Chelsea

Ballack keen to shine in England
Germany captain Michael Ballack believes he has what it takes to become a star in the English Premiership. The Bayern Munich midfielder, 29, is a free agent in the summer and has been strongly linked with a move to Chelsea. "For me it's the Premiership rather than Spain's La Liga. In England the pace is fast and tackles are hard," Ballack told the Daily Express. "Look at players that become legends in England, like Patrick Vieira and Roy Keane. I see a lot of myself in them." Ballack's agent Michael Becker has said the midfielder may join Chelsea before the World Cup finals, which start in his home country in June. The German star is said to want a four-year, £120,000-a-week contract. Bayern Munich's commercial manager Uli Hoeness has seemingly resigned himself to losing Ballack when the player's contract expires this summer. He says his club cannot compete with Chelsea's financial muscle.

Chelsea v Newcastle
Chelsea will be without the suspended William Gallas following his sending-off against Fulham on Sunday. Winger Arjen Robben will also be sitting out his third match of the four-game ban he received for his red card against West Brom. Newcastle's Jean-Alain Boumsong is suspended as well while Titus Bramble is forced to sit out with a hamstring problem he has nursed for a fortnight. Stephen Carr is available after a two-month battle with a hernia injury. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chelsea (from): Cech, Cudicini, Ferreira, Johnson, Terry, Huth, Carvalho, Del Horno, Makelele, Lampard, Essien, Geremi, Maniche, Gudjohnsen, J Cole, Duff, Wright-Phillips, Drogba, Crespo. Newcastle (from): Given, Harper, Ramage, Babayaro, Moore, Elliott, Parker, Emre, Solano, N'Zogbia, Bowyer, Faye, Clark, Brittain, O'Brien, Carr, Shearer, Ameobi, Chopra, Dyer. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien: "We will miss William a lot. He is one of our key players but we have others who can replace him. "It would be very special for the club to win this double. It's very importnat for the fans that we can do it. "We haven't done this double before and I hope we can do it this year." Newcastle caretaker manager Glenn Roeder: "Not winning the Champions League seems to have his him (Mourinho) hard and, obviously, it's the second year running now. "It seems to have really irritated him and the players. "Because of that, I'm sure they will double their concentration for the FA Cup because the League is already won."

Chelsea hit by further FA charge
Chelsea have been charged by the Football Association with failure to control their players during the 1-0 Premiership defeat at Fulham on Sunday. The charge is relating to the Chelsea players' conduct following William Gallas' sending off in the last minute. "The referee and assistant reported to the FA that a number of players had surrounded Williams in an aggressive manner," said an FA statement. Gallas has been warned as to his future conduct after gesturing to Fulham fans.

Chelsea 2-0 Man City
Two goals in three first-half minutes from Didier Drogba were enough for Chelsea to post a comfortable victory over depleted Manchester City. Drogba took his season's tally to 13 after he latched onto a throughball from Eidur Gudjohnsen. He fired home a second from six yards, despite complaints from City defenders he brought the ball down with his arm. City skipper Sylvain Distin continued his arguments at half-time and was sent off for a second booking. Travelling to the home of the champions without 10 regular first-team players was always going to be a tough proposition for Stuart Pearce's side. But they contributed to their own downfall when Distin, one of their most experienced hands in a youthful side, hardly showed the best example by getting himself sent off. He may have been justified in voicing his dissatisfaction after Drogba appeared to handle in controlling the ball before firing home his side. But there was little excuse for continuing his discussion with referee Rob Styles after the half-time whistle. There was little doubt Chelsea were two goals better than City in the first half. The only surprise was that it took them half an hour to break the deadlock. Gudjohnsen and Drogba had both missed good chances before the pair combined for the opener. Gudjohnsen slipped the ball through to the Ivory Coast striker and, after twisting past David Sommeil, David James was left with no chance as he fired home from 12 yards. Before City had time to regroup and adjust the five-in-midfield system that had held the champions at bay, the home side netted a second. James had pulled off a good save from John Terry's header but City were still unable to clear. The ball eventually fell to Drogba who, after appearing to control it with his arm, fired home from six yards. The anticipated second-half capitulation did not materialise. Chelsea were somewhat guilty of trying to walk the ball into the net, although James did make a good save from Joe Cole as the Blues swarmed forward. City certainly showed plenty of plucky spirit, in keeping with their manager's famous characteristics but, with the job completed by Drogba's two goals, there was no need for Chelsea to stretch themselves. Danny Mills came closest to cutting the margin when his long-range free-kick hit the post. There was almost a fairytale finish for Shaun Wright-Phillips, after he fired across the face of goal after coming on as a substitute against his former club. But that would have been mere decoration. The collection of three points had been pretty comfortable. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chelsea striker Didier Drogba: "It was a difficult game and when we got the goal there was more space for us to play in. "Yes, it was handball but sometimes this is the game. "I don't know how to explain. The ball comes to me and I can't do nothing but this." Manchester City manager Stuart Pearce: "When I first saw it, I thought it was handball and I've watched it again and it was handball. Simple as that. "These things happen. It was a very quick game out there and if they miss the odd decision it's not for me to criticise. "One or two of my players were aggrieved and the captain has got sent off for questioning the decision." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chelsea: Cech, Paulo Ferreira, Ricardo Carvalho, Terry, Del Horno, Joe Cole (Wright-Phillips 72), Lampard, Makelele, Gudjohnsen (Crespo 57), Duff (Essien 53), Drogba. Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Huth. Booked: Joe Cole. Goals: Drogba 30, 33. Man City: James, Sommeil (Riera 45), Danny Mills (Matthew Mills 84), Distin, Dunne, Thatcher, Flood, Ireland (Croft 73), Richards, Musampa, Vassell. Subs Not Used: Weaver, Wright-Phillips. Sent Off: Distin (45). Booked: Danny Mills, Distin, Musampa. Att: 42,321 Ref: R Styles (Hampshire).

Chelsea dismiss Eriksson rumours
Chelsea have dismissed media claims England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson is poised to take over from boss Jose Mourinho at the end of the season. Responding to a Mail on Sunday report, a club spokesman said: "More totally false stories have been published with the aim of destabilising the club. "This will not succeed and we will not continue to comment on such reports. "The club and Jose are united in an exciting long-term project to make the club one of the best in Europe."

Mourinho leaps to Drogba defence
Boss Jose Mourinho has defended striker Didier Drogba whose comments may threaten more controversy for Chelsea. Drogba quickly retracted an admission to the Sir Stanley that he dived to fool referees, and admitted using his hands in scoring against Manchester City. Mourinho said: "Sometimes he is a player who doesn't get what he deserves, Drogba is a fighter." An FA spokesman told Sir Stanley that no decision had been made on whether Drogba will face charges. Drogba has attracted criticism this season amid accusations of feigning injury to try and get players booked or sent off. The issue surfaced again at the weekend when Drogba went down clutching his eye after being caught by City defender Richard Dunne. Mourinho insisted Drogba was genuinely injured and was not a diver. The Chelsea coach said: "It was a big thing, it was a very strong finger in the eye which was completely full of blood. "Of course he is not blind but it was something serious. The referee saw it as an accident and I accept that. "I am happy with Drogba. Players are not just about the skilful and beautiful ones who play for the stands. "It's important to have players who fight for the team, work for the team, attack and defend. "He's the kind of player I would say 'with you I could go to every war.' He is a very important player to us." Manchester City players were incensed when referee Rob Styles failed to spot Drogba's handball in scoring his second goal of the game at Stamford Bridge. City captain Sylvain Distin had already been booked and was sent off after being shown a second yellow card after continuing his protest as the players trooped off a half-time. After the match Drogba admitted he had handled the ball. He said: "Yes, it was handball, but that's part of the game. "If City had done it, nobody would have mentioned it, but everyone is out to make a big mess about Chelsea." Drogba was then forced to quickly make a retraction in his post-match interview after admitting he dived. "Sometimes I dive, sometimes I stand," he said, before adding: "No, I don't dive." Chelsea are currently facing two charges of failing to control their players, following incidents at West Bromwich Albion and Fulham. Meanwhile, players' union chief Gordon Taylor has advised Drogba to change his approach to avoid letting his talent be overshadowed by his behaviour. Professional Footballers' Association chief executive Taylor said: "He is a talented striker but it diminishes the quality of his game by what he's doing. "I think Drogba has been unlucky with a couple of handballs that have added to the situations where the opposition has felt he has made too much of the contact. "But in the end, it's going to be up to himself. "It's down to the individual. They know what they're doing and they have to live with themselves." Referees spokesman Keith Hackett has added his weight to the debate by calling on players to stop conning officials and risk tarnishing football. Hackett, head of the Professional Game Match Officials Board, denied the problem of diving was a tactic imported by foreign players. He said: "There's no doubt a relatively small number are tarnishing the game and it's wrong to assume it's just the foreign players. "We're making a plea to players to stop doing it, and for managers to instruct their players."

Arsenal and Chelsea warn off Real
Chelsea and Arsenal have told Real Madrid there is no chance of their managers leaving in the summer. Real president Fernando Martin named Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger on a managerial shortlist on Monday. "Arsene Wenger has repeatedly made his position clear. He is happy here and is not planning to move," an Arsenal spokesperson told the Evening Standard. A Chelsea representative said: "Chelsea and Mourinho are united in an exciting and long-term project." Real are looking for someone to succeed Juan Lopez Caro, who was promoted from the B team four months ago to replace Wanderley Luxemburgo. REAL MADRID'S SHORTLIST Arsene Wenger (Arsenal) Jose Mourinho (Chelsea) Rafael Benitez (Liverpool) Sven-Goran Eriksson (England) Marcello Lippi (Italy) Carlo Ancelotti (AC Milan) Fabio Capello (Juventus) England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson and Liverpool's Rafael Benitez were also named on Real's shortlist. The other prospective managers were all Italian - AC Milan's Carlo Ancelotti, Juventus' Fabio Capello and Marcello Lippi, coach of Italy's national team. Martin said: "We are clear about the type of coach we want. "We want one of the coaches you all know we want - Mourinho, Capello, Benitez, Wenger, Ancelotti, Lippi or Eriksson." Wenger, Benitez and Capello have all distanced themselves from the job in recent weeks.

Drogba's uncle warns the boo-boys
Didier Drogba's uncle says the Ivory Coast striker could be forced out of the Stamford Bridge club by jeering Chelsea fans. Despite scoring both goals as Chelsea beat Manchester City 2-0, Drogba was booed by his own fans. This after going to ground following an innocuous looking clash with Manchester City defender Richard Dunne. "Didier could leave if he kept hearing whistling from the Chelsea fans," said Drogba's uncle, Michel Goba. "He is being made to feel very alone at the moment. "He simply cannot understand how he can be elected man of the match and have some of Chelsea's own supporters turn against him. He is very disappointed by that. "It's not right that Didier should carry all that people complain about in modern football on his own back. "It would not surprise me if he looked to go elsewhere in the event some Chelsea fans keep insulting him." Drogba himself does not understand why he has been singled out for criticism as the row over cheating referees escalates. Indeed, video replays supported Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho's claim that Drogba was accidentally caught in the eye by a stray finger during the incident with Dunne. The 28-year-old has been accused of diving on more than one occasion and also scored a goal against City after handling, a week after a strike against Fulham was disallowed for handball. Despite the controversy, Drogba has netted 13 times for Chelsea this season as Mourinho's side look to clinch back-to-back Premiership titles. And he has clearly been hurt by the abuse from his own supporters. Drogba said: "I can understand if they are unhappy when I don't play well, but wherever I play I always give everything for my team, and I always have a lot of respect for my shirt and my club." Of the handball, he added: "I handled it but this is part of the game. "I try to score and if the referee sees the handball there is a restart. He didn't see it, so for me it is (part of) the game."

Chelsea's Johnson faces hernia op
Chelsea defender Glen Johnson travelled to Germany on Thursday to undergo hernia surgery. The 21-year-old full-back is expected to return to fitness before the end of the season. "With modern surgical techniques and the medical staff Chelsea has in place, we are confident he'll be playing very quickly," said a Chelsea statement. Johnson has found it difficult to break into Chelsea's first team this season, making only seven appearances. In September, he was sent home from England Under-21 duty - amid reports of poor timekeeping, although Chelsea insisted he had a thigh strain. However, he enjoyed a spell in Chelsea's starting XI in January and February, earning him a recall into the England under-21 squad for a friendly against Norway.

Mourinho confident on title hopes
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho remains confident his side's nine-point lead over Manchester United is too great for Sir Alex Ferguson's side to close. "It could be a pivotal weekend if Chelsea were to drop points," said Ferguson, whose team play Bolton. But Mourinho, told Chelsea TV: "Nine points behind I think is a big gap. "If I was in their position, I'd be happy with the last couple of months, where they're winning matches, but concerned about the distance." Chelsea play Birmingham on Saturday and Mourinho added: "Nine points with seven matches to go - I am not thinking they are very close to us. "Of course we have to chase the points we need, we cannot wait for them to drop points, but nine points in the reality of modern football is a big gap."

Ferguson puts pressure on Chelsea
Sir Alex Ferguson sounded a warning to Chelsea after his Manchester United side closed the gap on the Premiership leaders to seven points. Chelsea have taken four points from their last three matches, while United have won their last eight league games. "This has asked a question of Chelsea," said Ferguson. "I always think the important thing is if your form is good in April you have got a chance, if your form is stuttering you can throw it away." Ferguson's side play rivals Arsenal next Sunday and he now believes that game will have a major say in whether United can overtake Chelsea in the last six games of the season. Chelsea were held to a 0-0 draw by Birmingham on Saturday, while Ferguson's team beat Bolton 2-1. And the Old Trafford boss has been quick to seize on the slip-up by the Blues to pile on the pressure for the Stamford Bridge outfit. "Everyone expected them to beat Birmingham and they didn't," said Ferguson, whose side face Chelsea away in the penultimate game of the season. "They still have to come to Bolton and they have got to go to Blackburn. It could be difficult for them." Ruud van Nistelrooy came off the bench to grab the winner against Bolton and become the eighth United player to score 150 goals for the club. REMAINING GAMES CHELSEA West Ham (h) Bolton (a) Everton (h) Man Utd (h) Blackburn (a) Newcastle (a) MAN UTD Arsenal (h) Sunderland (h) Tottenham (a) Middlesbrough (h) Chelsea (a) Charlton (h) Louis Saha also scored in the win and Ferguson says he has been left with a dilemma about which striker to start with against Arsenal. "We've got a massive game next week against Arsenal, we're playing well, they're playing well, it should be a fantastic game. "But if we can just get over that hurdle then we will have a chance. "We are catching them and we just hope the finishing line doesn't come too soon." Chelsea boss Mourinho has blamed his side's away displays for their dip in form as he prepares the Blues for their game against London rivals West Ham next Sunday. "It's obvious that away from home we are not performing the same and we are not getting the same results," he said. "In the first part of the season we won every match away and last season was the same. "This season what keeps us in the great position we are is the great record we have at home because at home we do not lose points."

Birmingham 0-0 Chelsea
Birmingham picked up a point in their relegation fight as leaders Chelsea turned in a below-par performance. Emile Heskey missed three reasonable chances for Birmingham in the first half, while Oliver Tebily forced a fine save from Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech. Chelsea finally shook off their torpor with Maik Taylor saving well from Didier Drogba and Hernan Crespo. In the last minute the Argentine also missed a good opportunity, while Ricardo Carvalho headed badly wide. Chelsea were out of sorts in the first half, with passes going astray and even the normally impeccable Frank Lampard guilty of some sloppy play. The Premiership leaders were more effective after the interval and Asier del Horno and Damien Duff both had the ball in the net, only to be adjudged offside. In that promising opening period for Birmingham, Steve Bruce's side kept a tight rein on wingers Duff and Arjen Robben, thereby isolating Drogba in attack. If Birmingham managed to unsettle Chelsea, the home side proved less successful in scoring against them. Heskey has managed just four Premiership goals this season and his lack of confidence was amply demonstrated in the opening 20 minutes as he passed up three good chances. The Birmingham striker first blazed over following Paulo Ferreira's miscued clearance and headed well wide from a Jermaine Pennant free-kick. Matthew Sadler's swinging cross then found Heskey, but having worked an angle, the hapless striker shot over the bar to the groans of the Birmingham fans. It was left to a Birmingham defender to draw Cech into action, Tebily's rising shot impressively tipped over by the Chelsea goalkeeper. Birmingham keeper Taylor showed equally smart reactions to push away a Robben shot after Drogba had quickly taken a free-kick to surprise the home side's defence. Early in the second half, Taylor saved well from Drogba's flicked volley when Del Horno crossed from the left. Drogba's next touch was altogether less assured as he lashed the ball over the bar following a dangerous Robben run. Lampard was the next Chelsea player to glimpse a sight of goal, but his shot was too high. With Chelsea in the ascendancy, Bruce introduced Mikael Forssell for the ineffective DJ Campbell, though the former Chelsea striker made little impact. Chelsea substitute Crespo threatened to win the game for the leaders late on, going close with a close-range volley that Taylor clutched to his chest. Carvalho also might have done better with a header from a Chelsea corner, but Birmingham held on to secure a point. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Birmingham manager Steve Bruce: "We were looking for a response after the Liverpool game and for people to do their jobs. "We've restored a bit of pride, and it has earned us a point in the mini-league we're facing to stay up between ourselves, Pompey and WBA. "Everyone produced the performance we have been wanting and needing, and I hope it will give everyone a lift." Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho: "The result is a fair one. Birmingham fought for 90 minutes. All their players were very committed. "It would have been very nasty for them to have lost a match into which they put absolutely everything. "But we scored a clear goal. You can say what you want, and your pundits can discuss it, but Asier Del Horno's goal should have stood." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Birmingham: Maik Taylor, Tebily, Cunningham, Martin Taylor, Sadler, Pennant, Clemence, Butt (Kilkenny 88), Johnson, Heskey, Campbell (Forssell 57). Subs Not Used: Vaesen, Latka, Lazaridis. Chelsea: Cech, Paulo Ferreira, Ricardo Carvalho, Terry, Del Horno (Crespo 64), Robben, Lampard, Makelele, Duff (Joe Cole 64), Drogba, Gudjohnsen (Essien 68). Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Huth. Att: 26,364. Ref: D Gallagher (Oxfordshire).

Scout says he has joined Chelsea
French scout Guy Hillion says he has been appointed to Chelsea's staff. The 61-year-old, who has being working in a similar role with Rennes after spells at Nantes and Bordeaux, claims to have signed a two-year deal. "Chelsea are one of the best four or five teams in Europe or even the world," said Hillion. "I am happy and proud to work for such a club and this is the culmination and recognition of the work that I have been able to do." Hillion will search for the up-and-coming talent from Ligue 1 in France. The scout has been critical of the English system of recruiting young French players and in 2002 he attacked Bolton's approach to sign Bordeaux goalkeeper Jeremy Bon. He said: "You know that the English buy all the young players in France that they can. "The English do not seem to have what it takes at their own clubs, they buy overall. "They do not think about sentiment."

Man Utd can push Blues - Beckham
Real Madrid's David Beckham expects Manchester United to push Chelsea "very close" in the Premiership title race. A run of eight straight League wins has led to Beckham's old club closing the gap on leaders Chelsea to seven points. Midfielder Beckham, 30, told the Daily Mirror: "I think it can go all the way to the wire. It is going to be very close because United are playing well. "Chelsea have a great team and a strong manager but United are on a roll and it will be closer than people expect." United face Arsenal on Sunday and must also visit Chelsea on 29 April but Beckham believes Sir Alex Ferguson's side have nothing to fear. "Their performances are great, they are scoring goals," added the England captain. "They have so many players within the team who can get goals - like Wayne Rooney, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Louis Saha - and they are all playing well. "I am really looking forward to seeing what happens."

FA charges Cole's agent Barnett
The Football Association has charged Ashley Cole's agent Jonathan Barnett with a breach of rules. The charge relates to his alleged involvement in a meeting involving Arsenal star Cole and Chelsea officials at a London hotel on 27 January 2005. It was a meeting that led to Premier League action against Cole, Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho and Chelsea. The breach of FA rules relates to "illegal approaches to clubs by players under contract." Barnett has also been charged with a breach of the Fifa Players¿ Agents Code of Conduct, which require agents to respect the rights of third parties - in this case Arsenal. He has until 20 April to respond to the charge. Cole was fined £75,000 by the Premier League - while Chelsea boss Mourinho also was fined £75,000 in the dispute and the club £300,000 by the Premier League in August, of which neither appealed.

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