech.
The Chelsea goalkeeper has been playing with protective head-gear for over a year and will now have to look for some extra protection.
"I believe we will soon find a way of protection to allow me to return to training. Then everything will depend only on me.
"It is not that serious.
"It is all about finding a solution to prevent a further tearing of the wound. But I believe that it will be sorted out and I will return to action as soon as possible. Doctors are positive as well, it should not be a big problem."
Cech admits he is unaware of how many stitches he required after the collision.
"I don't know how many of them are there," added Cech. "During the two-hour surgery I was sleeping and afterwards I did not ask anyone. It is important for me to see the result. And it is much better than when it happened. The plastic surgeon did a great job."
Recalling the incident, Cech admitted it was just bad luck as the keeper was closing in on a return to fitness after an ankle problem.
"It was simply bad luck, in training there are fifty such situations," noted Cech.
"It is a little bit frustrating as I was ready for a game and now this comes.
"Hopefully, I have all the bad luck behind me and everything will be okay for some time on."

Inter offer cash, Adriano for Chelsea's Drogba

Inter are battling AC Milan for Chelsea striker Didier Drogba.
Drogba has only just purchased a new apartment in the centre of Milan, which has sparked a transfer scramble by the city's two big clubs.
Inter are ready to offer Chelsea a swap involving Adriano - plus £7 million cash - in exchange for the Ivory Coast star.

AC Milan president Berlusconi wants Chelsea's Sheva, Drogba

AC Milan want Chelsea strike-pair Didier Drogba and Andriy Shevchenko.
Shevchenko has already secured an agreement with Blues owner Roman Abramovich that he will be allowed to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the season.
Milan president Silvio Berlusconi is ready to welcome back Sheva and will also move for his teammate Drogba. The Ivorian has only just purchased a new apartment in Milan close to property owned by Shevchenko, which has fueled talk of an imminent move to Italy.
Berlusconi is willing to cough up £17 million to land Drogba.

Barcelona ace Henry's minders contacted by Chelsea

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has made a move for Barcelona striker Thierry Henry.
Abramovich has had Blues representatives contact Henry's minders for an update on the Frenchman's situation at the Nou Camp.
The former Arsenal captain still has a house in London and admits he regards the city as "home". Chelsea coaching staff have no concerns over Henry's struggles at Barca this season and are convinced he would soon recapture his best form if he was to arrive at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea draw up contract offer for Barcelona's Xavi

Chelsea are chasing Barcelona midfield ace Xavi.

Chelsea have already drawn up a four-year contract offer for Xavi to consider as the end of the season draws near.
The midfielder has just over two years left on his current Barca deal, which carries a £100 million buyout clause. However, that drops to £40 million for any foreign club.

Chelsea's Carvalho: Fenerbahce defeat would be disaster

Defeat to Fenerbahce would be a "disaster" for Chelsea, admits defender Ricardo Carvalho.
He said: "It would be a disaster to fail at home and I believe what happened last week was an accident.
"We are playing to our best level this season at the moment and can overcome them.
"They play with a Brazilian style because of their coach and it is hard to cope with their movement, but we can win the game and we want to do so convincingly so we are confident for the semi-final."

Chelsea accept Cech out for season

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech is out for the season.
Cech needed 50 stitches in a gashed face and cosmetic surgery following an accidental collision with Tal Ben-Haim.
A Blues source told The Sun: "We could tell right away it was very serious by the way big Pete went down and the amount of blood. This one looks like it will end his season.
"It was horrific and everyone feels terrible for him. He's been really unlucky with injuries this season."

Kalou admits Chelsea can't afford to slip up

Salomon Kalou admits Chelsea cannot afford to drop any points if they're to pip Manchester United for the Premiership title.

The two sides meet at Stamford Bridge on April 26 in a clash that could decide who wins the Premier League crown.
Kalou, who scored in the 2-0 win at Man City on Saturday, reckons they cannot drop points before the Stamford Bridge meeting.
He said: "There are still games to go and there is always hope.
"We still have to play Manchester United at home, so we still believe in the title.
"But in the end we have to win every game before we meet United."

Chelsea boss Grant: Fenerbahce clash won't decide my future

Chelsea boss Avram Grant insists tonight's Champions League clash with Fenerbahce will not decide his future.
"How many times have you asked me this question this year?," he asked. "My answer is the same. This is my job and every time you ask it, you get the same answer.
"I need to do my job and I focus on the game tomorrow. What is best for me is to win the game and be in the next round. I cannot think about this before every game."

Chelsea's Ballack confident of success against Fenerbahce

Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack believes that his side's 2-1 defeat to Fenerbahce in Istanbul can be overturned in London.
He said, "We saw that against Olympiacos as well, south Europeans are very fanatical supporters.
"It's the way they follow their team, it's fantastic for them. But we have a good stadium with a nice atmosphere too."
The German believes that his team are more than capable of clawing back an aggregate advantage over the Turkish outfit.
"We are every strong at home, we have a good record at home but we have to concentrate over 90 minutes," Ballack warned.
"Our first leg defeat? It was important we scored but when you see the game we should have won it. We are disappointed but we have a good chance in the second leg.
"It was a strange game. I played well, we fought well, we controlled the game, we went 1-0 up, and it looked like we would win.
"But sometimes you do not concentrate for one second and it changes the game. That happened. It is disappointing at the moment but we have to look forward and we have everything in our own hands."

Freak injury setback for Chelsea keeper Cech

Chelsea keeper Petr Cech underwent surgery on Sunday following a training ground accident that left him with lacerations to his lip and chin.
The freak injury occurred when team-mate, defender Tal Ben Haim, struck the Czech international in the face with his studs.
The Stamford Bridge club added: "Petr will begin his rehabilitation immediately and we hope to have him back playing as soon as possible."
Cech has been out of action since the beginning of March with an ankle injury suffered in training.

Grant hints Lampard pricing himself out of Chelsea stay

Chelsea boss Avram Grant has hinted Frank Lampard is pricing himself out of a new contract.
When asked about the contract deadlock, Grant said: "If you want to stay on your newspaper and your newspaper doesn't want you, then you will not stay. But if your newspaper wants you and you want to stay, then it's a matter of money. Maybe you think you deserve more, maybe they think you deserve less. Everyone thinks they should deserve more and for a player it's ok, it's reasonable.
"In every club in the world there is negotiation between the club and big players. But as long they want each other I think, at the end of the day, they will find a way. I'm happy that both sides want each other. I know the club wants Frank and Frank wants to stay."

Zico: Chelsea more defensive under Grant

Fenerbahce coach Zico says Chelsea have become more defensive under Avram Grant.
The Brazilian legend said: "Chelsea became a more defensive team after Jose Mourinho left. They used to know exactly what they wanted. They used to mark in the opponents' half of the pitch, apply pressure and show high levels of confidence. Now I see Chelsea more restricted to defence, waiting for the moment to counter-attack. They are obviously still very dangerous, because of the quality of their players."

Chelsea determined to land Sulejmani ahead of Real Madrid, AC Milan

Chelsea are ready to close a deal for Heerenveen's Serbia winger Miraelem Sulejmani.
Chelsea are aiming to sign Sulejmani, 19, before the interest from Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter and AC Milan grows stronger.
Sulejmani, rated at £10 million, has hit 14 goals in 25 games, but he is under contract until 2010. Chelsea want to buy him and loan him to PSV Eindhoven, a similar arrangement to that with Brazil centre-half Alex.
Sulejmani's agent Mihael Stankovic said: "He's playing very well and a lot of clubs want to sign him. Chelsea were here again at the weekend."

Chelsea boss Grant steps up Huntelaar pursuit

Chelsea are stepping up their pursuit of Ajax striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.
Chelsea boss Avram Grant has stepped up his interest in Ajax's £25million-rated striker Huntelaar - but will face competition from Real Madrid.
Huntelaar, is the top scorer in the Dutch league and has 69 goals in 86 games for Ajax. He is being lined up by Grant as a summer replacement for Didier Drogba.
Chelsea are set to splash out on strikers as Drogba - increasingly frustrated following the departure of Jose Mourinho - is likely to leave at the end of the season.

AC Milan coach Ancelotti again doubts return for Chelsea's Shevchenko

AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti has again cast doubts on any return for Chelsea striker Andriy Shevchenko.
After victory over Cagliari yesterday, Ancelotti commented: "I am a Coach and therefore make tactical evaluations. Ronaldinho is a great player, despite his difficult campaign.
"We have made a big investment on Alexandre Pato and he has similar characteristics to Shevchenko. It would be wiser to go for a different type of player, but that does not mean Pato and Sheva couldn't play together."

Chelsea boss Grant hopeful of Cech return

Chelsea boss Avram Grant says Petr Cech could be fit for the return-leg of their Champions League quarterfinal against Fenerbahce.
The Czech Republic international has been struggling with an ankle injury for a few weeks but Grant claims he is on the brink of full fitness.
"Cech had made a lot of improvement and we need to see where he is at the end of the recovery period," Grant said.
"He is better than 50-50, he is almost ready. It will be a medical decision. But we have other goalkeepers who have done a good job this year."

Malaysian pair Bakhtiar, Umar in dream Chelsea trials

Malaysian youngsters Badrul Bakhtiar and Bunyamin Umar are set for a two-week trial with Chelsea.
The two 20-year-olds are considered Malaysia's brightest talents and left for London on Friday to train with the Premier League side.
Both are youth internationals for Malaysia and impressed during the Champions Youth Cup in 2007, an Under-19 tournament which featured national and club teams like Malaysia, Juventus, Milan and eventual winners Manchester United.
Bunyamin captained the Malaysian team which held Chelsea to a 0-0 draw in the group stages, and Badrul was a standout striker throughout the tournament.

Chelsea boss Grant: We will push Man Utd all the way

Chelsea boss Avram Grant was delighted with their 2-0 victory over Manchester City.
The result at Eastlands narrowed the gap at the top of the table to just two points ahead of the Red Devils' clash with Middlesbrough.
On putting his managerial counterpart Sir Alex Ferguson under pressure, Grant said: "For the past three months we have won almost 80% of our league games.
"That is the record of champions and we have come a long way when you consider a lot of clubs were ahead of us during the season. But United are also doing well. I do not think, though, they will win until the end of the season. We will just carry on doing our job, like we did today.
"It is good to win first, ahead of United. But I expect a good result for them tomorrow."
Chelsea got off to perfect start and took the lead after only six minutes.
Michael Essien raced forward for the visitors and slipped a pass to Nicolas Anelka on the right.
He swept it into the area and City skipper Richard Dunne got his bearings wrong, toe-poking his attempted clearance beyond goalkeeper Joe Hart.
The home side bossed the rest of the first half but failed to make their possession pay.
Chelsea took advantage and Salomon Kalou extended their lead in the 53rd minute.
He latched on to a through ball from Essien and rounded Hart to find the corner with his effort for his 11th goal of the season. Anelka almost added a third in the 55th minute only for his header to come back off the bar following a cross from Frank Lampard. It was just the response Grant was looking for following the Champions League first leg defeat by Fenerbahce in midweek.
He gave key players like Didier Drogba and Ricardo Carvalho a rest ahead of the return match on Wednesday.
Grant said: "You cannot play some players in three games especially when you come back from Turkey. Your body is not a machine and some players need more rest than others. I am pleased with the result today. I am always happy when we win.
"We started well but Manchester City came back at us. They have good team and a good manager.
"City put on a good show in the first half but we played better in the second period and could have scored more."