Essien Losing Fitness Race

Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien looks set to miss the remainder of the season after failing to recover from a knee injury sustained in the African Cup of Nations.

The Ghana enforcer has not represented the Blues at all this year after previously tearing his hamstring in the home UEFA Champions League meeting with Apoel Nicosia back in December.

And a Chelsea spokesman confirmed the 27-year-old is losing the race to play any part in the crunch stage of the campaign.

The Blues head into the business end of the Premier League season one point clear of second-placed Manchester United with three games to play.

And Essien, who has suffered some complications in his rehabilitation, looks set to miss all league fixtures and the FA Cup final against Portsmouth on 15th May.

"Michael Essien will not be in the squad for the weekend's game against Stoke City at Stamford Bridge," said a club spokesman.

"The Ghanaian's participation in the remainder of the campaign is now in doubt, with only four games to play including the FA Cup Final on May 15."

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti is also sweating on the fitness of John Obi Mikel after he reaggravated an old injury against Tottenham last weekend.

The Nigerian missed training on Tuesday afternoon in order to undergo scans on his left knee and ankle.

There was better news for Chelsea fans at Cobham though as star striker Didier Drogba took full part in the latest session.

The Ivory Coast frontman has been struggling with ongoing hernia problems but looks set to start for the Blues in Sunday's Premier League fixture against Stoke at Stamford Bridge.

Aguero In English Admission

Atletico Madrid star Sergio Aguero has, for the first time, conceded that he would relish the chance of joining Chelsea.

The Argentine forward is very loyal to Atletico, who paid more than €20million (£17.5m) for him when he was just 18 years old.

But now Aguero is ready to quit Madrid, with Chelsea seemingly at the top of his list of potential destinations.

Blues owner Roman Abramovich is ready to open the purse strings to boss Carlo Ancelotti this summer and a substantial part of their war chest could be spent on Aguero.

"Chelsea are a great club. They have become one of the most feared in Europe over recent years," he told the Daily Express.

"I look at players like Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard and they have been, and still are, the best players in their positions in the world.

"I could really learn from players like that, there is no doubt."

Aguero, who will be at the World Cup finals this summer and is Diego Maradona's son-in-law, insists he would have no qualms about living in England.

"London would be a really amazing city to live in as well, myself and my wife could be really happy there," he said.

"Carlos Tevez is doing really well at Manchester City but, for me, it is about joining a club who are ready to challenge for honours. City are not ready yet."

Inter Milan are also thought to be very keen on the 21-year-old, but Aguero says England is the place to be.

"Inter are a great club, but it is agreed that, over the last five years, the Premier League has been the strongest," he concluded.

Ribery Closer To Chelsea Than Ever

Franck Ribery is signing for Chelsea this week.

Lets get the obvious out of the way first before you all start running to your computers and ordering his shirt online -- He's not signing for Chelsea.

The British papers continue to do their job by relating world events to the public and they also are still enjoying their little side-hobby of making out Chelsea are the least professional club on the planet.

For the last two years, Chelsea have been one of a number of teams interested in the services of the Frenchman who is currently plying his trade at Bayern Munich.

Madrid, Barca, United, Inter, Milan and even Man City since last season have all expressed interests in the winger.

So while the Chelsea rumours died down since January 31st, it seems we've had bids turned down already and we've gone and lost interest, the papers determine that Franck has the perfect social lifestyle that would fit in well in London.

For those that have missed the story, including the Tabloid Editors, a 17-year-old girl found in a legal brothel in Paris is stating that a certain footballer abused her sexually.

Franck is not the player in question you'll be partly relieved to know although it still hasn't stopped the papers running with the idea that he's as bad a Ashley, JT and Mutu and would be perfect at Chelsea.

Ribery has been asked to give evidence as the case against the player continues. Allegedly the unnamed player claims to have thought she was 18.

In my opinion, this unnamed player sounds more like a British team player than Ribery and we should go ahead and sign him up instead!!!

Didier Drogba To Make Groin Injury Decision As Chelsea Chase Title

Carlo Ancelotti insists he will allow Didier Drogba to make the decision on whether he is fit enough to play in Chelsea’s remaining games this season.

The talismanic striker tweaked his groin at the start of the second-half of Saturday’s defeat at Tottenham and wanted to come off, but Ancelotti had already made three changes – two of them at the interval.

Drogba had to play on through the pain barrier for the remainder of the game and was clearly struggling as Harry Redknapp’s side powered to a 2-1 win at White Hart Lane.

The defeat left the Blues just one point clear of rivals Manchester United at the top of the Premier League.

But if they win their remaining three games, two at home to Stoke and Wigan with a trip to Liverpool sandwiched in between, the Stamford Bridge club will still be champions for the first time since 2006.

However, the 32-year-old Ivory Coast star is unlikely to want to carry the injury into the World Cup finals in South Africa this summer and is almost certain to undergo surgery.

But the big dilemma facing the club and Drogba, who has scored 32 goals this season, is when that operation will be carried out.

‘It’s his decision,’ said Ancelotti. ‘He doesn’t have a big problem. It’s more about controlling the situation.

‘He’ll take a decision at the end of the season, whether he has surgery or not. It’s not sure he’ll have surgery.’

One player who could be drafted in if is out for the last three games of Chelsea’s run-in is his Ivorian team-mate Salomon Kalou, who admits he is in awe of his countryman.

‘He has an amazing scoring record for Chelsea and as a player it is a level I want to reach but I am trying to get in the team regularly,’ Kalou said.

‘Every time I have the chance to work with him I listen to what he has to say he is like a big brother – he is very important to me.

‘When you talk about strikers, Didier is one of the best and I want to take advantage of this opportunity to learn from him.’

Calciopoli Trial Adjourned After Ancelotti Couldn't Fly To Hearing

The sixth hearing into the Calciopoli scandal in Naples has been adjourned until Tuesday, April 27, after Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti and others failed to show because of the European flying restrictions in place.

Judge Casoria closed proceedings following a brief hearing that lasted less than an hour in which plans for the next session were outlined.

She expects to see Ancelotti next week, and has also summoned both Manchester City coach Roberto Mancini and Carabinieri inspector Salvagno, who was part of the investigating team into the 2006 trial.

It should be stressed that both Ancelotti and Mancini will only be present in court as witnesses to give evidence in relation to their time as coaches of Milan and Inter, respectively. Neither is accused of any wrong-doing.

Pierluigi Pairetto's legal team were expected to deposit further phonecall transcripts, but they were unable to. Casoria established that in a hearing slated for May 4, the court will appoint Roberto Porta, the man tasked with transcribing all the 74 calls presented last week by Luciano Moggi's legal team, and the further 20 calls that will be deposited by Pairetto's lawyers.

Casoria confirmed that the calls presented last week, and the further 20 that Pairetto will hand over, are to be considered a definitive list.

Also, attorney Giuseppe Narducci is keen to obtain an interview Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini gave to a local radio station, in which he is alleged to have admitted to requesting a specific referee.

As those at the hearing left, Moggi was surrounded outside the court building by journalists and around 50 Juventus fans.

The former Juventus director again took a swipe at the club's current leadership.

"Ask Juventus why they are not defending themselves, and why is it just me who is defending them?" he told Sky News Italia.

The case continues.

Mayor Backing Chelsea's Search For Asian Star

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson has called on young Asian players to sign up for Chelsea's Search for an Asian Star event.

The lack of Asian players within affiliated football and the fact only seven players current play at a professional level has inspired Chelsea to create a groundbreaking scheme to identify talented players from Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan backgrounds.

The Mayor is fully behind the initiative: 'We may still be awaiting our first British Asian footballing superstar - but it is certainly not due to a lack of talent,' said Johnson.

'By focusing on developing the game amongst London's Asian communities, Chelsea FC are not only taking us a step closer to finding this superstar, they are also reinforcing the message that football - and sport in general - is for everyone. Just pull on your boots and get involved!'

Last season 350 players underwent a series of tests and practice matches in the Under 11, 12 and 13 age groups. The three winners were offered a week training and playing with Chelsea's Academy with two of the players going on to sign for professional clubs.

This season Chelsea has increased the number of age groups meaning that six players from U8 to U13 will win the chance to join the Chelsea Academy this summer.

Scouts and coaches from grass roots and professional clubs will also be invited along for the three-day event taking place at Cobham during May Bank Holiday and the Football Association will also be on hand to help players and their parents find clubs in their local area.

Back On Track After Tottenham

The squad was back in for training on Tuesday afternoon, after an extra day off following defeat at Spurs on Saturday.

Didier Drogba was fully involved in the session despite his ongoing hernia problems, but absent was Michael Essien, who contrary to media reports will not be in the squad for the weekend's game against Stoke City at Stamford Bridge.

The Ghanaian's participation in the remainder of the campaign is now in doubt, with only four games to play including the FA Cup Final on May 15, while Carlo Ancelotti reiterated at the weekend that any decision on an operation for Drogba will be taken by the player himself.

Also missing from Ancelotti's session on Tuesday was John Mikel Obi, who had been at Cobham earlier in the day before leaving for scans on his left knee and ankle, having reaggravated the injury picked up by a Kevin Davies tackle in the Bolton game at Reebok Stadium.

Those that were left completed a short, sharp hour-long programme, the type discussed by Michael Ballack before Saturday's match.

Raising The Banner

Regulars at Stamford Bridge may have noticed an increase in banners around the ground this season and been wondering where they've come from.

Meanwhile, fans watching from home, who have never had the opportunity to visit our west London ground may have seen the new banners appearing on their television screens.

In fact, it's a phenomenon most Blues will have noticed this campaign and the club's Official Website felt it was time to shed some light.

The banners belong to supporters' clubs, a system that gathers fellow fans in their local areas together, allowing them to support the Blues with like-minded people.

And it's pulled in groups of fans from all over the globe, including Dromore, Cyprus, Malta, Sweden, New York and even the United Arab Emirates and Bermuda

There are also banners from home-grown fans, with supporters' clubs originating from Swindon, Lincolnshire and Hastings all having banners on show at the Bridge.

'Opening a supporters club allows fans to meet like minded people in their area and socialise with them,' says David Mills, secretary of the Hastings Supporters' Club, which currently boasts around 170 members, 'it gives you the opportunity to socialise and travel to matches together.'

'We feel appreciated by the football club and in return get the benefits and supporters' clubs are definitely important to the fans these days.'

Striving to add to Stamford Bridge's atmosphere, this season the club has persuaded more supporters' clubs to create their own banners and offered to store them between each home game.

But fans in a supporters' club also bring an atmosphere with them to the Bridge from home, as many travel to games in one big group.

'Supporters' clubs give fans the opportunity to celebrate or commiserate together,' explains Mills.

'On a matchday we perform our pre-match rituals together in big groups, which definitely makes the day more enjoyable.'

The Hastings Supporters' Club's banner hangs proudly in the West Stand, and can be seen on the right side if you're looking from the dugouts.

It's a welcome addition which was created this season, although many die-hard fans may have already seen some representation from Hastings Blues in the Champions League.

'We have a large Hastings Blues flag that is often seen all over Europe but having a banner at Stamford Bridge was a good change for home games,' adds Mills.

'It lets other fans know there is a local supporters' club available if they wish to sign up for next year.'

With the 2009/10 campaign now drawing to a close, Chelsea is keen to see the creation of further official supporters' clubs and their banners before next season.

Initiation of supporters' clubs may take some work, as fans have to organise between themselves the set up of the club, which tier they may choose (they range from bronze to gold memberships) as well as arranging travel arrangements and tickets.

But it's not just about ordering tickets or going to games; many clubs arrange social events and trips. 'My advice to fans looking to set up a supporters' club is that it will take a lot of hard work and effort,' says Mills, 'especially if your club grows to a good size but it's worth it to have a club affiliated with Chelsea.'

The Blues will open affiliation for new supporters' clubs this May, but click here for more information if you can't wait that long.

'We're really hoping to see more banners around the stadium next season,' said Graham Smith, head of ticketing and supporters' liaison at Chelsea.

'And we want to see more supporters' clubs being established as well, it really makes a massive difference to fans across the world, it gives them somewhere to share their love of the club.'

Mills adds: 'Obviously not everyone can afford to attend matches as often as they'd like so to be involved with a club that arranges televised matchdays and more is definitely a benefit as they still feel as though they are involved with Chelsea.

'A group of our members just ran the local half marathon in aid of charity all kitted out in Hastings Blues Chelsea shirts, this got a lot of support around the circuit from fellow Chelsea fans.

'Various other functions include Christmas parties, quiz nights, trips to Star on a Stool and golf days.

'Also, on a matchday, we perform our pre-match rituals together in big groups, which definitely makes the day more enjoyable,' reports Mills.