A Healthy Addiction To Six

And so the dream story continues. After yet another thumping and emphatic victory, Chelsea has now smashed in 20 goals in their last 3 Premier League games.

It is always worth pointing out that these have all come against Wigan and West Brom, but at the end of the day their is no need to dress down what has been an impressive masterclass in attacking football.

As with the first game of the season it was a slow first half, with Wigan even on top for periods, yet it cannot help but be impressive when Chelsea maul teams in as unflinching a manner as was evident on Saturday evening.

More impressive still is the ability for everybody to play their roles so superbly. For those with good memories, this was something I pointed out was key to our successful campaign last season.

Drogba failed to wear his goal scoring boots, but still managed to assist half of the goals against our northern opponents.

Rebel du jour Anelka opened his account and ended the day with a double.

Kalou and Benayoun came off the bench to knock in a combined 3 goals.

And Florent Malouda continued his impeccable form and notching himself a goal adding to his opening day brace.

Malouda's opener showed exactly why Chelsea, when on form, have plenty to frighten opponents. The sheer volume of players in an around Wigan's box was frightening.

With Drogba and Anelka loitering, accompanied by Malouda and Lampard in advanced positions. Surely a front line even the tightest of defences would struggle to contain.

It was a blue wave which showed little sign of receding even up until the 90th minute - after which two of our goals were scored.

Another frightener for opponents is that last season the success was without Essien. With him in the starting XI it is as if Chelsea have their engine back. He simply doesn't put a foot wrong, unless sometimes it is accidentally half way up an opposing player's leg (sorry Didi Hamaan!).

Credit due to Jon Obi Mikel too when he also got in on the act.

As readers may well be aware I am one of his critics, but I was a surprised as a celebrating John Terry (who grabbed JMO and pointed him out to the bench) when Mikel's superb switched pass to Anelka allowed the Frenchman to strike the ball past a stationary Kirkland - the second England international to concede 6 against us in two weeks.

I paid special care to Mikel's game this weekend, with an open mind, just in case my opinion was blinkered. And even though he didn't play a bad game there were still worrying parts of his play that are a cause for concern.

His urgency is virtually non existent, I beg of anyone who is upset by my criticism of him to compare what happens when he gets the ball and what happens when Essien gets it.

Essien is a much quicker thinker, his awareness of his surroundings is perfect, whereas Mikel needs a touch and breathing time before the next pass comes.

I still think he is worthy backup but think that Ancelotti may well be, and in my mind correctly, planning to move Essien into that more defensive role once Ramires is fit enough to occupy the central midfield position.

It is also worth remembering the input of the defence. It was incredible to see Alex make two exceptional blocks in the box when we were comfortably winning 3-0.

It is refreshing to know that the players you loyally support give so much to the cause too.

Alex, for me, is the sole reason why we don't need to replace Carvalho. I think he was always destined to make that position his own, and was surprised to see him excluded from the Brazil selecao in the summer.

Unfortunately with the great start to the season comes the devastating news that Chelsea youngster Sam Hutchinson has had to retire from the game at 21. Just on the brink of possibly making a career at the club, or even just finding his way in football, his career has been cruelly cut short. It's a terrible shame, but it has been great to see the club's response in making sure his future will still be in football.

Blues Talk Flatters Begovic

Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic says interest from Chelsea has left him flattered rather than unsettled.

The Bosnian international, who is likely to make his season debut against Shrewsbury in Carling Cup action on Tuesday, was reportedly the subject of a Blues' enquiry this summer as they sought back-up for injured No.1 Petr Cech.

But City manager Tony Pulis has since ruled out a transfer, and while pleased to have caught the attention of the Premier League champions, Begovic insists his primary focus is at the Britannia.

"Obviously I'm aware that the gaffer said there was an enquiry, but nothing is happening," Begovic told This Is Staffordshire.

"If someone wants to take me and they accept a bid, that's a different story, but in the meantime I just have to get on with my job.

"This kind of thing is just part and parcel of the job. Maybe there is people talking and stories being written, but at the end of the day you come to work and do your job.

"On the other side, it is brilliant and I'm really flattered. Who wouldn't be if they were mentioned in connection with a great club like Chelsea?"

Begovic, who joined Stoke from Portsmouth in January for £2.25m, has lost out on game time to Thomas Sorensen so far this season.

But despite his frustration, the shot-stopper is determined to work hard to earn a regular spot in the team, and is looking forward to a run-out on Tuesday night.

"Of course I was very disappointed because everybody wants to play," he added. "All I can do is impress in training and in matches like this if I play.

"It would be nice to play in the cup because you don't want to let it be too long without a game."

Stoke suffered defeat in their opening two Premier League matches against Wolves and Spurs, but Begovic is confident the squad can overcome League Two opponents Shrewsbury, whichever line-up Pulis chooses to field.

"Even if you rotate the squad, we still have a good team, and that's a good sign of progress at the club," he said.

"It's a competition we take seriously, especially with Wembley and possible qualification for Europe at the end of it. But we must take it one step at a time."

Chelsea Look To Move For £8m Rated Italian International

Carlo Ancelotti is preparing a bid for up and coming Italian international midfielder Antonio Candreva.

The Udinese playmaker spent half of last season on loan to Juventus and was an instant success but new boss Luigi Delneri opted to not make the move permanent.

The 23 year old just missed out on Marcello Lippi’s World Cup squad and has now been targeted by the Stamford Bridge boss who is looking to bring in some young talents as he looks to plan for the future and reverse the ageing nature of his Blues squad.

Candreva is a an adaptable attack minded midfielder who has come through the international set up but has found himself farmed out on loan deals for the majority of his short career.

Ancelotti appears to feel that the former Ternana youth player has something special about him and a number of Italian sides have been monitoring his progress.

Valued at around £8m the youngster would be a useful addition to the club’s ranks and could apparently be purchased and then loaned straight back to Udinese for the current season.

Vitesse Close On Blues Duo

Vitesse Arnhem expect Chelsea youngsters Slobodan Rajkovic and Nemanja Matic to join the Eredivisie club on loan.

The pair are highly-rated at Stamford Bridge and will be farmed out to gain invaluable first-team experience.

Rajkovic is yet to make his first team debut while Matic has made two Premier League substitute appearances for the club.

Serbian defender Rajkovic has already had two loan spells in Holland having played for PSV Eindhovenand FC Twente.

Vitesse's new owner Merab Jordania has confirmed the pair are expected to join before the transfer window closes next week.

"Slobodan Rajkovic and Nemanja Matic? Yes, they will come," Jordania told De Telegraaf.

A third Chelsea youngster, Jacob Mellis, is also being linked with the club while goalkeeper Piet Velthuizen is expected to join Hercules.

Chelsea Plot Surprise Swoop For Inter Defender Nicolas Burdisso

Chelsea are lining up a move for Inter defender Nicolas Burdisso as they look to replace Ricardo Carvalho, according to a report from The Daily Mail.

The Blues have been reportedly keen on Benfica defender David Luiz, but a €30 million asking price from the Portuguese giants is understood to be leading to second thoughts.

Inter technical director Marco Branca has recently confirmed that there is interest in Burdisso from England as well as Spain, though Burdisso'a agent last week insisted that there had been no contact from Chelsea.

Burdisso, 29, is an Argentine international who can play all along the back-four. He has also been linked with a move to Juventus after spending the majority of last season on loan at Roma.

Yossi Benayoun Happy With Role As Chelsea Substitute For Now

Chelsea midfielder Yossi Benayoun is adamant that he is content with his role as a substitute as he proves himself worthy of playing for his new club.

The Israel international has not been given his first start with the Blues since moving to Stamford Bridge from Liverpool this summer.

However, the 30-year-old scored his first goal for the Blues on Saturday, coming off the bench to fire home the final goal in Chelsea’s 6-0 demolition of Wigan Athletic.

Benayoun is confident that he can do what he did at Liverpool and prove himself to his prolific new team.

"I know I can do it; I did it before in my career," Benayoun told the Evening Standard.

"When I arrived at Liverpool, I knew I had to wait on the bench and try to change games and now I'm also doing it for Chelsea.

“When you come to a big club you need to be patient, there are a lot of quality players, but I just want to prove that I deserve to be here every chance that I get.

"I enjoy playing anywhere and every minute I am on the pitch. I can play anywhere in the three in midfield or the three up front."

Blues To Play In Bangkok

Chelsea Football Club's first-team squad will be visiting Asia during next summer's pre-season preparations.

Chief executive Ron Gourlay announced today in Bangkok, Thailand, that the team will be playing a match in the city against a Thailand All Stars side.

The news means the Blues will be returning to Asia where two years ago we played games in China and Malaysia.

The last time we played in Thailand was 1997 when Ruud Gullit took a side that had recently won the FA Cup to play the national team and won 1-0.

Since then support for the club in south-east Asia has grown rapidly generating around 350,000 monthly visitors to our official website chelseafc.com and today's announcement continues involvement with Thailand that was strengthened with this month's signing of Singha Beer as our official beer sponsor.

The venue for next summer's match will be the 60,000-capacity Rajamangala National Stadium with news on the date and ticket sales to follow.

'By announcing this part of our summer tour schedule so far in advance, we have a year to engage with our increasing fan base in Thailand as we build towards the game. We are looking forward to bringing the club closer to the fans with a year of activities including our world-renowned community coaching scheme,' Gourlay says.

'Importantly, we know this match will be against the quality of opposition Carlo Ancelotti requires and in a suitable venue, with a great atmosphere too. We are delighted our fans in Thailand will have a chance to see us play in the flesh.

'Premier League football is a passion in Asia, a continent in which Chelsea has significant relationships including a groundbreaking partnership in the Asian Football Confederation's grass roots projects, and the Super Soccer Star talent search with finalists in that competition visiting our Academy at Cobham.'

The visit will be promoted by ProEvents whose chairman, Paul J Kam, says: 'We are extremely pleased to return to Thailand with Chelsea after more than a decade.

'Thailand is best known for its superb hospitality and is one of the "must visit" countries for football teams in the world because of the tremendous football fans we have in this country.

'Chelsea is widely popular throughout the world and especially so in Asia where fans will support champions. We wish Chelsea all the best this season and hope that the team will come to Asia as back-to-back champions.'

Reserves Report: Chelsea 1 - 1 Everton

Chelsea welcomed reserve team football back to Stamford Bridge and launched a new league format with an entertaining game.

Steve Holland's side took the lead through Fabio Borini and looked well on their way to three points following a first half they dominated with good possession football, played by a side containing six of the FA Youth Cup Final side. It was augmented by the more senior Michael Mancienne and Jacob Mellis and also contained 15-year-old Nathaniel Chalobah.

Everton, opposition due to the new nationwide set of fixtures, changed formation at the break and added an extra man in midfield. The Toffees equalized with a set-piece and tested the home team further as young Blues legs began to make mistakes, but Chelsea rallied strongly and came close to finding a winner three times in the closing minutes.

Everton could have scored inside 40 seconds of the first half as Joao Silva ran in behind the home defence but Sam Walker stuck out a hand and kept out a close-range effort.

Mellis, fresh from England duty at the recent European Under 19 Championships, had Chelsea's first effort but scooped it over and Borini, captaining the side, fared little better when slipped through by a well-weighted Josh McEachran pass.

Up the other end, James Vaughan brought a first-team presence and it took a clean challenge in the area from centre-back Rohan Ince, on his full reserve debut, to prevent the Everton striker bustling through for a clear strike on target.

Chelsea were enjoying territorial advantage however and won a free-kick right on the angle of the penalty area, whipped just a yard over by Gokhan Tore. Moments later Borini stung the hands of Jan Mucha, Everton's summer signing who was Slovakia's goalkeeper at the World Cup.

Chelsea's goal, scored on 21 minutes, followed a prolonged period of crisp Blues passing and pressure. Everton cracked when Chalobah's long pass was worked by Mellis to over-lapping left-back Patrick van Aanholt. The Dutchman picked out Borini who clipped the ball beyond the reach of Mucha from 10 yards out.

Everton could have drawn level soon after had Walker not pushed Gueye's cross-shot over. Vaughan then tried his luck from range but shot too high.

There was almost a horror show of Rob Green proportions from Mucha when van Aanholt had a dig with a free-kick from further out than Tore's earlier effort and hit with less pace. It was grasped, then allowed to squirm free before being gathered again by the Slovakian in the nick of time.

All the promising play was Chelsea's. Chalobah in midfield was showing a good range of passing, McEachran was busy nipping in to win the ball and constantly looking to split the defence while Conor Clifford worked hard. Approaching the break, McEachran passed up the chance to shoot inside the area, instead tapping the ball onto to Tore whose shot was saved. Borini then curled a 40th minute shot just over.

The McEachran-Borini connection almost came off early in the second half but the Italian was well tackled before he was denied a headed goal by a Mucha save having met Van Aanholt's cross.

Nine minutes after the restart Chelsea gave the Merseysiders a sniff of goal but stretching Vaughan, who was unmarked, couldn't quite make contact with Gueye's cross.

The Blues were eventually undone by a set-piece two minutes later from a free-kick conceded by Tore. Floated in, Ross Barkley rose above the defence to nod wide of Walker's dive.

Chelsea had by now let the upper hand slip and another Barkley header needed a Walker save. Free-kicks were being conceded in dangerous places.

Chances at the other end were few although Conor Clifford had a 25-yard drive turned wide. Steve Holland gave it until the 78th minute to make changes but then brought on three subs.

One of those, Milan Lalkovic, was quickly on target but Mucha saved at his near-post. McEachran had threaded the ball between defenders.

With five minutes to go, Chalobah could have capped his reserve debut with a goal when he pounced on a loose ball after Borini's shot was blocked but the schoolboy hurriedly sliced wide.

Another sub, Jacopo Sala caught a shot cleanly but that was saved and on 89 minutes, van Aanholt smashed a ball low towards the far post but Lalkovic couldn't adjust his feet in time to turn in a bouncing ball.

There was still hope when substitute Kaby went down under a challenge in a promising position but McEachran could only send the ball into the empty seats in the Matthew Harding Lower with 92 minutes on the clock.