Paulo Ferreira: Winning The FA Cup But Not The Premier League Would Be An 'Anti Climax'

Winning the FA Cup will mean nothing if Chelsea doesn’t claim the Premier League title also, reckons Blues right-back Paulo Ferreira.

The Blues face Pompey at Wembley on May 15, but currently sitting top of the league, Ferreira would be disappointed if his side went into the clash not league champions.

“I think it would be an anti-climax in a way, because we are three years now without winning the league and of course we are not happy,” Ferreira said, according to the Ealing Gazette.

“A club like Chelsea should always try to win the league first and we want to do it this year. The last three years, Manchester United were better than us, but this season we have three games to win and it is in our hands.

“We don't want to think about going into the final game of the season at Wembley not being champions again. It happened before and we don't want that again because it's important to win titles – even if cups are also important.

“It's hard to win everything, but it was particularly disappointing not to win the Champions League this year."

The 31 year-old also believes such disappointments - being knocked out of the Champions League by Jose Mourinho's Inter - will spur Chelsea on to make sure they win the double.

“That will make us try even harder to make sure we go to the FA Cup final as champions.”

Ferreira has been enjoying a rare spell of games at right-back in the absence of the injured Jose Bosingwa and Branislav Ivanovic and has made 12 Premier League appearances so far this season.

Chelsea Should Sign Bastian Schweinsteiger This Summer

With another FA Cup final, three games remaining on the Premier League fixture list and one point between Chelsea and second placed Manchester United, it may be a little premature for the Blue’s management and players to think about summer transfers. Mercifully, as pundits and fans, we do not have to play Liverpool with the additional worry of the reigning champions snapping behind us, and can afford ourselves this idle speculation.

With an ageing but still potent team, Chelsea should only look to replace one member of the starting eleven – Michael Ballack. The German captain has played plenty this season, but has routinely looked average and tired when on the pitch. While he is still a fine midfielder, he should no longer claim a starting berth over Lampard, Essien or Mikel. The reasons for this are simple. He doesn’t bring the athletic dynamism of the Ghanian, the assists and goal return of the Englishman, or the youth and adequate defensive shielding of the Nigerian.

Essentially he is an old utility midfielder, a player who can be trusted to make the right pass but who can no longer run for ninety minutes, a player with an ego that demands stroking but increasingly, doesn’t deserve it.

But Chelsea have an excellent replacement ready should Bayern Munich prove to be willing bartering partners.

In Bastian Schweinsteiger, the Blues have a flexible player able to take on almost any role in the midfield position, much like his international Captain Ballack used to be able to provide.

“Schweini” could star as a direct replacement for Die Mannschaft captain in the central role, especially given his excellence in this position for his Bavarian club this campaign. He has displayed both the ability to spread the ball around and to work very hard to win the ball back for his side. But his abilities and uses are far greater than just being a hard working trooper, a man willing to run down opponents and lay off passes to the creative attacking types.

He can also function as a wide midfielder, and though lacking the pace and intricate dribbling associated with natural wingers like his teammate Arjen Robben, Schweinsteiger can put in enough accurate crosses to force any defense to adjust to this menace.
With Flourent Malouda, Ashley Cole and Yuri Zhirkov wreaking havoc on the left, Chelsea’s right has appeared tame. Branislav Ivanovic can be counted on for a couple of good crosses per game on top of his usual solid defending, but the right just does not have the same threat for the Blues that the opposite side carries. The right wingers in the Blues’ 4-3-3 – Anelka or Joe Cole or Solomon Kalou – are not as naturally suited to this role like Malouda is on the left and thus, the wide right attacks suffer.
Adding the German international to the right would improve Chelsea’s options in attack and force any opposition to consider how to contain both flanks equally. A tactical change to a 4-4-2 to include both Anelka as a pure striker and Schweinsteiger’s wide play would certainly give pause to anyone in Europe.

But, as mentioned earlier, Schweinsteiger has become one of Europe’s top central midfielders this season, and could therefore also fill in that role in Chelsea’s 4-3-3 or Ancelotti’s old favorite, the 4-4-2 diamond. With now constant injuries to Essien, Schweinsteiger could very well claim his place in the starting XI.

Additionally, he has shown for Germany that he can be a very good attacking player, although the presence of certain French and Dutch footballers on his club team seem to have prevented the repetition of his fairly impressive German goal return for Munich. Given more room to attack and fewer defensive responsibilities however, he should be able to knock in a goal every few games or so for the Blues.

Further, his relative youth means his performance would not dip so dramatically as both games and the seasons wear on. While not an explosive player, he certainly won’t visibly deteriorate during every ninety minute match. In the generally epic, tri-pronged (at least) campaigns Chelsea have involved themselves in over the past handful of seasons, the importance of players with sufficient energy come April and May should not be underestimated.

Lastly, his ego does not seem to reflect his quality on the pitch. While this might not seem to be so important, it could be argued that one of Chelsea’s biggest flaws of the past few seasons has come from the generally unpleasant attitude conveyed by some of their megalomaniacal stars. While this is by no means true for the entire squad, having another player who won’t add to this image can’t hurt.

While some might yearn for Sergio Aguero or Luis Suarez or some other player who can help add a cutting edge (although why another forward is needed is still a mystery to me), “Basti” is probably the player Chelsea need to become younger and more competitive in an area that needs instant repair.

The club should make the bid before the World Cup, as his price tag will shoot up come July if he repeats his excellent performances for Germany as he has done for most of his career. The chance to do so is now; come August, half of Europe may be splashing out on the midfield star.

Chelsea Resigned To Losing Michael Essien For Rest Of Season

Chelsea will be without Michael Essien for the remainder of the domestic season after the Ghanaian accepted his recovery from a knee injury would drag on beyond the FA Cup final against Portsmouth.

Essien has not featured for the league leaders since early December, when he tore a hamstring while scoring Chelsea's opening goal at Stamford Bridge in a Champions League group game against Apoel Nicosia. He was deemed fit enough to join up with his national squad at the Africa Cup of Nations, only to partially tear the medial ligament and damage the meniscus in his left knee while training during the tournament in Angola.

The Premier League club had initially anticipated a six-week absence – some of which was spent rehabilitating alongside Ashley Cole in the south of France – and, only two weeks ago, Carlo Ancelotti had suggested he was hopeful the 27-year‑old would be available to return to the first team for the potentially critical league game at Liverpool on 2 May.

Yet that optimism has been tempered by a series of minor complications and setbacks to delay his recovery, with the joint still prone to swell up after any strenuous work. The club's medical staff continue to monitor his progress and are confident he will be fit enough to play in the summer's World Cup finals in South Africa – where Ghana could meet England in the first knockout phase – but there is little hope of him contributing on the pitch as Chelsea pursue the first Double in their history.

Essien is expected to confirm as much publicly before the weekend, with Chelsea now resigned to doing without him over the final three league games of the campaign – starting against Stoke City on Sunday – and the FA Cup showpiece against Portsmouth at Wembley. "We were hoping that Michael would have recovered before the final game of the season, but it now looks unlikely that he will feature for us again this season," confirmed a club spokesman.

The player remains optimistic that he will still be able to play in the summer tournament, in which his side must confront Serbia, Germany and Australia in Group D. The Ghana coach, Milovan Rajevac, is due to name his 23‑man squad in mid-May, to meet at a training camp in France on 24 May, prior to friendlies against Latvia, Holland and a third opponent to be confirmed. The game against the Latvians takes place on 5 June in Milton Keynes with the team travelling to Pretoria the following day.

His absence is a blow for Chelsea ahead of the run-in. The Londoners have long missed Essien's dynamism but Mikel John Obi, the only other recognised defensive midfielder in their squad, will be absent for Sunday's visit of Stoke City with his own knee ligament problem, suffered initially in a challenge from Bolton's Kevin Davies last week but aggravated against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

That will leave Ancelotti to play either Michael Ballack or Deco in the role in the hope that Mikel recovers his fitness in time for the games against Liverpool and Wigan Athletic. The Italian was encouraged at least that Didier Drogba played a full part in training at Cobham today as the players returned from two days off following their defeat at Spurs.

The Ivorian has been suffering from a hernia problem but will only decide at the end of the domestic season whether or not to undergo keyhole surgery on the injury before the World Cup finals.

Chelsea Put Atletico Madrid's Sergio Aguero And Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery On Summer Shopping List

Chelsea are closely monitoring Sergio Aguero and Franck Ribery as they plan their summer recruitment, Goal.com UK has learned. Sources close to the club say the pair head a list of prospective buys as the Blues prepare for a busy summer of transfer activity.

Aguero was quoted in the English media yesterday lavishing praise on the London club, calling them "great" and stressing his enthusiasm for the prospect of life in the English capital. His national team coach - and father-in-law - Diego Maradona has previously been expressed a desire to see 'Kun' follow in his footsteps by heading to Italy, with Jose Mourinho's Inter also interested; but the striker seems to feel his pace and technique will be better suited to the Premier League.

The Argentinian international is coming to the end of his fourth season in the Spanish capital and has long since become frustrated with the club's chaotic infrastructure. Though Quique Sanchez Flores' side are still in the hunt for silverware, with the Copa del Rey final to come and a Europa League semi-final with Liverpool on the horizon, they are languishing in 10th place in their domestic championship and for next season, a return to the Europa League is the best they can hope for. Atleti are heavily in debt and will need to sell at least one big name to fill the financial void left by the lack of Champions League football, so it is likely Chelsea will have room to negotiate a bargain, having privately let it be known that they are not keen to pay anywhere near Aguero's €60 million buy-out clause.

After moving to Spain in 2006, having just turned 18, Aguero endured a tough first season in La Liga before hitting 19 league goals in his sophomore year to propel Atleti into the Champions League - a notable achievement, and one that even club legend Fernando Torres was unable to manage.

Now 21, Kun's arrival at Stamford Bridge would provide a major fillip to a frontline reliant on the fine form of Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka, who are 32 and 31, respectively.

Meanwhile Ribery's future is even more up for discussion, with the winger approaching the final year of his contract in Munich. President Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has not ruled out the possibility of keeping the Frenchman, but with Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona, as well as Chelsea, closely monitoring the situation; it looks like they will have their work cut out to keep him.

The 27-year-old has started only seven Bundesliga games in the current campaign, having been stymied by a series of niggling injuries, but is returning to peak form as Bayern chase a Bundesliga, German Cup and Champions League treble. The player himself has suggested a decision on his future is imminent, though his connection with the current prostitution scandal involving the French national team makes an announcement in the next few weeks unlikely.

Ribery's signing would add creativity and dynamism to a Chelsea midfield in which Joe Cole is still uncertain of his future, with his current deal set to expire in the summer.

Drogba In Running For Semi-Final Award

The part Didier Drogba played in Chelsea beating Aston Villa to reach the FA Cup Final has earned our top scorer a nomination for the competition's Player of the Round.

Drogba broke the deadlock at Wembley when he turned in John Terry's volley and won Man of the Match on the day for his overall contribution to the 3-0 win.

He is one of five players up for the award with the winner to be decided by votes from supporters via the FA's website.

The other nominees are Aaron Mokoena, David James and Ricardo Rocha of our Final opponents Portsmouth, and Tottenham's Gareth Bale.

Essien Fears World Cup Absence

Michael Essien fears he may not be fit enough to play at this summer's World Cup after resigning himself to the fact he will not return for Chelsea this season.

The Blues admitted the Ghana midfielder was unlikely to make a late return for their bid to claim the domestic double after injuries have prevented him from appearing for the west Londoners since December.

Essien had hoped to return for this Sunday's home match with Stoke, but after complications in his rehabilitation from a knee injury the 27-year-old fears he may not even be ready to lead his country to South Africa.

Asked if he thought he would be fit for the World Cup, Essien said: "As at now I don't know. I am just taking it day by day and if I can make it I will.

"If not then I will have sit at home and support the team like every Ghanaian.

"Until I know how the injury improves in the coming days and weeks, it will be difficult to say whether I will make the World Cup or not."

Essien suffered the knee injury while on national team duty at the African Nations Cup in January as Ghana went on to lose in the final to Egypt.

The midfielder is central to Ghana's hopes in South Africa, but with their first game against Serbia on June 13 he is reluctant to play unless fully fit.

"Yes it will be (disappointing to miss out) but the World Cup is the best and most difficult football tournament in the world and I would rather be there fully fit," he added on his official website www.michaelessiengh.com.

"We will just have to wait and see."

Essien had originally hoped to be back in action in time for Chelsea's home Champions League leg against Inter Milan.

But his knee continued to swell up and the player underwent four lots of surgery inside a fortnight.

He began a running programme as a part of his rehabilitation last week, but suffered discomfort in his knee which further slowed his recovery and resigned him to sitting out the remainder of the season.

"I will not make the Stoke game and to be honest it is possible my season for Chelsea may be over," he added.

"It is still down to the medical team but it looks more unlikely that I will play for Chelsea again this season.

"I have been dreaming about coming back and helping the team win a trophy or two like last season but sometimes dreams don't always come true.

"I am supporting the other guys in different ways at the training ground and I have every confidence that they will deliver."

He added: "The medical team are doing a brilliant job and I can't thank them enough.

"I started running last week but had to stop because of slight pains I was feeling in my leg. It is a minor setback which I could do without but that is part of the game we play.

"It has ups and downs and one has to stay focused."

Lampard Backs Terry To Bounce Back

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has backed team-mate and club captain John Terry after he was sent off in last weekend's Premier League defeat at Tottenham Hotspur.

The England central defender lost his cool and, after a couple of rash challenges, he was given his marching orders as referee Phil Dowd dished out two yellow cards.

Terry's season has been somewhat turbulent after he was stripped of the England captaincy in light of his off-field spat with Wayne Bridge in February but Lampard believes he is a strong enough person to bounce back.

Speaking to reporters, Lampard said: "JT wants to win and he's a fantastic captain.

"For the first yellow I thought he got a slight touch on the ball, but when he went into that second tackle, you knew the minute the tackle went in he was going to get sent off.

"When you're playing in such circumstances sometimes these things happen."

The free-scoring midfield man, who scored the Blues' consolation in the 2-1 defeat at White Hart Lane, also admitted that Paul Scholes' last-gasp winning header for Manchester United at Manchester City was a bitter pill to swallow as they lead the Red Devils at the top of the Premier League by just a single point.

"What happened on Saturday was disappointing, especially with Manchester United's result," he added.

"When they scored in the last minute it was hard. If they had drawn the game it would have left us in a very healthy position but now it's tighter."

Chelsea Face Losing Big-Name Stars For Nothing In The Summer As Roman Abramovich Puts Contract Talks On Hold

Chelsea could soon see some major names exit Stamford Bridge as owner Roman Abramovich has suspended all contract negotiations until the summer, according to a report from The Times.

Joe Cole, Deco and Michael Ballack must all apparently prove that they warrant new contracts by helping Carlo Ancelotti win silverware this season.

Abramovich is reportedly angry about the club's spiraling wage bill, as well as still furious at the manner of the Blues' Champions League exit at the hands of Jose Mourinho's Inter.

The Russian has therefore apparently decided to send a strong message that failure will not be tolerated - and Ballack, Cole and Deco could all leave on free transfers in the close season.

Nicolas Anelka's situation is less pressing as he has a further year on his current contract, but his negotiations could also be affected.

Chelsea's wage bill has reportedly grown to a Premier League record of £146.2 million and Abramovich is determined to rein in spending on salaries.

Ballack has apparently rejected the offer of a one-year deal as he wants to prolong his career until Euro 2012. His request for a compromise whereby a second year is triggered by making 30 appearances next season has not been considered by Chelsea.

Cole's talks have stalled over money, apparently, with the England midfielder unhappy not to be offered a pay rise that would have taken his wages to £100,000 a week. Chelsea offered a more modest £85,000, though Cole was also understood to have been unhappy at his prospects of playing regular first team football with Ancelotti in charge.

Deco has not been offered a new deal of any kind, but the 32-year-old has previously stated that he would be interested in a move back to Brazil.

Anelka is reportedly happy with his offer of a new three-year contract, but there will be no further negotiations for him until after the FA Cup final.