Nicolas Anelka: Chelsea's Tough Defence Makes Us An Attacking Powerhouse

Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka believes that a miserly attitude in defence is the secret behind the Blues' impressive goalscoring form this season.

Carlo Ancelotti's men have hit 14 goals in their first three Premier League games of the new season, but Anelka feels that the foundations for that hot streak have been set further back in the team than the forward line.

"We have the mentality not to concede first and then we know almost every time we can score one goal," the former French international told his club's official website.

"You know when you play with Chelsea that if I don't score, Didier can score and if he doesn't score, Flo [Florent Malouda] can score and if none of us score, Sala [Salomon Kalou] can come on and score. Everybody can score in this team."

The form of Malouda in particular has impressed Anelka, with the winger now fully acclimatized to life in the English top flight after struggling a little when he first arrived several seasons back.

"Flo likes to listen to ragga music in the dressing room and dance and it is fun. On the pitch he is intelligent, he can score, he can assist and also he is very strong," Anelka explained.

"Now he scores more goals than before and he wants to score more and more. He has been here three years and he has got use to it, he has more confidence.

"It is difficult to come from the French League and straight away to a big club like Chelsea. In England it is tough, it is stronger, everything is quicker and you have to get some games to get used to the English game.

"Now he knows the English Premier League and you see it on the pitch."

Alex Aiming To Keep Taylor

Crewe are in talks to extend Rhys Taylor's loan spell from Chelsea and believe it will benefit all parties.

The Wales Under-21 international goalkeeper's current loan expires on September 8.

"We are looking at the possibility of extending Rhys' loan with us and I have spoken to (former Crewe manager and reserve-team coach at Chelsea) Steve Holland, who is conducting affairs over this," Alex boss Dario Gradi told the club's official website.

"We are happy with him, they are happy with him being here and he is happy to stay. I think he has enjoyed playing some games and what we do here."

Franco Di Santo Joins Wigan Athletic On Three-Year Deal

Chelsea striker Franco Di Santo has completed his move to Wigan Athletic on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

Di Santo, 21, had been linked with a move to the club all summer but the deal was only agreed in the last minutes of the summer transfer window. The Argentina youth international has returned to Lancashire after scoring one goal in 22 Premier League appearances while on loan at Blackburn Rovers last season.

Speaking to the Latics' official website, Di Santo - who made eight first team appearances for Chelsea in two years - expressed his joy at having his future sorted out.

He said: "I am just happy that my future has been sorted out now. I can't wait to start training, meet all my new team mates and start fighting for my place in the team.

"Roberto Martinez has big ambitions for the club and he made it clear how much he wanted me to be here. When a manager is so positive about you, then it is an easy decision to make."

Manager Martinez was thrilled to see Di Santo follow the temporary capture of Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley.

"Franco is an Under-20 international for Argentina with great Premier League experience having worked at a club with the calibre of players of Chelsea, and also spending a hugely beneficial year on loan at an established club like Blackburn Rovers," the Spaniard stated.

"We all feel that Franco can fulfil his potential at our football club and he'll bring a completely different dimension to our squad with his presence, technical ability and hard-work.

"We've been following Franco for a long time and from his point of view it's clear that he is desperate to play for Wigan Athletic and his desire and commitment is exactly the right attitude for our club."

Malouda Wants End To Saga

Frenchman Florent Malouda has called for an end to the dark cloud hanging over the national football team.

France suffered an early exit at the World Cup in South Africa amid a storm of controversy in which Nicholas Anelka was sent home and players protested in anger.

Anelka allegedly launched a foul-mouthed tirade at then boss Raymond Domenech, prompting his banishment, while senior players refused to train in support of their team-mate.

The divide saw the camp fall apart and France subsequently failed to win any of their Group A games, sending them home with their heads hanging in shame.

The French Football Federation have since acted on the in-house friction by handing out bans to key instigators and the nation embarks on a new era under the guidance of Laurent Blanc.

Blanc refused to pick any of the 23 players involved in the World Cup for his first friendly game in charge but many have returned for his competitive debut against Belarus on Friday.

With Bosnia awaiting four days later, the nation hope to qualify for the 2012 European Championships and key player Malouda wants an end to the saga which has rocked French football.

"Even if this is something that is engraved on my career and I can't erase it, we must go forward," Malouda told L'Equipe.

"I am sorry, but what is done is done. We cannot do anything about it. At some point, we must stop lamenting it and focus our attention on the two teams we have to face.

"Even if they are still questions about the management of what happened in South Africa, it's over. My best answers I will give on the pitch. That is my therapy."

One of those suspended by the FFF is captain Patrice Evra, who will miss five games, but Malouda admits he is unconcerned if he is not considered to be in the running for the armband in his absence.

Malouda said: "The captaincy is the responsibility of the coach, and if I don't get it, I will not be disappointed," he said. "It has never been a personal ambition. I am here to win."

John Terry Admits Hamstring Injury Has Troubled Him Since 2010 World Cup

Chelsea captain John Terry has admitted a hamstring problem picked up at World Cup 2010 dogged his pre-season.

Terry, 29, has been forced out of the England squad to face Bulgaria and Switzerland in the upcoming Euro 2012 qualifiers. The centre-back has been ordered to take 10 days rest to recuperate from the injury sustained in South Africa.

Speaking to Chelsea TV, the Blues captain revealed he had been playing through pain during his club's perfect start of their Premier League title defence.

He said: "I have had a bit of a problem since the World Cup and I was hoping after the World Cup that I would have two weeks off and it would completely go away.

"But that wasn't the case and, coming back working hard, it came back on.

"I played the last England game [against Hungary] but I had to come off at half-time because of it.

"I have not made it public but I have been struggling with it and maybe I just need 10 days' rest to fully get over it because it could impact on my season."

Branislav Ivanovic Out For Up To Six Weeks With Back Injury

Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic has confirmed he is set to be sidelined for two to six weeks with a back injury.

Ivanovic, 26, had been struggling with the knock and missed Saturday's 2-0 Premier League victory against Stoke City.

After sitting out that match, the centre-back was immediately withdrawn from the Serbia squad for the Euro 2012 qualifiers against the Faroe Islands and Slovenia.

Speaking to skysports.com, Ivanovic revealed he had travelled to Belgrade but would not be able to join his team-mates on the training pitch.

He said: "I came to Belgrade to see my team-mates, but the back injury is such that I cannot train or play."

Paulo Ferreira Quits Portuguese National Team

Chelsea's Portuguese full-back Paulo Ferreira has announced his retirement from international football.

The 31-year-old told the Portuguese Football Federation it was a move he had taken "after deep reflection" and was motivated by "personal reasons".

Right-back Ferreira won the first of his 62 caps for his country against England in September 2002.

His decision to quit international duty follows that of Atletico Madrid winger Simao last week.

Ferreira arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2004 when he was reunited with his former coach at Porto, Jose Mourinho, who paid a then-British record fee for a full-back of £13.2m.

The following season Ferreira was a key part of Chelsea's first title-winning campaign in 50 years, despite missing a vital part of the season after breaking his foot in March 2005.

Chalobah Skippers England To Victory

Nathaniel Chalobah was the captain of England Under 17s side that enjoyed a 3-1 victory over Portugal on Sunday, helping his side win the FA International Under 17 Tournament.

The 15-year-old schoolboy, who made his debut for Chelsea's reserve team last week and was part of the England side that became European Under 17 champions earlier in the summer, earned his sixth junior international title with the win in last week's four-team tournament.

Having made his Under 17 debut aged 14, he now has 20 caps at that level.

The goals on Sunday came from a Hallam Hope brace and a third from Nick Powell, who play for Everton and Crewe respectively, but it was Chalobah who had the fixture's first chance.

In the fifth minute he nearly struck after latching onto a long ball, only to be smothered by the opposition inside the six-yard box who didn't allow our Academy hopeful any space to shoot.

England's opener came when Hope smashed a Powell cross into the net from close range after 21 minutes of football. The second arrived five minutes later when Hope lobbed the keeper from the edge of the box.

The Young Lions built a three-goal lead before Joao Cacelo pulled one back for Portugal in the 50th minute, not long after Powell had made it three for England, rifling a shot into the net from a tight angle.

Chalobah represented his nation in all of the tournament's three games. First he came on as a substitute in England's 2-2 draw with Turkey. He then started against Australia on Friday; when he was replaced just before half-time while England went on to win the clash 4-0.