Oscar out for Chelsea clash

Chelsea will be without Brazilian midfielder Oscar for this evening’s trip to Sunderland.

The 22 year old injured his ankle in Sunday afternoon’s 3-1 win over Southampton, and joins international teammate David Luiz on the side-lines, though Samuel Eto’o could feature after returning to training following a hamstring problem.

The Blues have are unbeaten in their last three league games, and have lost just one in their last nine. Three points here will keep the pressure on leaders Arsenal, who host Hull City this evening.

This evening’s match begins a run of three matches against teams currently in the bottom five of the Premier League for Jose Mourinho’s side.

They travel to Stoke City on Saturday afternoon before facing Crystal Palace seven days later.

Meanwhile, Thibaut Courtois is set to hold talks with the club regarding his long term future, Sky Sports understands.

The Belgium international is currently in his third season on loan with Atletico Madrid, where he has established himself as one of the best young goalkeepers in world football.

Both Barcelona and Real Madrid have been linked with a move for the 21 year old, who is yet to play for Chelsea since signing from Genk in 2011.

Posted on December 4, 2013 by by

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Ivanovic confident of Blues success

Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic is confident that the club have a fighting chance of reclaiming the Premier League title, Sky Sports understands.

The Blues, who currently sit in second place four points behind leaders Arsenal, last lifted the trophy under the guidance of Carlo Ancelotti back in 2010.

Ivanovic believes the team are much improved following the return of Jose Mourinho, who led the club to back to back titles during his first spell in charge at Stamford Bridge.

Meanwhile, Chelsea target Max Meyler has signed a new long term contract with Schalke, according to the Metro.

The 18 year old, who has caught the eye of a number of Europe’s elite clubs with impressive displays in both the Bundesliga and the Champions League, has confirmed that his future remains with Jens Keller’s side.

Elsewhere, Bayern Munich have entered the race to sign out of favour defender David Luiz, the Express understands.

The Brazil international, who is currently side-lined with a knee injury, has seen his opportunities limited this season with Gary Cahill and John Terry proving to be Mourinho’s preferred central defensive partnership.

Luiz could be tempted to move away from Stamford Bridge as he looks to cement a place in Luiz Felipe Scolari’s side for next summer’s World Cup finals in his native Brazil.

Posted on December 3, 2013 by by

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Chelsea up to second after beating Saints

Chelsea have risen to second place in the Premier League after beating Southampton 3-1 at Stamford Bridge yesterday afternoon.

The visitors took the lead inside thirteen seconds through Jay Rodriguez, who capitalised on a mistake from Michael Essien.

However, the Blues improved after the second half, and Gary Cahill levelled terms ten minutes after the restart before his central defensive partner and club captain John Terry turned the game on its head soon after.

Substitute Demba Ba then fired in his first league goal since March in stoppage time to put the result beyond doubt, and secure a second straight win for Jose Mourinho’s men who will now turn their attention to Wednesday evening’s trip to lowly Sunderland, where they have won on each of their past eight visits.

Meanwhile, West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce is set to make a fresh approach for Demba Ba when the transfer window reopens next month.

His appearance off the bench yesterday was only his fifth in the Premier League this season, while his four outings in the cup competitions this time around have all come as a substitute.

Premier League leaders Arsenal were interested in securing the Senegal international’s services in the summer.

Posted on December 2, 2013 by by

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Football Manager 2012 | Season 1 Review | Chelsea FC Story | Commentary

Chelsea Fans Video Rating: 4 / 5

Posted on November 29, 2013 by by

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Eto’o out of Saints clash

Samuel Eto’o is out of Chelsea’s clash with Southampton on Sunday afternoon after picking up a groin injury in Tuesday evening’s Champions League defeat to Basel.

The Cameroon international, who is set to miss the next two weeks, could be replaced by Fernando Torres, who returned from his abductor injury midweek.

David Luiz is doubtful as he struggles to shake of a knee injury, while Marco van Ginkel is out for the majority of the season with a knee injury.

Victory could see Jose Mourinho’s men close the gap on leaders Arsenal, depending on their result against Cardiff City on Saturday afternoon.

Meanwhile second place Liverpool, who are level on points with the Blues, travel to Hull City on Sunday afternoon.

Elsewhere, Mourinnho has taken a swipe at Romelu Lukaku, with many still questioning why he was again allowed to go out on loan this season, the Mail Online understands.

Following a successful season-long stint at West Bromwich Albion last year, the Belgium international moved to Everton for the season on transfer deadline day.

With Chelsea’s current set of forwards largely misfiring, journalists and fans alike have been rueing the clubs decision to temporarily part company with the 20 year old, but the Blues boss has said it is for the player to reveal the reason why.

Posted on November 29, 2013 by by

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Bertrand linked with Reds move

Liverpool are plotting to bid £8m for Ryan Bertrand when the transfer window reopens, the Metro understands.

Reds’ manager Brendan Rodgers is keen on bringing in cover for Jose Enrique, who is side-lined until February after undergoing knee surgery.

Bertrand has played just sixty-four minutes of Premier League football this season, with two other appearances coming in the Capital One Cup.

He has previously had loan spells with Bournemouth, Norwich City, Reading and Nottingham Forest but could now be set to secure a permanent move away from the club.

Should the 24 year old leave, the Blues may well step up their interest in Wolfsburg’s Ricardo Rodriquez, who they are reportedly eyeing as a long term replacement for Ashley Cole.

Meanwhile, the club are in secret talks with Porto’s Jackson Martinez, according to ESPN.

Jose Mourinho is keen on bringing in a new striker in January, and has identified the prolific Colombia international as his top target.

The 27 year old moved to Europe last July, and has scored an impressive thirty-four goals in just forty league appearances, whilst internationally he has eight in twenty-five senior caps, and is almost certain to be involved at next summer’s World Cup finals.

Posted on November 28, 2013 by by

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Blues lose in Basel but secure progress

Chelsea’s progression the knockout stages of the Champions League has been secured despite them losing to a late goal in Basel yesterday evening.

Mohamed Salah, who netted the equaliser when the sides met at Stamford Bridge in September, scored late on to secure back to back wins over the Blues for Murat Yakin’s side.

Petr Cech kept the visitors, who only mustered one attempt on goal throughout the whole match, in the game with several saves.

However, thanks to Steaua Bucharest’s goalless draw with Schalke in Group E’s other fixture means that Jose Mourinho’s men cannot drop to third place, regardless of the results on match day six.

The club will now turn their attention to Sunday afternoon’s Premier League clash with Southampton, where they will be looking to keep pressure on leaders Arsenal who they meet next month.

Meanwhile, the Daily Star have reported that both Manchester United and Liverpool have taken to Twitter to call for their respective clubs to sign Juan Mata.

The Spain international has been strongly linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge after falling down the pecking order since Jose Mourinho returned to the club.

He has completed ninety minutes just one this season – the Capital One Cup third round victory over Swindon Town in September.

Posted on November 27, 2013 by by

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Torres back for Basel clash

Fernando Torres is available for Chelsea’s Champions League Group E clash with FC Basel.

The 29 year old Spain international has not featured since the 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United earlier this month, but could lead the line for the visitors at St Jakob Park this evening, where a point for the Blues would seal qualification for the knockout stages, and victory would see them progress as group winners.

David Luiz has not travelled with the squad due to a bruised patella, and will be out for a week.

Gary Cahill and club captain John Terry are set to continue in the centre of defence, while Ashley Cole may play despite a niggling rib problem though Cesar Azpilicueta is ready to deputise after impressing on the left recently.

The Swiss Champions ran out 2-1 winners when the sides met in September, though Jose Mourinho’s men have responded well, first with a 4-0 win over Steaua in Bucharest and then back to back 3-0 victories over Schalke.

The group’s other game sees Steaua host Schalke, where victory for the visitors will secure their place in the next round should Chelsea win, while the Romanian champions must win to have any chance of progressing.

Posted on November 26, 2013 by by

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Blues thump Hammers to go third

A Frank Lampard double inspired Chelsea to victory against the England international’s former club West Ham United at Upton Park on Saturday evening.

The Blues al-time record goal scorer struck first from the penalty spot on 21 minutes after Oscar was brought down by Hammers goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen.

Oscar himself doubled the visitors’ advantage, drilling home from the edge of the penalty area eleven minutes before the break.

Sam Allardyce’s men showed improvements in the second half, though the result was put beyond doubt by Lampard, who bagged his second of the evening late on to see the club leapfrog Southampton – who lost to leaders Arsenal earlier in the day – into third place.

Jose Mourinho’s men will now turn their attention to tomorrow evening’s trip to FC Basel, where they can secure first place Group E with victory while they host Southampton in their next league fixture on Sunday afternoon.

Meanwhile, Juventus and Atletico Madrid are the latest sides to be linked with a January move for out of favour Chelsea forward Juan Mata, according to the Express.

The two times Blues Player of the Year was once again left out of the Blues match day squad at the weekend.

Posted on November 25, 2013 by by

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Cole doubtful for Hammers clash

Chelsea will be hoping to return to winning ways as they take on West Ham United at Upton Park in tomorrow evening’s late kick off in the Premier League.

Jose Mourinho’s men have dropped five points in their last two games, and needed a late penalty to salvage a point against West Bromwich Albion a fortnight ago.

Ashley Cole is a doubt with a rib injury, though Fernando Torres could return after sitting out of the clash with the Baggies with a muscle problem.

The Hammers ran out 3-1 winners in last season’s fixture, though the Blues made a mends with a 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge back in March.

Victory here could see Chelsea rise to second place in the division, depending on results elsewhere though defeat could see them slip to seventh.

Meanwhile, Wolfsburg have joined the race to sign out of favour Blues midfielder Kevin de Bruyne.

The Belgium international has been strongly linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge after failing to make a real impression on the first team since returning from a year-long loan spell with Werder Bremen.

Atletico Madrid, who currently have Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois in their ranks, have also been linked.

Posted on November 22, 2013 by by

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