Chelsea

ASHLEY COLE is facing an FA charge after his V-sign at Arsenal fans. The Gunners regained top spot with a gritty display. But FA chiefs will study video of the incident where Chelsea’s full-back made the gesture on his first return to his old club. Cole reacted to a section of the Emirates where home fans were chanting at him. The ex-Arsenal favourite was abused throughout the match. He was then involved in a bust-up with midfielder Cesc Fabregas in injury-time, which saw him raise his arm after the Gunners star chopped him down. Cole had already been booked and was lucky to escape a red card.

Chelsea await Cech scan verdict
Chelsea should find out on Monday if goalkeeper Petr Cech will join their absentee list after he limped out of the win at Blackburn with a hip injury. Captain John Terry and Didier Drogba are already out because of injury and other players will be absent in January because of the African Cup of Nations. Chelsea can ill afford to lose Cech with deputy Carlo Cudicini also out for a few days with a rib injury. "I cannot say it will be easy if we lose Cech," said coach Avram Grant. "To play for so long with so many injured for a long time, I don't like it. But I cannot do anything about it." Third-choice Hilario, who came on for Cech after an hour against Blackburn following a collision with Roque Santa Cruz in the 48th minute, is currently Chelsea's only fully-fit keeper. "I wanted to take him (Cech) off, but he told me he wanted five minutes more to see if the injury would improve," Grant explained. Portuguese keeper Hilario came on for his first appearance since 13 January and kept a clean sheet as Chelsea won 1-0 through Joe Cole's first-half goal. The result means Chelsea remain third at Christmas, six points behind leaders Arsenal and five behind second-placed Manchester United. "It was difficult for Hilario to come into a game like this, but he did very well, and in the end he made a very good save," Grant added. :laugh: :laugh:

Drogba named in Ivory Coast squad
Injured striker Didier Drogba has been named in the Ivory Coast's 23-man squad for the African Nations Cup. Despite his knee injury, the Chelsea striker has been included in a line-up which includes just one local player. Elephants coach Ulrich Stielike called up goalkeeper Tiasse Kone, who plays for Ivorian champions Africa Sports. The Ivorians will train in Kuwait from 7 to 18 January where they will play three friendlies against Kuwait and two local clubs. The Ivory Coast are in Group B in the Nations Cup with Nigeria, Mali and Benin. Goalkeepers: Boubacar Barry (KSC Lokeren/BEL), Stephane Loboue (Greuther Fürth/GER), Tiassé Koné (Africa Sports/CIV) Defenders: Emmanuel Eboue (Arsenal/ENG), Kolo Toure (Arsenal/ENG), Arthur Boka (Stuttgart/GER), Constant Djakpa (Pandurii Targu Jiu/ROM), Steve Gohouri (Borussia Monchengladbach/GER), Abdoulaye Meite (Bolton/ENG), Marc Zoro (Benfica/POR) Midfielders: Emerse Fae (Reading/ENG), Christian Koffi Ndri Romaric (Le Mans/FRA), Siaka Tiene (Saint-Etienne/FRA), Yaya Toure (FC Barcelona/ESP), Didier Zokora (Tottenham/ENG) Strikers: Didier Drogba (Chelsea), Salomon Kalou (Chelsea/ENG), Aruna Dindane (Lens/FRA), Kader Keita (Lyon/FRA), Arouna Kone (Sevilla/ESP), Bakari Koné "Baky" (Nice/FRA), Gervais Yao Kouassi "Gervinho" (Le Mans/FRA), Boubacar Sanogo (Werder Bremen/GER)

Bolton reject Chelsea Anelka bid
Bolton have turned down a significant bid by Chelsea to sign Nicolas Anelka. The striker has been one of few shining lights for Gary Megson's side this season, scoring 11 goals in 22 games. Anelka, 28, was quoted by French newspaper L'Equipe as saying he would be interested in a move to the Blues and that the two clubs were in talks. But Megson subsequently dismissed the comments and insisted that Bolton had received no enquiries for the former Arsenal and Real Madrid player. Anelka, who in the past has made no secret of his desire to play Champions League football, signed a new four-year contract at the Reebok Stadium earlier this season but his superb form has seen him strongly linked with to a move to a bigger club. But following Bolton's FA Cup defeat at home to Sheffield United on Saturday, Megson again refuted claims a deal was imminent, claiming there had still been no formal approach for Anelka by any club.

Chelsea hopeful over Anelka bid
Chelsea boss Avram Grant is hoping to complete the signing of Nicolas Anelka by the weekend, despite having a bid turned down by Bolton this week. Bolton rejected what is believed to be a £12m bid for the 28-year-old striker but Grant says he wants Anelka in time for Saturday's game with Tottenham. "We wanted him for Monday and I hope we will now get him for Saturday," said Grant after Tuesday's win over Everton. "We are missing three strikers so it's important to do it quickly." Chelsea are without Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou, who are away at the African Cup of Nations, while Andriy Shevchenko has an ankle injury. Shevchenko and Claudio Pizzaro, their other senior forward, have scored five Premier League goals between them this season. Anelka, who has scored 11 goals in 22 games this term, has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge despite signing a new four-year deal with Bolton last August. The French international has made no secret of his desire to play Champions League football and is still eligible to play in the competition this season. Anelka joined Bolton in 2006 from Turkish club Fenerbahce for a club record £8m. He has also played for Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City in the Premier League and won the Champions League while at Real Madrid.

Chelsea clinch £15m Anelka deal
Chelsea will complete a £15m deal to sign Bolton's French striker Nicolas Anelka on Friday. SSB understands that only formalities remain and the 28-year-old will sign in time to figure in Saturday's game against Spurs. Bolton have confirmed terms have been agreed and Anelka will sign a four-and-a-half year contract at Stamford Bridge. Bolton had earlier rejected a £12m offer from Chelsea for Anelka. Chelsea are without Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou, who are away at the Africa Cup of Nations, while Andriy Shevchenko has an ankle injury. Shevchenko and Claudio Pizzaro, their other senior forward, have scored five Premier League goals between them this season. Bolton boss Gary Megson said: "I have spoken about the situation with Nic and we agreed there is not a massive amount he or I can do. "It is just as to whether the clubs can reach an agreement. I am still hopeful they can't and he stays here. But that remains to be seen. "However, the deal has to suit all the parties - the selling club, the buying club and the person involved." Anelka, who has scored 11 goals in 22 games this term, has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge despite signing a new four-year deal with Bolton last August. He has made no secret of his desire to play in the Champions League and is still eligible for this season's competition. Anelka joined Bolton in 2006 from Turkish club Fenerbahce for a club record £8m. He has also played for Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City in the Premier League and won the Champions League while at Real Madrid.

Bye Bye losers

Bye Bye out the cup today!! :laugh:

Terry backs referee respect plans
Chelsea captain John Terry says he would back plans to stamp out the hounding of referees. Terry was speaking in light of criticism directed towards Chelsea for their disrespectful behaviour towards Mike Riley on Wednesday night. It was the latest in a series of incidents which have led for calls to introduce new rules that would only allow captains to speak to referees. "I think it'll be one of them where I'll have to give it a go," said Terry. "But if it doesn't work then the FA will have to say no, it isn't working," he told SSB. Chelsea players surrounded referee Riley appearing to bully him out of red carding Ashley Cole following a late tackle on Alan Hutton during Wednesday's 4-4 draw with Tottenham. Cole has been widely condemned for his behaviour towards Riley to whom he refused to acknowledge or even look at as the referee attempted to yellow card him. But Terry has defended the behaviour of the Chelsea players following the incident. "It is a natural reaction," he said. "The fans show their frustration and the players do the same because they are passionate about the game. "I do agree there has to be a line drawn and confronting the referee has to be taken out of the game." The behaviour of footballers and the standard of tackling has come under intense scrutiny in recent weeks but Terry does not believe the game has changed or that challenges or attitudes are getting worse. "I personally don't think it has got out of hand and I don't think it is any worse than it used to be," he said. "It is just being publicised and spoken about a bit more at the moment. "These tackles have gone on for years and have never been spoken of before. "Usually it was just a yellow card and everyone would get on with it. Now it is spoken about on television and publicised in the papers and ex-referees are given their views and the game has moved on a lot."

Palace sign Chelsea star Sinclair
Crystal Palace have signed Chelsea forward Scott Sinclair on loan until the end of the season. The 19-year-old had been on loan at Charlton but made only three appearances as a substitute. Bath-born Sinclair, who joined Chelsea from Bristol Rovers in 2005, has also had loan spells at Plymouth and Queens Park Rangers. Sinclair made his debut for the Blues this season and scored his first goal for the club in the League Cup at Hull.

Nicolas Anelka is happy to accept whatever role he is handed as Chelsea chase UEFA Champions League glory. The France striker returns to former club Fenerbahce for the first leg of the Blues' quarter-final meeting on Wednesday night, live on Sky Sports 3. Anelka joined the Stamford Bridge outfit for £15million from Bolton in January and has had to settle for spells out on the wing or on the bench with Didier Drogba the preferred lone striker. But the former Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Real Madrid and PSG striker insists he has no problem with not being an automatic first choice and will do whatever it takes to help the team succeed. He said: "I'm very new at the club so I need to get used to my team-mates and learn the way we play. "It's not difficult, when the manager asks me to play I play, when he asks me to be on the bench I try to help the team when I go on. "It will be the same until the end of my contract. I'm just pleased to be here and playing for Chelsea and will try my best all the time. "When we have the chance to play together we will do it the best we can, it will be good. But you have a manager who decides what to do and I think he knows what to do. "For the moment he wants to play three (forwards) and me on the left or right so I will do my best to play in that position. "We have to work also in training. Chelsea play with one striker up front so first we have to do it in training and after we will do it in a game. As long as we are winning..." Anelka enjoyed Champions League glory with Real and believes Chelsea have the strength in depth to be crowned champions of Europe. He added: "Like Real Madrid we are a big club with a big squad and big players. "It's always difficult to win the Champions League but I think we have the quality to win this title because of the way we play and the number of big players we have."

We're still in title race - Grant
Chelsea manager Avram Grant believes his team can still win the Premier League title despite losing ground on leaders Manchester United. Emile Heskey scored an injury-time equaliser for Wigan on Monday to leave Chelsea five points behind United with four games left. "We are still in the title race. It is more difficult now but we will still fight away," said Grant. Chelsea face Everton on Thursday before playing United on 26 April. "We need to win the games against Everton and Manchester United," added Grant. "If not, it will be more difficult - and we need one more bad result off Manchester United. "We know at some stage you can lose the points but we didn't want it to happen against Wigan." After playing Everton and United, the Blues then travel to Newcastle before completing their season with a home match against Bolton. Chelsea had taken the lead against Wigan through Michael Essien after 54 minutes. And Grant said: "In the second half we played wonderfully. "It was one of our best performances and we had a lot of chances. But this is football. If you don't score the second one and don't pay attention, this is what happens. "Our problem this year is we don't use the chances. I don't know why, maybe it is a lack of concentration." Frank Lampard had withdrawn from the team for personal reasons shortly before kick-off and the Blues boss said this may have affected his team's performance in the opening 45 minutes. "It is a personal matter with Frank and I would prefer to leave it at that," added the Chelsea manager. "I didn't like the first half but I think the players were a bit in shock because one of our best players had to leave the team at the last moment, which is understandable." Goalkeeper Petr Cech played wearing a special chin mask to protest the 50 stitches he had inserted after a training ground injury last week. And he echoed Grant's sentiments that his team will continue to push United all the way. "We are not happy with the fact we dropped two points but the message from the dressing room is that it is not over yet," said Cech. "We need to concentrate on ourselves and we need to win every game." The result at Stamford Bridge was a major boost for Wigan, who are now six points clear of the relegation zone. "We still need to pick up a couple of points but we are delighted," said manager Steve Bruce. "We have to thank our keeper Chris Kirkland because we rode our luck. "We hope one more win might be enough. We are still in the bottom end of the table but we're quietly confident."

Hiddink link to Chelsea dismissed
Guus Hiddink's agent has ruled out any possibility of the Dutchman taking over as manager of Chelsea. A weekend newspaper report claimed the Russia coach was being lined up to take over from Avram Grant at Chelsea. But his agent Cees van Nieuwenhuizen told SSB: "There is no chance of Guus going to Chelsea. He wants to end his career in international management. "He signed a new deal in March that runs up to the 2010 World Cup and always honours his contracts." Grant's position as Chelsea boss has been under scrutiny ever since the surprise defeat by Tottenham in the Carling Cup final in February. This could be a make-or-break week for the Israeli, with Chelsea playing Liverpool in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Tuesday and then Manchester United in the Premier League on Saturday. Hiddink, who took over as Russia boss in the summer of 2006 and guided the nation to Euro 2008, has been frequently linked with Chelsea. Van Nieuwenhuizen said: "I don't know where these stories about Guus come from and I want to put an end to them once and for all. "It isn't about money for Guus. It's about him having signed a contract and wanting to get on with his job with Russia." The 61-year-old's initial contract with Russia had been set to finish in July but, after protracted negotiations, he signed an extension in March.

liverpool are goin to win 1-0 and 1-0 at there grouund come on!! :one:

Pressure now on Man Utd - Grant
Chelsea boss Avram Grant believes title rivals Manchester United are under more pressure going into Sunday's final game of the Premier League season. Chelsea's win at Newcastle moved them level on points with leaders United, who are favourites for the title because of a superior goal difference. United travel to Wigan on the final day, while Chelsea play host to Bolton. "Now we must beat Bolton and see what United do. The pressure is on them," said Grant. "I said we will never give up. We have given a good, good battle. Nobody thought about us as a candidate for champions. We will keep on fighting. "I have to stay positive. We will fight until the last moment." Chelsea have rallied in the second half of the season in which they also booked a spot in the Champions League final - against United. And Grant hailed his players' efforts this season, saying: "We have to battle with things on and off the pitch but the team have got better and better, especially in recent months. "In the first half against Newcastle we were poorer than we've been for a while. Maybe that was down to tiredness because we have played a lot of long, hard matches this campaign. "In the second half, though, we played fantastically and got the result we wanted. "All I have asked the players is to do what we need to do - we can't affect anything else. "United are a great team and we have given them a good battle. We wanted to keep that going." And the Israeli insists United will not have it all their own way against Wigan. He added: "The advantage is with them but it will not be easy at Wigan." That sentiment was echoed by Blues captain John Terry, who said: "I think Wigan will do the Premier League justice. "Wigan are safe now but with a great manager like Steve Bruce they are going to go for it. "If we pick up three points at home to Bolton, we have a very good chance."

Chelsea to sign £16.2m Bosingwa
Chelsea have reached an agreement with Porto for the £16.2m transfer of right-back Jose Bosingwa. The 25-year-old Portugal international has arrived in London to discuss personal terms and undergo a medical. Bosingwa, who was also a target for Manchester United, was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo but moved to Portugal as a child. The full-back helped Porto to the 2004 Champions League title and four league championships since signing in 2003. Bosingwa made more than 40 appearances for Boavista before former Blues boss Jose Mourinho brought him to rivals Porto. Although he was used sparingly in his first season, the defender, who can also play on the wing, had been the first-choice right-back during the last three seasons. His performances have earned him seven caps for Portugal and he is expected to be named in their Euro 2008 squad this week. Though Alberto da Silva, a journalist for World Soccer magazine, believes Bosingwa has been overvalued by Chelsea. "He's a good player but he's not worth that much money," he told SSB. "I think Chelsea's current right-back Paulo Ferreira is a better player. I don't know who negotiated the deal, but he did well for Porto." Three years ago, Bosingwa was involved in a serious car accident along with four other footballers. All survived, but Sandro Luis, from a minor Portuguese side, had to have his left foot amputated as a result of the accident. Bosingwa's arrival at Stamford Bridge will cast doubt over the future of another right-back Juliano Belletti. The former Barcelona defender, who scored the winning goal in the 2006 Champions League final against Arsenal, has been overlooked by Blues manager Avram Grant in recent weeks, with Michael Essien occupying the full-back berth.

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