Apna Football - Chelsea

Deepdale trip for Blues

Apna Football — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 19:05:25 GMT

Chelsea will face Championship opposition in the FA Cup for the second round running after they were drawn away to Preston in round four.

Carlo Ancelotti's men destroyed Watford in their third-round tie at Stamford Bridge, with goals from Daniel Sturridge (2), Florent Malouda, Frank Lampard and a John Eustace own goal securing a 5-0 win.

Preston also progressed to the last 32 in convincing fashion, hammering League One Colchester 7-0 in their first game since the departure of manager Alan Irvine.

The fourth-round tie will be played at Deepdale on the weekend of January 23/24.

Sturridge guides Chelsea into round four

Apna Football — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 17:00:25 GMT

Two goals from Daniel Sturridge inspired Chelsea to a 5-0 thrashing of woeful Watford at Stamford Bridge as the FA Cup holders moved effortlessly into the fourth round.

Sturridge started and finished the scoring as Chelsea produced a five-star showing against their Coca-Cola Championship opponents.

An own goal from John Eustace, a deflected effort from Florent Malouda and a thunderous finish from Frank Lampard were sandwiched in between Sturridge's brace as Chelsea dominated from the start.

Malouda "ready to look elsewhere"

Apna Football — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 16:41:33 GMT

Chelsea winger Florent Malouda admits he is frustrated at Stamford Bridge and will consider leaving if he does not get more playing time.

The France international has made just nine Barclays Premier League starts this season and has already had talks with manager Carlo Ancelotti about his discontent.

Malouda believes Chelsea would not be willing to let him go but insists he will push for a departure if things remain the same.

"Before the match against Birmingham, I talked to the coach to tell him about my frustration," Malouda told L'Equipe. "It's okay for the moment. "I still manage to be good when I play. With the rotation system I will play my 50 matches a season.

"The frustration is above all for the big games. I'm ready to look elsewhere. Finding another club is not a problem.

"But the club has closed the door to any departure, whether it be in January or in June. The coach is counting on me. We'll see from now until the end of the season."

Ancelotti proud of Chelsea's team spirit

Apna Football — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 12:16:33 GMT

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti believes the huddle at the end of the win over Fulham could prove to be a turning point for the season at Stamford Bridge.

Ancelotti's men came from a goal behind to win in their last game and turned half-time jeers into an end-of-year celebration, with Didier Drogba leading a team meeting on the pitch at the final whistle.

It was Drogba's final contribution before travelling to Angola for the African Nations Cup and his message was for the good work to continue while he is away.

They may have only taken nine points from 18 in December, but Chelsea still finished top of the Barclays Premier League heading into the new year.

"The huddle was an important moment for the team," Ancelotti said. "It's the first time that they have done this.

"I don't know what they spoke about in that meeting but it was a very good thing to have. They showed that they are a very good team."

Anelka back for Blues

Apna Football — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 12:06:33 GMT

Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka is back from a calf injury for the FA Cup clash against Watford at Stamford Bridge.

Didier Drogba, Michael Essien, Salomon Kalou and John Obi Mikel miss out as they are on African Nations Cup duty with their respective countries.

Essien (hamstring) is injured anyway, while Jose Bosingwa (knee) is also on the sidelines but Florent Malouda returns from suspension.

Chelsea's problems are over - Ancelotti

Apna Football — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 10:36:33 GMT

Carlo Ancelotti insists Chelsea's mid-season blip has nothing to do with comments from Arsene Wenger, who he has labelled a "magician" after the Frenchman predicted the Barclays Premier League leaders would drop points.

Wenger's comments appeared foolish as they came straight after his Arsenal side were convincingly beaten 3-0 by Chelsea in November, with Ancelotti's men looking like they would break away at the top. Chelsea remain at the summit at the start of 2010 but have only taken nine points from 18 since they swept aside Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

"He is a good magician if he said that after that game," Ancelotti said. Ancelotti attributes Chelsea's inconsistency to small problems that have since been ironed out.

"There is not an unbeatable team," said the Italian. "We had some problems in December and didn't win important games, drawing against Everton, Birmingham and West Ham, but it's normal to have these moments.

"Some teams had bad moments before and we had that period that wasn't so good. But we still stayed at the top of the list so we've done better than the other teams over the first six months.

"I don't know what happens in the future. Arsenal, Manchester United will be difficult opponents. But, until now, Chelsea are in first place in the Premiership and we deserve to have stayed at the top of the list."

Anelka back for Blues

Apna Football — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 09:31:33 GMT

Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka is back from a calf injury for the FA Cup clash against Watford at Stamford Bridge.

Didier Drogba, Michael Essien, Salomon Kalou and John Obi Mikel miss out as they are on African Nations Cup duty with their respective countries.

Essien (hamstring) is injured anyway, while Jose Bosingwa (knee) is also on the sidelines but Florent Malouda returns from suspension.

Ancelotti: City are title rivals

Apna Football — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 15:00:27 GMT

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti insists Manchester City are still in the Barclays Premier League title race this season under fellow Italian Roberto Mancini.

Ancelotti's side head into 2010 top of the table but suffered an inconsistent December, while City recorded back-to-back wins after appointing Mancini to take over from Mark Hughes.

Sir Alex Ferguson has predicted a two-horse race for the championship between his Manchester United side and Chelsea, but Ancelotti said: "A lot of teams will be involved in the fight for the title.

"I think the last results, the result of Manchester City above all, show they have an opportunity to return to the top four. "I don't want to forget Arsenal, I don't want to forget Manchester City or any other teams.

"I don't know if Arsenal, Aston Villa, Tottenham or Liverpool can fight for the title, but I know that to play against them is not easy.

"It's a very competitive championship, this. Staying at the top of the list, for us, for six months is a very good situation. We did a very good job in these six months to maintain this first place in the league."

Ancelotti wants to give youth a chance

Apna Football — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 09:30:27 GMT

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti insists there is money to spend at Stamford Bridge but the Italian is happy to give young players an opportunity while the likes of Didier Drogba are away at the African Nations Cup.

Drogba, John Mikel Obi, Salomon Kalou and Michael Essien are scheduled to represent their countries for the bulk of January, with Ancelotti persisting with his fringe players rather than bolstering his squad.

Ancelotti is adamant the policy has nothing to do with the club recording losses of £44.4million for 2009 and looking to break even as soon as possible.

"It's not true that the club said we don't want to buy a new player," said the Chelsea boss.

"Together, we took this decision to maintain this squad because we think this squad is a good squad, is able to play the games we have in January, and we have a possibility to give an opportunity - a great opportunity - to the young players if it's necessary.

"Why not? It's a decision that we took together. It's not true that the club don't want to buy players. If it's necessary to do this, then we can do it. It's not a question of money. Absolutely not."

Di Santo to stay with Rovers

Apna Football — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 18:40:27 GMT

Franco di Santo's loan spell at Blackburn from Chelsea has been extended until the end of the season.

The 20-year-old Argentinian forward moved to Ewood Park in August and his deal had been due to run out in January.

Di Santo has scored one goal in 15 appearances so far for Sam Allardyce's side.