Match Preview: Portsmouth vs. Chelsea

A mere three or four games ago who have ever dared to suggest that an ex-colleague of ours, Avram Grant, had, at his finger tips, the potential to permanently derail our Premier League title aspirations?

A home defeat to Manchester City followed by a lackluster 1-1 draw up at Ewood Park have left serious questions being asked about the current validity of our title challenge. Despite our fate being in our own hands with it being common knowledge that if we win all our reaming Premier League games we’ll be crowned champions, there’s an uneasiness in the air that’s enough to give some of us kittens.

With a recent blip in form being the main discussion point we can but only take each game as it comes but with Portsmouth condemned to relegation, courtesy of the financial mess they’re in, but still very much up for the fight, I can think of several other Premier League grounds I’d rather us be visiting.

Nevertheless, if the malaise of the past two Premier League performances is to be shaken off and the players are to knuckle down and produce the sort of performance we all know is needed, I’d suggest a very vociferous Fratton Park is just the place to re-stamp our credentials as title contenders.

Portsmouth Team News:
Avram Grant goes into this game knowing that there’s nothing but pride left to play for after administration made survival in the top flight nigh near impossible.

As for his squad, he’s not able to use his forward Aruna Dindane as one more appearance will invoke a further fee which Pompey do not have.

Elsewhere, Vanden Borre is out with a hamstring problem whilst Boateng, Utaka and Yebda are all rated as doubtful.

Player to watch: Jamie O`Hara
On loan from Spurs O’Hara has become a firm favourite of the Pompey faithful. He’s in the strange situation of having helped them to a FA Cup semi-final, at Wembley, but it looks like he’ll be unable to play against his parent club unless Fulham can spring a surprise win at White Hart Lane. O’Hara emphasized his danger from set pieces at the weekend with a cracker against Hull City as Iain 'Davros` Dowie watched his Hull side lose 3-2 after being 2-1 up with less than five minutes to go.

Chelsea Team News:
Carlo takes his squad to the south-coast with his injury list lengthened even more. Branislav Ivanovic joined the list of casualties that currently includes, Michael Essien, Ashley Cole and Jose Bosingwa after he picked up a knee injury at Ewood Park, on Sunday.

However, we are led to believe that both Petr Cech and Henrique Hilario are both fit enough for consideration although it should be pointed out that in their absence Ross Turnbull hasn’t put a foot wrong.

Following on from the two points dropped at Ewood Park, it’ll be interesting to see if Carlo Ancelotti is tempted to shuffle his pack to try and inject the flair that has been missing in recent games. Whether this means a start for Deco or Joe Cole remains to be seen, perhaps Carlo may opt to bring back Michael Ballack, all questions only his team sheet can answer.

In defence Carlo could be tempted to recall Ricardo Carvalho, will John Terry be rested or will it be Alex who finds himself unfortunate enough to be warming the bench again?

But, with Ivanovic injured we’re fairly certain that Paulo Ferreira will drop in at right back and Yuri Zhirkov will occupy the left back slot.

Something of a shot in the dark, our anticipated starting eleven - Cech, Ferreira, Alex, Terry, Zhirkov, Mikel, Lampard, Malouda, Deco, Drogba, Anelka

Player to watch: Nicolas Anelka
Apart from the assist for the Didier Drogba goal up at Ewood Park, Anelka’s contributions since Drogba`s return from the Africa Cup of Nations have been diminishing. It could be argued that stuck out wide, by Ancelotti, isn`t doing the Frenchman any favours or possibly even his ongoing contract situation might be affecting the situation. Nevertheless, Anelka needs a good ninety minutes and hopefully ninety minutes whereby he can score, let’s hope that place is Fratton Park on Wednesday evening!

Match Facts & Stats
Chelsea have not been beaten by Portsmouth in their last 17 fixtures at this level, a period that spans an incredible 52 years!

In their last 8 visits to Fratton Park, in top flight football, Chelsea have emerged victorious!

Ancelotti: New Targets

Carlo Ancelotti, a self-confessed fan of statistics, believes a points tally of 86 would be enough for Chelsea to take the league title.

With our current total on 65, that means Chelsea can afford to drop only three points in the remaining eight games to reach the manager's target. He is also clear those three points cannot be let slip in the game against Manchester United.

'I like statistics and I think that in the past with 86 points every team has won the title. I think that we need to get 86 points to win,' he says.

Ancelotti is naturally demanding the full three points collected from the visit to bottom club Portsmouth on Wednesday and for that challenge he welcomes Petr Cech back in goal after five games out with a calf injury.

The goalkeeper injury picture is improving fast with groin strain victim Hilario expected to be fit for Saturday's visit by Aston Villa. Ancelotti also has an update on Ashley Cole's ankle fracture.

'Ashley's recovery is going very well,' he says.

'He started to train in the sand today and I think that he will start to train on the normal ground in 15 days, so he will be ready to play before the last game of the season.'

There was not so good news on another full back however. Ancelotti confirms Branislav Ivanovic suffered a tear in a collateral medial knee ligament during the Blackburn game.

'Ivanovic is an important player for us. He is out for one month but we hope to recover him before this period. We have fortunately recovered Yury Zhirkov so we can put Paulo Ferreira at right back and Zhirkov at left back.

'The mood was not good after the Blackburn game because when we don't win we are disappointed,' the manager continues.

'But we have a possibility to come back on Wednesday. We know our results have not been good enough because we have the possibility to win every game and we haven't done this, but I am happy with the players' attitude and everyone has kept the right behaviour, players and club.'

The Italian insists that with hindsight he remains happy with the preparations for the Inter and Blackburn games and is not dropping his attention to detail ahead of Portsmouth.

'I know Portsmouth have a lot of difficulties but I also know Portsmouth won their last game against Hull when they were 2-1 down and in two minutes they won the game. We have to pay attention because they have the possibility to play without pressure so they can do a good job against us.'

Petr Cech To Return For Chelsea Against Portsmouth On Wednesday

Petr Cech will return to action for Chelsea against Portsmouth on Wednesday, manager Carlo Ancelotti has revealed.

The goalkeeper has been out injured since landing awkwardly in the Blues' Champions League game against Inter Milan in Italy last month, with Henrique Hilario and then Ross Turnbull asked to deputise as the side were knocked out of the Champions League and stuttered domestically.

But Ancelotti will welcome back his No. 1 at Fratton Park, and hopes his presence will see a revival in his side's form.

"Carlo Ancelotti has announced that Petr Cech will return for the game at Portsmouth on Wednesday," the club's website confirmed.

"Hilario is also close to full fitness as the goalkeeping injury picture improves. He is expected to be ready for Saturday's visit by Aston Villa."

Ancelotti Has Five Games To Save His Job

Carlo Ancelotti is facing a fight for Chelsea survival as the Blues' season stands on the brink of implosion.

Sunday's 1-1 draw at Blackburn left Chelsea, already out of the Champions League after being humiliated by Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan, third in the table and four points behind Manchester United with a game in hand.

But as Ancelotti was rocked by the news that Serbian defender Branislav Ivanovic is set to miss the next month with a knee ligament injury sustained at Ewood Park, the pressure on the Italian was mounting as he prepared for the three week spell that will define his reign.

Senior figures close to Roman Abramovich were last night pointing fingers at Ancelotti, rather than his players, for the run of just five wins in their last 11 games in all competitions and 10 points dropped out of the past 21.

It means Ancelotti's future is on the line unless he can conjure a winning run over the next five games, starting at Portsmouth on Wednesday and including the Easter Saturday visit to Old Trafford and the FA Cup semi-final clash with Aston Villa.

Members of the Stamford Bridge hierarchy are concerned that the series of lackluster and limited displays of recent weeks has now become a trend rather than isolated events.

And unless the former AC Milan coach can turn around the confidence and form of his players to ensure Chelsea take their fight for the title all the way to May 9, he could become the sixth manager to leave the club since 2004 this summer.

Abramovich is understood to be concerned that Ancelotti and his players are failing to respond to the gravity of the situation, with the tame and tepid second half performance at Blackburn indicative of a lack of drive and desire.

Unlike last term, when Luis Felipe Scolari was dismissed amid fears that Chelsea were poised to fall out of the top four, there is no question of Ancelotti being removed before the end of the season.

But the Italian, who cut a stressed and crestfallen figure at Blackburn, is under huge pressure to prove he is the right man for the job, starting at Fratton Park on Wednesday.

David Villa Is On The Market

Chelsea are on red alert after debt-riddled Valencia agreed to sell striker David Villa.

His team-mate David Silva is also available and Manchester United are sure to fancy the attacking midfielder, who may fetch up to £20million.

The Spanish team want to raise £50m by selling both players but Villa could cost £40m alone if a bidding war erupts between Chelsea and Manchester City.

Insiders say Villa, who has fired 121 goals in 223 outings for Valencia and 37 in 55 internationals, will also be wanted by Barcelona and Real Madrid.

But he is thought to prefer a move to the Premier League, with Chelsea his first choice.

Nicolas Anelka is stalling over an extended one-year deal at Chelsea and Blues fans would view Villa, 28, as an eye-popping replacement.

Villa said: "For now my head is in Valencia and the World Cup.

"After South Africa I will decide what's best. My final decision won't be based solely on money."

Chelsea Suffer Branislav Ivanovic Injury Blow

Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic will be out for a month after injuring his knee in Sunday's 1-1 draw against Blackburn Rovers.

The 26-year-old has torn his medial knee ligament and was replaced by Yuri Zhirkov during the game at Ewood Park.

The injury to the Serb will be a blow to Carlo Ancelotti's Premier League title contenders, who are four points behind leaders Manchester United.

Ivanovic will now miss the crucial game against United on 3 April.

Chelsea have one game in hand on the Premier League champions, which comes against Portsmouth on Wednesday evening.

But Ivanovic's injury adds further worry to a defence that is already without long-term absentee Jose Bosingwa and Ashley Cole, who is battling to be fit before the end of the season.

The Blues have only eight Premier League games left and Ivanovic is now likely to miss five of them in addition to the FA Cup semi-final against Aston Villa on 10 April.

Ancelotti will be desperate to win some silverware in his first season at Stamford Bridge after crashing out of the Champions League to Inter Milan last week.

Yet with only Paulo Ferreira, Juliano Belletti and Zhirkov left as recognised full-backs, Chelsea's defensive cover is now looking thin.

Ashley Cole Returns To Chelsea Training And Expected To Be Back By End Of Season

Chelsea defender Ashley Cole, who suffered the injury against Everton at the beginning of February, was given a stringent non-contact workout at the club's Cobham training ground.

The England left-back also did some heading and turning exercises to test out the joint before undergoing more physio work inside the complex.

And manager Carlo Ancelotti, who is preparing his side for a crucial Premier League game against Portsmouth on Wednesday night, said he expects Cole to join his team-mates in full training in two weeks' time.

'Ashley's recovery is going very well,' he said.

'He started to train in the sand today and I think he will start to train on the ground maybe in 15 days, so he will be ready to play the last game of the season.'

It had been feared Cole's ankle injury may keep him out of the World Cup - giving England boss Fabio Capello a selection headache for the tournament with second-choice Wayne Bridge having made himself unavailable.

But Cole looks in a positive frame of mind and has targeted the game against Wigan at Stamford Bridge on 9th May - the final day of the Premier League season - for his return.

It could mean the 29-year-old has at least two competitive fixtures before England's squad meet for their World Cup warm-up program.

Chelsea have the opportunity to reach the FA Cup final, which will be on 15th May, if they beat Aston Villa at Wembley in the last-four next month.

Contract Talks Between Chelsea And Midfielder Joe Cole Have Stalled

Contract negotiations between Chelsea and Joe Cole appear to have hit an impasse and Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham could all be in on the England international in the summer transfer window.

With the midfielder’s current deal running out this summer, stalling discussions could mean that Cole will leave Stamford Bridge after seven seasons with Chelsea.

Cole does not wish to leave Chelsea, and is keen to re-open contract talks so that an agreement can be reached.

"I've never spoken publicly about contracts before,” Cole told The Sun.

"I don't think contracts should really be discussed mid-season. I have always signed mine in the summer in the past.

"But this time it's different. We can't seem to find common ground and it's distracting. At the moment there is no offer on the table, so I know where I stand. I still hope to talk in the summer."

Cole has made 272 appearances for the Blues since joining from West Ham United in 2003 for £6.6million.

Ancelotti: Cole Going Nowhere

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti believes Joe Cole will remain at the club beyond the end of the season, despite mounting speculation regarding the player's future.

Cole's contract expires in the summer and the 28-year-old was reported as saying he has not been offered a new deal by the Stamford Bridge outfit.

It means the England winger could leave Ancelotti's side on a free during the close-season, with some of Chelsea's title rivals believed to be keen on capturing his signature should he depart the London club.

Cole has said he hopes to extend his stay at the Blues, and Ancelotti - who also dismissed claims he would be leaving Chelsea - reiterated his belief that the midfielder would remain with his team for the new campaign.

He told Sky Sports News: "I said the player will be here next season because the player wants to be here and the club wants to keep him in the squad.

"That's all - there is no news about this. I think that there is a time to speak about his contract but this is not my issue.

"I gave my technical opinion about this player and nothing else. I think that he is showing a pleasure to stay here, to play for this club."

Cole has failed to hold down a regular spot in the Chelsea team this season following a lengthy injury lay off with a cruciate ligament problem.

Ancelotti has used the former West Ham youngster sparingly during his bid to bring the Premier League title to the club, with Cole having to settle for a place on the subs bench.

The player has admitted he needs to play regular first team football in a bid to force his way into Fabio Capello's England squad for the World Cup finals in South Africa.

And Capello is another manager who has been unconvinced by Cole since his returned from injury, with comments from the Italian following the friendly win over Egypt in March suggesting the player's place in the 23-man party for June's show piece event may not be guaranteed.

But Ancelotti praised the Paddington-born star for his conduct around the Chelsea camp - although he too stressed it was important he played frequently on the domestic front.

He added: "He's doing a very good job, he's very professional and he has very good relationship with his other team mates.

"It's a very important moment for him and the other players to show his quality to stay in the squad for the World Cup with England.

"He wants to play, I know that, and he's doing everything he can in training to show me his quality. Sometimes he's played and sometimes he's stayed out, but that's what happens at the big teams."