Chelsea

Middlesbrough 2-1 Chelsea
Mark Viduka scored a stoppage-time goal to give Middlesbrough a shock win over Premiership champions Chelsea. Viduka picked up Yakubu's pass on the edge of the six-yard area to rifle past Blues keeper Carlo Cudicini and send the home crowd into raptures. Andriy Shevchenko scored his first Premiership goal to give Chelsea the lead, poking home Wayne Bridge's cross. But Middlesbrough's Emanuel Pogatetz headed in the equaliser in the second half from Fabio Rochemback's free-kick. Chelsea could find themselves in a pickle on more than one occasion this season based on Wednesday's display at The Riverside. Gareth Southgate's Middlesbrough started well and came close to taking an early and deserved lead through Gaizka Mendieta, Chris Riggott and Yakubu. The visitors had already suffered one setback before kick-off, losing Arjen Robben to a calf injury in the warm-up. New signing Salomon Kalou came into the starting XI for the Blues and looked very lively, although he was up against a very inexperienced Middlesbrough back four. The Ivory Coast international came within inches of opening his league account when he just failed to get on the end of Didier Drogba's cross. Pogatetz rose above everybody to head in the equaliser Drogba and new strike partner Shevchenko appeared to be competing against each other, rather than aiming to forge a solid bond between themselves. If that was the case, then the Ukrainian came out on top. He opened his Premiership account after Boro wasted their three early chances. The move that led to the goal was brilliant. Bridge, who had his second successive impressive game, sped down the left and exchanged passes with Michael Essien before rifling in a low cross that Shevchenko got to ahead of George Boateng. Shevchenko was a joy to watch. He was clever without over-playing, and when he did come under a challenge, there were no histrionics. His best moment was not the goal, but when he raced down the left and delivered a superb ball for Frank Lampard, whose header rebounded off the post. Lampard had been quiet until then and did not have his best game - neither did his fellow midfielders. The arrival on the pitch of teenager midfielder Lee Cattermole and striker Viduka appeared to change the game for Boro. And with 10 minutes left, the home side were level. Pogatetz headed home a free-kick from the left edge of the penalty area. Then with time running out, Viduka swivelled on a sixpence to fire a low shot past Cudicini to send the home support wild. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Davies (Cattermole 61), Riggott, Pogatetz, Taylor, Parnaby, Mendieta (Viduka 72), Boateng, Rochemback, Downing, Yakubu. Subs Not Used: Turnbull, Morrison, McMahon. Booked: Parnaby, Boateng. Goals: Pogatetz 80, Viduka 90. Chelsea: Cudicini, Paulo Ferreira, Ricardo Carvalho, Terry, Bridge, Essien, Makelele (Wright-Phillips 84), Lampard, Shevchenko, Drogba, Kalou. Subs Not Used: Hilario, Boulahrouz, Mikel, Diarra. Booked: Drogba, Paulo Ferreira. Goals: Shevchenko 16. Att: 29,198 Ref: H Webb (S Yorkshire).

Mourinho livid after Chelsea loss
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho was furious with his side's attitude after their 2-1 defeat to Middlesbrough. The Blues led through Andriy Shevchenko, but took their foot off the pedal to allow Middlesbrough to come back and seal a surprise late win. \"It was not the sort of attitude that I expected from a Chelsea side that have won the Premiership in the last two seasons,\" he told Sir Stanley. \"I've managed for six or seven years. That was not a Jose Mourinho team.\" The former Porto boss added: \"Matches are not just about class and quality - they're about attitude.\" Goals in the last 10 minutes of the game from Emanuel Pogatetz and Mark Viduka sealed Boro's first points of the season. Chelsea have now lost three of their last four Premiership games - and have also won only two away matches since mid-January. Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate was understandably delighted with his side's efforts, praising them for beating Chelsea and for bouncing back following their opening day defeat to Reading. \"I said on Saturday, after we lost 3-2 to Reading, that football was a rollercoaster. And you saw that against Chelsea, but it was different outcome,\" he said. \"To come from a goal behind against a team of Chelsea's class is outstanding. \"On Saturday we lost the momentum. Against Chelsea we had that energy and never stopped believing even after going a goal behind.\"

Kenyon optimistic of signing Cole
Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon is confident Arsenal defender Ashley Cole will sign for them before the transfer window closes in seven days. \"We just need to agree a price, so I'm optimistic. I think it's fair to say it will go to the wire,\" he said. \"We'd like it not to, but it could do.\" Asked whether William Gallas will join Arsenal as part of any deal he said: \"From our point of view definitely not. \"Even if he isn't we don't think it will stop us from getting Ashley Cole.\" Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger revealed earlier in the week that Chelsea had rejected an offer for French defender Gallas and said Cole's departure from the club remained \"50/50\". The Cole transfer saga has rumbled on all summer, with Chelsea reportedly offering £20m but Arsenal holding out for £25m for the 25-year-old England international. But Kenyon, in Monaco for the draw for the group stage of the Champions League, added: \"I'd like to think he (Cole) will be part of our team. \"We've seven days to find out whether he will or he won't, but we're in discussions with Arsenal. \"Those discussions have been going on for several weeks and they'll be going on for another few days. We'll see what we can get.\" Kenyon went on to say that he was aware of Arsenal's interest in Gallas. He said: \"We rejected an offer, but I know they are interested in him and would still like him to be part of the deal. \"Whether he will or he won't, I'm not sure.\" Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein, at the same event in Monaco, said there were no new developments with regard to either player. \"We have made it clear we would like William Gallas,\" said Dein. \"When we negotiate it has to be at a level we believe is right for our budget, but there is no progress to relate. \"There's still a few more days to go of the transfer window, but at the moment Ashley Cole is an Arsenal player, and may very well remain an Arsenal player. \"If that's the case, we're relaxed. Whatever happens will happen.\" Cole was left out of the Gunners' squad for the Premiership opener against Aston Villa last Saturday and both legs of the Champions League tie with Dinamo Zagreb. He has been at odds with Arsenal since June 2005 when he was fined by the Football Association for meeting with Chelsea representatives, including Blues boss Jose Mourinho, without his club's knowledge. In the aftermath Cole blamed Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein for his contract dispute and in June 2005 told the News of the World newspaper: \"I blame David Dein for trying to force me out of the club I love.\" And in promotional material for his new book this summer the defender criticised the club for making him a \"scapegoat\" over the tapping-up affair.

France deliver Makelele warning
France coach Raymond Domenech has warned Chelsea's Claude Makelele he risks a two-game club ban if he fails to report for the Euro 2008 qualifiers. The 33-year-old is in France's squad for games against Georgia and Italy, despite announcing his retirement after the World Cup final loss to Italy. Domenech wants Makelele to play and any player who refuses an international call-up can be hit with a domestic ban. And Domenech insisted: \"We still have the law for us.\" Domenech added: \"We had a discussion with Makelele but I didn't ask for his opinion. \"For me it would be unthinkable to see a great player playing for a great club not playing for his national team. \"A player who refuses to accept a selection is liable to a two-match suspension. \"I had a discussion with Jose Mourinho, as I often do with the coaches of our international players, but it was not a matter of reaching an agreement over Makelele. \"I told him where I stood, he told me where he stood. We still have the law for us. \"I spoke a lot with Claude and told him that he was not obliged to come and play with us, but also that it would be better if he did feel obliged to.\"

Blackburn v Chelsea
Holland defender Andre Ooijer could start for Blackburn after arriving from PSV Eindhoven. Lucas Neill is also available after being banned for the draw against Everton in midweek. Chelsea hope to have Arjen Robben back after he injured himself in the warm-up on Wednesday, and Michael Ballack back after a hip injury. Joe Cole is still out with his knee injury and Petr Cech has yet to return after shoulder surgery. Blackburn (from): Friedel, Emerton, Todd, Khizanishvili, Ooijer, Neill, Gray, Bentley, Savage, Reid, Pedersen, McCarthy, Roberts, Brown, Kuqi, Mokoena, Jeffers, Gallagher. Chelsea (from): Cudicini, Hilario, Ferreira, Carvalho, Terry, Bridge, Makelele, Essien, Lampard, Kalou, Shevchenko, Drogba, Boulahrouz, Diarra, Mikel, Wright-Phillips, Ballack, Robben. Chelsea assistant boss Steve Clarke: \"We know where we went wrong (against Middlesbrough on Wednesday). \"It was a match where we got in front and normally when we are in that position, we see the game out. \"We didn't do that for reasons that we think we know and have addressed. We have to put that into practice and see the result at Blackburn on Sunday.\"

Blackburn 0-2 Chelsea
Chelsea got back to winning ways with victory over Blackburn at Ewood Park. After losing at Middlesbrough in midweek, Chelsea had looked out of sorts before they took an early second-half lead thanks to a penalty. Andre Ooijer was penalised for holding John Terry and Frank Lampard drove home the penalty past Brad Friedel. Substitute Didier Drogba inflicted more misery on Ooijer when he shrugged off the Dutchman before thumping a shot past Friedel into the roof of the net. Blackburn struggled to create chances from open play but on the one occasion they did, Benni McCarthy was superbly foiled by Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech. Some deft control provided the South African striker with the time and space to fire in a close-range volley, but Cech quickly spread his body to clear the ball with his knee. Cech was playing his first game of the season after recovering from a shoulder injury and the Czech keeper's return provided additional solidity to Chelsea. After Drogba's goal Cech also touched over Steven Reid's free-kick. Chelsea's side included two debutants as Michael Ballack and Khalid Boulahrouz started for Jose Mourinho's side. Blackburn midfielder Robbie Savage did not take long to provide his own welcome to Ballack leaving the German on the floor with a late tackle on 10 minutes. On 25 minutes Savage was involved in another bruising encounter - this time with Michael Essien - though the Welshman was rather unlucky to be booked on that occasion. Blackburn had their own debutant in Ooijer, who had joined Rovers last week from PSV Eindhoven. The Dutchman made an uncertain start, giving away an early free-kick and then put in Friedel in trouble with an underhit backpass. Early in the second half Ooijer's debut went from bad to worse when he gave away a penalty for holding Terry. Friedel got a hand to Lampard's penalty but the shot was hit with too much power for the American goalkeeper to stop the ball going over the line. With 10 minutes left Ooijer proved Blackburn's weak link for a second time when he was brushed aside by Drogba, who proceeded to arrow a shot past Friedel. Tactically Blackburn had looked to their wingers Morten Gamst Pedersen and David Bentley to try to unsettle Chelsea. Blackburn also attempted to harry the visitors out of their stride whenever they were in possession. That spirit was typified in the 35th minute when Jason Roberts chased back deep into his own half to tackle Andriy Shevchenko. The strategy succeeded in unsettling Chelsea's rhythm for long periods, but Blackburn themselves found it difficult to trouble Chelsea's defence, apart from McCarthy's chance and the occasional set-piece. Pedersen went close for Blackburn in the first half when his free-kick landed on the roof of the net after taking a deflection. Blackburn were also unhappy they were not awarded a penalty when Ricardo Carvalho appeared to grab hold of Roberts' shirt. Chelsea's best move of the opening 45 minutes ended with the visitors claiming a penalty after Salomon Kalou went to ground following a Lucas Neill tackle. Blackburn's second defeat of the season left them bottom of the Premiership table. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Blackburn manager Mark Hughes: \"I felt John Terry went down very easily. The penalty completely changed the game. \"If we go down that road we're going to have three penalties in every match. There was no chance it was a penalty. \"We had a real claim when Jason Roberts had his shirt pulled. Overall we were much the better side.\" Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho: \"I told the players it is not a drama to lose a game, especially at the start of the season. \"It's not a drama not to be top but you cannot allow three lost points to go to five, six, seven or eight. \"We gained an advantage two seasons ago and when you are top with 10-12 points it is difficult to chase.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Blackburn: Friedel, Emerton, Khizanishvili, Ooijer, Neill, Bentley, Savage, Reid, Pedersen (Gallagher 69), McCarthy, Roberts. Subs Not Used: Brown, Todd, Kuqi, Jeffers. Booked: Savage, Ooijer, Khizanishvili. Chelsea: Cech, Boulahrouz, Ricardo Carvalho, Terry, Bridge, Makelele (Mikel 88), Essien, Ballack, Lampard, Kalou (Drogba 56), Shevchenko (Wright-Phillips 83). Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Paulo Ferreira. Booked: Makelele. Goals: Lampard 50 pen, Drogba 81. Att: 19,398. Ref: M Clattenburg (Co Durham).

Makelele tries to calm France row
Chelsea midfielder Claude Makelele has tried to calm down the row over his call-up to the France squad. Makelele retired from internationals after the World Cup but has been chosen for the upcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers. The 33-year-old faces a domestic ban if he fails to report for France and Blues boss Jose Mourinho said Makelele was being treated as a \"slave\". But Makelele says he will honour his call-up and told French TV station TPS: \"My coach's words are a bit strong.\" He added: \"He's probably gone too far. But his disappointment is logical.\" Makelele came out of retirement to help France qualify for the 2006 World Cup and thought the World Cup final defeat against Italy would be his last international match. But France coach Raymond Domenech insist he wants Makelele in his squad for two upcoming Euro 2008 qualifiers against Georgia and Italy. He has made his stance clear to both the player and his club and Makelele would miss two Chelsea games for each France match he refuses to play. \"There was an agreement after the World Cup that I would retire,\" said Makelele. \"But I spoke with the French team coach and he believes I am still able to bring something extra to the team. \"I don't blame him (Domenech) for anything and I will go back and play with France.\" He added: \"This is a delicate situation because I will play more matches and I will be more tired. \"But I am in the list and I have to go. The French team is still something important for me. \"Everyone knows me and I am a professional, I do my job and even if my club is not happy I will honour my call-ups. \"So I will go to Clairefontaine (the France training camp) and I will be there for the two matches. I consider it normal to wear the colours of my country.\" Mourinho's outburst came after Chelsea's win over Blackburn on Sunday. \"Makelele is not a football player - Makelele is a slave,\" he said. \"He's played the biggest game you can, the World Cup final, and now wants to retire but the coach told us if he is not playing for France, he is not playing for Chelsea,\" said Mourinho. \"We know the rules. You are a slave, you have no human rights.\" Chelsea are set to hold further talks with the French Football Federation about the matter. \"Chelsea believe that a player should have the freedom to choose about his own international career, especially in the case of Claude who has served his country at the highest level and with distinction for several years,\" the club said in a statement. \"This view was expressed to the French national coach Raymond Domenech in a meeting last week at our training ground. \"We understand the letter of the law is very clear on this subject, and the ramifications for Claude and Chelsea if he is called up but does not play. \"We would like to stress that this is not a club versus country issue; we are not seeking conflict with the FFF. \"This issue is about supporting the wishes of one of our players whose past commitment to his country cannot be called into question.\"

Cole move to Chelsea may collapse
Arsenal defender Ashley Cole's proposed transfer to Chelsea looks to be in danger of collapsing. Cole, 25, who has been frozen out of the first team so far this this season, did however play for Arsenal reserves against Charlton on Monday. The decision by boss Arsene Wenger to play Cole in the reserves could signal a change of tact by the Gunners boss. Cole's move to Chelsea has stalled because the two clubs have been unable to agree a fee for the England star. It has been widely reported that Arsenal have been holding out for as much as £30m for Cole - a price Chelsea have so far been unwilling to meet. Chelsea have admitted making a bid for the defender and are thought to have offered in the region of £20m. The protracted transfer saga was complicated when Arsenal registered an interest in signing Chelsea defender William Gallas. Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood hopes Cole will dedicate himself to the club if the transfer deadline passes on Thursday without a deal being struck. \"He is a very good player and if he is going to stay I hope his attitude is right. \"If he is going to be miserable and sour there is no point. Hopefully he will get his head right,\" he told the Daily Star. The saga of Cole's drawn-out transfer to Chelsea started when the player was fined, along with Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, in June 2005 for meeting in a London hotel without Arsenal's knowledge. He has been linked with a switch to Stamford Bridge ever since despite signing an improved one-year contract with Arsenal in July 2005. But unless Chelsea offer more money or Arsenal have a last-minute change of heart, Cole's proposed switch across London will not happen. Cole is expected to start for England in their Euro 2008 qualifier against Andorra at Old Trafford on Saturday despite his lack of first-team action this season.

Inquiry to look into Leeds claim
Leeds United have succeeded in getting an inquiry into their allegation that Chelsea illegally approached three of their Academy players last season. The Football Association and the Premier League announced on Wednesday that they will hold a joint inquiry. \"The inquiry will be carried out by both the FA and the FAPL as the allegations relate to both FA and FAPL rules,\" said a statement. Leeds made their complaint to the Football League on 3 August. Ken Bates, who owns Leeds, claims his former club signed youngsters Michael Woods and Tom Taiwo after making illegal approaches. He said a third teenager, Danny Rose, was approached but did not sign for the Premiership champions. Chelsea have offered £200,000 compensation for Woods and Taiwo, but Bates called it \"insulting\". The Stamford Bridge club deny making illegal approaches. Club spokesman Simon Greenberg said earlier in August: \"We've always denied that an illegal approach was made for Woods, Taiwo and Rose. \"We made an approach to Leeds at the end of last year which they rejected. There was then a window of opportunity where the club could come in and make offers. Two of the players joined Chelsea.\" Chelsea have even filed a complaint with the Football Association against Bates, who they say has made \"rude, insulting and inappropriate comments\" during this dispute. This issue is serious for Chelsea, though, because in 2005 they were found to have illegally approached Arsenal's Ashley Cole, and given a suspended sentence on the condition they did not commit the offence again within the 2005-2006 season. That means they could be docked three points if they are found guilty of illegal approaches to the Leeds youngsters.

Chelsea blast FA over drugs fine
Chelsea have issued a strongly-worded statement criticising the Football Association's decision to punish them for conducting internal drugs testing. The Blues were fined £40,000 after testing players - including Adrian Mutu, who later tested positive for cocaine - on 12 July 2004. Unauthorised tests contravene FA rules, because the ruling body wants to ensure uniform standards for all clubs. \"The FA seems more interested in procedure than substance,\" say Chelsea. \"A huge amount of time and money has been wasted on lawyers in a case that has taken two years to resolve. \"Despite our efforts to find a sensible and speedy resolution, the issue became mired in a bureaucracy that makes a mockery of the claims that the FA is modernising itself. \"We are totally committed to the fight against drugs in football. \"While we accept there was a technical breach of the doping regulations in this case, we find it extraordinary that we have been found guilty of trying to undermine the drug testing system. \"The FA would be better served using its resources to increasing the effectiveness of its random testing and applying the toughest penalties available in all drug related cases, rather than punishing those who act genuinely in the fight against drugs. Mutu did not produce a positive result for any banned substance in the test conducted by Chelsea, with his positive cocaine readings following an official FA test. \"Chelsea's position on drugs is very clear. We adopt a zero tolerance policy towards anybody who fails a drug test and then rejects the chance of help and rehabilitation when offered by the club.\"

Chelsea refuse Huth move to Boro
Chelsea defender Robert Huth has failed to complete his move to Middlesbrough. The Stamford Bridge club appear to have held on to 22-year-old Huth because of fellow centre-back William Gallas's switch to Arsenal. Middlesbrough stated they were confident of completing the £6m capture of Huth after the move had been agreed between all parties. But Chelsea seem to have been unwilling to let two central defenders leave without bringing in a replacement. Gallas's transfer to Arsenal was completed just before the transfer deadline on Thursday leaving the Premiership champions no time to sign cover. Ashley Cole arrived at Chelsea as part of the deal but the England international is a left-back. Middlesbrough were supposed to unveil Huth on Thursday but had to postpone the news conference as Chelsea held back on providing their stamp to green light the move. Boro chief executive Keith Lamb hinted Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon was negotiating Cole's transfer but seemed certain Huth's switch would go through.

Blues beat deadline to sign Cole
Chelsea have ended a long-running saga by signing England full-back Ashley Cole from Arsenal in exchange for £5m and France defender William Gallas. The deal was completed just before the transfer deadline with Cole, who was with the England squad in a Manchester hotel, having his medical nearby. The 25-year-old Cole is believed to have signed a five-year deal. Gallas, 29, had one year left on his Blues deal but made it clear he wanted to leave Stamford Bridge. The versatile French international did not turn up to pre-season training on Chelsea's pre-season tour of the United States and did not receive a shirt number this season. He had reportedly been unhappy at the terms Chelsea offered him in a four-year contract extension, and wanted to establish himself at centre-back. Chelsea had been linked with Cole all summer, but disagreements over the transfer fee stalled the move. A joint statement from the clubs said: \"Chelsea FC and Arsenal have agreed terms for the transfers of Ashley Cole and William Gallas. \"Chelsea will also pay Arsenal £5m. Both players have agreed personal terms and passed their respective medicals.\" Although all the relevant paperwork had been lodged with the Premier League, neither club had made an announcement by the time the midnight deadline passed. It was not until 0125 BST on Friday that the statement was finally issued. Gallas, a £6m signing from Marseille, made more than 200 appearances for Chelsea in five years, while Cole made 228 appearances for the Gunners since making his debut in 2000. Cole has won 51 England caps, with Gallas earning 44 caps for France.

Venables defends Chelsea's Terry
England assistant coach Terry Venables has defended captain John Terry over accusations of diving. Blackburn boss Mark Hughes suggested the Chelsea defender went down too easily under a challenge from Andre Ooijer in the Blues' 2-0 win in August. \"There is about as much chance of Terry taking a dive as there would be of Mark putting on that act in his heyday,\" Venables told the News of the World. \"I do not believe for one second that Terry dived to win Chelsea a penalty.\" Frank Lampard gave the London club the lead after Ooijer was penalised for his foul on Terry. And after the match Hughes said: \"John Terry is aware Andre is closely marking him and knows the referee is looking at him and then decides to collapse his knees. \"He falls in a heap and that is what the referee has seen.\" But Venables said that the incident was a definite penalty. He added: \"Whether Terry went over or not, what Ooijer was doing in holding him with both arms as he made a run for a free-kick was a clear penalty offence. \"What it needs is 20 more like it to be given next weekend, then maybe players will kick this habit and get back to the art of defending.\"

Gallas 'issued own-goal threat'
Chelsea have claimed William Gallas threatened to score an own goal if he was selected for their first game of the season against Manchester City. The 29-year-old French defender allegedly refused to play again for the Blues and subsequently joined Arsenal on transfer deadline day. But in response to Chelsea's statement, Gallas said: \"I am surprised and shocked by these claims. \"I never said I would score own goals if I had to play for Chelsea again.\" He added: \"I was firm about my wanting to leave, that is true, and I will explain in due time why I wanted to. \"But I never went that far. But if people want to hide behind false accusations in order to give a reason for why I left so they can calm down the club's supporters then they can. \"All this is very, very petty on behalf of Chelsea. But at the same time, coming on behalf of its new leaders, that does not surprise me. Even if Chelsea has much money, its new leaders lack class.\" Chelsea's statement says Gallas initially refused to play against Liverpool in last season's FA Cup semi-final and that, if selected to play against City, he threatened to score an own goal, get sent off or make deliberate mistakes. Gallas was heavily criticised by Blues boss Jose Mourinho earlier in the summer when he failed to report for pre-season training on Chelsea' pre-season tour of America. The French defender eventually joined the Gunners in a cash-plus-player exchange deal for Ashley Cole. The full club statmement read: \"Chelsea believes it is important for our supporters to be made aware of the full facts regarding William Gallas and the lack of respect he showed to the fans, the manager and the club. \"Despite leaving he continues to attack José Mourinho and this cannot be left unchallenged. \"Chelsea made William Gallas a very substantial and attractive new contract offer to stay towards the end of last season. This was rejected. \"The issue was purely one of money, despite his public comments that he wanted a new challenge, to play abroad and so forth. These were just a smokescreen to cover up the fact he was hawking himself to the highest bidder. \"Having failed to secure his demands, his position became increasingly intransigent and unacceptable. \"He initially refused to play against Liverpool in the FA Cup semi-final last season in an effort to force an increased contract offer. \"As is now well documented he refused to join up with the team in Los Angeles during pre-season, despite agreeing the dates for his return as the other World Cup players did, with the club. \"When Jose Mourinho generously offered him a way back into the 'family' after the American tour, this was thrown back in the Chelsea manager's face. \"The manager told him that, even if he did not agree a new contract but returned to the \"family\" and abided by the rules, he would still select the best players available and would not punish him playing wise. \"However despite meetings to try and resolve the problems Gallas made it clear to Jose Mourinho he would never play for Chelsea again. \"Before the first game of the season against Manchester City, when only four defenders were available and John Terry was doubtful with an injury, he refused to play. \"He went on to threaten that if he was forced to play, or if he was disciplined and financially punished for his breach of the rules, that he could score an own goal or get himself sent off, or make deliberate mistakes. \"Clearly this was a totally unacceptable situation for the manager, the team and the club. So a collectively agreed solution in Chelsea's interests had to be found, hence his departure. \"Chelsea has a wage structure in place that is valued not only on the contribution of the player to the manager and the team, but also on a player's respect for the club and contribution to the promotion and image of the club off the field. Every player is expected to play their part in this. \"William Gallas rarely recognised these responsibilities. \"He also failed to recognise the role Jose Mourinho and Chelsea played in helping him become a double Premiership champion for a player whose only league title prior to that had been in the French Second Division.\" Chelsea director of communications Simon Greenberg explained why the felt compelled to explain the reasons behind Gallas' sale. He told Sir Stanley: \"After several comments by William, we felt it was right to explain to our fans why we sold him. \"It was also after several attacks by William on the manager Jose Mourinho, and to explain the series of events that led up to him being sold on Chelsea's terms.\"

Mourinho backed over Makelele row
Chelsea have defended manager Jose Mourinho for comments he made in the row with France coach Raymond Domenech over his selection of Claude Makelele. Domenech reacted angrily after Mourinho accused him of treating Makelele \"like a slave\" by refusing to accept his retirement from international football. Chelsea responded in a statement, saying: \"Jose Mourinho was correct in giving strong backing for our player. \"Comments on 'slavery' were purely a metaphor to illustrate the problem.\" Domenech had claimed Mourinho's use of the word was \"staggering and insulting\", while France defender Lilian Thuram felt the Chelsea coach said it to be purposely offensive. The full Chelsea statement read: \"Ill-considered comments regarding Claude Makelele's international career continue to come from the French camp, in particular Lilian Thuram, and the French national team coach, Raymond Domenech. \"Jose Mourinho was correct in giving strong backing for our player, and he was fully supported by Chelsea on this. \"Thuram and Domenech appear not to appreciate a manager's support for his player. \"They also fail to understand Jose Mourinho's comments regarding 'slavery' which were purely a metaphor to illustrate the Makelele problem, a figure of speech rather than a literal comparison with slavery as a social and political issue. \"As a result of their failings, deliberately inflammatory comments will only cloud a problem which is on its way to being resolved. \"Claude, Chelsea, and the French Football Federation hope to have a resolution after the current round of international matches.\"

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