Zesh Backs Chelsea's Asian Initiative

Britain’s top Asian footballer Zesh Rehman is urging young players from the Asian community to get involved with Chelsea's Search for an Asian Star initiative.

Rehman is the only Asian player to have played at every level in the English game and has backed Chelsea's groundbreaking scheme which is designed to boost participation levels throughout the game.

"Get involved and sign up now - this is a fantastic opportunity to show how many talented players are out there,” said the Bradford Captain.” It's not just in the Premier League where Asian players are under represented it's at all levels and the Search for an Asian Star programme is a great way of breaking down the barriers. My cousin went down last year and he had a great time and learnt a lot."

Last year, two of the three winners went on to play for professional clubs. This year Chelsea have doubled the number of age groups participating and six young players aged eight to 13 will win the chance to have a weeks trial at Chelsea's Academy, playing with some of the best young talent in the country.

Ian Rush Credits Carlo Ancelotti's Tactics For Chelsea's Victory Over Liverpool

Former Liverpool striker Ian Rush has hailed the astute tactics deployed by Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti at Anfield at the weekend.

A 2-0 win for the Blues meant that they took a massive step towards winning the Premier League title, and Rush believes that Ancelotti had prepared his team's shape superbly, forcing Steven Gerrard into the crucial mistake which gifted Chelsea the opening goal.

"You have to give credit to Carlo Ancelotti for getting his tactics right at Anfield," Rush told The Liverpool Echo.

"Initially, it looked as though Chelsea didn’t want to take the game to Liverpool. They were quite happy where they were. Chelsea were set up to prevent us moving the ball forward.

"By closing Liverpool down and not allowing us time on the ball, Chelsea forced the mistake for the first goal.

"In football you instinctively look to play forward. If nothing is on you then look sideways and eventually backwards.

"The way Chelsea were set up, it’s difficult for Steven Gerrard to go anywhere other than backwards from the position he’s in when he makes a wayward back pass.

"By forcing him backwards Didier Drogba is then alert to the danger and does what he does best to hand Chelsea the lead.

"Ancelotti had done his homework. Liverpool sometimes have a tendency not to look forward first, and sideways or backwards becomes the first option.

"While Gerrard will be first to admit he’s made a mistake, it’s the positioning of Chelsea’s players that has restricted his options and forced him into the error."

Rush also believes that the Reds looked tired though, after a season in which disappointment as much as leg weariness has taken its toll.

"Fatigue has come into it too. The Europa League semi-final defeat just a few days earlier will have taken a lot out of the players," he added.

"If you’re winning, you don’t get tired. But if you’re losing, you do; both physically and mentally. Players like Jamie Carragher and Dirk Kuyt have played in nearly every game this season. It’s bound to catch up with you at some point."

Carlo Ancelotti: We Showed A Good Mentality At Anfield.

Carlo Ancelotti has warned his Chelsea players they must control their emotions against Wigan on Sunday if they are to avoid handing the championship to Manchester United.

Goals from Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard ensured Ancelotti's side eased past Liverpool on Sunday and go into the final game of the campaign knowing a win will see them crowned champions for the first time in four years.

Ancelotti, though, is well aware of the danger of such a situation and, despite his obvious pleasure at finishing his Anfield debut victorious, was at pains to point out that Chelsea must retain all of their focus if they are to see off Sir Alex Ferguson's team.

"This game was the key in the fight for the title," said Ancelotti. "It is never easy to play here, because they have very good players and a very good atmosphere, but I thought we played very well and we deserved to win.

"There was a lot of pressure on us in this game and I think we had good control of our emotions. The team is in good condition physically and we showed a good mentality at Anfield.

"All we can do is train well this week and wait. I always said the title will be decided on the last day of the season and now that is the case."

There is no doubt, though, that his players are confident they can see off Roberto Martinez's team, who face Hull on Monday, on the last day of the season to secure the title after recovering from a lapse in form earlier in the year.

"We hit a low point a couple of months ago," said Lampard. "You have to give credit to everyone – the players, the management, the staff. We dug ourselves out and we are now on the brink of doing the double. It would be nice to win it in front of our own fans next week."

That Chelsea are in a position to do so is at least partially down to Steven Gerrard's error in judgment – his 25-yard back-pass to Pepe Reina was cut out by Drogba to hand the visitors the lead – but the goalscorer, like his manager, was quick to dismiss any conspiracy theories.

"He made a big mistake," said Drogba. "But you do not do things like that on purpose. I was just lucky to be there and score. It was good for us because it gave us a lot of confidence to go on and play."

Ancelotti's counterpart, Rafael Benítez, admitted that, although his team had never recovered from that self-inflicted blow, he believed Chelsea would be deserving champions.

"They are a very good team," said the Liverpool manager. "And Carlo is a very good manager. If they are in this position at the top, it is because they are such a good side."

Lampard Eyes Bridge Celebrations

Frank Lampard is delighted Chelsea have the chance to win the Premier League title at Stamford Bridge.

After both Chelsea and second-placed Manchester United won at the weekend, the Blues remain in pole position to lift the trophy.

With one game remaining, Carlo Ancelotti's side knows they will be champions if they beat Wigan at Stamford Bridge on the final day of the season.

And following their 2-0 victory at Liverpool, Lampard admits having the chance to regain the title at their own ground will be special.

"It would be nice to do it in front of our own fans," he said.

"Obviously Manchester United have a tough game but we'll never go that far (thinking they have already won). We have a big game next week.

"But we knew the Liverpool game was huge for us. We knew if we had dropped points we would have given the momentum to United."

Chelsea have the chance to do the Double for the first time in their history as they also face Portsmouth in the FA Cup final and Lampard admits that adds come extra incentive.

"We've got an FA Cup final after next week so we're very determined," he added.

"We were at a bit of a low point a couple of months ago so credit goes to the players, management and staff.

"We dug ourselves out of that and have pushed on to the brink of doing the double."

Frank Lampard Confident Chelsea Will Get The Job Done And Beat Manchester United To The Premier League Title

Basking in the glow of Chelsea's comfortable 2-0 win against Liverpool, Frank Lampard believes nothing can now stop the Blues winning the Premier League title.

Carlo Ancelotti's side have been front-runners for much of the campaign, but have had their slip-ups on occasions and needed to avoid another one at Anfield on Sunday to prevent Manchester United going into the final weekend of the season with the advantage.

Achieving that aim thanks to goals from Didier Drogba and Lampard, the midfielder is looking forward to next weekend's final clash with Wigan Athletic.

"We have had a couple of moments in the season when we have not been at our best and the momentum went back to United," Lampard told reporters.

"But in the last ten games or so our performances have been fantastic, so has the attitude of the lads.

"We have got a head of steam up. There is still another game to go but we are in a good position. If you are going to win titles you are going to have these moments.

"Whether it is a crunch moment like yesterday, when we played Liverpool with United playing Sunderland after us, or whether it be a game at home which you should win comfortably. You have to do the job right."

Drogba, the other goalscorer, echoed Lampard's sentiment — but warned that the Blues still have a professional job to do in front of the Stamford Bridge faithful before the celebrations can begin.

"Now we have another game we need to win," Drogba pointed out.

"We have waited for this moment for such a long time but it is not done yet.

"We just need to concentrate on this next game."

Chelsea Target Franck Ribery Snubs England As He Admits A Move To Barcelona Or Real Madrid Is His Dream'

Bayern Munich attacker Franck Ribery has confirmed that he sees his future with either Barcelona or Real Madrid, rather than Chelsea.

The French international, who has a year left on his current deal at the Allianz Arena, is wanted by some of the biggest clubs in the world in a transfer saga that has run for over a year, but despite Chelsea's long term interest, the 27-year-old admits that the quality of players at the Nou Camp in particular are a major attraction.

"Lionel Messi, without hesitation! I'd love to play with him and Xavi," Ribery said according to FIFA's official website when asked which player he would most like to play with.

"Someone who knows how to organize and conduct the game of his team and has an exceptional quality of passes. Currently, he is in stunning condition.

"Obviously, there are many clubs that make me dream, like Real Madrid or Barcelona."

Ribery's failure to mention the English club will be taken as something of a snub, although he did have some encouraging words for the country's hopes at this summer's World Cup.

"I expect us to be very efficient because it is a competition that really counts for us," Ribery said of France's hopes, despite a troubled qualification process that saw Les Bleus needing to beat Ireland in extra-time of a play-off to book their place in South Africa.

"Our first objective will be to qualify from the group stage. There will be time then to think of the final. I hope it is France that will lift the trophy in July.

"We have very good players and I truly believe that we have the means to go after.

"Obviously, other teams also have the necessary talent. The English and the Spaniards seem to me particularly strong."

Drogba: Confidence And Concentration

Didier Drogba now stands one goal away from his best total in a season for Chelsea.

By pouncing on Steven Gerrard's howler of a backpass and finding the net in front of the Kop, the striker reached 33 goals for the campaign, level with his total in 2006/07 when he helped the team to a domestic cup double.

Now it is the even more prestigious League and FA Cup double in his sights. In 2007 he won the Premier League Golden Boot for 20 goals. He now has 26 league goals this season, level with Wayne Rooney in the race to succeed Nicolas Anelka as the competition's top scorer.

Following Sunday's victory, Drogba appreciated fortune had been on his side in making the breakthrough.

'Steven Gerrard did a big mistake but he didn't do it on purpose and I was lucky enough to be there to score,' the Ivorian said. 'It was good because this goal gave us a lot of confidence to play and it is a very good result winning at Liverpool.'

The opening goal came in the 32nd minute and Frank Lampard's 52nd minute conversion of Nicolas Anelka's cross made the game safe, but Drogba believes Lampard should have been given an earlier chance to score - from the penalty spot when Lucas appeared to trip Salomon Kalou in front of goal.

'This was an important game and it is not easy to make decisions like this but when it is a penalty you have to give it,' he said.

'Now we have another game we need to win. We have waited for this moment for such a long time but it is not done yet. We just need to concentrate on this next game.'

Edwin Van Der Sar Refuses To Blame Liverpool For Fading Title Chances After Chelsea Defeat

Edwin van der Sar refused to blame an under-performing Liverpool side after Chelsea easily defeated the Reds at Anfield.

With the win Chelsea maintain their hold at the top of the Premier League table with one game to go for each side.

Van der Sar knows United must keep going if they are to claim their fourth consecutive Premier League title even though Chelsea control their own destiny.

The Dutch goalkeeper refused to blame Rafa Benitez's men for failing to give Chelsea more of a match.

"You hope [Liverpool could beat Chelsea], but you don't really expect anything," Edwin told the club's official website.

"Even if they had tried really hard I think they had a gruesome two weeks, played a lot of games and they picked up a couple of injuries.

"I don't think that's the cause of us maybe not winning the league, that happened over the course of the year and some breaks we didn't get and Chelsea got, especially in the last couple of weeks."

Van der sar fully anticipated United would take care of Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, and hopes Wigan to pull off a surprise at Stamford Bridge next weekend to give United a shot at lifting the Premier League trophy.

"I think we expected it," he said. "The Gaffer had a couple of words before the game and the way we played and created the chances, we knew what to do.

"You want to grab every little chance there is. You never know in football, of course, but it's going to be hard, difficult and not likely, but never mind, we have to make sure we work till the end.

"It would've been nice if we were a point ahead. We're not in charge and it's difficult, but we have to keep going, see what we can do this week on the training ground, see if everybody has recovered from this match and hopefully have a nice game for our supporters on Sunday. We're still hanging in there!"

Chelsea's Young Blue Bloods Are Ready For Changing Of The Old Guard

Amid the strangest atmosphere Anfield has known for many years, Chelsea took a tentative step into the future today. As the match ended with the London club on the brink of a third title in the Abramovich era, finally it became possible for the club to look beyond the achievements and aura of José Mourinho.

Most of the players in the line-up were part of Mourinho's side, and some of them go back as far as Claudio Ranieri's tenure, but what happens next at Stamford Bridge appears likely to become firmly identified with Carlo Ancelotti. During the summer, certain changes and additions to the squad may cement that association.

Joe Cole, unable to agree a new deal, looks likely to depart, along with Juliano Belletti and possibly Deco. Gossip suggests that if Mourinho takes over at Real Madrid in the summer, he will come calling for Frank Lampard and perhaps Ricardo Carvalho. But the presence of Frank Arnesen, the club's somewhat shadowy director of football, in the directors' box provided a reminder that finally Chelsea are ready to see some tangible reward from their expensive academy programme.

At the bottom of their lengthy first‑team squad list are the unfamiliar names of 10 young players, including the Italian forward Fabio Borini, the Dutch defender Jeffrey Bruma, the French midfielder Gael Kakuta and the extremely gifted 17-year-old Joshua McEachran, an English playmaker, who are considered ready for gradual assimiliation into the senior line-up. Their presence will reduce the average age of a group currently heavily weighted towards players in their late 20s and early 30s – although the club's medical and physiotherapy team have successfully prolonged the youth of so many of them.

If Ancelotti is clever, he will not find himself having to explain to his employer that next season is a necessary period of transition. From what we have seen, Abramovich is not much interested in such a phenomenon. He wants results. He is likely to fund at least one major purchase in the close season, possibly Sergio Agüero, Atlético Madrid's Argentinian striker, but he would like the team to reflect his investment in Arnesen's project. This will be a new challenge for Ancelotti, whose successful seven-year spell with Milan was marked by a strong preference for extending the careers of older players (such as Filippo Inzaghi and David Beckham) rather than introducing promising youngsters.

It was the old faithfuls who were entrusted with an important job yesterday, although you would never have known that the match taking place on the sacred turf of Anfield was a potential title-decider. How could it have been otherwise, given the ambivalent attitude of Liverpool's fans to the notion that a victory for their side would improve the prospects of a 19th title for Manchester United?

In a national newspaper yesterday morning one of their number wrote that anyone who wanted Liverpool to win today had no right to call himself a fan of the club. What strange times these are. Would the blessed Shankly have been willing to forfeit a home success in order to prevent the deadly rivals from overtaking his club's total of championships? The heart says that he would have gone for the victory, regardless of the cost; the head, however, has the odd doubt.

For the first half-hour the mood inside Anfield, on the pitch and in the grandstands, was that of a pre‑season friendly. The match was riddled with careless errors from players normally noted for their efficiency, in front of a near-silent crowd. Nor were the mistakes all coming from Liverpool players. Michael Ballack, playing in the holding midfield position, took 20 minutes to get his eye in and spent that time playing the sort of inaccurate short passes that would have given Claude Makelele nightmares.

The crowd was so quiet that even the biggest Liverpool mistake provoked nothing more than a sigh. It came, of course, from Steven Gerrard, that living embodiment of Liverpool's values and Shankly's legacy. Didier Drogba took full advantage, and Gerrard's blushes were only slightly spared when Lampard doubled Chelsea's lead early in the second half, this time with no obvious assistance from the home side.

And so Chelsea completed their record of success this season over their fellow members of the quartet that can no longer be called the big four: victories by 1-0 and 2-1 over Manchester United, by 3-0 and 2-0 over Arsenal, and by 2-0 twice over Liverpool. Twelve goals scored, one conceded: a remarkable achievement in this informal mini-league, although its membership will be modified next season through the relegation of a club who, as today's performance indicated, have badly lost their way. For Chelsea, by contrast, the way ahead looks like a sunlit boulevard.

Rafa Benitez Tips Chelsea To Finish The Job

Rafa Benitez has backed Chelsea to clear the final fence against Wigan next Sunday in their gallop home to a first title since 2006.

Sunday's 2-0 win at Liverpool has left the Blues in pole position for the final weekend of the season and a win will guarantee top spot, no matter what Man United do against Stoke.

The beaten Reds boss, putting his own disappointments aside after drawing a blank this season, said: “Chelsea are a very good team, with good players, good experience and a great manager – [who is] also a nice person.

“They are in the best position and normally, if they play like they have been playing, especially at home, they will be there [next week].”

Carlo Ancelotti said: “I always said the title would not be decided until the end of the season.

“I am very happy because it [Liverpool away] was the key game in the fight for the title and we played very well. We deserved to win.

“We had it a little bit difficult in the first half, but the second half was better. Defensively, we did a fantastic job and we had a lot of opportunities to counter attack.

“There was pressure in this game on us and we had good control of our emotions. The team is showing good physical condition, good mentality and good personality.”

The Blues boss added: “Our first goal was important because it changed the game. We had more confidence after that and I think Liverpool lost some strength that they showed in the first 30 minutes.

“It was the first time for me here and I will have good memories about this day at Anfield.”

Match Report: Liverpool 0 - 2 Chelsea

A spirited and committed win at Anfield has brought Chelsea within one win of the Barclays Premier League title.

Goals from Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard in either half earned a deserved victory against a Liverpool side subdued by its midweek European exit, meaning a win at Stamford Bridge against Wigan Athletic next Sunday guarantees the championship, regardless of how Manchester United fare in their final two matches.

We could be crowned by the time the team arrives back at Cobham this evening should Sir Alex Ferguson's men lose at Sunderland this afternoon, though they go into the game as favourites.

In the afternoon kick-off though all thoughts were on what Chelsea needed to do, and Carlo Ancelotti's men stuck to their task admirably, bettering their opponents for almost the entire 90 minutes.

Drogba capitalised on a Steven Gerrard error after half an hour to put us in front after Alberto Aquilani had hit the Chelsea bar, and such was Chelsea's control on the game that Lampard's strike eight minutes into the second half put the result beyond doubt.

John Terry returned to captain Chelsea from the heart of defence, taking Paulo Ferreira's place with Branislav Ivanovic moving to right-back. John Mikel Obi was still missing through injury so Michael Ballack filled the holding midfield role, and hat-trick man Salomon Kalou continued in a three-pronged attack with Nicolas Anelka and Drogba.

Liverpool were without ex-Chelsea man Glen Johnson, so Javier Mascherano deputised at right-back, Dirk Kuyt the lone centre-forward with the much missed Fernando Torres out for the rest of the campaign.

Attacking the Kop, the visitors started brightly, Lampard firing wide inside the first minute but Liverpool responded by forcing consecutive corners after deflected efforts by Mascherano and Maxi Rodriguez.

Florent Malouda and Anelka both worked Pepe Reina before Alberto Aquilani almost broke the deadlock with a long range shot, which just brushed the crossbar on its way over, Petr Cech just about beaten.

There followed a quiet period in the game, neither side creating major openings before Aquilani chased a Rodriguez pass, tangling with Ivanovic inside the area and tumbling to the ground. Replays showed the Serb had not played the ball, but neither had there been too much contact, ref Alan Wiley correct to award nothing.

The game badly needed a goal, and on 32 minutes it got one. Liverpool had possession deep in their own half and under pressure, Steven Gerrard opted to play the ball back to his goalkeeper but seemed to miss the presence of Drogba, who stole in, rounded Reina and slotted home the easiest of his 33 goals this season, one to equal the record he set in 2006/07.

Within five minutes the score could easily have doubled, first Lampard shot wide and then moments later squared to Anelka, who was excellently dispossessed by Sotiris Kyrgiakos just as he was about to finish.

In first-half injury time Kalou burst through the Liverpool backline and was bearing down on goal, Lucas the player who challenged as the Ivorian went to ground. This time there certainly was contact, but the referee's decision was again to give nothing.

Half-time came and went without either manager making changes. Five minutes into the second period Kalou was again on the ball inside the Liverpool box and this time kept his footing, dancing along the bye-line and squaring across goal, but nobody could get a touch and the ball rolled clear.

Next time it reached the Liverpool six-yard box we were not so wasteful as Lampard doubled the lead with a close-range finish.

Drogba had picked out Anelka on the right, the Frenchman just onside, and he kept his composure to square across the box for Lampard, whose trademark run was timed to perfection for his 26th of the campaign.

Liverpool also lost Jamie Carragher to injury in the build-up.

Just before the hour Alex had to get a toe in to prevent sub Ryan Babel, on for Maxi towards the end of the first half, from pulling a goal back, lifting the ball up and over his own bar after the pacy Dutchman had broken through.

It didn't take long for the Blues to regain control though, and Anelka could have added a third on 65 minutes, but Reina saved well, and then prevented a Malouda volley with an outstretched left arm.

It was an outstretched right arm, John Terry's, that gave Liverpool a chance to get back in, but an over-elaborate free-kick routine just outside the Chelsea box saw Daniel Agger's route to goal blocked by the away defence.

Into the final 15 minutes three sides of Anfield were very quiet, the only noise coming from the travelling section, who had been loud throughout.

On the pitch Ballack's curling free-kick was on target but straightforward for Reina, who then had to save from Anelka twice and Kalou to keep the score down, but already the game was over as a contest.

Chelsea march on knowing three more points brings the title back to west London, and United must now respond in the north east. Over to you, Fergie.

Lampard - No Excuses

Frank Lampard has admitted Chelsea must avoid the 'unacceptable' scenario of ending the season without any silverware.

The Blues are in pole position to claim the Premier League crown for the first time in four years as they hold a one-point advantage over Manchester United with just two games remaining.

Lampard and his team-mates travel to Anfield to tackle Liverpool at lunchtime on Sunday, while the Red Devils are up against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light later in the day.

Chelsea also have an FA Cup final showdown with Portsmouth on the horizon, but Lampard admits that ending United's three-year stranglehold on English football's top prize is their main focus.

"There can be no excuses," he told the Sunday Mirror. "We know if we win our last two games there is nothing Manchester United can do. We are focused and know what is at stake.

"When you don't meet with success the disappointment is felt throughout the club.

"You take it personally as well. Failure doesn't sit comfortably with me, it never has.

"For a club of Chelsea's size and the investment that has taken place, failure to win a trophy is unacceptable.

"Last season was a disappointment in as much that we failed to deliver in the league and only managed to salvage something by winning the FA Cup."

The conspiracy theorists have claimed that Liverpool could be willing to allow Chelsea to leave Anfield with the points as they do not want Sir Alex Ferguson's men to claim a record 19th English crown, surpassing the Merseyside club's mark of 18.

But Lampard has brushed aside the far-fetched suggestions and believes the Blues will need to be at their best against familiar opponents.

"We have never had it easy at Liverpool," he said. "It's a very difficult fixture and we will need to be right on top of our game to come away with three points.

"There is absolutely no way Liverpool won't go about their business in a very professional way. They will not be thinking about Manchester United, they will just be focused on beating us regardless what is at stake for them."

Downbeat Ancelotti Says Chelsea Showed Stuff Of Champions

A 2-0 win for Chelsea at Anfield did little to instil any discernible joie de vivre in Carlo Ancelotti, but the Italian coach said his side had shown the mettle of champions with the key victory over Liverpool.

Chelsea will clinch the championship if they defeat Wigan at Stamford Bridge next Sunday after goals from Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard got the Londoners over the tricky hurdle at Anfield.

The win put Chelsea four points clear of Manchester United, who were playing Sunderland later on Sunday in their penultimate match.

A defeat for United at the Stadium of Light would mean Chelsea could celebrate the title a week early.

"I am happy because it was a difficult game," deadpanned Ancelotti, who has now masterminded home and away league wins over Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool in his first season in charge at Stamford Bridge.

"We deserved to win. We did a fanastic job because there was a lot of pressure on us in this game, but we controlled our emotions.

"Now the team is fit and in good physical condition, good mentality ahead of next week's game. I always said the title would be decided at the end of the season."

Ancelotti admitted that Steven Gerrard's uncharacteristic error that allowed Drogba to make the all-important breakthrough helped Chelsea grab the momentum.

In a lax moment, Gerrard's ill-conceived backpass was intercepted by Drogba, who rounded Pepe Reina to give Chelsea the lead.

"The goal changed the game because we had more confidence after that," added the Italian. "As for Lampard, he has fantastic skills to move into the box at the right time.

Didier Drogba: Steven Gerrard Made A Big Mistake Against Chelsea

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba admitted that Steven Gerrard made a "big mistake" during their 2-0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday afternoon.

The Reds skipper played a woeful back-pass to goalkeeper Pepe Reina, and the Ivorian was on hand to make the England man pay, as he jinked past the Spaniard to slot the ball home and give Chelsea the lead.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, the Blues forward admitted: “He [Gerrard] made a big mistake.”

“He did not do it on purpose, and I was lucky to be there and score.

“The goal gave us a lot of confidence to play, and it’s a very good result here [at Anfield].”

Chelsea were denied a penalty in the closing stages of the first half, after Lucas seemed to clip the heels of Salomon Kalou, and Drogba feels that referee Alan Wiley could have awarded the spot kick, but concedes that it can be difficult for referees to make the big calls, in big games.

“The referee could have given us a penalty, and it’s difficult because this is an important game," he explained.

“It’s not easy to make decisions like this, but when it’s a penalty, you have to give it.”

The victory places the Blues in pole position in the race for the Premier League title, and Drogba couldn’t hide his excitement at the possibility of another championship winner's medal.

“We’ve been waiting for this moment for such a long time, and it’s not done yet, we have to wait for Manchester’s [United] result," he added.

“We have another game next week, and we need to win it. We’re just concentrating on our next game, and will try to win it.”

Chelsea Want AC Milan Striker Marco Borriello

Chelsea are planning a San Siro raid to bring AC Milan striker Marco Borriello to Stamford Bridge.

The Stamford Bridge boss is hoping that the cash strapped Serie A side will accept interest in the 27 year old as a more attractive alternative to selling Brazilian youngster Alexandre Pato who is also linked with a move to the west London club.

Borriello has been in fantastic form this season netting 14 goals as AC Milan challenge for the domestic title.

The former Treviso man has been at the Rossoneri since 2002 but has spent large chunks of that time out on loan and it was only after a successful spell at Genoa that his career really kicked into life.

Ancelotti is looking to bring in new strikers to the club to add support for veterans Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka.

The powerfully built forward would be ideally suited to life in the Premier League where his stamina and physicality could help him become a success.

Jose Mourinho Will Make £30m Summer Bid For Frank Lampard

The Mail on Sunday report today that Jose Mourinho will try and lure Frank Lampard in the summer, if, as expected, he takes over at Real Madrid .

The Special One" has long been linked with the Bernabeu hot seat and developed a strong relationship with Lampard whilst he was Chelsea boss.

A "close source" told The Mail on Sunday: "Mourinho has always loved Frank, who would have to think long and hard if he was asked to sign for him at Real Madrid.”

The "close source" continued: "Frank's phenomenal scoring record from midfield would have to be attractive to Real. ’This would be the one move Frank might find too tempting to ignore. In many ways, it would be a great way for him to finish his career after the World Cup this summer."

Current Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti and owner Roman Abamovich are expected to try and resist any bids for Lampard but they could use the 30 million pounds to secure the signing of Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero.

Mourinho tried to sign Lampard during his time at Inter Milan. In 2009/2010, Frank Lampard has scored 21 goals and provided 12 assists in 41 appearances.

Lampard is contracted to Chelsea until the end of season 2013/2014.

Blues Weigh Up Bid For Hernandez

Chelsea are weighing up an £18million bid for Valencia winger Pablo Hernandez.

The Spaniard has been one of the top performers in La Liga this season and has four years left on his contract at the Mestalla.

Chelsea's Spanish scout Juan Cruz Sol has watched the player work his way into the plans of Spain coach Vicente del Bosque for this summer's World Cup in South Africa.

And he has given glowing reports to the Blues' director of football Frank Arnesen.

Hernandez, 25, has a release clause of around £45m but Valencia's desperate financial plight has made this irrelevant as they face up to losing stars like David Villa, David Silva and Juan Mata this summer to service debts of around £300m.

Chelsea have made their interest in the player known to his representative Mario Parri.

He said: "Pablo has had such a sensational year. There is talking to be done at the end of the season and while there has been interest from many clubs, Valencia have received no formal offers yet."

Chelsea are looking to reduce the average age of their squad, which has been as high as 29 in the Champions League, while manager Carlo Ancelotti wants competition on the right for the likes of Deco and Michael Ballack.

Hernandez has two caps for Spain and was in their squad for the Confederations Cup last summer.

Newcastle were also looking at the winger but decided he is out of their reach financially.

Joe Cole Is Interesting - Wenger

Arsene Wenger admits Joe Cole would be an "interesting target", but believes Arsenal's midfield is not an area that requires urgent strengthening.

Cole's contract at Chelsea expires at the end of the season and he has yet to reach an agreement regarding an extension with the Premier League leaders.

Chelsea's title rivals Manchester United have been mooted as admirers of the England international, while Tottenham Hotspur and former club West Ham United have been linked with a surprise swoop.

Reports have also claimed that Arsenal could make a bid for the schemer, but while Wenger acknowledges Cole's status as a free agent has some appeal, adding another creative element to his team is not a priority.

"Joe Cole is an interesting target, but do I have enough players in those positions? We shall see," said Wenger in the Daily Star Sunday.

The Arsenal manager has been happy with the performances of his midfielders this season and, with the likes of Alex Song, Abou Diaby and Denilson at his disposal, he no longer needs to worry about finding a replacement for Patrick Vieira.

He added: "First of all I must say that no matter how much money you spend to find a Patrick Vieira [it is hard to do]. Since I am in England, I hear 'this is the new Patrick Vieira' when a guy is tall and strong.

"But I believe strongly that our midfield is developing very well with Song, Diaby and Denilson because they are young, very young, but different to Patrick Vieira.

"I believe in them because if you compare them two years ago and this year they are tremendously improved and if they continue to play together, especially with Fabregas, they have a good understanding.

"I believe the midfield was not a problem this year because we created so many chances from midfield and we dominated nearly all the games in midfield. I don't think we had a big problem in there. I believe we had a problem of efficiency defensively."

Malouda: It Means So Much

Having won title after title in France, Florent Malouda believes it is time he added a Barclays Premier League medal to his collection.

The 29-year-old won four consecutive Ligue 1 championships with Lyon before switching to Stamford Bridge, and while he has an FA Cup to his name, he still awaits the main domestic prize, something he is looking to amend next weekend at the latest.

'It is the first thing you think of every season, it proves you are the best team and this is the best league in the world,' he told the official Chelsea website. 'It would mean so much, especially in the year of the World Cup. It means you are a regular in your country and you can win more trophies. The more you win, last year was my first year with the FA Cup, the more that you want. There is intensity to it, Man U and Arsenal were in the race and it means a lot.

'I won many titles in France but every time is different, every experience is different and each one means a lot, like in every country. When there is such big competition it is special and means a lot to me and all of the players.'

This is the first time in Malouda's stay that we have led the title race going into the final stages, last year we were some way adrift and in 2007/08 were always playing catch up against Manchester United.

Having discovered the fixtures last June, Malouda admits he never considered the trip to Anfield as a potential title decider.

'Not really, I give the same importance to all the games,' he shrugged. 'We have dropped points against Tottenham, against Wigan, so it is a big fixture and people do spot them, but we have to play all the games with the same attitude.

'Now is more important because we have two games to win and then we are champions, and maybe we have the opportunity to do the Double, but we have to be ready, even if we win against Liverpool, then we have to be ready for Wigan in the same way.'

Alongside Malouda was Didier Drogba, this week voted into Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world.

'If he is in that list then it is probably what he did for his country,' said Drogba's close friend. 'He was involved in the peace process in the Ivory Coast, and he is really influential, it is not just on the pitch.

'He is a big figure in his country and everybody listens to what he has to say.'

For this weekend though, it is all about what we do on the pitch.

Match Preview: Liverpool vs Chelsea

Liverpool's season looks to have amounted to nothing, but they could put a major dent in Chelsea's title bid.

With just two games of the season remaining, the Reds are close to being put out of their misery.

Europa League heartache against Atletico Madrid on Thursday summed up their campaign, with Rafa Benitez's side now set to miss out on any silverware and possibly a top-four finish.

They must take maximum points from their remaining fixtures to have any hope of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League, but even that might not be enough.

The only positive for Liverpool at the moment is that they are unbeaten in five Premier League outings and are on course to finish with a flourish.

They have also won nine and lost none of their last 10 top-flight games on home soil, with Anfield becoming something of a fortress once more.

The Reds also boast a more than respectable record against Chelsea on Merseyside over recent years, with the Blues having left empty-handed on 11 occasions during the Premier League era.

The capital giants have also failed to score in four of their last six league meetings with Liverpool, suggesting they are yet to work out how best to play Benitez's side.

Carlo Ancelotti knows he cannot afford to draw a blank again this weekend, with it imperative Chelsea take maximum points from their trip to the North West.

A win, coupled with a Manchester United defeat at Sunderland later in the day, would be enough for them to wrap up the title.

However, with it looking increasingly likely that the battle will go down to the wire, they will be keen to head into the final day with some sort of a lead.

They have been absolutely flying of late, ensuring confidence around the camp is sky high, with their last six outings bringing 23 goals and five wins.


Team news
Liverpool will still be without talismanic frontman Fernando Torres, following knee surgery, but their problems have eased slightly this week.

Dirk Kuyt and David Ngog were both involved in continental competition in midweek, with Kuyt fit enough to start against Atletico, and they are likely to be involved again on Sunday.

Emiliano Insua is struggling to figure again this season, as he nurses a thigh complaint, and the Argentine full-back will not be available against the Blues.

Benitez must decide whether to stick with the system he used on Thursday, which saw Javier Mascherano used at right-back and Alberto Aquilani and Steven Gerrard paired in the middle of midfield, or shuffle his pack again.

Chelsea do not expect to have John Obi Mikel available for selection at Anfield.

The Nigerian midfielder is still struggling with a knee problem and will not be rushed back into action.

Michael Essien is also nursing a knee injury, and misses out as a result, while Jose Bosingwa has been ruled out for the remainder of the season and this summer's World Cup.

Ricardo Carvalho is making steady progress in his recovery from an ankle knock, but it remains to be seen whether the Portuguese centre-half is thrown back into action this weekend, while John Terry returns from suspension to skipper the side.


Possible starting XIs
Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Kyrgiakos, Carragher, Agger, Kuyt, Mascherano, Aquilani, Benayoun, Gerrard, Torres.

Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Alex, Terry, Ashley Cole, Ballack, Lampard, Malouda, Kalou, Drogba, Anelka.

Malouda Unconcerned By United

Chelsea's in-form winger Florent Malouda insists Manchester United should be doing all the worrying as the Blues prepare for their crucial title clash with Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

Chelsea sit on top of the Barclays Premier by a single point over United.

The Blues take on Liverpool in the 1.30pm kick-off at Anfield on Sunday followed by United's game at Sunderland at 4pm.

Defeat for either team could effectively spell the end of their title chances but Malouda insists United have more to worry about than Chelsea.

"Honestly, I don't care about United," said Malouda. "They are behind us. Why should we look in the mirror and say: 'Oh they are there'? We're under pressure but we like the pressure.

"We are still on top of the league, one point in front of them. We have the League in our hands and we have to make it.

"I think United would like to be in our position and we must never forget that. I would have taken the current position at the start of the season.

"We don't have to care about what United are doing and who they are playing. We just have to stay focused.

"The good thing about our position is that we don't have to think about the other results. If we win our games we will be celebrating after the last one."

Chelsea's players are having to cope with huge expectations as they bid for an historic League and FA Cup Double.

They could become only the seventh club to achieve the feat but such talk has been banned from the training ground.

"Everybody around us is thinking about the Double but we are not speaking about it," added Malouda.

"Of course we want to do it. We've been on top of the league for the most part of the season and now is the time to finish the job."

The two games have thrown up a number of tantalising issues for the conspiracy theorists but coach Carlo Ancelotti is mindful not to get drawn into them.

He dismissed suggestions Liverpool would not try hard enough to beat his side because doing so would open the door for their hated rivals Manchester United to surpass their total of 18 titles.

Ancelotti was also nonplussed by the possibility Bruce would do his old mentor, Sir Alex Ferguson, a favour at the Stadium of Light.

"I don't think about this," said Ancelotti. "I think that Sunderland will do their best to beat United and Liverpool will do the same against us.

"Every team has respect for this Premier League and every team has to do their best until the end of the matches.

"We have to pay attention because Liverpool are a strong team and it's very difficult to win at Anfield, but we have to try. We need to have three more points after Sunday.

"I am pleased to play first. But I said we have one more point than United. With two victories we can be champions, so we have to focus on our game and not think about Sunderland's result. We are not interested in that. We want to be champions and that's the only important thing."

Frank Lampard And Steven Gerrard Ready To Renew Rivalry

Amid the usual raised eyebrows and shaking of heads when the PFA's Premier League team of the year was announced during last Sunday's gala dinner, there was one omission of particular significance that went almost unnoticed.

Not since 2003 had Steven Gerrard failed to make the all-star team, yet the scale of Liverpool's collective failure this season had ensured that the inclusion of any of Rafael Benítez's players would have proved far more conspicuous.

Frank Lampard was also unusually absent, with his fellow professionals ushering in a new era of young central midfielders by their collective preference for Cesc Fabregas, James Milner and Darren Fletcher (average age 24).

Yet was that fair? Are Gerrard and Lampard, whose long rivalry will resume at Anfield on Sunday, no longer among the elite of the Premier League?

Or are they simply judged by their own past achievements and thus a little more harshly than their younger rivals?

In the case of Lampard, that would appear to be the case. After all, in the 2004-05 season, when he scored what was then considered to be an extraordinary total of 22 goals from central midfield, he was voted the Football Writers' Player of the Year.

Since then, he has scored 20 or more in seven consecutive seasons, peaking this campaign with 30 and counting across all competitions.

"He is the best 'running' midfielder in the world," said Carlo Ancelotti, the Chelsea manager. "He has this fantastic quality to time his runs into the box."

Yet while Lampard is arguably enjoying the finest season of his career, the situation with Gerrard is depressing.

The photographs of him trudging across the Anfield pitch after Thursday's Europa League exit against Atletico Madrid were an appropriate reflection of a miserable season.

It now seems almost impossible to believe that it was only a year ago that he was collecting the Football Writers' Player of the Year award and speaking with such optimism about Liverpool's future.

With Chelsea going for a third Premier League title since 2005, Gerrard may also reflect that it is six years since he made that monumental decision to resist a lucrative move to Stamford Bridge.

He will be forever revered on Merseyside for his loyalty, yet there may also be an envious glance on Sunday at Lampard who, over the next fortnight, stands on the brink of inspiring Chelsea to a seventh and eighth major trophy since 2004.

Ivanovic - We Have The Quality

Branislav Ivanovic insists Chelsea must show their quality from the start as they prepare to do battle with Liverpool.

A win for the Blues at Anfield would boost their bid to lift the Premier League trophy but defeat could just about hand the title to Manchester United as one of the closest-run seasons for the championship enters its penultimate stage.

The Serbian defender believes if they play like they have against the big three, which has seen the side win five out of five, then Carlo Ancelotti's men should be the ones to clinch the title.

"We have to win two league games and the FA Cup final and then I can say 'yes, this season for me is very good'," said the 26-year-old

"The most important game of the season is coming up. We will do everything we can on the pitch.

"This team has the quality to win double titles but we have to show it on Sunday and if we play this season like we did in all the big games, then we can hope that we can win and win the Premier League as well."

In the run-up to Sunday's main event, team-mate Nicolas Anelka said he is surprised by his former club's performance this season.

The 31-year-old spent the second half of the 2001/02 campaign on loan with Liverpool, however never secured a permanent deal.

The Chelsea forward feels Liverpool's last minute exit from the Europa League at the hands of Atletico Madrid could work in the Reds' favour and spur them on to get back to winning ways, starting with a victory against the league leaders.

"You never know how they will be affected, maybe they will want a response after losing in Europe and be more determined to win against Chelsea," the Frenchman said.

"I cannot tell you how they will react but it is all about Chelsea - we have to go there and try to win it.

"This season for Liverpool surprises me a little bit because they are a big team with a lot of good players, but sometimes you can have a bad season as a team and you have to accept it, they still have a good squad that can win games."

Carlo - Terry Will Return

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that John Terry will return to the starting line-up for the crunch game against Liverpool.

The Blues travel to Anfield in the Premier League on Sunday and will welcome their captain back from suspension following his red card at Tottenham.

Chelsea can put one hand on the league title with a win on Merseyside, as they currently lead Manchester United by one point with just two games remaining.

Terry missed the 7-0 demolition of Stoke last weekend as Alex and Branislav Ivanovic were in the centre of defence, but Ancelotti knows the team is better with the former England skipper's character leading from the back.

"Terry will play because we need to have his character, we need to have his personality in this game," he said.

"He trains very well, he is in good condition, and all the players are fit and are able to play.

"It's difficult to change the team that played very well against Stoke but Terry needs to play."

With the title race on a knife edge, certain quarters have suggested that Liverpool will not put in 100 per cent against Chelsea so as not to hand rivals Manchester United another piece of silverware.

Similarly, with Sunderland facing United this weekend, it has been argued that the Black Cats will not be going all-out for the three points because of Steve Bruce's ties with the Red Devils.

However, Ancelotti has dismissed such claims and says he is sure every team will be doing their utmost to come out on top in the respective fixtures.

"I don't think about this. I think Sunderland will do their best to beat Manchester United, and the same for Liverpool to beat us," he added.

"I think every team has respect of this Premier League and every team has to do the best until the end of the matches.

"I think that we have to pay attention because Liverpool is a strong team, it is very difficult to win at Anfield.

"We have to try because we need to have three more points after Sunday."

Carlo Ancelotti: Liverpool Will Test Us Despite Europa League Commitments, I’ve Never Seen Them Tired At Anfield

Carlo Ancelotti doesn't believe Liverpool will show any ill-effects of Thursday night's Europa League exit when they face Chelsea on Sunday.

Rafael Benitez's side were forced to play 120 minutes at Anfield, but Diego Forlan's extra-time strike still ensured the Reds would not be heading to the final in Hamburg. Some pundits have expected the side to suffer from fatigue after such effort in Sunday's game, but Ancelotti appears the support of the Kop will ensure that is not the case.

"They could be tired because they played 2 hours last night, but I have never seen Liverpool tired at Anfield," Ancelotti said at his press conference.

Much speculation has also surrounded the potential effort of the Liverpool players, as a victory against Chelsea could inadvertently hand arch-rivals Manchester United an all-important 19th league crown. But, with United also going against Sunderland and their former player Steve Bruce, Ancelotti believes every team will play to win.

"I don't think about this," Ancelotti said.

"I think Sunderland will do the best to beat Manchester United and the same Liverpool will do to beat us because I think every team has respect for the Premier League and every team has to do the best until the end of their matches.

"So I think that we have to pay attention because Liverpool is a strong team, it is very difficult to win at Anfield but we have to try because we need to have three more points after Sunday."

Although acknowledging the difficulty of playing the Reds on their home ground, Ancelotti cut a relaxed figure as he joked about what he might say in his teamtalk ahead of the game.

"The opposite of what I said before Tottenham!" Ancelotti offered, referring to the Blues' last away game where they fell 2-1 to their rivals.

"I'm not worried, we had a good week here at Cobham with no problems, maybe I'll be worried at the end of the season but I hope I'll be happy."

With John Terry back and available for selection, Ancelotti is confident with the options at his disposal. And he also had some kind words for Didier Drogba, after the striker was named among Time magazine's 10 most influential people in the world.

"He's a good player and a good man," Ancelotti said.

"But also he is a very noble person."

Chelsea Will Outbid Real Madrid For Pato

Chelsea will outbid Real Madrid no matter how much the Spanish giants bid for AC Milan star Pato according to reports in the Italian media. AC Milan have made it clear that Pato will not be leaving the San Siro this summer no matter how much is offered but both Chelsea and Real Madrid have simply ignored the statements coming out of Milan and intend to push on with their pursuit of the young Brazilian.

Carlo Ancelotti wants to bring in new players and has made this clear to the Chelsea board and has pinpointed Pato as his number one target and by all accounts has managed to convince Abramovich that whatever funds are spent on Pato it is worth it for a player that could end up spending 10 years at Stamford Bridge.

Real Madrid no doubt will still try and splash the cash but even with the backing of the banks the Madrid outfit still cannot compete with Abramovich’s billions and if it came to a straight out bidding war then Chelsea would win. Chelsea also have the advantage of having Ancelotti in their corner and his previous relationship with Pato can only help. The Pato saga is far from over as far as Chelsea and Real Madrid are concerned.

Carlo Ancelotti Insists He Has No Plans To Leave London

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti told Tuttosport he is aiming to win the Premier League with the club and is "not moving from London" in the foreseeable future.

The Blues take on Liverpool on Sunday as the title race nears a conclusion although the former AC Milan coach does not expect the Reds to make life easy for his side - despite their fierce rivalry with Manchester United.

"They do not love United, but will not just hand us points," said Ancelotti.

When questioned about his future, the Chelsea manager claimed he was "not moving from London," effectively putting paid to any suggestions that he would be looking to quit the Stamford Bridge club in the summer.

The Manager's Not For Mind Games

There are some football managers - no need to mention names here - who given a similar scenario to the one Carlo Ancelotti finds himself in this weekend, would not only speak about their team and forthcoming opponents, but would also have plenty to say about teams in action elsewhere.

Ancelotti's first year in charge of Chelsea has been characterised by a calmness and that isn't about to end now the final and decisive month is here.

'To do mind games is not my job,' the Italian says on the eve of the trip to Anfield.

'I am not able to do this. I prefer to stay focused with my players. I have a lot of things to think about because we have to prepare well the game, tactically, technically and physically, and this is our aim this week. I don't stay too much about the other things.

'I don't think this is important,' he says of public pronouncements ahead of a big fixture

'What is important is to have a good feeling with the players this week to control the pressure and to maintain a good atmosphere in the squad. We have to have pressure but not too much. We have to believe that we are able to win against Liverpool on Sunday.'

At the end of a week when a former Chelsea manager, not unknown to talk a lot before a big game, celebrated his latest triumph in exuberant style, his successor is unlikely to copy a victory run across the pitch even if the Blues are successful at Anfield.

'I'd risk injury,' Ancelotti smiles.

'I did when I won the Champions League. I ran like Jose [Mourinho] last week. It depends how your emotion is but when Milan won in Manchester I ran after the penalty of Andriy Shevchenko.

'I didn't send Jose a text this week but I did after their first game against Barcelona,' he reveals. 'It said, "Compliments, congratulations."'

Far more comfortable speaking about Chelsea, the boss admitted that the team's potency in front of goal this season, which has included three seven-goal hauls, has been a pleasant surprise.

'I did not think this team could score so many as 93 goals, but I am happy. We try to play attacking football and we are a team that can use a midfielder who can score 25 goals in a season. Nobody else has this.

'We have fantastic strikers and we also have support from midfield. We have Frank Lampard with 25 goals, Florent Malouda who has scored 15 goals although he is not a striker. This is why we scored so many goals.'

Chelsea Worry Over Mikel John Obi Leaves Ballack Primed For Liverpool

Chelsea are increasingly resigned to being without their regular holding midfielder, Mikel John Obi, through injury for the critical Premier League game at Liverpool on Sunday, with Michael Ballack expected to retain his place in the leaders' starting line-up.

Mikel sustained damage to his ankle and knee ligaments in a challenge from the Bolton striker Kevin Davies during Chelsea's 1-0 victory at Stamford Bridge this month. The 23-year-old, who has established himself as first-choice in the anchor role in the prolonged absence of Michael Essien, was fit enough to start the following game at Tottenham Hotspur but lasted 33 minutes before succumbing to a relapse of the injury.

That ruled him out of the meeting with Stoke City last weekend though Carlo Ancelotti had been hoping he would have Mikel available for the trip to Merseyside. However, the player continues to be discomforted by the injury and is rated extremely doubtful for Sunday. While the Nigerian was not missed against Stoke, with the visitors dismissed 7-0, his absence would potentially be felt more keenly at Anfield where he would have been in direct confrontation with Steven Gerrard, the main thrust of Liverpool's attacks in the absence of the injured Fernando Torres.

The task of quelling the home captain is now expected to fall on the experienced Ballack, who had little to do in the one-sided contest with Stoke. The Germany captain has played in the position before but it is not his preferred role, though he is likely to be given the nod ahead of both Branislav Ivanovic – who has featured occasionally as a defensive midfielder, albeit not at Chelsea – and the versatile Juliano Belletti. The Brazilian, an unused substitute against Stoke, will leave Stamford Bridge under freedom of contract in the summer.

Mikel should be fit to feature in the final fixture of the season, against Wigan Athletic on 9 May. Ancelotti will at least have Deco and Yuri Zhirkov available for the trip to the north-west after both recovered from a virus that had swept through the squad in the build-up to the Stoke game, while John Terry returns after a one-match ban following his sending off at Spurs. Ricardo Carvalho continues his steady rehabilitation from his own ankle problems, though he has only just started running again and will not be in consideration for the weekend.

Chelsea could potentially claim the league title on Sunday should they win at Anfield in the early afternoon kick-off and Manchester United subsequently succumb to Steve Bruce's Sunderland on Wearside. The Londoners will be flying back from Liverpool as the United game concludes and will only learn whether or not they have been crowned champions for the first time since 2006 on arrival back at Gatwick.

Chelsea Target David Luiz Eyes Big Money Move To Premier League

David Luiz is hoping his recent performances will spark a £25 million race from La Liga and Premier League heavyweights to secure his signature, Goal.com UK can reveal.

The Benfica defender's impressive displays have placed him on the summer shopping lists of Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Barcelona - all of whom have sent scouts to watch him play.

The 23 year-old's agent Giuliano Bertolucci confirmed to Goal.com UK Luiz's desire move to one of Europe’s top sides.

He said: “Everybody wants to take a step further on. Everybody likes to play in England or Spain.

“His preference? Everyone wants to play in the Premier League and La Liga. But we have to see the offers and who’s available to take him. A lot of people have been watching, but officially I don’t have anything from anybody. We will see what happens.

“After, we will see the future. Who knows what will come. I cannot be foolish because I don’t have anything concrete. Everybody is asking me but officially I don’t have anything concrete.”

Luiz, who joined Benfica from Brazilian club Vitoria three years ago, has formed a strong pairing with compatriot Luisao at the heart of the defence. At 6ft 2in and with a good turn of pace, he is equally comfortable at left back.

This versatility will appeal to all the watching sides, but with rumours of Nemanja Vidic’s summer exit refusing to go away and a lack of cover for Patrice Evra, he would certainly boost United’s ranks.

Madrid are on the hunt for a solid full-back to support marauding winger Marcelo, while concern over the form and fitness of Chelsea’s John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho has increased Carlo Ancelotti’s interest.

Big spenders Manchester City have also eyed a triple raid on the Estadio da Luz, with Luiz, Argentine international winger Angel Di Maria and red hot Paraguayan forward Oscar Cardozo all on their radar.

Bertolucci was confident that this flexibility would make Luiz a success if he left Benfica in the summer transfer window.

“He adapts well. He’s very at home in Portugal. He’s very educated, has a strong mentality, adapting is not a problem for him,” Bertolucci said.

“He speaks a little English. He’s a flexible player who can play in different positions. Yes, of course that helps increase his possibilities and further his career.

“It’s not a problem if he stays at Benfica. He’s happy at Benfica. Of course, everybody wants something different and wants to take steps to improve themselves."

Chelsea & Manchester United To Battle Paris Saint Germain For Rennes Winger Sylvain Marveaux

Chelsea and Manchester United are the main competitors for Paris Saint Germain as the pursuit of Rennes winger Sylvain Marveaux gathers intensity, according to a report from L'Equipe.

Ligue 1 outfits Lyon and Marseille are also apparently interested in taking the highly-rated wide man away from Brittany in the summer.

The 23-year-old has impressed at Rennes this season, netting eight goals in 31 appearances.

Rated at around £8 million, Marveaux is under contract at his current club until the end of the 2010-2011 season.

Chelsea, Liverpool & Manchester United To Tussle For Newcastle United Starlet Haris Vuckic

Newcastle United are set to receive bids from Premier League giants Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United for Slovenian midfielder Haris Vuckic, according to a report from The Daily Mirror.

The 17-year-old has been hailed as a rising star on Tyneside this season, and was watched in action by scouts from the three Premier League clubs whilst in action for the Toon's reserve side this week.

Vuckic has not yet been tied down to a long-term deal at St James' Park as the Magpies hierarchy try to convince him to stay, with manager Chris Hughton adamant his star won't be sold.

The player could start for the first-team this weekend, but it seems that his club may struggle to keep him on Tyneside for too much longer, with a bid £1.5 million suggested as being enough to prise him away from the Toon.

Chelsea Chase Highly Rated £10m Spanish Midfielder Javi Martinez

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti will make a bid of around £10m for Atletico Bilbao’s highly rated midfielder Javi Martinez this summer. The west London club is keen to add more youth to their rapidly aging Stamford Bridge squad and have earmarked the young Spaniard as a potential addition.

The lanky 21 year old midfielder has been one of the hottest prospects in La Liga for four seasons and has been linked with a move away from the mid table La Liga side for some time and has been a target for Spanish giants Barcelona and Real Madrid in the past and was reportedly linked with a move to Liverpool last summer.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is ready to bankroll big moves in the transfer market this summer and Ancelotti has identified a number of players he wishes to bring to the club. Martinez is an excellent combative midfielder who is as comfortable going forward as he is breaking down opposition attacks and could well be tempted by a move to the Premier League.

John Terry Happy With His Form

Chelsea captain John Terry is happy with his form amid criticism of his performances ahead of the World Cup.

The 29-year-old attracted plenty of flak after he was sent off for two quickfire bookings as Chelsea went lost at Spurs.

Terry missed their 7-0 win over Stoke, but has rejected claims his form has not been up to its usual sky-high standard.

With the amount of games the modern day footballer plays, Terry insists it is only natural to have the odd bad outing.

"I'm totally fine with my form. For England, I think my performances have been very good right through the World Cup campaign," he said.

"And, contrary to what everyone else is saying, my form is fine for Chelsea as well.

"If I'm going to play 50 or 60 games I'm expected to have one, two or three bad games.

"That's standard - you are not going to play well every game. Not even Wayne Rooney and Lionel Messi can do that.

"It's inevitable you have bad games, it's all about how you respond and I think I've responded well."

Meanwhile, Terry believes keeping their experienced players fit will be crucial to England's hopes of World Cup glory this summer.

The likes of Rio Ferdinand, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard all have a wealth of experience and Terry believes they are in their prime.

Terry has also been enthused by Wayne Rooney's ability to perform week-in, week-out for Manchester United up front on his own and believes England can go all the way this summer with a bit of luck.

"I think we've got players in their prime, actually.

"When you look through the spine of the team we've got people like David James, Rio, Stevie G, Frank and Wayne, who's shown an awful lot of experience on his own up front for Man United this year.

"If we can keep these players fit through the tournament then with a bit of luck I think we have a good a chance as everybody."

Anelka Lends Support To Asian Hopefuls

Nicolas Anelka has once again given his support to the Asian Soccer Star search, and advised young hopefuls looking for a trial.

The 31-year-old Frenchman came through the youth system at the Clairefontaine school, the national centre touted as the best football academy in the world, and understands the pressure facing the thousands of young hopefuls keen on a place at Cobham.

'I've got two brothers and they used to play so I wanted to be like them,' Anelka said, recalling his own childhood. 'You practice, I used to play every Sunday in a small team and one day we played against Paris St Germain, I played good and they saw me and asked me to come and sign for them as a kid. So I signed for them and I turned professional.

'When you start to play you never know what will happen. You have to believe, to be professional you have to work hard, and you need to stay focused.

'Sometimes things are good and sometimes bad, life is like that and also football is the same. When we first joined Clairefontaine and we first came in the room, the coach said, "There are 24 of you but only four will be professional, you need to know." You have to believe otherwise you will not succeed.

'There was a lot of pressure. When you sign to this kind of school you know it is one of the best and you have a good chance to be professional but it is hard, it is your future. I think it helped me because you know it is going to be like that as a professional until the end of your career.'

Ancelotti: Good Luck Lads

The manager has issued a message of support for the Academy side, who face Aston Villa in the first leg of the FA Youth Cup Final on Thursday.

I would like to say good luck to the youth team in the Final on Thursday night against Aston Villa.

It is a big challenge for the young players of Chelsea, and I know it is a long time since Chelsea won this competition - I was still only a small child - but they are a good group with a strong mentality and I like to pay attention to their games, I watch a lot of them and will watch on Chelsea TV. I hope that they can win.

They are young but there is a lot of quality in the team too, already Jeffrey Bruma has played in the first team and it is the club's philosophy to give more young players this opportunity. The coaches in the Academy are doing a fantastic job and deserve the Cup.

Frank Lampard Cautions Manchester United That Talk Is Cheap

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard has warned Manchester United that all of the talk being done does not matter.

Last week United manager Sir Alex Ferguson wondered whether Chelsea could handle the strain of a close Premier League title race.

The Blues certainly showed no sign of nerves as they annihilated Stoke City 7-0 on Sunday to move back to the top of the Premier League after United took a brief lead when they beat Tottenham Hotspur a day earlier.

Lampard insists that what happens on the field is the only thing that concerns him, not what is being said in the newspapers.

“The talk doesn’t matter. All that matters is the concentration in the camp in training and in games,” Lampard told the Daily Star.

“We must approach games in the right way and get the right result. Now we are getting to the stage where the talk, well all it does is give column inches really. What matters is getting out there and playing.”

Chelsea will travel to Anfield to take on Champions League hopeful Liverpool on Sunday while United will take on Sunderland at the Stadium of Light later in the day.

With just two games remaining, Sunday’s games might decide who will go on to win the Premier League title.

Chelsea’s bid for their first title since the 2005-06 season will be enhanced by the news that Wayne Rooney’s status for United’s final two games is very much in doubt due to a groin injury.

Lampard admits that Rooney’s absence could be a big help to Chelsea, but believes that the Blues own injury problems are just as bad as their Premier League title rivals.

“It’s a boost that Wayne could miss the final two games.

“But we’ve lost Essien, we’ve lost Bosingwa, we’ve lost players like Joe Cole for parts of the season. So it all evens itself out.”

Salomon Kalou: Chelsea Will Lose At Liverpool If We Play Like We Did Against Tottenham Hotspur

Salomon Kalou has warned his Chelsea team-mates that they cannot afford to start Sunday's Premier League clash against Liverpool in the same way they played in their last away game, a 2-1 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur.

The Blues are just one point ahead of Manchester United in the title race, and with two games remaining know they cannot afford to drop points against Rafael Benitez's side.

Coming off the back of an emphatic 7-0 win against Stoke City on Sunday — in which Kalou scored three — the Ivorian is urging his team-mates to continue that form, rather than regress to the timid display that saw then beaten by their north London rivals.

“We have to go there and take control of the game,” Kalou said, according to The Independent.

“I feel at Tottenham, we let them play. We let them get comfortable with the ball and we have to go to Liverpool and play differently.

“We need to keep the ball and play our own game and not wait for Liverpool to take the initiative.

“Anfield will be a difficult journey, but we will be very motivated and know that if we win there, everything can be in our hands at home against Wigan.”

Liverpool will be without Fernando Torres for the game, who will miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury, but Kalou doesn't believe the absence of the striker makes the task at Anfield any easier for Carlo Ancelotti's side.

“Liverpool at home are still a strong team, even without Torres,” he said.

“It's true that if Torres played, it would be a plus for them, but I think they are still difficult to play at Anfield because they have that spirit at home and their supporters will push them 200 per cent."

United face Sunderland this weekend, and while Kalou doesn't rule out the Black Cats causing an upset, he is approaching the game with the mentality that Chelsea must not slip up.

“I think we have to win. There are two games to go and there's no other way of going about it. If you want to keep your chance at your end, you have to win every game," he said.

“I hope Manchester will go to Sunderland and drop some points, but you can only focus on your own game. If we take the three points, we don't worry about what Manchester do."

AC Milan Director Insists Chelsea Target Pato Will Stay At San Siro

AC Milan director Ariedo Braida has said that Brazilian striker Alexandre Pato will stay with the Rossoneri, despite reports linking him with a move to Chelsea.

The 20 year-old is in his third season at the San Siro, having signed from Brazilian side Internacional. He is enjoying a good campaign with AC Milan, having scored 14 goals in 28 appearances so far. Chelsea has been linked to Pato for some time, who averages one goal every two games during his entire AC Milan career.

There is reportedly a new financial reality at the San Siro which includes a maximum 4 million Euro salary for any player. AC Milan’s budgetary requirements fuelled rumours that the sale of an asset such as Pato is likely if the right offer is made.

Chelsea reportedly offered €45 million for the striker last summer and Real Madrid have also been said to show an interest. But AC Milan director Ariedo Braida told Italian website Tutto Mercato that rumours of Pato's exit are false.

Braida said, “Those stories that the Press are writing are only fantasies.

“It's useless to repeat once again that he is happy here in Milan and that there are no problems.

“Pato will not leave Milan.”

Chelsea Defender Cole Linked To Real Madrid Move With Mourinho

Ashley Cole is set to link up with his former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid, according to the Daily Express.

Mourinho is on the verge of taking his Inter Milan side through to their first final of Europe's top club competition since 1972. Nonetheless, whatever the outcome of Wednesday night’s Champions League semi-final against Barcelona, the Daily Express claims that Mourinho has told Inter chiefs that this will be his last season at the San Siro.

The self-proclaimed 'special one' is set to take over at Real Madrid, unless one of England's top clubs, such as Liverpool or Manchester United comes calling, says the Daily Mail.

Should he take over at the Bernebeu, one of his first tasks will be to find a quality left-back, given the unimpressive form this season of Alvaro Arbeloa. The Daily Mail speculates that Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole will be one of Mourinho's immediate targets. The England international has endured a well-publicized problematic season both on and off the pitch and has only just returned to the Chelsea side from a broken foot.

Mourinho and Cole of course know each other well from their time together at Stamford Bridge and the Portuguese coach may well seek to surround himself with familiar players should he end up at Real Madrid .

Chelsea Wants Thomas Ince To Shape Future

Chelsea wants to poach Paul Ince’s teenage son Thomas from Liverpool as part of their drive for youth this summer.

Talented winger Thomas, 18, has been at Liverpool’s academy since he was 16 and is one of their most highly rated prospects. He is expected to make it into the first-team soon, at the club where his father spent two years.

Thomas has a year left on his Anfield contract and Chelsea scouts, under orders to bring bright young talent to Stamford Bridge, have watched him regularly. The club is trying to put together a deal to persuade Ince to come to London for the start of next season, but Liverpool is desperate to hang on to him.

Chelsea has also targeted two of Spain’s brightest starlets. Under-17 winger Pablo Sarabia, who plays for Real Madrid’s B team Castilla, has been watched extensively and could be signed for nothing at the end of the season, as he is currently involved in a contract dispute.

Sarabia is also on Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger’s wish list and the Gunners have already made inquiries, while Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola is also keen.

The £16million-rated Under-21 midfielder Javi Martinez of Athletic Bilbao, linked with a move to Liverpool last summer, is also a Chelsea target, with Blues owner Roman Abramovich wanting to place the emphasis on younger, cheaper talent.

Cole Linked With Top Trio

Real Madrid, Barcelona and Inter Milan are all reported to be showing an interest in Ashley Cole with a view to a summer swoop.

Speculation over the future of Cole continues to mount and the trios are all waiting in the wings should the defender look to leave Stamford Bridge in the summer.

Cole has just returned to full fitness and Chelsea will be loathe letting him go but rumours suggest the England international will ask to leave after the World Cup with Barca favourites to land him.

The European champions are keen to sign a new left-back and will target Cole, while there have also been suggestions that Blues target Dani Alves could move in the opposite direction as part of the deal.

Chelsea Star: I'm Going Home To Do Charity Work

Chelsea midfielder Deco has once again reiterated his desire to return to Brazil once his contract at Stamford Bridge ends in 2011. The diminutive playmaker, who took Portuguese citizenship in 2002 despite being born in Sao Paolo, moved to London from Barcelona in 2008 but has made clear that commitments, including charity work, will see him head back to the country of his birth.

Deco has been used sparingly by the Chelsea coaching staff since the departure of Luiz Felipe Scolari six months after his arrival, but with the proven quality to change any match he is still viewed as a useful option when injuries take their toll at the west London club. Still a key component of the Portuguese national side the midfielder will showdown against Brazil at this summer’s World Cup.

Speaking to FIFA.com about his plans for life after Chelsea, the 2004 UEFA Club Footballer of the Year revealed:

“I’m going to go back and live in Brazil for personal reasons, because my family’s there and I’ve been in Europe for 13 years now. I’ve got a huge amount of affection for Portugal and the city of Porto in particular, where I’ve got a house, but I was born in Brazil and my family is there, as is my social project the Deco Institute, in Indaiatuba.

“I want to go back and that’s what I’ll do when my Chelsea contract runs out in 2011. And if I’m fit enough to do a job for a Brazilian team then I’ll come back and play too.”

It is uncertain whether Chelsea will try and cash in on Deco this summer rather than let him leave on a free, although with the player hinting that he could retire within the next 18 months the London side would probably not receive particularly lucrative offers.

Pat Nevin: Wide Openings

A former winger himself, Pat Nevin has spotted where Chelsea have been doing the damage, and just where we can hurt Liverpool this weekend...

Sometimes even the best plans by the wisest men backfire badly. Sir Alex Ferguson's attempts to pile the pressure on the Chelsea players for the game against Stoke City appeared to have anything but the effect he aimed for. In fact the suggestions the United manager made about Chelsea getting edgy for a tough match obviously focused minds rather than befuddled them.

In the bigger picture however that was only a shot across the bows from the Scotsman. I have worked under Sir Alex in the brief time he was Scotland manager and can promise you that this week it will be all guns blazing from him before the Liverpool match. He will be trying to have an effect on not only our players but the Liverpool players as well, so be prepared for a media and psychological onslaught!

Now this isn't a complaint, after all we all knew that Jose Mourinho wasn't averse to a bit of psychology himself when he was our manager and even Carlo Ancelotti's deflection last week when he said he would watch a movie instead of the United v Spurs game was perfectly judged to relax his own players' minds. That is the way it is, the gloves are off and you have to deal with all the hits wherever they are coming from. So no complaints about Manchester United's manager, like I have said before on this page, if Chelsea does not win the title this season, the players will blame no one but themselves.

The game on Sunday was quite an experience considering how tough Stoke usually are on their travels. I am not sure if it was luck or design that Chelsea were sent out in such an attacking formation, I mean had Mikel been available he probably would have played and that immediately makes the midfield just that little bit more defensive. As it was the free flowing irresistible Chelsea were back on show just as they had been against Sunderland and Aston Villa earlier in the season at the Bridge.

There were a multitude of positives to look at in the game but one thing struck me more than anything else and it was obvious from the moment the first goal was scored. Chelsea used every inch of width available to them in this game. If ever a team want you to thump it long towards the centre of their defence it is Stoke, they relish this kind of battle. Even Didier Drogba would find it tough against the power of Tony Pulis's men when you play them at their own game. Pull them wide by switching the ball quickly however and it is a different story.

The ball sprayed from the left across the pitch to Drogba, whose first touch was so sublime Gianfranco Zola would have been proud of it, completely wrong-footed the visitors' defence.

They were so stretched that they didn't have time to get back into shape before Didier's second touch had smashed it across the goal and Salomon Kalou had nodded it in.

Of the seven goals scored five of them could be directly attributed to stretching the opposition defence with wide passes made at pace and delivered with accuracy. There have been times when it has been the team's Achilles heel that the width has not been used. Specifically against Inter at home it was all too narrow, and dare I say it, predictable. I accept Inter might be a slightly better side, with better defenders than Stoke and their coach isn't bad tactically but even very good defences are troubled when you stretch them.

There is a point to all this, honestly, and it is not just me standing up for the 'wingers union'. It is the fact that quite clearly the game that is going to win Chelsea the title is the one coming up at Anfield. Hopefully the Reds will be tired after some exertions on Thursday night in the second leg of their Europa League semi-final. Personally I am hoping for extra-time, penalties and a rough game with plenty of heavy tackles.

Even if all the Liverpool players do come through it unscathed, the already injured Torres will obviously not play; there are weak points in the Liverpool team. Up front they are not as potent without their Spanish striker, but it is in the full-back areas where they can be got at.

We know plenty about Glen Johnson of course, he is great at going forward and do you know what, he isn't that bad a defender either contrary to common consent. It is just that his forward play often leaves him out of position to do that defending. This is one of the reasons why Liverpool often play with an ultra defensive double sitting midfielder system.

On the other side at left back, Insua is for me a good way short of the standard that Liverpool usually have in their team. It may sound harsh but there are plenty of Liverpool fans who would privately agree with that statement. In fact Benitez may be tempted into using someone like Agger in there instead, but he is a converted centre-back. In short they have a problem defending from wide and Chelsea for me are at their best when they use the width as much as possible.

Like everyone who wants Chelsea to win the league I am taking nothing for granted, the White Hart lane debacle taught us that. In simple terms, if Chelsea play well and Liverpool play well, Chelsea will win because we have the better players and right here I am willing to be gracious and accept a 1-0 scoreline eschewing the need for another seven-goal hammering. Three this season is just spoiling us anyway.

Last week I asked who scored the goals for the away team last time I went to see Atletico Madrid. The answer was of course Didier Drogba as Chelsea were the away team visiting the Vicente Calderon. The winner chosen at random was Helen Payne from Aylesbury.