Terry Amazed By Alex

Chelsea skipper John Terry has hailed the form of fellow centre-half Alex and admits he has given Carlo Ancelotti a selection headache.

The Brazilian has often been resigned to back-up duties at Stamford Bridge, with Terry and Ricardo Carvalho regarded as the Blues' first-choice pairing at the heart of their defence.

He has, however, proved to be an able deputy when called upon and has rarely let the side down.

The burly defender put in a man of the match showing in Chelsea's comfortable 2-0 victory over Stoke in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday, and Terry is among those keen to pile praise on the Samba star.

"He amazes me how he comes in and plays so well," said the England international.

"He is not first choice regularly but when he does come in he is brilliant. He made two great tackles in the game (against Stoke), especially the one against Tuncay."

Terry admits Alex is pushing hard for a regular role in Ancelotti's plans and accepts that he and Carvalho, who is currently struggling with a knock, must raise their game if they are to keep him on the sidelines.

"It is down to myself and Riccy to maintain our place in the team," he added.

"Riccy is out with a slight hamstring strain but hopefully he will be back soon and when players come in and play as well as Alex, it gives the manager a problem which is good for the squad."

Lampard: Kicked Back Into Shape

The players are back training today after a Monday break and as they begin preparations to face West Ham, Frank Lampard hopes FA Cup victory has restarted the push for trophies.

Consecutive defeats have thankfully been rare during Lampard's time at Chelsea and he was pleased to see a run that took in the away match at Inter and the home shock against Manchester City go no further when Stoke paid us a visit.

'Our home record has probably been as good as anyone's over that last few years but bad results can happen and sometimes they can be a kick in the right direction if you react positively enough,' he said as he reflected on the last two matches.

'I think we did that and hopefully it can make us more aware and make sure that we get back on it, especially at home for the rest of the season.

'We have certainly got it in us to go on a good run and every team has faltered at times this season when there has been opportunities to kick on in the league. The team that puts together a consistent run now can go and win the league. A winning habit is very important, and we need to take that forward from Sunday.'

The Chelsea vice-captain is certainly unconcerned that the lead in the Barclays Premier League was lost at the weekend when, having fallen at the first hurdle in this year's FA Cup by losing at home to lower league opposition, Manchester United were able to play a league fixture.

'It is only because we have got a game in hand,' Lampard highlights. 'We have been second a couple of times this season when we have had games in hand and it is important to block that out that. People will make a meal of it. We know we have got the extra game and we just have to concentrate on winning games again like we did on Sunday.'

Lampard's opener against Stoke was added to by John Terry and the midfielder reckons opposition fans are wasting their breath if they think taunts and chants are going to knock his colleague out of his on-pitch stride.

'I have had that at times and John got it on Sunday and sometimes the abuse does overstep the mark, but strong players react in positive ways and that is what John did.

'We just play and move on. That's a good answer to it.'

Frank Lampard spoke to Chelsea's official website on Saturday about closing in on Peter Osgood's total for FA Cup goals. His 18th in the competition scored on Sunday was his 146th overall for Chelsea, placing him four behind Osgood and Roy Bentley's comparative figures.

'I called to John [Terry],' Lampard told Chelsea TV after the game about his goal.

'Some players swivel and put it back in the box but John was very aware to lay it back and I focused on trying to keep the ball down.

'I should be level with Ossie's FA Cup goals. I should have scored in the second half from one I put over the bar but Ossie is always a benchmark for me and I am getting close to him in the all-time goals. It is nice to get near to the heroes of Chelsea history.'

Ajax And PSV Eindhoven Set Sights On Chelsea Youngster Stoch

Dutch giants Ajax and PSV Eindhoven are interested in signing Chelsea's 20 year-old midfielder Miroslav Stoch , according to Dutch news outlet Sportsweek.

Stoch is currently on loan at Steve McLaren's Twente Enschede and is enjoying an excellent season. He has scored 10 goals in 36 appearances and has been a real attacking threat in the Dutch top division, the Eredivisie this season.

Stoch joined Chelsea's youth academy in 2006 and has since progressed through the ranks at Stamford Bridge. He made his first team debut at Chelsea in late 2008 against Arsenal and has since gone on to play 4 times for the Blues. He was loaned to Twente last summer and has impressed during his time in Holland.

Now, according to Sportweek in Holland, both Ajax and PSV Eindhoven are closely following Stoch's progress with his future next season as yet undecided. Twente are keen to keep Stoch, but should Chelsea be willing to part with the Slovakian, both Ajax and PSV Eindhoven are monitoring the situation and would be keen to step in.

Chelsea Re-Open Contract Talks With Nicolas Anelka

Chelsea have re-opened contract negotiations with Nicolas Anelka, Sky Sports News are reporting.

The club have recently seemed reluctant to enter negotiations with the French striker, whose current contract runs out at the end of next season.

But the Blues hierarchy have apparently relented and discussions have now begun regarding a new two-year deal.

Anelka and his club had previously failed to come to an agreement after three rounds of talks, but are hopeful that something will now be agreed before the end of the month.

The 30-year-old was the Premier League's top scorer last season has scored eight goals in 24 league appearances this campaign, although he has failed to score in his last seven games for the Blues.

Chelsea Target Angel Di Maria Plays Down Transfer Talk

Benfica star Angel Di Maria has insisted that he won't think about his future until the end of the season.

The Argentine international has regularly been linked with a move away from the Portuguese side, with Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City all heavily tipped to make a bid.

But the 22-year-old, who joined Benfica from Rosario Central for £6m in 2007, wants to focus on helping his club attempt to win their first league title since 2005.

"I am very happy and perhaps I am having the best moments I have had as a player," Di Maria said after helping his side to a 3-1 win over Pacos de Ferreira at the weekend

"My work with Benfica is good and my family are settled in Lisbon, and I am dreaming of titles and hopefully that is what will happen in the next few months.

"My head is with Benfica and I will not speak about my possible exit until the end of the season."

John Terry: I Was Entitled To React After Fans’ Abuse

John terry has no regrets over the exuberant way he celebrated his FA Cup clincher against Stoke – and insists the abuse of opposing fans will not affect his form for Chelsea.

The Blues skipper is still being taunted for the lurid headlines that followed his relationship with Vanessa Perroncel – the former girlfriend of his one-time Chelsea team-mate Wayne Bridge – an affair which cost him the England captaincy.

Terry responded to sustained abuse from Stoke fans by setting up the opening goal for Frank Lampard in the 2-0 FA Cup sixth-round victory.

He then heading the clincher in the second half to secure a Wembley semi-final against Aston Villa and celebrated by running to the corner flag after rolling up his sleeve and pointing at his armband.

The 29-year-old admitted: ‘I was just giving the Stoke fans a bit of banter. That was all.

‘They were giving me a bit of stick and I was just giving a bit back and that is what football is about.

‘They are entitled to do what they do and so am I on the pitch as long as they take it in the right manner. I am sure they did.’

And Lampard admits Terry thrives on rival fans’ chanting, claiming it only makes him more determined.

‘Sometimes the abuse oversteps the mark,’ added Lampard.

‘Strong players react in positive ways and that’s what John did.’

Bayern Desperate To Keep Ribey

Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has admitted the club will pull out all the stops to convince Franck Ribery to extend his current deal at the Allianz Arena.

The Frenchman is out of contract in 2011, but if he doesn't commit himself to a new deal before the summer he is likely to be sold, as Bayern would risk losing him on a free transfer 12 months later.

"Extending Franck's contract is our absolute priority," Rummenigge told the Welt newspaper. "If we had wanted to sell him, we would have had to do that last summer.

"We had some really big offers then, particularly from England. But we all agreed to keep him.

"We want to have the best players at FC Bayern and Franck is currently one of the best in the world.

"We won't throw everything into the mixer, but we will throw in a lot to convince Franck to stay in Munich."

Rummenigge has also told the French winger that his future at Bayern is as much in his own hands as it is the club's.

"We need him because then I think we have a good chance to compete on a par with Europe's top clubs," added Rummenigge.

"Franck is hungry for success and I don't think a contract extension is purely dependent on the financial side of things.

"It is up to him. We recently told him: 'Franck, it is hard to stop you on the field. You can do things alone and decide things in our favour'.

"We want to keep hold of him because he is so extraordinary and that would be good for us and the Bundesliga."