Salomon Kalou On Hunting Silverware, Winning Ugly And Why He Will Make An Impact At World Cup 2010

The Premier League title is so close that Chelsea can smell it. Higher stakes, higher tension - you could have cut it with a knife at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday against Bolton Wanderers. Every near miss was greeted with a more anxious gasp from the crowd than the last. The morning after the night before Salomon Kalou cuts a relaxed figure, reclined in a chair at Chelsea's Surrey training ground.

Stakes are higher for the Ivorian than most. He arrived at Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2006, signed by Jose Mourinho, in the wake of the Blues’ title celebrations. Manchester United have won the Premier League in each of the three seasons since. “This would be my first Premier League,” acknowledges Kalou, speaking exclusively to Goal.com UK. He is hungry to complete the domestic set. “We’ve won the FA Cup, the Carling Cup, since I’ve been here, and this is the only (domestic) title that I haven’t won with Chelsea.”

Not that the rest of the dressing room isn’t champing at the bit. “For players who’ve won it or players just looking to win it (for the first time), it could be something amazing for everybody here.”

Reflecting on the clash with Owen Coyle’s side, Kalou smiles wryly at mention of Sir Alex Ferguson’s “easy game” comments. “We knew it was going to be hard. It’s always a difficult game against Bolton.”

He is rightly unapologetic about the unspectacular nature of his team’s win. “Right now, it’s not about playing well, it’s about getting points to get us closer to the title. We’re doing well, we’re winning games so we have to be happy with that. Every game now is going to be difficult, because most teams are fighting to get in the Champions League, or into Europe or stay up. So they’re all like finals.”

Chelsea’s recovery from their Champions League exit to Inter, and Mourinho, has been painful but ultimately galvanising. Kalou, who scored what at the time looked to be a vital away goal in Milan, is beginning to put into perspective that most deflating of losses.

“I think we were good at the San Siro,” he says. “We played very well and we dominated. I think our mistake was not to play as we did in the San Siro when we played at home. We let Inter have the ball too much. But it’s part of the game. When you play in the Champions League, you are punished for the little mistakes you make.”

Closer examination can wait until the end of the season, one senses. “We have to try not to think about it now as we have two trophies still to go for, so we have to concentrate on them and go for the Champions League next year.”

Kalou has had to deal with more than club matters recently. The Ivory Coast’s national side have endured an uncertain period, with coach Vahid Halilhodzic fired in the wake of the Africa Cup of Nations (CAF) quarter-final exit to Algeria. Sven Goran Eriksson was recently appointed to replace Halilhodzic, but not before the Ivorian Federation (FIF) declared an interest in Guus Hiddink. Was Kalou disappointed not to be reunited with the former Chelsea boss at international level?

“I never spoke to Guus about it,” he says, and admits he never believed it was a genuine probability.

“He was already too involved with other national teams, so it was always going to be difficult to get him.”

Kalou is effusive in his praise of the man who had such an impact in his short spell at the Bridge. “He is a great manager, and brought a lot of great things to Chelsea when we really needed it, and I think he would have done the same with the Ivory Coast national team,” concedes Kalou.

Still, he is positive about Eriksson’s appointment, and hopes the Swede can bring order to the ranks after a difficult few months. “Now we have Eriksson, who is also a great manager. I’m really happy to work with him and I think he’ll bring what we need.”

Praise for the new Ivorian manager has been fulsome from the England players among Kalou’s team-mates. “When I speak with JT [John Terry], Lampsy [Frank Lampard] and Joe Cole they all say good things about him so I look forward to working with him.”

So why did Halilhodzic’s side fall short in the CAF? Kalou rubs his chin and considers, briefly looking as confused as the rest of the football-supporting world.

“We have great players,” he begins, “and players with a lot of experience. I think what we miss is a team. We’ve never got enough of a team together to win the cup (CAN).”

The squad now hope Eriksson’s World Cup pedigree can give them an extra edge. “I think the manager, with the experience he has, can help us during the World Cup.”

The CAN tournament in Angola was an unusual and humbling experience for all the participants, including the Ivory Coast, following the attack on the Togo team bus in Cabinda just before the competition began. For once Kalou’s gentle smile disappears. He exhales. “It was hard for all the teams,” he says.

“Mixing football with politics is not something you want to be involved with. It was something we were all scared about, as well as feeling sorry for the Togo team. Football is something to get people together and to enjoy, so this story affected all of us.”

A far more positive celebration of the game is to come, and Kalou can barely contain his excitement at the prospect of the first World Cup to take place in Africa. He’s not alone in this, he says. The smile is back. “It’s amazing for African players, who never imagined playing a WC in Africa. It’s something we all dreamed about,” he enthuses.

Kalou hopes all African sides will be able to make their presence felt. “It’s a great opportunity for African players to show the level of our game. Football in Africa is improving and African players are playing at some big clubs, so it’s going to be a good tournament to play in.”

The Ivory Coast themselves have perhaps the toughest task of any of the African nations, drawn in a group with the favourites and the 2006 semi-finalists. “Brazil and Portugal have so many great players who can make the difference, and that’s something we have to be aware of,” warns Kalou.

“They play similar styles. Players like [Cristiano] Ronaldo and Deco are great players, and can always create something. You can’t single out anyone in the Brazilian side because they have so much quality.”

He believes the Portugal game will define the Ivorians’ destiny, and needs no reminding of their quality, as it is quite close to home. “Of course I know many of the Portuguese players from here, and I think that will be the most important game – the first one,” he says.

“If we play a good game in that, we can have the confidence to go on and do well against Brazil, and in the competition.”

Finally, are there any players in the Ivory Coast side we should keep an eye out for? “Me!” he grins, but he clearly feels that at 24, this tournament has come at just the right time for him.

“I feel good, and it will be my first World Cup, though I hope to bring my team this far again. I hope to do my best to be on great form and in great shape. I want to bring my team to the second round, at least. With the group that we’re playing in, it would be a tremendous result to do that.”

By the look of the current Premier League table, Kalou will at least be going into the finals on the crest of a wave of confidence.

Roman Abramovich Falls To 4th In Russia's Rich List

Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich has slipped to fourth in Russia's rich list as the number of billionaires in the country doubled to 62, Forbes magazine said.

Vladimir Lisin, chairman and majority owner of Novolipetsk Steel, took the top spot on the annual Forbes list, with a fortune of $15.8bn – up from $5.2bn in 2009.

Mikhail Prokhorov, head of Onexin investment fund group, who topped last year's list, dropped to second with $13.4bn, ahead of telecoms, retail and oil billionaire Mikhail Fridman, with $12.7bn.

Mr. Abramovich slipped to fourth place despite seeing his net worth increase from $8.5bn to $11.2bn.

He pipped Oleg Deripaska, of Rusal, by $500,000 to remain the wealthiest Russian oligarch in Britain.

Mr. Deripaska, who topped the 2008 Russia list with $28.6bn, fought his way back from 10th place last year to round out the top five after cleaning up his companies' debt and putting aluminum maker UC Rusal on the road to an eventual Hong Kong listing.

The number of Russian billionaires almost doubled last year, hitting 62 from 32 in the previous year, as the country rebounded from its first recession in a decade, Forbes magazine said.

Alexandre Pato To Chelsea In AC Milan Swap Deal For Branislav Ivanovic

AC Milan striker Alexandre Pato is set to be sold to Chelsea this summer in a deal that will see defender Branislav Ivanovic going in the opposite direction.

A report in today's Corriere Dello Sport suggests 19-year-old Pato, who is also being tracked by Spanish giants Real Madrid, could be sold off by Milan in a bid to raise funds.

The Italian club has thus far resisted the temptation to cash in on Pato, who is rated as one of the world's best emerging strikers, but interest from big spenders Chelsea and Madrid appears to have persuaded them otherwise.

And the Serie A giants appear to be willing to accept offers in the region of £45 million - but in both cases it would have to involve a player moving in the opposite direction.

For Chelsea, out-of-favour Ivanovic, 26, would be used as a makeweight to fill one of Milan's defensive needs, while if Real were to win the race for Pato's signature then the Rossaneri would demand former Lyon star Karim Benzema, 22, in part-exchange.

John Terry Urges Team-Mates To Seize Chance For Immortality

John Terry has urged his Chelsea team-mates to grasp the opportunity to make this the most successful season in the club's 105-year history.

Chelsea took a giant stride towards the Premier League title when they beat Bolton 1-0 on Tuesday, with the visitors departing enraged at being refused penalties following clear handballs by both Terry and Didier Drogba.

Terry was unrepentant and, with the title now in reach, has set his heart on helping Chelsea to become the seventh English club to win a domestic double.

"You compete and you compete, always at 100 per cent, and then, when the opportunity arises, you have to seize it," said Terry. "When you seize it, you can make history. We've never won the league and cup double. In my lifetime only Liverpool, Man United and Arsenal have. We weren't at our best. Nerves, with us not winning the Premier League for three years, took their toll late on but we managed to hold on."

Terry denied accusations of a deliberate handball against Bolton, despite appearing to use his left arm to block Chung-Yong Lee's cross. "I don't know what it looked like on TV but it certainly felt like it came off my chest," he added.

With three weeks until Britain goes to the polls, Gordon Brown and David Cameron would certainly love to replicate the 'bounce' Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has enjoyed over the past 21 days. From facing questions about whether he feared the sack, he is within five matches of an achievement that would surpass anything even Jose Mourinho accomplished at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea have already scored their highest total of Premier League goals in a season, although it was the defence that was crucial on Tuesday as Peter Cech registered a 100th clean sheet in his 179th league game.

Benfica Slap £25m Price On David Luiz In Wake Of Interest From Manchester United And Chelsea

Manchester United and Chelsea have been asked to stump up £25 million if they want to sign highly-rated Benfica defender David Luiz, according to the Daily Mail.

The 22-year-old has been watched extensively by both clubs in recent times, with United in particular keen on the Brazilian as both Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic have missed a number of games this season.

Chelsea have also closely monitored Luiz, who is a former Brazilian Under-20 international, but with Barcelona, Real Madrid and Inter Milan also reportedly interested the Portuguese side are looking to hold out for a sizeable transfer fee.

Luiz has played in 25 of his side's 26 league games this season, in which Benfica have conceded just 14 goals. Os Gloriosos are currently on course to win their first league title since 2005.

Inter Linked With Chelsea Midfielder Michael Ballack

Inter have been tipped to offer Michael Ballack a quick exit from Chelsea at the end of term, reports the Daily Mail.

Roman Abramovich has reportedly blocked talks in relation to new deals with several Chelsea stars, including the German. And now he is heading for the exit door.

Ballack is not impressed with the way he has been treated over his future at Stamford Bridge, and he is likely to consider an offer from Jose Mourinho, who signed him from Bayern Munich four years ago.

Mourinho is looking to fortify his Inter midfield for next season, and Ballack is seen as an ideal candidate given their experience together at Chelsea.

Petr Cech: Playing Pretty Football Does Not Win Premier League Titles

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has insisted that there is much more to winning a Premier League title than simply playing entertaining football.

The Blues are occasionally held up as an example of grinding efficency rather then pleasing fluency, but the Czech Republic international maintains that grit is as important as style when it comes to collecting trophies.

"You can't win the Premier League only playing great football," the shot-stopper told his club's official website.

"If there is a game when you have to defend and defend and win 1-0 and you can't do it, I don't think you are going to win enough games."

Chelsea face Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend at White Hart Lane, a venue where they have not won since 2006.

Cech is convinced that the Blues' run of poor form against their London neighbours is about to end, as he looks to put memories of last season's bomb-scare disrupted day in north London behind him.

"It is always like this in football," he added.

"Sometimes you have a long series when you beat your opponent every time you play them and then one day it can stop."

Chelsea's Drogba Up For PFA Award

Didier Drogba, our talismanic Ivorian striker, has been nominated on a four-man shortlist for the 2009-10 PFA Player of the Year award.

Drogba has been in red-hot goalscoring form this term, hitting 32 goals in all competitions. He currently trails Wayne Rooney, also on the PFA shortlist, by a solitary goal in the running for this campaign's Golden Boot in the league.

Despite Manchester United's Rooney seemingly picking up all the plaudits this term, Drogba has actually played less games than the Englishman, and also has contributed more assists to his team mates.

Also in the running for the award are Manchester City's Carlos Tevez and Arsenal Cesc Fabregas. The latter is a particularly bemusing choice, seeing as the Spaniard has been injured for the majority of this campaign. In fact, how Fabregas gets the nod over our own Frank Lampard, who's notched over twenty goals this season yet again, we'll never know.

Gordon Taylor, chief executive of the PFA, spoke in glowing terms of our No.11,

'When you talk about the best players in the world, Didier Drogba is a name on many people's lips and with his strength, pace, ability and goalscoring skills, the Chelsea striker is different class. The more he has matured, the better he has got.'

For the Young Player of the Year award, Rooney and Fabregas were again nominated, alongside Aston Villa's James Milner and Manchester City's Joe Hart, on loan at Birmingham. The awards will take place sometime next month.

Chelsea Defender Alex: My Dad Reckons We Will Win The Premier League

Chelsea defender Alex is confident the Blues can win the Premier League - and so is his dad.

Carlo Ancelotti's side are currently on course for both Premier League and FA Cup success this season, after coming through a recent drop in form that threatened to derail their challenge, and the 27-year-old has admitted he is relaxed about the forthcoming run-in because his father told him the club will win the title.

"When we were one point behind three games ago, I talked with my father and he said it is difficult," Alex told the club's official website.

"Now it is okay because we are four points in front and now he says we will win the Premier League."

After seeing rivals Arsenal lose 2-1 to Tottenham Hotspur — Chelsea's next opponents — on Wednesday evening, the centre-back agrees with his paternal advice.

"I think it is our trophy to lose. I saw yesterday Arsenal lose and now they are six points behind," he said.

"I hope we can win the next game against Tottenham, Manchester United have a difficult game [against Manchester City] and if they lose it is seven points and we have Stoke at home."

The defender has been in great form for Carlo Ancelotti's side this season, slotting in to the back four with increasing regularity as injuries keep Ricardo Carvalho out of action. And the statistics underline the former PSV Eindhoven man's importance — the Blues have conceded just 12 goals in the 20 games he has started, rather than 31 in the 31 he has missed.

"It is a big difference, this is good!" he joked.

"It is not because of me, it is difficult to explain but in the last five games we played very well, and did not concede goals.

"We have more confidence to play and we want to put this on the pitch. It is difficult but the responsibility is good and playing with Chelsea is very good for me, I have confidence whoever I play with in the team."

To round off what could be a perfect season, Alex still hopes for a World Cup call with Brazil despite last appearing in the famous yellow and blue shirt almost three years ago.

"I had problems with injury, but now it is okay," he said.

"I think it could be me or Thiago Silva at Milan who goes to the World Cup, I do not know, Thiago Silva played the last games but I want to go!

"The coach, Dunga, called Carlo [Ancelotti] one month ago I think and asked how I am now, he said I am good and playing again, he said to come and see the games but I don't know. I still hope."

New Home Kit Revealed

Chelsea and adidas, our official sponsor and sportswear supplier, today reveal the new home kit for the 2010/11 season.

The launch will be supported by an advertising campaign 'Made from 100% Chelsea' developed by pop artist and Chelsea fan Sir Peter Blake.

Blake, who most famously designed the artwork for the Beatles album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and Oasis' greatest hits album Stop the Clocks, has created a variety of montages depicting Chelsea's history and heritage.

To learn more about the 'Made from 100% Chelsea' campaign you can visit www.adidas.com/madefromchelsea

The shirt will be worn for the first time on 9 May against Wigan in the last Barclays Premier League game of the season.

The kit encompasses a contemporary red v-neck design, while the main body of the shirt integrates mesh into the fabric creating a striking design with pure performance benefits for removing sweat away from the body.

This is not the first time red has featured on a Chelsea kit. In 1953, Chelsea re-launched the official club badge and for the first time featured red. By 1959, red was introduced into the kit socks, and the colour has continued to feature in numerous home and away kits in subsequent decades.

The subtle addition of red also pays tribute to the club's long association with the Pensioners, the red-coated war veterans whose name we informally adopted between 1905 and 1952.

Adidas again have pushed the boundaries in the development of apparel technology to help give Chelsea players the edge on the pitch. For the first time in club football, adidas TechFit™ features directly in the playing shirt.

This cutting-edge technology will help improve speed, increase endurance capabilities and enhance proprioception. This works by stabilising and focusing the muscles' energy to generate explosive acceleration and deliver maximum power output.

TechFit™ technology is only incorporated into the Chelsea FC team kit, and is not in the replica kit. Fans will be able to buy the replica kit featuring adidasClimaCool™ technology.

ClimaCool™ is a mixture of heat and moisture controlling materials, ventilation channels and 3D fabrics which improve air flow to the skin in the key heat zones.

Chelsea Have Premier League History On Side

Chelsea can go into the final four games of the season in the knowledge that, in the history of the Premier League, no team with such a lead at this stage has failed to win the title.

On eight previous occasions teams who have enjoyed an advantage of four or more points have stayed top.

At this stage two years ago Manchester United led by five points with four games left and the title went to the last day of the campaign.

The top two went into the final day level on 84 points, but United won 2-0 at Wigan while Bolton Wanderers held Chelsea 1-1 at Stamford Bridge.

Not A Caviar Display But Roman Abramovich Can Celebrate His Landmark

Roman Abramovich's 200th Stamford Bridge fixture was not one for the scrapbook of reasons why he bought into the Premier League menagerie. An "easy game" for Chelsea, Sir Alex Ferguson had predicted, but this was true to the tradition of prospective champions having to fight for every yard of ground.

Bolton Wanderers were not built as doormats. Big, fit, combative and adept at late bombardments, they were in no mood to regard Nicolas Anelka's first-half headed goal as the first flake in an avalanche. Chelsea had high-stepped it to the top of the Premier League but here the fun ran out. This gruelling 1-0 win forced us to factor in the determination of lesser clubs not to be trampled on and the stress that gnaws away even at star players when the expectation is that they will dance away with a trophy.

This way it is more compelling. This way the rich and powerful suffer on the road to fulfilment. Spurs, Stoke, Liverpool and Wigan will be no more deferential than Bolton as Chelsea aim to reclaim the title they last held four years ago. "The Premier League is in our hands, we have to stay calm," Carlo Ancelotti, the Chelsea coach, said on a night when John Terry played through a first-half injury and Yuri Zhirkov shed a milk urn of blood in a collision with Bolton's Kevin Davies.

Some will think Manchester United should take encouragement from the desperation in Chelsea's countenance as Bolton subjected them to a late aerial assault. More likely is that Ancelotti's men now know they can survive the muck and nettles of English folklore. Goal-scoring records have been smashed but now the 1-0 win will do. United and Arsenal will cling to the belief that both Spurs and Liverpool remain capable of inflicting misery on the leaders at White Hart Lane and Anfield. On this evidence they had better be well-armed.

According to reliable sources the scolding Abramovich gave his players after the Champions League defeat by Internazionale left egos bruised and eyebrows singed. Chelsea's owner is no closer to winning Europe's shiniest prize but at least one demand had been met. This has been a caviar campaign for goals.

With the 3-0 FA Cup semi-final win against Aston Villa at the weekend Chelsea broke their all-time record in all competitions. The 122 struck in 50 games prior to this tussle with Bolton surpassed the 121 scored in 56 fixtures in 1964-65. With 85 in the Premier League, Carlo Ancelotti's men have demolished their previous best of 72 in that competition. The Chelsea coach seems bemused by this deluge, as if it came, like snow, one night, while he was sleeping.

Italian managers are not bred to chase goals. They are taught to seek control, to throw a rug over the opposition and emerge with the kind of narrow win Chelsea took to the bank last night. To that end Ancelotti relied on Didier Drogba and Anelka to grapple with Bolton's aggressive defence. By the end the pair had raised to 45 their combined catch in this campaign.

Abramovich has grown a white beard waiting for his team to regain domestic power and win him a Champions League title. He looks more like Ken Bates every day. Frequently accused of interfering in team affairs with his sackings and appointments, the oligarch can claim vindication for last month's lecture to the troops. More fun has been an Abramovich edict since the José Mourinho years. Fine manager though he is, Avram Grant was never likely to deliver thigh-slapping football and Luiz Felipe Scolari misjudged the defensive requirements of the set-piece league and failed to adapt to the gruelling nature of the schedule. Guus Hiddink returned to Mourinho's core strengths and added a small attacking twist. Ancelotti's challenge was to draw more from the under-achievers, Florent Malouda, John Obi Mikel and Salomon Kalou, and find a way to make Drogba and Anelka mesh.

Abramovich has observed a 71% win ratio at the Bridge and only nine defeats, so he can be satisfied with the returns, up there on his plinth. Some of those years he has sabotaged with his cliques and his impatience. This time he turned his fire on the players instead of the unfortunates who have carried the can for their failure to win the English championship since 2006. To reassert their domestic primacy Chelsea had to capitulate in Europe to the coach, Mourinho, who turned them from nearly men to champions and wait for United to stumble. To speed that process they had a free week to prepare for their 2-1 win at Old Trafford four days after Sir Alex Ferguson's men had fallen to Bayern Munich. The entertaining part is over now. Grace gives way to graft.

Ancelotti: The Premier League Is In Our Hands

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has responded to the Blues 1-0 win over Bolton on Tuesday night by pronouncing his team is favourites to win the Premier League title.

A close range header from former Bolton striker Nicolas Anelka was the difference and now Chelsea lead the table by four points.

Ancelotti said: "Now the Premier League is in our hands and we have to stay focused and calm. We have to play game by game, and we are not interested in the results of the other teams. There was pressure on us to get this result because we needed to improve our position, but I think the players now have very good motivation to finish the season well."

The Italian continued: "It was not an easy game. We knew it wouldn't be, because Bolton came to Stamford Bridge to play their game. They put pressure for all the 90 minutes, a lot of long balls. It was a tough game for us, but I think that Chelsea did a good job and won, which was the most important thing. We were unlucky not to improve the scoreline at the start of the second half, but we needed the three points. We had 21 shots, so we deserved to win. There's no debate about this. It was difficult because, when you're 1-0 up, you have to be careful right to the end. For me, it was a very good performance."

The Chelsea boss also rejected suggestions from Owen Coyle that Bolton should have had two penalties: "I don't have a reaction to the penalties. I maintain the same opinion: it's not my job to judge the work of the referees. I never did, even if we were unlucky at their decisions. I didn't see the incidents. I trust in the referee."

Petr Cech: Pressure Is On Manchester United And Arsenal To Keep Up With The Blues

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has warned rivals Manchester United and Arsenal that one more slip-up will end their Premier League challenge.

Cech was between the sticks as the Blues extended their lead atop the table to four points on Tuesday after a 1-0 win against Bolton Wanderers, and with Arsenal in action against arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday night, the Blues stopper believes another defeat will cost the Gunners dear.

"Arsenal have a big game tonight against Spurs because they're the furthest away and if they don't win, the gap will open," Cech told the Evening Standard.

"They know they're under pressure. Then at the weekend there is the Manchester derby and we play a London derby at Tottenham. It can be a decisive week.

"It can change the position in the Premier League a lot if we manage to win our game and the others lose theirs. It could also go the other way and change everything for the last three games.

"But beating Bolton was a massive step forward. We can play good football and score goals but when a game isn't going our way and we have to fight and dig deep, we can do that. We showed it against Bolton."

With Carlo Ancelotti's side visiting White Hart Lane at the weekend, Cech is targeting a change in fortunes at a ground the club have had difficulties in recent times.

"I have been at Chelsea for six years and just kept my first clean sheet at home against Bolton, so now it's time for our record at White Hart Lane to change too," he said.

"Last season everything went wrong. There was a bomb alert, the game was delayed, we were kept waiting and then we started slow and lost 1-0.

"Even though we had chances, it was not our day. This time it's going to be different for us."

Terry: We Stuck To Our Tasks

John Terry has admitted that the role reversal that led to the winning goal against Bolton caught him a little bit by surprise on a night when he was happy with the team's application.

In a change from recent fixtures, Carlo Ancelotti fielded both Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka in the starting line-up with Anelka asked to play wide. Yet it was Drogba on the left who hit an undefendable cross for his colleague to head in for his first goal in 14 games.

'Didier pulled off to the left and I was screaming at him to get into the box,' Terry admitted after the game, 'but thankfully he put the ball in and found Nico and it was a great header against his old club. It was his first goal in a while and it was very important for us. It was a great ball from Didier.'

The single strike was enough to extend our lead at the top to four points and Terry gave credit to Bolton for making it tough.

'It certainly wasn't easy with Kevin Davies up front and young Jack Wilshere playing off behind him. It caused us problems all night but we stuck in there and we ground it out.

'We were probably a bit slow in the tempo of our play and were taking too many touches. We weren't at our best but fair play to Bolton, they came to win the game. They were pressing and staying man-to-man which made it difficult for us at times.'

The captain admitted the tension involved in securing three vital points may have contributed in Bolton threatening towards the end.

'Nerves with us not winning the Premier League for three years took their toll late on but we managed to hold on.

'I don't know what it looked like on TV but it certainly felt like it came off my chest,' he added on the incident that led to Bolton penalty claims for handball. There had been a similar incident involving Didier Drogba earlier on.

'Over 40 odd games you are going get some penalties and you are not going to get others. Late on it hit Zat Knight's hand as well so we could have had one and maybe they could have had one as well, but over the course of the season you get your rewards.'

Man of the Match was Yury Zhirkov, a decision Terry did not contest.

'Yury has come into the side since Ash has been out and been brilliant for us, the same with Paulo Ferreira the other side and that is what our squad is all about.

'We are getting closer week by week but it is just important that we keep winning. Man United, Arsenal and us have all got tough away games this weekend. Arsenal could throw a spanner in the works Wednesday evening if they go to Tottenham and win, but we have a better goal difference.

'We are just concentrating on ourselves and we have a little cushion now.'

Ancelotti Happy To See Anelka End Scoring Drought

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti was happy to see Nicolas Anelka break his scoring drought against Bolton Wanderers.

Anelka nodded home the game's only goal shortly before half-time, stepping up to the mark after 14 games without a goal since January, Didier Drogba providing a superb assist with his accurate cross.

"They work very well, very hard and changed position," Ancelotti noted. "The ball was fantastic, it was very good movement from Didier on the side and Nicolas was ready to score, it was the time for him to score - they did a fantastic job."

Chelsea And AC Milan The Only Contenders For Dzeko

German publication Sport Bild claims that Chelsea and AC Milan are the only clubs left in the chase for Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko.

Dzeko has scored 24 goals in 42 appearances for Wolfsburg so far this season. Last season, he was a major factor in Wolfsburg lifting the Bundesliga title. The 24 year-old is considered to be one of Europe's top strikers.

This morning, Italian media reports indicated that Juventus had also entered the race for Dzeko. In addition, a host of other top clubs have also been linked to the Bosnian striker, including Arsenal and Manchester United.

However, Sport Bild claims that Premier League leaders Chelsea and Italian giants AC Milan are the only two clubs willing to pay Dzeko a requested 5 million Euros salary per season. It is understood that AC Milan had a bid for Dzeko rejected last summer and it is known that the player himself is an AC Milan supporter. However, in an apparent invitation to the likes of Chelsea, Dzeko earlier this month said, “I never said that I absolutely want Italy.”

Dzeko’s contract at Wolfsburg runs until 2013 and the one sticking point in any deal, according to Sport Bild is the 40 million Euros that Wolfsburg are demanding for their prized asset. They appear unwilling to lower their asking price for Chelsea, AC Milan or any other club.

Wolfsburg general manager Dieter Hoeness told Sport Bild, “We will not let him go for a smaller sum.”

Franck Ribery To Choose Between Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Real Madrid And Barcelona In Next 'Five To Ten Days'

Bayern Munich winger Franck Ribery has revealed that he hopes to have decided where hill be playing next season within the next ten days.

The French international has long been linked with a move away from the Allianz Arena, with Real Madrid and Chelsea considered the favourites for his signature. With his contract running out in 2011, if he doesn't sign an extension this summer Bayern are likely to sell their star, rather than risk him walking away for free in 12 months time.

Ribery has not made any firm decision about his future yet, but revealed that he hopes to have made up his mind within the next ten days.

"There is at this time no club who say that I will come or to whom I am going," Ribery told German television station Sport1.

"Real Madrid, Barcelona and Chelsea are still interested in me and they want me to play for them.

"We have still some games to play and little recovery time. Therefore I believe that I will determine in the very near future what I will do next year."

Pushed to announce a clearer timescale regarding his decision, Ribery said: "I hope in the next week or in the next 10 days."

Ribery is in negotiations with his current club over a new deal, despite being quoted recently as saying he and his family hope to move to the sunnier climate of Spain.

"I will have talks with the club leadership and with my agent," he said.

"And as I already said, in a week or 10 days, when the talks have been held, I will know what the situation is."

While keen to extend Ribery's stay with the club, Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge confirmed they would not look to offload the player if it was going to harm their chances of excelling in domestic and European competition.

"We will hold talks. Our clear aim is still to extend the contract," Rummenigge said told Bild newspaper.

"But if we do not achieve that, it doesn't automatically mean that we will sell Franck this summer.

"We want to have a team next season who achieve their goals domestically and internationally take another step forward.

"We have the goal in the future not to travel humbly to Barcelona, but rather with a chance of being at the same level. Franck is necessary to do that."

Agent Confirms Interest In Inler

Udinese defensive midfielder Gokhan Inler could swap Serie A for the Premier League this summer after his agent Dino Lamberti revealed that several English clubs were keeping tabs on the Swiss international. Formally linked with Arsenal it is understood that Manchester City and Chelsea are amongst possible suitors.

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini and Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti are both long-term admirers of the 25-year-old having both previously tried to sign the former FC Zurich man for Inter and AC Milan respectively following his impressive showing on home turf at Euro 2008. Having been a stalwart for Udinese over the last three years it is believed that Inler is now ready to test himself in England despite previously playing down contact with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

It is thought that Inler retains a value upwards of £15 million; a figure which would fall into the Arsenal price bracket, but could be inflated should the financial muscle of both Manchester City and Chelsea become involved in a bidding war.

Speaking about the speculation surrounding his client, representative Dino Lamberti exclusively revealed to sport.co.uk:

“It is too early to say [if Inler will leave].

“Plenty of big Premier League clubs are interested in him, especially as his contract at Udinese expires this summer.”

Inler will travel with Switzerland to South Africa this summer hoping that he can replicate the form which consolidated his reputation as one of Europe’s most dependable midfielders.

Match Report: Chelsea 1 - 0 Bolton

A first-half strike from Nicolas Anelka gave jittery Chelsea victory over Bolton and sent them four points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League.

But it was evident from the laboured performance by Carlo Ancelotti's side that the title nerves are beginning to take hold.

The Blues had to wait until the 43rd minute to break down a stubborn Bolton side who almost snatched a draw in the closing stages.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson insists the title is Chelsea's to throw away and, judging by the anxiety on show at Stamford Bridge, the run-in promises to be a thrilling affair.

There was little evidence that Chelsea would struggle to overcome Owen Coyle's side when left-back Yury Zhirkov created a chance for the home side in the fifth minute.

The Russian pulled the ball back for Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba who sent his curling shot over the crossbar.

Bolton's defence was almost caught out again moments later but Drogba was given offside as he tried to beat Jussi Jaaskelainen.

In the seventh minute, Chelsea had a scare when captain John Terry required lengthy treatment on his ankle following a collision with Matthew Taylor. But the England defender was able to continue without any ill effects.

The Blues had lost their early impetus, though, and Bolton caused problems for the home side when Petr Cech failed to collect a cross from Chung-yong Lee.

Taylor almost profited from Cech's hesitation but the Czech Republic international quickly regained control of the ball before the Bolton midfielder could strike.

Zhirkov was in the wars in the 18th minute when he went down following a collision with Bolton striker Kevin Davies. The left-back required a hefty bandage on his head to stem the flow of blood before being allowed to continue.

Chelsea almost went in front in the 25th minute when Jaaskelainen punched Drogba's free-kick straight at Salomon Kalou. But, luckily for Bolton, it bounced off his head and wide.

The hosts were becoming more and more frustrated by Bolton's battling rearguard and that increased in the 37th minute when Drogba sent another free-kick wide of the target from 20 yards.

Zhirkov was asked to leave the pitch in the 39th minute by referee Lee Probert because he was still losing blood from his head wound.

It was clear the Russian defender's injury required stitches and Chelsea continued with 10 men - Frank Lampard taking over Zhirkov's position until he re-appeared in the 41st minute.

The breakthrough came in the 43rd minute when Drogba's cross was headed home from inside the six-yard box by Anelka.

It was the France international's first goal in 14 games for the Blues in a barren spell lasting just over two months.

Moments later Kalou tried to increase Chelsea's lead but his 20-yard shot was well wide of the target.

Chelsea's opening goal failed to liven up their performance as the second half began.

Bolton enjoyed much of the possession and the home side looked decidedly subdued.

Chelsea had even resorted to lumping high balls in the general direction of Drogba but it was a fruitless tactic.

Kalou wasted a great chance to put the game beyond Bolton in the 54th minute when Drogba put his Ivory Coast team-mate through on goal.

Kalou only had Jaaskelainen to beat but his shot was saved by the Bolton goalkeeper.

But it was a rare chance for the home side, who then survived a penalty appeal when Terry appeared to use his arm to divert a cross from Lee into Cech's hands.

Zhirkov forced Jaaskelainen into another fine save when he collected a return ball from Lampard and thumped a volley straight at the Bolton keeper.

Anelka was replaced by Florent Malouda midway through the second half.

A superb 40-yard pass from Alex in the 75th minute allowed Kalou to get free of the Bolton defence yet again but his angled drive was well saved by Jaaskelainen.

Three minutes later Lampard almost sealed victory when his 20-yard drive cannoned back of the inside of the post.

Six minutes from time Bolton substitute Johan Elmander was inches away from equalising when he headed a cross from Taylor just wide.

It was, though, the last nervy moment for the hosts, who hung on to move a step closer to achieving the league and FA Cup double.

Meeting Was Key Moment - Ancelotti

Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti has conceded that a "clear-the-air" meeting with the players was an important moment in a season that was threatening to implode.

Chelsea's season looked over during a week when they were dumped out of the Champions League by Inter Milan and then drew 1-1 with Blackburn in the Premier League last month.

The draw at Ewood Park left them four points behind Manchester United and two behind Arsenal with a game in hand.

However, Chelsea rallied following an "open and honest" team meeting with management after the draw with Rovers and the Blues have been unbeaten ever since.

The meeting sparked a fabulous turnaround in their fortunes and has left them on course to become only the seventh team to win the League and FA Cup double.

"After that meeting we spoke together and tried to clear the air after the defeats to Inter and Manchester City," said Ancelotti.

"After that, the players were more focused on our aims. We were able to change our aims from the Champions League to the Premier League and the FA Cup.

"It was necessary to speak with the players. We are involved in the same aim, to put Chelsea in first position.

"It was a very important moment. When you have a difficulty, you have to move on quickly.

"The right way is to involve the players to give a responsibility on me, but also on the players.

"They have to take a responsibility when the moment is not so good. After that, the players worked with more concentration and with more determination, and together."

Since the meeting, Chelsea have put five past Portsmouth, scored seven against Aston Villa, beat United at Old Trafford and secured their third FA Cup final appearance in four years with a 3-0 victory over Villa at Wembley.

Malouda Prepared To Put Body On Line For Chelsea Title Charge

Chelsea midfielder Florent Malouda says that the Blues will take the physical strain of mounting fixtures as they chase the double.

Bolton Wanderers visit Stamford Bridge on Wednesday evening in what will be Chelsea's 51st game of the season. Owen Coyle's side are likely to provide Carlo Ancelotti's men with a stern test and the Chelsea boss has already confirmed that he will rest both Deco and Joe Cole.

Frenchman Malouda has been in excellent form recently, scoring six goals in seven games and is confident he will have the energy to keep going until the end of the season.

He said, “We don't care if we are tired or stiff, you have to give everything until the end of the season. After the Villa game the priority was the recovery. Since then it has been thinking about the objective, which is winning the League.”

Chelsea played Aston Villa on Sunday on a difficult Wembley surface and by contrast, Bolton have had the week off, yet Malouda is still confident ahead of this evening's clash.

He continued, “We know how it is. In this League if you have a week off it is really easy to come and play stronger than if you have three games in a week.

“But it is not a problem for us, we have a strong squad and everybody is ready to perform. The team will rotate and we have to win.”

Petr Cech Confident Chelsea Can March Into The History Books

They say one week is a long time in politics, so the three that are left in the run-up to the general election will feel like a lifetime. But if Prime Minister Gordon Brown is trying to seek any kind of inspiration over how to turn what appears to be defeat into potential glory, then he need only look at what has happened at Chelsea Football Club over the past 21 days.

While comparing a government's fortunes with that of a leading football club may seem wide of the mark they do, bizarrely, have a lot in common right now.

Chelsea have been written off, coach Carlo Ancelotti has been accused of lacking the spark of his predecessor and there have been complaints over spending in the wrong areas. It's a story that could quite easily be at the front of the paper describing the current predicament of New Labour.

Few experts can see the latter emerging victorious come 6 May, yet most observers, including myself, couldn't envisage Chelsea ending the current campaign with a historic Double three weeks ago either and yet now, the title and FA Cup are within their grasp.

They appeared to be waving the white flag of surrender following the dismal 1-1 draw at Blackburn, which came five days after they were knocked out of the Champions League by Inter Milan.

There were some who could not understand the criticism, pointing out that Chelsea were still second in the table and in the FA Cup semi-finals. But those who had watched Chelsea on a weekly basis could see a team in decline — as their run of five wins from 11 games demonstrated.

More significantly was the lack of team spirit on the pitch, something the club have taken great pride in since they became one of the leading powers in English football.

The fact owner Roman Abramovich held a training ground inquest with the staff and players last month, which was followed by the squad having a crisis meeting themselves after the slip-up at Ewood Park, emphasises just how close Chelsea were to imploding.

It is to the immense credit of coach Ancelotti and his team that they have won four straight games since then, including the potential title decider at Old Trafford.

They take on Bolton tonight knowing that another victory will lift them four points clear of Manchester United at the top of the table — a turn of events which will mean they effectively have one hand on the trophy and critics, like me, eating their words.

Any mistakes against Owen Coyle's side will invite pressure once again, yet it appears unlikely with momentum and a sense of purpose back on their side.

Ancelotti's decision to revert to the 4-3-3 formation the players have preferred since Jose Mourinho introduced it in 2004, was brave and showed a lack of stubborness and ego.

The club's mini injury crisis ensured a more consistent team selection and the sight of Alex appearing alongside John Terry in central defence. It has meant the captain, as well as the team, look far more assured at the back.

For one agonising month goalkeeper Petr Cech watched Chelsea's campaign falling apart, unable to help due to a thigh injury. His return to the first team coincided with the upturn in their fortunes and now he has a place in the record books in his sights.
He said: “Not many teams are able to win the league and cup Double. If we win it, it will go down as the best-ever Chelsea season.

“Chelsea have never won it in their history and we are only a few steps away from doing so. Many of the players have made their mark on the club by winning the title but to do a Double will put us in the history books, we will never be forgotten.

“In football you have funny periods when, although you try hard, do things right, it all goes wrong. We had a little period where, although we were working hard and doing our best, we always ended up dropping points and also got knocked out of the Champions League.

“I was injured for some of it and for me it was a case of deja vu. Unfortunately, it has happened to me a few times where I have been sidelined and come back with us chasing everything.

“This time there was not a big difference. When I came back we were not far away from Manchester United and it was really up to us to win the games and to win at Old Trafford to go back ahead. It shows the character of the team to pick ourselves up and we have done it the right way with the big wins against Portsmouth, Aston Villa and at Old Trafford. But if we don't follow that up against Bolton then it will have another dimension.

“We have played some crazy games against them. It's strange because we always do well at the Reebok. They can't beat us there, but they always make it difficult for us at home.

“They had to watch us twice winning the title on their ground, so maybe that's why they have been trying hard to spoil things in recent seasons at Stamford Bridge.”

But now, surely nothing and no one can spoil Chelsea's march to their first title in four years.

Chelsea & Manchester United Target Luis Suarez Insists He Is Happy To Stay At Ajax

Rumoured Chelsea and Manchester United target Luis Suarez has played down talk of a summer transfer, insisting he is very happy at Ajax.

The Uruguayan international has already scored 32 goals this season, and alongside Atletico Madrid forward Diego Forlan is set to become one of the stars of this summer's World Cup.

Having signed a new three-year contract with the Amsterdam club in January, the 23-year-old insists that the interest of some of Europe's top clubs does not change his intention to honour the deal.

"I'm enjoying myself at Ajax," he told local Dutch television station AT5.

"I have not renewed my contract for nothing. I am here to stay."

Suarez scored 30 goals last season in the notoriously prolific Eredivisie, and has already notched 10 goals in 29 caps at international level.

Chelsea's Premier League Push Set To Be Disrupted As Carlo Ancelotti Is Summoned To Give Evidence In Calciopoli Trial

Chelsea's crucial Premier League run-in looks set to be hindered as manager Carlo Ancelotti will have to return to Italy to give evidence in a court case.

The 50-year-old has been summoned by judges presiding over the criminal trial into Italian football's 2006 match-fixing scandal, Calciopoli, to give evidence from his time as AC Milan manager.

Ancelotti has been asked to attend the next hearing, which is set for April 20 in Naples.

Chelsea are scheduled to face Tottenham Hotspur on April 17, before Stoke City visit Stamford Bridge on the April 25. If the hearing goes ahead as scheduled, Ancelotti would almost certainly have to miss a number of training sessions between the two games — an unwelcome distraction as he aims to guide his side to a first title since 2006 and first double in the club's history.

The Italian has already missed one court summons this season, excusing himself in October as the Blues had an away game against Bolton Wanderers on the same day.

But Chelsea head of communications, Steve Atkins, confirmed to Goal.com UK that Ancelotti will definitely be attending on Tuesday, although he was not yet sure for how long the coach would be away from the club.

Ancelotti is not accused of any wrong-doing in the case, although his club AC Milan were deducted points for their part in the scandal which saw Juventus stripped of two league titles and demoted to Serie B.

He has been called to give his version on Tuesday's revelations, which revealed that club vice-president Adriano Galliani was aware of former Milan director Leonardo Meani's influential relationship with former referee chief Pierluigi Pairetto.

Galliani had previously declared under oath that he was unaware of Meani's conversations with referees — which helped the Rossoneri avoid greater punishment four years ago — but the court heard recordings of Galliani speaking with another referee chief, Paulo Bergamo.

That was one of a number of stirs Juve's controversial former director, Luciano Moggi, caused at Tuesday's hearing as he continues to attempt to clear his name. His lawyers presented new evidence, including 171,000 phone calls missing from the original trial, in an attempt to prove he never had an "exclusive relationship" with the referee designators he was found guilty of controlling.

His lawyers presented wiretap evidence that they suggested implicated the previously untarnished Inter — who were awarded Juve's lost titles — in the scandal, with then-Nerazzurri president Giacinto Facchetti heard speaking to various referee designators.
Under cross-examination, 2006 chief investigator Colonel Auricchio could not explain why the calls were not included in the original trial. There is speculation that Inter may now face punishment if these latest revelations are proven to be true.

McCarthy Hails Versatile Mancienne

Mick McCarthy has hailed the impact of Wolves loanee Michael Mancienne as a holding midfielder but insists he will have to be "top drawer" in the role to get into the Chelsea side.

Mancienne is on loan from Stamford Bridge this season and has switched from centre-back to the middle of the park with good effect in recent months.

He has played a key part in Wolves revival - nine points from the past six games - which has taken them to the verge of Barclays Premier League survival.

Wolves boss McCarthy said: "Michael has been excellent. We know he is a good player. He is a centre-back but, from the moment I asked him to do the midfield role, he said 'I love that.'

"He did it when we won at Tottenham. He is improving. He is a really talented lad.

"The role has evolved. Chelsea had Makelele doing it, who is probably better than anyone. They had Didier Deschamps there at one stage and Mikel does it for them now.

"To get into a team like Chelsea, you've really got to be top drawer doing it. Michael is learning it but he is certainly improving at it."

McCarthy believes Mancienne's ability to play in more than one position will help him to play regular first-team football.

He said: "It is great if you have got two strings to your bow.

"If you can play at centre-back, as well as he does, and then just step into midfield, and play as he does, he is always going to get a game somewhere."

Florent Malouda Should Be A Role Model For France Hopefuls – Raymond Domenech

France coach Raymond Domenech has hailed in-form Chelsea winger Florent Malouda, indicating that his recent form is exactly what he wants to see from players aspiring to make his World Cup squad of 23, which will be named on May 11.

The two men have previously been unable to see eye-to-eye on a number of occasions, but Domenech lauded the former Olympique Lyonnais man in an interview with L’Equipe on Tuesday.

“[Malouda] spoke to me when he was least good. But I told him to show me [what he could do] on the pitch. Now, he is good, he gives me an option, a choice and a problem. I want to tell people: show me all that!” Domenech asserted when quizzed over Nicolas Anelka’s recent declaration that he felt “ridiculous” in the recent friendly loss against Spain.

Domenech also reaffirmed his stance over players who are not fit to train on May 11, when the preliminary squad will be divulged, but he was keen not to close the door on Manchester City’s Patrick Vieira, who has struggled a little for form since joining the Premier League club from Inter during the January transfer window, indicating that if he had to select a squad today, the former Arsenal man would be involved.

Cech: Talking Backs

It's Chelsea's goalscoring prowess that has grabbed the attention in the recent good run of form, and quite rightly so with the season breaking the previous best for finding the net, but quietly going about their business well has been the defensive unit.
Just two goals have been conceded in four consecutive wins and this despite injury forcing a major change around in personnel.

In the back four that has played the greater part of the last four games, only John Terry remains from the defence with Ricardo Carvalho, Branislav Ivanovic and Ashley Cole that was in place for the majority of the season.

Yet despite the switching, Petr Cech who has witnessed the performance at close quarters, sees no adjustment problems.

'The point is Paulo [Ferreira] used to play as first choice right-back for many seasons and JT was playing with him, and Alex and JT have played together many times in the past,' he says.

'The only really new member of the defence is Yury [Zhirkov] so this is not a big problem for us. You can see the defence are doing well and Yury is a quality player so he fits in there.

'You need to communicate all the time and when you have some new players coming in who haven't played for some time, of course it is different but basically we know each other which is good.'

The importance of communication between the goalkeeper and the two centre-backs goes without saying but Cech confirms he also keeps talking to the wider-placed men in front of him.

'The position of any member of the defence, and even John Mikel Obi in front of them is important, and if you have one full-back attacking, the other has to always be in a good position so that we keep the balance at the back.

'As the goalkeeper, you see it better than them because you are behind and they try to follow the game and try to help the attack. We use both full-backs at lot for the attacking play. So we need to keep the balance and we need to communicate so that not everyone goes forward.'

The defence has remained tight against opponents Bolton this season with both previous meetings ending 4-0 in Chelsea's favour - but last season's match at Stamford Bridge is a warning that the Trotters can be a danger. From a position of 4-0 down once again, they fought back to put three goals past Cech.

'Always we have been winning at the Reebok but always we have had difficult games against them at home so I expect the same,' notes the Chelsea keeper.

'They have been resting for 10 days and they could prepare for the game and they have nothing to lose. They come with no pressure.

'We all know that on a good day Bolton can cause problems so we take every game seriously, especially when you have a cup game and have to come back to the Premier League three days later.

'That is dangerous and we know that we have to be really serious and play well to win the game.'

Former Chelsea Boss John Hollins Hails Carlo Ancelotti's 'Astute' Management Of Team

Carlo Ancelotti’s methods are beginning to be vindicated as Chelsea go into their home clash with Bolton Wanderers ready to tighten their grip on a historic Premier League and FA Cup double, says former Blues boss John Hollins.

Ancelotti’s side can go four points clear at the top by beating Bolton at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, making them firm favourites to become only the seventh club in English football history to lift the League and FA Cup trophies in the same season. Chelsea contests the FA Cup final against the Premier League's bottom club, Portsmouth, on May 15.

Speaking exclusively to Goal.com UK Hollins, who managed Chelsea between 1985 and 1988, as well as making 436 appearances for the Blues as a player in the ‘60s and ‘70s, believes the Italian coach has shown his pedigree in expertly riding out the Champions League defeat to Inter Milan.

"It was disappointing, because Ancelotti came as the man to present the Champions League to the owner," said Hollins, "but they haven’t felt sorry for themselves, and it can still be a good, good season."

Hollins pinpointed Ancelotti’s psychological and tactical management of his troops over the last month as the key to Chelsea's reclaiming the initiative in the title race, particularly in the crucial win over Manchester United at Old Trafford.

"He managed to change the face of it," he said. "[Didier] Drogba came on and scored, but he looked as if he had that little bit of anger inside him, as if he felt he should have started. There was a little bit of a grimace in there too. And [Nicolas] Anelka, who is such an excellent all-round player, always seems to be the one to make way, so he’s still hungry. It’s an exciting prospect to see what they do next."

Myriad tactical options present themselves to Ancelotti, who told reporters on Monday that Michael Ballack and Salomon Kalou would start against Bolton in place of Deco and Joe Cole, and admitted he was also considering giving Florent Malouda a breather.

Hollins said the coach’s wealth of choice, especially in attacking positions, had vindicated his surprising decision to abstain from the January transfer window.

"They’ve got three games in a week (Villa, Bolton, then Tottenham on Saturday) but whatever position they’re in, they’re better equipped to take care of that situation than the rest," he said. "Ancelotti is very astute in knowing that one centre-forward can work, because the team is full of (forward) players who can run hard, chase hard and create danger when they have the ball."

Ancelotti’s experience at Milan of getting the best out of an unchanged squad has stood him in good stead, and indeed Hollins believes the lack of player turnover has served the coach well. "It’s mainly the same squad that was winning under Mourinho, so he’s just squeezed a little more out of what’s already there, rather than having a problem settling in new players and upsetting the balance.

"It helps that the players who are coming back from injury are coming back at the right time, and he’s used the squad well to fill the gaps when they’ve appeared."

Despite Joe Cole’s obvious disappointment at being substituted in the FA Cup semi-final and his absence from the starting XI against Bolton, Hollins still thinks the England man has a big role to play in the run-in. "The variation he gives them is something they didn’t have at the start of the season.

"He was way out of form, but has something big to aim for now with the World Cup. What I’m pleased about is that he's getting closer to the full-back, getting more confident, a bit more daring and going past his man, rather than just knocking it to someone else. That’s not what Joe Cole’s good at – he wants to be taking people on."

Premier League Preview: Chelsea vs. Bolton Wanderers

When Jose Mourinho returned to Stamford Bridge in March and knocked his former charges out of the Champions League many wrote off Chelsea's chances of salvaging anything from this season.

A 1-1 draw at Blackburn Rovers soon after seemed to confirm those suspicions, but since then Carlo Ancelotti's side have rocketed to the top of the league and looked invincible in the process.

An impressive 17 goals in four games, including a 2-1 win over title rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford, have placed the Blues firmly in the driving seat for Premier League glory.

That was further boosted with United's 0-0 draw at Blackburn - perhaps making Chelsea's draw at Ewood Park seem not such a bad result - meaning the Blues can go four points clear with a win over Bolton on Tuesday.

Chelsea have only lost once at home all season and have hit a staggering 52 goals at Stamford Bridge, which is more than Bolton have managed anywhere in the league (36).

Bolton should avoid relegation, giving them little to play for, but Chelsea's incentive of a Premier League title, which would make up for the disappointment of crashing out of the Champions League, will give them plenty to play for.

Carlo Ancelotti told reporters he didn't agree with Sir Alex Ferguson after the United manager said this match would be "easy" for Chelsea, but secretly he must be thinking it will be.

FORM

Chelsea
Mar 21: Blackburn 1-1 Chelsea (Premier League)
Mar 24: Portsmouth 0-5 Chelsea (Premier League)
Mar 27: Chelsea 7-1 Aston Villa (Premier League)
Apr 3: Man Utd 1-2 Chelsea (Premier League)
Apr 10: Aston Villa 0-3 Chelsea (FA Cup)

Bolton
Mar 9: Sunderland 4-0 Bolton (Premier League)
Mar 13: Bolton 4-0 Wigan (Premier League)
Mar 20: Everton 2-0 Bolton (Premier League)
Mar 27: Bolton 0-4 Man Utd (Premier League)
Apr 3: Bolton 0-1 Aston Villa (Premier League)

TEAM NEWS

Chelsea
Carlo Ancelotti has admitted he will rest Deco and Joe Cole for the visit of Bolton, replacing them with Michael Ballack and Salomon Kalou.

Right-back Branislav Ivanovic is expected to return to the squad after recovering from his injured knee. However, Michael Essien (knee); Ashley Cole (ankle); Ricardo Carvalho (ankle) and Jose Bosingwa (knee) are all sidelined

Last starting XI (v Aston Villa): Cech, Ferreira, Terry, Alex, Malouda, Deco, Zhirkov, Lampard, Joe Cole, Mikel, Drogba.

Bolton
Midfielders Mark Davies and Ricardo Gardner both return for the trip to Stamford Bridge. Davies missed Wanderers’ last match - the 1-0 defeat at home to Aston Villa - on April 3 with injury while Gardner has not played since the 4-0 reverse at Sunderland just over a month ago.

Manager Owen Coyle is still without long-term injury victims Stuart Holden, Chris Basham, Gavin McCann, Sean Davis and Joey O’Brien.

Last starting XI (v Aston Villa): Jaaskelainen, Knight, Cahill, Robinson, Ricketts, Cohen, Muamba, Wilshere, Lee, Kevin Davies, Elmander.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Chelsea
French winger Florent Malouda has been in blistering run of form lately, with seven goals in as many games. Bolton will need to shackle the left-winger if they are to stem Chelsea's flow.

Bolton
With most of the action likely to be in the Bolton box, Jussi Jaaskelainen will have his work cut out between the Trotters sticks. The Finnish stopper has a history of match-winning performances, and another would be great for Owen Coyle's men.

Carlo Ancelotti Refuses To Indulge In 'Mind Games' With Sir Alex Ferguson

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has refused to be drawn into "mind games" with Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Manchester United manager suggested on Sunday that the title was the Blues' to lose in the wake of his side's 0-0 draw with Blackburn Rovers, citing the west London club's easier run-in as one just reason.

But Ancelotti declined the opportunity to make too much of the Scot's claims.

"I hope that Alex is correct," Ancelotti said in his press conference before Tuesday's clash with Bolton Wanderers.

"Maybe before you can say it will be easy, but I haven't played an easy game this season.

"To play and win at Blackburn is not easy. They're a strong team at home. They drew against United, and that was a good result for us, but only if we win tomorrow."

Ferguson is well-known for attempting to use mind-games to gain an advantage against opponents, and has gained success against the likes of Kevin Keegan in the past, but the former AC Milan boss seems reluctant to rise to the bait.

"No, it's mind games. Ferguson is clever," Ancelotti noted.

"On paper we are favourites against Bolton, but only on paper. It's normal that Chelsea will win in theory, but we need to go out and achieve this.

"The title is in our hands. We are able to do our best, to maintain this level, we can win it.

"Maybe, if we are able to do this on Tuesday, it could be a very important step towards winning the title."

Ancelotti also revealed that club captain John Terry has spoken to Aston Villa midfielder James Milner to check on his progress, after a rash challenge in Saturday's FA Cup semi-final 3-0 win had left the midfielder injured.

"I think the yellow card was right," the Italian said of the controversial tackle.

"I saw the tackle on the television. John touched the ball before making contact with Milner.

"I know that Terry called Milner and, for Milner, it was okay. I think the decision of the referee was right."

A club spokesman subsequently confirmed the defender had texted Milner, but had not felt the need to apologise for the tackle.

Juliano Belletti Suggests FA Cup Final Might Be His Last Game For Chelsea

Chelsea's versatile squad member Juliano Belletti has revealed the club's FA Cup final against Portsmouth might be his final game for the club.

The Brazilian has been strongly linked with a return to his homeland all season, with a move to Flamengo in January blocked by the club, but has admitted he still doesn't know whether his future lies at Stamford Bridge.

"Maybe it [the FA Cup final] will be my last game for Chelsea," Belletti posted on his Twitter account.

"My contract ends in June and I still haven't decided where to go."

However, the 33-year-old has no plans of retiring and announced his ambitious target to follow in the footsteps of famous countrymen Pele and Romario and score 1,000 goals in his career.

"I'm not thinking of retiring. I will try to reach my 1,000th goal... I'm 950 short," he joked.

Hilario To Reject Sporting Lisbon; Chelsea Keeper Wants To Stay In London

Portuguese newspaper A Bola reports this morning that Henrique Hilario is set to reject an offer from Sporting Lisbon as the veteran goalkeeper wants to stay at Chelsea.

The 34-year-old custodian has one season left on his contract at Stamford Bridge and is happy in London where his two sons are settled.

Sporting Lisbon has targeted Hilario for the 2010/2011 campaign but Hilario is not keen to return to Portugal or Portuguese football.

Besides the fact he is on good wages at Chelsea, his family are happy in London and he does not want to take his sons (aged 7 and 10) out of the school they currently attend.

Hilario has made four appearances for Chelsea this season as backup for Blues number one Petr Cech.

Borini Talks Continue

Chelsea striker Fabio Borini is still in talks with the club over a new deal, according to his agent.

The 19-year-old joined the Blues in July last year having initially moved to Stamford Bridge as a trainee, and he has impressed since then.

He has featured eight times in the first-team squad and his agent Marco De Marchi has revealed the youngster's intent.

"Borini has not renewed his contract with Chelsea, we are doing the negotiations to reach an agreement," he told tuttomercatoweb.

"The intention is obviously to stay; he has great esteem for the club and the coach."

The Italy Under-21 international spent six years with Bologna as a youth before moving to London.

Fabio Capello Is Left To Tackle New John Terry Furore

Martin O’Neill is demanding an apology from John Terry over the tackle that angry Aston Villa players say could have broken James Milner’s leg.

England manager Fabio Capello was at Wembley and is now facing another Terry row to patch up before the World Cup.

There was no Terry apology on Saturday after Chelsea’s FA Cup semi-final triumph and relationships between Terry and Milner are strained.

Milner refused to comment afterwards and with him and Terry both expected to be on the plane to South Africa, the bad feeling could leave Capello with another major problem to solve.

Wayne Bridge has already refused to go to the World Cup because of Terry’s affair with his former girlfriend.

When asked about the tackle, Milner said. “The leg’s not too bad. I don’t know about the tackle. I don’t want to talk about that to be honest.”

But Villa team-mate John Carew was in no doubt that Terry, who was booked by referee Howard Webb for the second-half tackle, could have broken Milner’s leg and O’Neill claimed he should have been sent off.

“I saw it from close range and he could have sent Milner’s lower leg up into the stand if he hit him right,” said Carew. I have seen people get red-carded for less. There are a lot of tackles that can break people’s legs which are not even that dangerous. But that one was very dangerous because he launched in with a straight leg. If Terry had hit the leg and it had been planted on the ground he would have broken it.”

O’Neill wanted an apology from Terry straight after the game.

Carlo Ancelotti Reveals Roman Abramovich's Hands-On Style At Chelsea

Carlo Ancelotti has revealed the extent of Roman Abramovich's involvement in first-team affairs at Chelsea, telling the club's official magazine that the owner "wants to know everything".

"Roman is very interested, for sure, in his team," he said. "We meet maybe once a month and when he doesn't have to travel with his job he likes to stay in Cobham [where Chelsea has their training ground]. We discuss everything. He likes football, Chelsea, the players and he wants to know everything – about injuries, the balance of the team, tactics."

Ancelotti also spoke warmly of his assistant manager, Ray Wilkins. Having spent three years playing for Milan in the 1980s and also worked at the club under another Italian manager, Gianluca Vialli, Wilkins provides essential translation services. "I have difficulty to understand sometimes but I have a very good assistant," Ancelotti said. "He's not only an assistant, he's a friend and he speaks very good Italian. And so he helps me to understand. It's not easy because when you speak to the team you have to not only speak, you have to show emotion as well.

"The first time I was angry with the players I tried to shout at them in English – it was impossible! Now the players know that when I speak in Italian, I am angry!"

The 50-year-old, whose side is top of the league and in the FA Cup final, promising a golden conclusion to his first season in English football, said that Italy could learn much from the English game.

"I saw a lot of Premier League games last year," he said. "The surprise for me is the atmosphere around the stadium and inside the stadium. It is very good and different to Italy. In Italy it is hard to find a full stadium and it's very easy to have violence in the stadium – this is not good. Here there are no police, no barriers, just a fantastic atmosphere.

"I think England had the same problem about 20 years ago with the hooligans and other problems, but you changed the rules and respected them. Italy tried to change the rules, but there is not the respect, so we have a big problem. I hope Italy can have the culture that I found here."

Ancelotti Staying Focused

Carlo Ancelotti looked ahead to Chelsea's next Premier League game after reaching the FA Cup final with victory over Aston Villa.

The Blues were made to work much harder at Wembley than when the teams last met in the league a couple of weeks ago and Villa were put to the sword 7-1.

But after a goalless first half, Didier Drogba broke the deadlock and Florent Malouda and Frank Lampard added late gloss to the scoreline.

Ancelotti was pleased to stay on track for a domestic double but called on his players to concentrate on the clash with Bolton in midweek.

"It is a good moment for us because we are confident and motivated," he said.

"But I don't want to think about what we could win. I want to focus on the next game.

"We are happy to be in the final, now we have five league games to play, starting against Bolton on Tuesday."

Martin O'Neill felt that Aston Villa should have been awarded a penalty in the first half for a foul by John Obi Mikel on Gabriel Agbonlahor.

Ancelotti replied: "It could have been a penalty, but also it might not have been.

"It was a very strong tackle in our box but the referee did not whistle. If he had it would have been a penalty."

The state of the Wembley pitch was again a talking point as players from both teams slipped on the greasy surface, although Ancelotti did not think it was too much of a problem.

"The pitch was fantastic," he said. "Some players did slip but it was adequate."

Frank Lampard: We Deserved To Beat Aston Villa In The Cup

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard believed that the opening goal gave his side the confidence needed to go on and beat Aston Villa comfortably in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.

The Blues midfielder felt that his side didn't get off to a great start, with Villa looking the better of the two teams going in at half-time.

However Lampard's shot midway through the second half was turned in by Didier Drogba, and late goals from Florent Malouda and Lampard himself completed a 3-0 victory.

"At half-time we said to each other we hadn't even started yet," Lampard told BBC Sport.

"The confidence came after the goal and we deserved it in the end."

The pitch was a major talking point in the build-up to the game and Lampard felt that the surface at Wembley was problematic for both teams.

"The pitch looked decent, but it was very hard underneath," the England midfielder admitted. "The [league and cup] double is still on, it'll be very tough but we want to go all the way."

Chelsea has the chance to retain the title against Porstmouth, who defeated Tottenham Hotspur after extra time at Wembley on Sunday.

Terry Has Double Vision

Chelsea captain John Terry is already concentrating on Tuesday night's Barclays Premier League clash with Bolton as the Blues continue their bid to land the double.

Chelsea reached their third FA Cup final in four years with a 3-0 semi-final victory over Aston Villa at Wembley yesterday but the focus has already switched to their home game with Wanderers and their double bid.

Bolton have gained something of a reputation for spoiling the party at Stamford Bridge in recent seasons but Chelsea are determined to keep up the pressure on their rivals at the top of the table.

Goals from Didier Drogba, his 32nd of the season, Florent Malouda and Frank Lampard helped the FA Cup holders to set up a final against Portsmouth or Tottenham in May.

It also keeps them on course to become only the seventh club in history to win both competitions in the same season.

"We've got our eyes on the double now," declared Terry. "We are back at the top of the Premier League with five games to go and we are in the FA Cup final now so that's what our sights are on.

"We know we've got some tough games coming up but as long as we keep winning and working hard for each other it is possible.

"We've got some tough games coming up in the league. We've got Bolton in the week, which will be tough.

"Looking at the fixtures, they all seem really difficult, but as long as we keep winning and working hard for each other, then the double is possible."

Terry came under fire from Villa boss Martin O'Neill for a second-half challenge on James Milner that led to a yellow card for the Chelsea defender.

An incensed O'Neill claimed: "It was an horrendous challenge on an England team-mate. James Milner is exceptionally lucky his career is intact. It should have been a straight red card.

"It could have been very serious. James is lucky to have got away with it. The fact his leg was in the air helped. I have spoken to the doctor who says he's a very lucky boy."

Terry is understood to have spoken to Milner after the game and Chelsea insist they have no plans to respond to O'Neill's remarks at the present time.

But Terry did have some sympathy with Villa over a first-half penalty appeal that was flatly rejected by referee Howard Webb.

Gabriel Agbonlahor appeared to be wrestled to the ground by Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi but Webb decreed otherwise. However, Terry was convinced that Villa should have been given a spot-kick.

"I think it was a penalty for Villa," he admitted. "I was right there. I would say so. But the game is over. We should have had some penalties earlier in the season and we move on."

Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou revealed how a half-time blast from angry coach Carlo Ancelotti helped give the Blues the boost they needed to go on and win the game.

Chelsea had been lethargic and off the pace in the opening half as Villa dominated the game but Ancelotti let rip during the interval.

"He was saying that we were playing too static and there was not a lot of movement in the front," said Kalou.

"Of course Carlo was angry because that was not the Chelsea that people want to see or the Chelsea we want to be.

"He was angry because of that and every player understood that we had to do better if we wanted to win the game."

Kalou also insists Drogba's opening goal in the 67th minute paved the way for their victory over a side they hammered 7-1 in the league just a fortnight ago.

Kalou came off the bench to help open the game up and the Ivorian believes they will need more impact players if they are to land the coveted double.

"Once we scored the first goal, we had more space to play and more chances to create goals," said Kalou.

"It is important if we want to win the double, which we have people who come off the bench and change games.

"We have never done the double before and it would be good history for the club and the manager. To have the opportunity to do the double as a player is amazing."

Terry: Keep On Running

John Terry paid complement to Aston Villa for making it a tough semi-final but was happy the Chelsea team worked hard enough to make it through to another big Wembley date.

In May the Blues will play in the fourth FA Cup Final of Terry's time in the side (fifth if you include an unused sub appearance at Wembley in 2000) and it is never a thought that fails to excite, especially with the chance that it might complete an historic league and cup double.

'It will be a big occasion coming back to Wembley and we can sit back and relax on Sunday and see who makes it through with us,' said the Chelsea captain after Saturday's 3-0 win.

'We are back at the top of the league and in the FA Cup Final now and winning those is what our sights are on. We've got some tough games, including Bolton on Tuesday which is going to be tough.

'Man United play away to Blackburn on Sunday afternoon which proved a tough game for us, and looking at the fixtures they all seem really difficult but as long as we keep winning and keep working hard for each other, which is what we have been doing, we stand a good chance.

'We are delighted to beat Villa after a sloppy first half,' Terry continued.

'I always said it was going to be very different from two weeks ago when we beat them and Villa pressed us really well and stopped us for playing so first half, we didn't really get out the stalls and we are disappointed with that.

'We got a bit of a rollicking at half time, the manager told us to liven it up, move the ball a bit quicker which is what we intended to do at the start of the game. We didn't but that was down to Villa pressing and working well as a team. We came out second half and played a lot better.'

Terry played a part in the ice-breaking goal when his miscued half-volley found Didier Drogba perfectly positioned to score.

'It was a shot but I told Didier it was a pass because I heard him shout,' Terry smiled, 'but he said he didn't call!

'I would say Villa should have had a penalty first half,' he admitted. 'I was right there but we should have had some earlier in the season. We didn't get them and we moved on, we got a bit of luck this time and in the second half we played a lot better.

'The pitch was quite hard on top and they watered it before the game,' he reported. 'It was in a good condition but a little bit slippery. Studs don't come much bigger than those that centre-halves wear and even we were slipping over.

'We are playing well, the confidence is high,' he reported. 'We have let the lead in the league slip once and we are determined not to let it slip again. It is three years since we won the Premier League and we are really determined to get it back to the Bridge.

'We have seen the last four or five weeks the team working hard from each other and that is the key. The quality has always been there and always will be in the top four or five teams in the Premier League but if we can work hard, win our tackles and do the basics very well then we should be okay. If we can win our games there is nothing anybody else can do.'

Blues Duo Savour Semi Success

John Terry and Didier Drogba have expressed their delight at reaching the final of the FA Cup but will not let it detract from their quest for Premier League glory.

Chelsea overcame Aston Villa 3-0 at Wembley on Saturday thanks to second-half goals from Drogba, Florent Malouda and Frank Lampard.

Terry admits that Villa had applied most of the pressure in the opening 45 minutes and Chelsea needed to improve considerably after the break.

"I thought they pressed us really well and stopped us from playing, but in the first half we didn't really get out the stalls," Terry told Sky Sports News.

"We were disappointed with that but we got a bit of a rollicking at half-time and came out and played much better."

Drogba hopes Chelsea can now go on to defend the trophy they won against Everton 12 months ago.

"We are happy for the fans, to be back here for another cup final," said the Ivory Coast international.

"When you know the joy we had here, it is fantastic."

Both players then looked ahead to the rest of the Premier League campaign, with Chelsea currently two points clear of nearest rivals Manchester United.

Terry said: "It is in our hands and if we win our games there is nothing anyone else can do.

"We are playing well and the confidence is high but we really need to maintain that.

"We have let it slip once and we are determined not to let it slip again."

Drogba added: "We really want to win it. We have the destiny in our hands and nobody can stop us if we win our games."

O'Neill Demanding Terry Apology Over Milner Tackle

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill is demanding an apology from John Terry for his X-rated tackle on England team-mate James Milner.

O'Neill is still furious with Terry for the second-half lunge that caught Milner on the calf and led O'Neill to claim it was lucky the midfielder's ''career is still intact''.

Terry has so far not spoken about the incident, although he will probably accept TV replays look fairly damning, even if he did not feel the tackle even merited the yellow card dished out by referee Howard Webb at the time. O'Neill was certainly not happy.

''I would hope there would be an apology sent to the dressing room,'' he said. ''I don't know whether an apology is enough. That would be something for James and John Terry to talk about. But it was desperately poor.

''I am just delighted James is still fit to play because he could have been out for a long time.''

O'Neill's immediate fear was that Milner had suffered an injury that would wreck his hopes of making Fabio Capello's World Cup squad.

''James is very fortunate his foot was off the ground,'' said O'Neill. ''Even that itself is not enough to save you all the time. Forget about the result. In two weeks' time it will be forgotten. I just want James to be fit to take his rightful place in the squad to go to South Africa.''

Meanwhile, John Carew has claimed Terry could have broken Milner's leg with his ''dangerous'' tackle.

Carew said: ''I saw the challenge from close range and Terry could have sent his (Milner's) lower leg up into the stands. I've seen people get red cards for less. That was a really dangerous tackle.

''There are a lot of tackles that can break legs which are not really that dangerous. But that one was very dangerous because he launched in with straight legs. It would have broken it.''

Abramovich Stalls On Spending, Damaging Chelsea's Transfer Plans

According to The People, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has refused to sanction any transfers or contract agreements until the end of the season, throwing the Blues' plans into chaos.

The People quotes a Chelsea insider, who said, "Roman is unhappy about the amount of money Chelsea have been paying in both deals and wages - he thinks he has spent far too much. Now he wants to let everything cool down before he decides what to spend."

The decision to shelve contract talks for now leaves Joe Cole in the dark over his future. The England midfielder is reportedly keen to stay at Stamford Bridge, but has no idea what Chelsea can offer him and is therefore reluctant to look elsewhere.

In addition, given that Chelsea chiefs have no idea what transfer budget may be available over the summer, they are unable to pursue players such as Benfica winger Angel Di Maria, who Chelsea sporting director Frank Arnesen watched at Anfield last week.

In contrast, Real Madrid is in a position to agree to Benfica's £23million asking price for 22 year-old Di Maria immediately.