Chelsea and Drogba set for talks

Chelsea have revealed they will sit down with Didier Drogba to sort out the striker’s future at the club.

Drogba, who was sent off in extra time of Wednesday’s Champions League final, has been linked with a summer move to several clubs including AC Milan.

“Didier is a superb player generally,” admitted chairman Bruce Buck.

“Now that the season is over we have to sit down with him and see what the story is and what his future is. He is a great player, I hope he stays.”

Buck added: “But that is a decision the club and Didier will have to make collectively.

“There have been some comments reported to be made by Didier over that last year that maybe he would like to leave Chelsea. On most occasions he has said that he has been misquoted.”

Drogba suffered a number of injuries last season that affected his performances, but the Ivory Coast striker was also reportedly unhappy at the departure of former manager Jose Mourinho.

Hiddink ‘would say no to Chelsea’

Russia coach Guus Hiddink will not become the next manager of Chelsea, according to his agent.

Hiddink, 61, has been installed as one of the favourites to replace Avram Grant, who was sacked on Saturday.

But Cees van Nieuwenhuizen has told BBC Sport that Hiddink is planning for the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign.

The Dutchman only has a verbal agreement to remain in charge of Russia beyond the Euro 2008 finals but van Nieuwenhuizen says he will stay on.

Hiddink has a formidable record at club and international level, having taken Holland and South Korea to the semi-finals of the World Cup.

He is known to have a strong relationship with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, who is believed to have played a key role in his appointment as Russia boss in 2006, as well as helping to fund his salary.

Hiddink is yet to sign a new deal to stay on with Russia but BBC Radio 5 Live football correspondent Jonathan Legard said: “His agent says there is nothing suspicious about the unsigned contract.

“And his relationship with the Russian Football Federation is good, even if Hiddink himself expressed concern last week that the issue could become a distraction.

“By contrast, Hiddink’s fellow countryman Frank Rijkaard is readily available and may not object as much as (former boss) Jose Mourinho eventually did to Abramovich’s football involvement, which is reckoned to be as much as 30% of on-the-pitch activity by Richard Bevan of the League Managers’ Association.”

source:bbcsports

Evil Prevails!

Manchester United’s victorious players are on a flight back to England with the Champions League trophy after their thrilling win over Chelsea in Moscow.

The United squad celebrated the penalty shoot-out win well into the early hours at a party in their hotel.

BBC sports news correspondent James Pearce said the party had gone on until 1000 local time, and the team’s return has been put back by at least an hour.

Meanwhile, Chelsea have already begun their trip back to Gatwick airport.

In a dramatic final, Manchester United took the lead through Ronaldo before Frank Lampard equalised for Chelsea.

It went down to penalties, with John Terry missing the chance to win it for Chelsea before Edwin van der Sar saved Nicolas Anelka’s spot-kick to take the trophy.

The Chelsea players are expected to make a low-key exit when they land at Gatwick, after seeing their dreams of glory snatched away in the Luzhniki Stadium.

Chelsea snap up Argentine starlet

Chelsea have signed Argentina Under-20 international striker Franco Di Santo on a four-and-a-half year contract. The 18-year-old arrives at Stamford Bridge from Chilean side Audax Italiano for an undisclosed fee.

Despite standing 6ft 4in tall Di Santo, who holds an Italian passport, has been compared to diminutive Argentina legend Diego Maradona.

Chelsea have reportedly paid more than £3m for Di Santo, who was also linked with Manchester United and Liverpool.

 source:bbcsports

Anelka dismisses “Le Sulk” label

Chelsea’s new £15m signing Nicolas Anelka says his “Le Sulk” reputation is entirely unfounded. The 28-year-old, who has played for eight clubs in his career, said: “Ask a player I played with in England and they won’t say a bad word about me.”

Anelka also rejected claims he would have preferred to rejoin Arsenal.

“Arsenal was good, but it’s in the past, I’m happy to be here,” he said. “We’re still in the race to win everything and I’ll try to do it.”

Anelka, who has now cost £85m in transfer fees, began his career at Paris St Germain before joining the Gunners in 1997.

He also played for Real Madrid, Paris St Germain again, Liverpool, Manchester City and Fenerbahce before joining Bolton.

There were rumours he found it difficult to mix with teammates but he said: “Sometimes you are happy when you play football and sometimes you are not happy.

“Maybe some people saw me when I was not happy but no, I don’t think it’s fair.”

Now at Stamford Bridge, Anelka insists he does not expect to be permanently guaranteed first-team football but will remain fully committed to the Chelsea cause.

“It’s a big club with big players and if the manager gives me the chance to play, I’ll play and try to do my best,” he said.

“If I have to start on the bench, I’ll do the same. I knew this before I signed. I’m just happy to be here.”

Another mischievous suggestion that Anelka was quick to play down was that he could not form an effective strike partnership with Didier Drogba, who is currently away at the African Nations Cup.

“It’s not very difficult to play with him,” Anelka said.

“He can do everything and he’s clever and can play with his back to the goal. I like this kind of striker. I can turn around him and give him some good balls to score.”

 source:bbcsports

Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham

Chelsea kept the pressure on Arsenal and Manchester United at the top of the table with victory over Tottenham. Juliano Belletti’s powerful 25-yard strike put Chelsea ahead after Spurs left him with room to shoot at goal.

Tottenham struggled to create clear chances, with Steed Malbranque going closest with a well-struck volley.

Nicolas Anelka hit the bar after making his Chelsea debut off the bench and Shaun Wright-Phillips sealed the win with a low shot past Radek Cerny.

Chelsea’s victory maintained their long-standing dominance over their London rivals at Stamford Bridge, with Spurs’ last away win over the Blues coming back in 1990.

The opening stages were fiercely contested, but lacking in quality with the emphasis on perspiration rather than inspiration.

But the match suddenly exploded into life with a superb strike from Belletti, and Spurs had no-one to blame but themselves.

Chelsea complete £15m Anelka deal

Chelsea have completed a £15m deal to sign Bolton striker Nicolas Anelka. The 28-year-old has signed a four-and -a-half year contract in time to figure in Saturday’s home game against Spurs.

Bolton had rejected a £12m bid from Chelsea, who wanted Anelka as cover for Didier Drogba, who is with the Ivory Coast at the African Cup on Nations.

Salomon Kalou is also away on international duty and Andriy Shevchenko is injured, leaving boss Avram Grant short of options.

Shevchenko and Claudio Pizzaro, their other senior forward, have scored five Premier League goals between them this season.

Chelsea extend Grant’s contract

Chelsea boss Avram Grant has signed a four-year contract at Stamford Bridge. Grant, 52, took over as Chelsea boss in September in the wake of Jose Mourinho’s departure.

The former Israel coach lost his opening match at Manchester United, but has since guided the Blues to a 16-match unbeaten run.

Chelsea lie third in the Premier League, three points behind leaders Arsenal and have qualified for the second round of the Champions League.

It had been widely thought that Grant was merely placed in charge at Chelsea until the club identified and secured its preferred manager.

Chelsea 0-0 Valencia

Chelsea dominated their final Champions League group game against Valencia - but missed a host of chances and were denied by the woodwork. Avram Grant’s side had already topped their group, but should have ended with a resounding victory.

Valencia keeper Santiago Canizares saved well from Frank Lampard, Andriy Shevchenko and Claudio Pizarro.

Pizarro and Joe Cole also hit the post, while Salomon Kalou struck the bar from only six yards after the break.

Chelsea boss Grant shuffled his side ahead of Sunday’s meeting with Arsenal - but they still exerted total superiority against a desperately poor Valencia team.

Shevchenko had a shot saved by Canizares after three minutes and captain John Terry headed the resulting corner just off target.

Chelsea unsure on Drogba surgery

Chelsea manager Avram Grant has confirmed Didier Drogba may need surgery on a persistent knee injury. The striker has been carrying the injury for some time and looks certain to miss Saturday’s match with Sunderland because of it.

It has not been decided if surgery is necessary or when it would take place.

The timing of any potential operation could affect the Ivory Coast captain’s availability for the African Nations Cup in January and February.

Drogba, 29, has scored nine goals in 15 appearances for Chelsea this season.