Michael Ballack Considering Legal Action Against Kevin-Prince Boateng

Portsmouth midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng might have offered his apologies to Chelsea's Michael Ballack for his reckless challenge during the FA Cup final, but that's clearly not enough to satisfy Michael Becker, the German international's agent.

"Every spectator has seen what Boateng did. That was clearly a foul with the intention to hurt Ballack. We are considering taking legal action," said Becker to Bild.

"We are thinking about taking the case to civil court, but criminal punishment is also an option. You can't just intentionally break the rules to hurt your opponent. It's not like a football field is a place where the law doesn't count, unlike what Boateng thinks."

Ballack's agent claims that the influential midfielder could miss out on about €1 million on income from sponsors and bonuses due to his two-month absence as a result of Boateng's reckless tackle.

Lampard: Negatives Into Positives

Frank Lampard believes our exit from the Champions League could have been the turning point for our Double-winning season.

After Jose Mourinho's return to Stamford Bridge left the Blues without a place in Europe, many insisted the side would finish the campaign trophy-less.

But Lampard feels it was the ignition to our season's final few months, as we knuckled down in the business end of the campaign.

'Looking back at that moment, it is probably one of those negatives you turn into a positive,' explained Lampard.

'Maybe if we hadn't lost that game we wouldn't have gone on to win the League.

'And we set the bench mark doing it. We won the League and having not done it for three years now we want to go away, come back and do it again.'

With the Double achieved, there was another point Lampard was keen to make as he looked back on such a successful season.

Carlo Ancelotti's first foray into English football has produced phenomenal results, which are now for all to see in our trophy cabinet.

Any manager who produces such an historic outcome during his first season at a club will obviously be revered and respected in their profession.

But the Italian was overlooked for Manager of the Year, an accolade that instead fell to Harry Redknapp, another manager who moved to a new club but one who had years of experience in the Barclays Premier League.

Lampard feels the situation could have been different: 'People always say Chelsea is a great squad with great players and they expect us to do well.

'That's why the likes of Harry Redknapp win Manager of the Year because people don't quite expect them to do so well but you can't take anything away from Ancelotti what he has done.

'He's up there with the best of the year. He has come here, to a foreign country, he came virtually alone, with only one person from Italy and he has done all this.

'You have to hold your hands up and say it's a success and a job well done. No one can question what we've done this year.'

Now the challenge is for a Chelsea side, who will have seen many of our stars out on international duty during the World Cup, to return fully vitalised for the 2010/11 campaign.

'You want to embrace what you have done at the club and you want to start again,' said Lampard.

'The players have to come back energised, with the same mentality, want to win again, and that's what separates the great teams from the good teams.'

But for now Lampard and his England teammates are concentrating solely on the world's biggest competition in South Africa this summer. And after such a fantastic run-in with the Blues over the last couple of months, Lampard is ready for anything.

'I feel fresh, I feel confident and in the last few months, with the team I am playing with, I have been creating a lot of chances.

'I am seeing a lot of spaces at the moment and I am not scared to take things on, so let's just hope it carries on for the next month or so.

'The goals have been coming thick and fast and I feel very confident, so I will take that mindset into the World Cup.

'Then there's Ashley Cole, who has been out but he's back and firing, John Terry is John Terry, determined to play well, and hopefully Joe Cole's lack of minutes will be a good thing because he will be fresh.'

Carlo Ancelotti Eyes 10-Year Stay At Chelsea

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti last night praised his side’s Double glory and told supporters he intends to stay for a decade.

The Italian boss spent eight years at AC Milan, and has now stated he plans to better that at Stamford Bridge. In his first season in England, he lifted the Premier League and FA Cup double for the first time in Chelsea's history.

Speaking to reporters, Ancelotti said: "I would be happy to sign a new contract here.

“After this first season if they asked me how long I want to stay here I would say maybe 10 years. That wouldn’t be bad, especially if every season is like this season.

“I think stability is important. If we can work together for a long time it’s better to have stability for the club.

“It’s also important for the manager, because it’s not easy if you’re changing club every year.”

During Roman Abramovich's time in charge at Chelsea, Claudio Ranieri, Jose Mourinho, Avram Grant, Luis Felipe Scolari and Guus Hiddink have all bossed the club.

New chief executive Ron Gourlay has admitted the Blues want to see an end to the managerial revolving doors. There are currently no plans to offer Ancelotti a new contract just 12 months into his three-year deal, however.

John Terry Keen For Joe Cole To Stay At Stamford Bridge Next Season

Chelsea captain John Terry has urged the club to extend midfielder Joe Cole’s contract beyond the end of this season.

The 28-year-old is out of contract in the summer and looks set to leave the club on a free transfer, with Manchester United and Manchester City rumoured to be interested in the England international.

Cole refused to comment on his future after Saturday’s 1-0 FA Cup final win over Portsmouth, but Terry insists everybody at Stamford Bridge wants him to stay.

"Nobody wants Joe Cole to leave, we all want him to stay and we're confident he will do," Terry told Sky Sports.

Chelsea’s FA Cup final win secured the club’s first ever double, having already won the Premier League, and Terry is delighted to have made history this season.

He added: "[The Champions League] is the one that's eluded us in the last few years so that's the big target.

"We know that Roman [Abramovich] wants that, we know the players want that. This is just a taste of that, if we won that it would put us right up there with the greats.

"But we said yesterday in the dressing room, we'll take the double over the Champions League all day long.

"It's never been done in the club's history and we're so proud that this group of players, for generations and generations, is never going to be forgotten."

Michael Ballack Waits On Chelsea Talks About New Contract

Michael Ballack has admitted no talks are planned with Chelsea to sign a new contract, although he believes Carlo Ancelotti wants to keep him at the club.

The German international's deal expires at the end of June and discussions over an extension had been delayed until the season was over. Bundesliga outfit Schalke 04 has been linked with a free transfer swoop for him.

Ballack joined from Bayern Munich in 2006 and lifted his first Premier League title this month. Speaking to reporters, the midfielder said he believed Ancelotti was keen to re-sign him but wasn't sure of the rest of the Blues hierarchy’s intentions.

"There are no plans for talks yet, but I want to play for as long as possible at the highest level," said Ballack.

"I feel fit and I have targets in my mind - maybe two years [more]. But we have to wait and see.

"Chelsea is one of my first options, of course. I know he (Ancelotti) wants to keep me.

"I have a great relationship with him and he is really confident in me and my ability.

"But sometimes the club and the coach can have different ideas, I don't know. But it's time to talk about [it]."

Malouda - Anelka Keen To Stay

Florent Malouda believes Nicolas Anelka would have no hesitation in signing a new contract at Chelsea.

The French forward is yet to pen an extension to his current terms, fuelling speculation that he could be on the move this summer.

The 31-year-old has spent the last two seasons at Stamford Bridge, helping the Blues to two FA Cup triumphs and a Premier League title.

Chelsea insist they are keen to keep Anelka on board and talks regarding a new contract remain ongoing.

Malouda feels it is only a matter of time before an agreement is reached, with the tricky winger of the opinion that his fellow countryman has no desire to move on.

"I know that he wishes to stay and extend his contract," said Malouda.

"Now it's just a straight discussion between him and the club but I know there have been discussions between them.

"Things are very good for him. During the transfer window there is always speculation but there is no doubt."

Malouda sees no reason why any player would want to leave Chelsea right now, with the Blues having wrapped up a domestic Double on Saturday when they edged out Portsmouth in the FA Cup final.

The aim now is to build on that success next season, with a first UEFA Champions League crown towards the top of their list of priorities.

"In a team like Chelsea you want to win everything," said Malouda.

"Our ambition has to grow and we have to be regularly on top of the league. If you stay too relaxed that's when you start to fall down.

"We will come back with more appetite and next year we should try to add something.

"We have the quality to do that, you just have to see the amount of goals we scored, but we may have to be more consistent. There were moments where we dropped points.

"I don't know how many changes are required, that's not my role. The manager has a lot of experience and knows what was missing from us this season and what will bring something more."

Real Madrid Warned Off Lampard

Real Madrid have been warned off trying to sign Frank Lampard by Carlo Ancelotti, according to reports in today's papers.

The Chelsea star is known to be a favourite of former Blues boss Jose Mourinho who is widely expected to take over as Real boss this summer.

Mourinho is rumoured to have told Real president Florentino Perez to bring Lampard to the Bernabeu ready for next season.

But Stamford Bridge boss Ancelotti has laughed off the rumours. He said: "Lampard to Real Madrid? This is a joke because Lampard will stay here.

"When I started last season there was a problem with John Terry and Manchester City.

"Every time I said 'no, John Terry will stay here because he is important'.

"I don't want to do the same with Frank Lampard. He will stay here.

"There is no danger of Frank going because I know how he feels about this club, with these players, how important he is for the supporters."

John Terry Targets The Treble Next Season

John Terry has set his sights on winning the treble next season - after taking a massive swipe at the Wembley pitch.

Terry says Chelsea will be determined to win the Champions League as well as repeating this season's Premier League and FA Cup Double next year.

But Terry slammed the Wembley pitch and says it must be improved as next year's Champions League final will be played there as he also urged the Football Association to stop holding concerts and start putting football first.

Chelsea captain Terry said: "The Champions League next year is here - that would be a great way to end the year. I only hope the pitch is all right - at least they have got enough time.

"It probably ruined the game as a spectacle. It is not the groundsman's fault - there are just too many events on the field of play. The FA need to say either this is England's football stadium or its an event stadium.

"Portsmouth and ourselves have worked so hard to get here and it was not good enough. There was no water on the surface, which both teams asked for, before the game. It was patchy. It was dry and it was probably too slow for the people watching.

"Now we come back here with England and we want home advantage to count. It needs to be addressed and I am sure it will be."

Mirror Sport revealed on Saturday both teams were unhappy at the state of the pitch after their training session at Wembley the day before.

But Chelsea overcame the problems with the pitch to win the FA Cup and repeat their first ever double - and Terry has immediately insisted that is the bare minimum they want to achieve next season.

Terry firmly believes Carlo Ancelotti can sweep the board next season and win the lot and also says their momentum can help England go into the World Cup full of confidence.

Terry added: "The Double really does put us up there as a football club. There is no doubt about it - everybody knows the importance of the Champions League.

"It is something we want. But if you had offered me the Double at the start of the season, I would have bitten your hand off.

"It is hard to set new targets - the minimum next year now is the Premier League and the FA Cup. If we can add the Champions League to that and the Carling Cup, it would be great.

"But the minimum is the Premier League and the FA Cup. Everyone is saying that, including the manager. These are our trophies and we want to keep them.

"We have had a taste of winning the FA Cup and the Premier League and not been able to retain it and get our hands back on it the following season. Now it would be a great way to end next year as well.

"It would great if we could carry this momentum into the England camp. We are on a high. We are buzzing. We are fit.

"We have got a couple of days off but we go there and look forward to training and getting back on the training field for the World Cup."

Chelsea Eye Ashley Cole Swap Deal For Kaka

Real Madrid may be tempted into loaning Kaka to Chelsea - only if Ashley Cole goes the other way.

According to ItalPress, the Spanish giants may be warming to the idea of off-loading their £56million star if they can secure a player in return, and with a left-back high on their radar, Cole would be the obvious make-weight in any deal.

The 29-year-old may also feel like it’s the right time to join the Galactico ranks, after personal problems and media scandal have dogged his last season with the Blues.

However, it's unlikely that Carlo Ancelotti will want to enter into any kind of deal involving his full-back, and will likely try a straight-cash swoop in a bid to lure the Brazilian international.

Chelsea Set To Make Record Bid For Torres

Fernando Torres will be the subject of a world record bid from Chelsea within days.

The total package of transfer fee and salary will make Torres a staggering £130 million investment. And Soccernet has been informed that owner Roman Abramovich is personally taking control of the project to bring the Liverpool striker to Chelsea.

Torres has been linked with Chelsea, Manchester City, Barcelona and Real Madrid for some time but the Blues will be first to make a concrete offer.

Abramovich is ready to release the cash following a Premier League and FA Cup double this season, but he is also acutely aware he could cut an alternative deal with Liverpool in need of new players.

Chelsea are willing to offer three players in part exchange, as an option to smooth through the Torres transfer.

Abramovich is also prepared to match City's expected offer to Torres of £200,000-a-week, which is being mooted via the middle men now authorized to try and clinch the deal.

An insider told Soccernet: "Torres is the best, and Roman wants the best. He has identified Torres as the player who can help him bring the Champions League to Stamford Bridge.

"Torres can go to City for just as much money perhaps even more, but it's clear that Chelsea offer far more in terms of a crack at the Champions League whereas City aren't even in it."

Chelsea are drawing up a list of players to offer to Liverpool in part exchange for Torres that could take the overall transfer value above the £80 million world record Real Madrid paid for Cristiano Ronaldo.

The deal could be structured like this; pick any three players from a specified list plus £40 million cash up front for Torres. That offer, according to Soccernet sources, will be made well ahead of the World Cup finals in South Africa, and most likely early next week.

With the three players averaging around £15 million each, the total valuation of the Torres offer would be in excess of the Ronaldo fee.

Abramovich is personally spearheading the quest to land Torres, and his manager Carlo Ancelotti will consider which players to use as bait to tempt Liverpool: Jose Bosingwa, Nicolas Anelka, Ricardo Carvalho, Deco, Salomon Kalou and Paulo Ferreira.

Anelka is the one player the Italian coach might be reluctant to offer up and, of course, the Frenchman might not wish to return to Anfield - although he has expressed regret at failing to win a permanent move to the club after spending a loan spell on Merseyside.

Manchester City are also in a position to offer Liverpool a shopping list of swap players, as well as a cash payment in excess of Chelsea's, but the prospect of joining the Double winners and a club intent on landing the Champions League would be far more appealing.

Liverpool owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett are battling with losses of £54.9 million, a net debt of £351 million, no Champions League football and with new chairman Martin Broughton an appointee of the club's bank RBS, a £40 million cash-plus-players bid for their star asset will clearly be accepted.

Ironically, Broughton is a Chelsea season ticket holder, and any decision to sell would inevitably make him unpopular at Anfield.

Such is the ground work being prepared at the Bridge for the Torres bid, that star striker Didier Drogba is already ready to welcome him to the club.

"Of course I would welcome Torres," Drogba said last week. "Every time a new player comes here, it makes the club bigger and gives us a lot of strength. If there is a chance for him to come here, he will be welcome, because any help is welcome.''

Former Chelsea Defender Graeme Le Saux Praises Double-winning Manager Carlo Ancelotti

Former Chelsea defender Graeme Le Saux has hailed the management style of Carlo Ancelotti after leading the Blues to the double in his first season at the club.

Saturday’s 1-0 FA Cup final win over Portsmouth on Saturday secured the Blues’ first league and cup double in their history, after they pipped Manchester United to the Premier League title for the first time in four years a week earlier.

After starting the season playing a diamond formation, Ancelotti reverted back to 4-3-3 midway through the campaign and Le Saux, who is now a club ambassador, believes the way the Italian allows his players to play with freedom is the key to his success.

"While money has a huge influence on who you can buy and what infrastructure you can put in, ultimately you still have to have the right leader, right attitude from the players and right values within the dressing room," Le Saux told the Press Association.

"There was a lot of uncertainty since Jose Mourinho left, and from that point of view, Ancelotti has come in and really got the spirit right.

"Dealing with all of those individual characters is hard; to get them all to play for the common good is a tough job.

"To do that in his first year and to win the first double in the club's history is a huge achievement.

"Having spent time around the players and the training ground, seeing how they are with him and his staff, there is a really relaxed, but focused attitude.

"There is calmness about him, he is very assured as a coach.

"The players feel like they have a freedom to express themselves and that is what players and the fans want."

Chelsea Defender Ashley Cole Becomes The Most Decorated Player In FA Cup History After Winning Tournament For A Record Sixth Time

Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole ended a tumultuous season by becoming the most victorious player in the history of the FA Cup after the Blues defeated Portsmouth in the final on Saturday.

Less than a week after clinching the Premier League title, Chelsea completed the Double after a 1-0 win over Pompey at Wembley.

Cole became the first player in the 120 years in which the FA Cup has been played to lift the trophy six times.

The England international has had a tough time on and off the pitch this season, splitting with wife Cheryl Cole and missing some time with a broken ankle.

Fellow defender John Terry hailed Cole’s contribution this season and believes that the left-back is a crucial player for both Chelsea and England.

“His record in the Cup is incredible and he has been unbelievable this year,” Terry told the Daily Mail.

“Ashley was unfortunate with his injury and was probably our best player before that. He has come back as fit as ever and raring to go, which is a massive boost for us and England.”

Cole has played in seven Cup finals with the Blues and Arsenal and his sixth FA Cup win helped him move ahead of Charles Wollaston, Arthur Kinnaird and James Forrest as the most successful player in the history of the tournament.

Didier Drogba Hails Best Chelsea Season After Clinching FA Cup

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has declared this season to be his best at the club after his side lifted the FA Cup, defeating Portsmouth 1-0 at Wembley Stadium.

The Golden Boot winner expressed his desire to continue winning silverware with Chelsea in the future and believes this season was the best of his career.

"Yeah this is the best one because we achieved so many things together as a team and after that trophies came, but really it is because as a team we were so good, I had a chance to be Golden Boot, to play well like I am," Drogba told Sky Sports News.

"It's something very important for the team and me as well, today I have the chance again to score in that stadium again and I'm really happy because we won the double and this is something big in England and I'm happy to be a part of it.

"To be the first team to have done that for Chelsea is unbelievable.

"We knew it was going to be hard, we don't really think all the chances we created would hit the post or the crossbar but that's part of the game - we knew it was going to be hard."

Drogba also joined the queue of managers and players who voiced their dissatisfaction with the Wembley pitch.

He added: "Without water on the pitch I think it was difficult. The pitch was dry and to be honest I think it was better against Aston Villa."

The Ivory Coast international echoed the sentiments of his Chelsea team-mates John Terry and Frank Lampard in suggesting domestic success is the perfect preparation for the World Cup.

He continued: "It's the best way to go to the World Cup and be confident and work hard - you know it's better to work with a big smile on the face than to be down, and I'm happy to go there."

Buck: Abramovich Going Nowhere

Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck today insisted that Roman Abramovich will remain at Chelsea "indefinitely".

The London club completed a league and cup double on Saturday thanks to Didier Drogba's goal in the FA Cup final against Portsmouth at Wembley.

Buck told BBC Radio Five Live's Sportsweek program that the Chelsea owner was committed to the club.

"He was a very happy man on Saturday night," he said. "I see him here indefinitely. He has never, ever given us any indication that he is anything other than a long term Chelsea fan."

According to Buck, any suggestions that Abramovich would sell Chelsea are "totally inaccurate" and "not something that goes through his head".

Buck also revealed that three or four players would be leaving the club in the summer, with three or four new signings to replace them.

He would not be drawn on specific players who could leave the club, such as Joe Cole. But he said the goals and targets were to "keep winning trophies in an efficient business-like manner".

Chelsea Midfielder Ballack Limps Out Of Final A Month Before World Cup

Chelsea’s Michael Ballack limped out of Saturday’s FA Cup final against Portsmouth at Wembley, less than a month before the World Cup.

The 33-year-old was upended by a late tackle from Portsmouth’s Kevin-Prince Boateng, who was booked on 35 minutes.

Germany captain Ballack managed to play on for a few minutes after receiving treatment but was then replaced by Juliano Belletti. Chelsea went on to win the game 1-0 through Didier Drogba’s free-kick.

Germany open their World Cup campaign against Australia on 13 June.

Ballack, who has won 98 international caps, was named in Germany's preliminary squad on 7 May.

He is out of contract at Chelsea at the end of the season and could perhaps have played his last game for the club. German club Schalke have already stated their interest in signing Ballack.

Roman Rewards Ancelotti With Funds For Kaka

Roman Abramovich will reward Double-winning boss Carlo Ancelotti by backing a sensational move for Kaka.

Ancelotti is a huge admirer of the Brazilian, who last year turned down a move to Manchester City.

Instead, Kaka headed to Real Madrid in a £56million switch from AC Milan but his first season in La Liga has been a troubled one.

He has been dogged by injury and has had to angrily deny rumours that he was more concerned about being fit for the World Cup than for Real Madrid's domestic campaign.

Should Real not leapfrog above Barcelona in the last round of fixtures today - and that looks hugely unlikely - they will end the season trophyless.

And that will lead to yet more major upheaval at the Bernabeu with Jose Mourinho almost certain to replace Manuel Pellegrini and bring with him a long list of transfer targets.

That air of uncertainty is a factor that will give Ancelotti encouragement in a pursuit of Kaka.

The pair had a very successful, six-year relationship and won the Champions League together in 2007.

And as he feels the heat in the pressure-cooker atmosphere that surrounds everything at Real, Kaka could be tempted to work with Ancelotti again in the relatively tranquil surroundings at Stamford Bridge.

While Cristiano Ronaldo has been a success, Kaka has only appeared sporadically - mainly due to a troublesome thigh injury.

There is a growing suspicion there might not be room for both galacticos in Madrid.

Kaka is only one season into a six-year deal that is worth around £170,000 to the former World Player of the Year.

The wage issue would not be a problem for Abramovich and Chelsea but they might baulk at giving Real anywhere near the £56million the Spanish club handed over to Milan.

In two or three years' time, Kaka's sell-on value will be greatly reduced and Chelsea would probably be willing to go up only to around the £40million mark.

Cheekily, they might even propose some type of loan deal, where they pay Real rent for the player and his extravagant wages.

Abramovich has sanctioned a belt-tightening exercise at the Bridge and that might be reflected in upcoming contract negotiations with the likes of Joe Cole and Nicolas Anelka.

And the Russian owner is hopeful that talent from the academy will push through in the next couple of seasons.

But after the outstanding domestic season, he still wants Chelsea to crack the Champions League and knows he needs to back Ancelotti and give him the financial tools to compete with the superpowers in the transfer market.

Chelsea Braced For Ashley Cole Bids

Chelsea are bracing themselves for massive bids from Barcelona and Real Madrid for Ashley Cole.

Both of the Spanish giants are in the market for a top left-back and Cole is rated among the best in the world.

Feelers have already been put out over Cole’s availability.

So far Chelsea are resisting but Real Madrid are expected to test the Stamford Bridge resolve with a £20million offer for the 29-year-old, who has been plagued by injury and off-the-field problems.

Real Madrid have also been eyeing Manchester United’s Patrice Evra only to be told the French international is not for sale.

Blues Offer New Deal To Bruma

Jeffrey Bruma has been offered a new five-year contract at Chelsea worth £8,000 a week.

The Dutch Under-21 defender is the cream of Chelsea's expensive academy project and has already been told he will be in the first team squad next season.

Bruma, 18, is part of Chelsea's FA Youth Cup-winning side and has been earmarked for a long career at Stamford Bridge.

He signed a professional contract at the club when he moved from Dutch side Feyenoord, but Chelsea want to tie him to a long-term deal.

Although £8,000 a week is low for a first-team squad player, Chelsea are prepared to sit down each summer to discuss a revised deal if continues to make progress.

With Ricardo Carvalho expected to leave Chelsea in the summer, Bruma will move up the pecking order.

Although John Terry and Alex will take some shifting from the centre of Chelsea's defence, Bruma has been tipped to be one of their successors in years to come.

Bruma currently earns just £2,000 a week, but his improved deal is a reflection of the progress he has made this season.

His contract will also be heavily incentivised with bonuses for first team appearances.

Bruma will also pick up prize money for Premier League wins and goal bonuses as part of his package.

The central defender's rise to the first team has been carefully managed by Chelsea's director of football Frank Arnesen.

Chelsea skipper Terry was the last player to successfully come through the youth ranks and make the transition to the first team.

That was 10 years ago and Arnesen, who took up his post in 2005, has overseen a youth project that has cost the club more than £50m.

Blues Face Battle For Aguero

Chelsea face a tough battle with former manager Jose Mourinho to sign long-term target Sergio Aguero.

Juventus and Mourinho's Inter Milan are Chelsea's two main rivals for Aguero, who is likely to have made his last appearance for Atletico Madrid in Wednesday's Europa League Final win over Fulham.

Mourinho has been tracking Argentina striker Aguero for some time and, if he leaves the San Siro to become the new boss at Real Madrid, may even try to persuade the player to make the controversial switch across the Spanish capital's great divide.

Aguero himself would prefer to move to the Premier League, but only if the deal is right.

In previous negotiations with Chelsea, the player's representatives indicated he would be prepared to take a pay cut of about £1million net a year in order to fulfil his ambition of coming to England.

But Aguero's package at Atletico is so lucrative that Chelsea would still have to put him up with top earner and John Terry, whose deal is worth about £160,000 per week.

Aguero's buy-out clause is a whopping £51.5m, even allowing for the weakening of the Euro, although it is believed Atletico might accept significantly less.

Chelsea's only serious potential rivals in England for Aguero's signature are the two Manchester clubs. But United manager Sir Alex Ferguson is said to be wary of signing Argentine players after problems with Juan Sebastian Veron, Gabriel Heinze and, most recently, Carlos Tevez, and City are yet to show firm interest in the player.

Meanwhile the hopes of Chelsea and a host of other top clubs of signing two of Europe's hottest young talents may also be dashed - at least for this year.

Chelsea have once more stepped up their interest in Lille sensation Eden Hazard, who is on the wanted list of every European giant. But the word from France is that Lille are determined to hang on to the 19-year-old Belgium international - who has been compared to Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo - for at least one more year.

And Belgian side Anderlecht have indicated that they intend to resist bids this year for 17-year-old Romelu Lukaku, who has been dubbed "the new Didier Drogba".

Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay confirmed last week that manager Carlo Ancelotti would be given money to strengthen his ageing squad and, if the right marquee player became available, to sign star names.

But he also stressed the club's long-term desire to become self-sufficient and to bring through players from the Academy, whose youth team won the FA Youth Cup for the first time in 49 years earlier this month.

Cech: I Love This Cup

It's not often in this free-scoring end to the season that the Chelsea goalkeeper has been in the spotlight but no-one can deny that Petr Cech was one of heroes of the Double-clinching FA Cup win.

The Blues number one told the Official Chelsea Website on Saturday morning how much he enjoyed this competition and nothing that happened in the afternoon changed his mind.

Despite what all neutrals will surely say was a one-sided match, it took a remarkable reaction save from Cech to send the teams in level in at half-time, and that was before he kept out Kevin-Prince Boateng's penalty just minutes before Didier Drogba's winner.

'I was really confident that I was going to save the penalty and I think that was the key,' said Cech after the game as he was asked about what may have been a game-changing save.

'The mentality was strong and I was ready to face the penalty and I made a god choice.'

Cech dived to his right, the penalty was hit more-or-less centrally and he saved with his legs.

'From the body language when he ran towards it I chose the side.

'It looked like the kind of game when you keep missing and then you get punished in the end,'Cech reflected as he thought about five attempts against the woodwork prior to the penalty. What also deserves celebrating is his reflex save from Frederic Piquionne in the first half.

'I am delighted of course because we won the game we wanted to win to go into the history books, we are the first ever Chelsea team to win the Double and we are rare as a team that defended the FA Cup.

'It was my third FA Cup win and I love playing the FA Cup, I have never lost a single game in the FA Cup and it is brilliant and I really love playing in it.'

Match Report: Chelsea 1 - 0 Portsmouth

Didier Drogba won the double for Chelsea with the only goal in a quite remarkable FA Cup final.

Drogba's 37th goal of the season was a free-kick just before the hour that found the net with tracer-bullet precision from 20 yards.

It maintained Drogba's impressive record of scoring in all six competitive games he has played at the new Wembley and confirmed Chelsea as only the seventh club to complete the league and FA Cup double, a pretty significant achievement in Carlo Ancelotti's first season in charge.

But that does not even come close to telling the story of a game that saw Chelsea hit the woodwork five times before the interval, including a terrible miss from Salomon Kalou, Kevin-Prince Boateng fail to convert a penalty shortly before Drogba's winner that could have set up a fairytale finish to a shambolic season of turmoil at Portsmouth, and even Frank Lampard fire wide from the spot three minutes from time.

Given the financial straightjacket they find themselves in, this was likely to be Pompey's last major final for quite some time.

That certainty, at the end of a campaign where you are £135million in debt, in administration, have had nine points deducted, been relegated, not been paid your wages on time on numerous occasions and seen players sold at a moment's notice, probably generated a devil-may-care attitude within the Portsmouth squad.

Frederic Piquionne brought a staggering reaction save out of Petr Cech and Aruna Dindane failed to make clean contact as he tried to turn home Piquionne's cut-back.

By any standards, these were glorious openings which Portsmouth might have had cause to regret if it were not for the fact that Chelsea were enduring frustrations of their own so great Drogba ended the half beating a post in total frustration at his side's inability to get the ball past it.

Within this flurry of activity came a contender for the best save ever seen in a cup final, and that miss.

Chelsea's victory will save Kalou extreme ridicule, but he knows his own contribution is going to be replayed so often he will never escape.

Frank Lampard had already flashed a shot against a post and Chelsea were on top when Ashley Cole, the first man to win the famous old trophy six times, drove deep into the Pompey box, completely outpacing Aaron Mokoena.

Fabio Capello would not have been the only one to admire his sublime cross, which completely took David James out of the game and presented Kalou with a four-yard tap-in.

The Chelsea fans were already on their feet, arms aloft in triumph, when Kalou's side-footed effort soared skywards and thudded against the bar.

For a moment or two, the stadium was completely silent, as if unable to comprehend what they had just witnessed. The eruption of noise from the Portsmouth end confirmed the reality.

Within a couple of minutes John Terry had glided a header against the bar, but that was nothing compared to the free-kick Drogba curled towards the top corner later on.

Somehow, James managed to reach it. His touch was only faint but it was enough to push the ball onto the bar and down, smack bang onto the goal-line.

So, when Drogba fired a low effort against the post four minutes from time, little wonder the offending upright suffered the backlash.

For once, a half had been completed with no one mentioning the pitch.

An odd colour it might have looked but it was not restricting the entertainment value, which included a penalty 10 minutes after the restart.

Introduced for Michael Ballack, who had been the subject of a vicious first-half tackle from Boateng, Juliano Belletti had not quite got his bearings.

And when Dindane nipped past him, the Brazilian lunged in and sent him sprawling.

After all that had gone before, the entire stadium had the sense this was the moment that would give the underdogs the trophy. Except Boateng had not read the script.

So bad was his effort that Cech, having gone down early, had time to make the readjustment required and boot it clear,

Within three minutes, Drogba converted his magnificent free-kick and the dream was over.

Had Lampard scored when he was bundled over in the box by Michael Brown three minutes from time, Chelsea would have deserved it.

He did not. It was that type of extraordinary game.

Terry Delights At Chelsea's First Double

Chelsea captain John Terry hailed a "special" feeling after helping the Blues seal their first ever league and FA Cup double by beating Portsmouth 1-0 at Wembley.

Chelsea hit the woodwork five times in the first half and could have gone behind had Kevin-Prince Boateng not missed a penalty in the 56th minute.

Didier Drogba then scored with a stunning free-kick three minutes later, before Frank Lampard missed a spot-kick of his own a minute from time.

Terry told ITV1: "It's unbelievable. It's never been done in the club's history and to do it with this group of players feels so special.

"I thought our luck was out but what a great free-kick from Didier."

Terry was unimpressed with the infamous Wembley surface though, adding: "The pitch ruined the final. It's probably the worst pitch we've played on all year."

Terry, continuing his criticism of the Wembley surface, told BBC Radio 5 Live: "It was not good enough for a Wembley pitch.

"The FA have to decide if this is a football pitch or events stadium."

On the victory itself Terry added: "It is incredible. What an amazing day today.

"It was one of those days but we came strong and full credit to Didier.

"The reason why we are top of the league and won the FA Cup is that we are the best team and we have great determination."

Goalkeeper Petr Cech admitted he "got lucky" with his first-half penalty save from Kevin-Prince Boateng.

"I knew what the choices were and from the body language when he ran towards me I chose that side - but I was lucky to get there," he said.

The Czech international added that the players were desperate to write their names in the club's history, which he felt may have played a part in them uncharacteristically missing a host of chances before Drogba finally made the breakthrough.

"I'm speechless because during the game there were a lot of emotions," he said.

"We wanted to be the first team at Chelsea to win the double - and we also defended the FA Cup, which is an achievement as well.

"We kept missing and missing and it looked like it was not going to be our day but to make two crucial saves I am delighted."

Drogba admitted it was hard to come back down to earth after sealing the Barclays Premier League title last weekend with an 8-0 thrashing of Wigan.

He told ITV: "It's fantastic; we achieved the double. It was difficult to come back and stay focused (after) we celebrated the title.

"It was difficult again against a very good Portsmouth team.

"You start to feel that you won't score but if you manage to create chances in the first half it means in the second you will have some."

On his free-kick, he added: "I saw a little gap, not a big space, because the wall was in its position.

"I hit the post again but it went in this time."

Portsmouth manager Avram Grant was proud of his players after what they went through in a difficult season which saw them relegated following a nine-point deduction for going into administration.

Grant told ITV1: "It's a day (when) I'm very proud and very sad; sad because we couldn't win the game, but it's an unbelievable season and something I won't forget."

Grant attributed no blame to Boateng, saying: "Win as a team, lose as a team. It happens even to the best.

"Unfortunately it's happened to me twice. What can you do?

"We played tactically very well, we gave everything. The fans were great. Unfortunately we couldn't win."

Asked if the Pompey fans had seen the last of him, he replied: "I don't know. They are great."

Portsmouth midfielder Jamie O'Hara admitted the Pompey players started to believe they could win the game after the way the first half went.

He told ITV1: "We rode our luck in the first half - David James pulled off some unbelievable saves - then we had the chance to win the game.

"If the penalty had gone in we could have defended for our lives, but it wasn't meant to be. Chelsea showed their class in the end."

O'Hara played despite a stress fracture in his back, and asked if he risked his fitness, he replied: "Yes. I put as much as I could into the game.

"It's going to the last time we all play together, so it's an emotional day for everyone at the club. It would have been great to go out with a big win."

He added: "They'll be back. They're a massive club with great fans."

Cole Feels He Has Recovered His Form

Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole has claimed that he is back to his best after a difficult season, and that he is ready to play his part in England's quest to win the World Cup.

Cole has found opportunities hard to come by in Carlo Ancelotti's first season at the Stamford Bridge helm but was recently recalled to the England squad after injuries consigned him to the international wilderness.

"I feel I'm back to my best and I just need a run of games to show it," Cole said. "It's been difficult playing 20 minutes here, 30 minutes there, but I'll always give everything. It's in my nature.

"It's been tough but I didn't expect it to be plain sailing. I've had some good games and some poor games but I've played my part in a title-winning side and that's something I'm very proud of."

"I've got so much energy and I'm fresh as well,'' he said. ''We did a fitness test on Wednesday and I'm the fittest player in the Chelsea squad. I'm ready to go and just busting to get out there."

Presumably Cole is referring to England as well as Chelsea, and he hopes to use Saturday's game at Wembley to convince Fabio Capello of his worth in the final 23-man squad. But Cole feels he has nothing to prove at international level. "I'll always be there to represent my country. I just want to get there [to South Africa] and do all I can to help England win the World Cup" said Cole.

When asked if he expected the call-up, the 28-year-old said: "I'm not sure. My time on the pitch has been less than I would have liked, particularly in the last five or six months. But I've always felt that I've done well when I've come on."

Cole, who has scored 10 goals in 53 England appearances, added: "I've got nothing to prove in an England shirt. I don't want to blow my own trumpet but when you look at my England career I've always applied myself really well and produced the goods when I've played. I enjoy international football; I love the tempo and I love the style.

"I'm just looking forward to meeting up with all the England boys again, I hope they still remember me."

Anelka Gets New Deal As Chelsea Bid To Keep Stars

Chelsea will begin preparations for their Premier League title defence next week by finalising a new contract for Nicolas Anelka.

The France forward has agreed the terms of a new three-year deal worth £100,000 a week that he will sign before meeting up with Raymond Domenech's World Cup squad.

Chelsea are keen to keep the bulk of their squad together and have made it their priority to agree new deals with players out of contract before turning attention to new signings.

Anelka has been a valuable member of Carlo Ancelotti's side this season, scoring 15 goals from a deep-lying position and leading the line in the absence of Didier Drogba, and his new contract means he is likely to end his career at the club he joined from Bolton Wanderers two years ago.

The representatives of Michael Ballack and Joe Cole will also be summoned to Stamford Bridge for talks, although their contract negotiations could prove more difficult.

Ballack is seeking a two-year deal that would enable the midfield player to carry on playing for Germany until the 2012 European Championship, but he has only been offered a one-year extension.

Chelsea are unwilling to meet Cole's pay demands. The England midfield player is seeking parity with players such as Anelka and Michael Essien, on £100,000 a week, but the club will offer him no more than £85,000.

Chelsea are also looking to offload several players to make room for new signings, with Deco, Juliano Belletti and Paulo Ferreira set to be released and Ricardo Carvalho to be made available for sale.

Ancelotti revealed yesterday that he will meet Roman Abramovich, the Chelsea owner, next week to discuss the club's plans for strengthening the squad this summer.

"I didn't have the possibility to speak with Roman last week because we had a celebration after the game (at home to Wigan Athletic), but that wasn't the time to talk about next season," the manager said. "He was very happy but we will meet again next week and then we will talk about the season.

"One of the aims of this season, at the beginning, was to give identity to this team, to show good play, and Chelsea improved its identity.

"It was a good season because we played good football, we gave enjoyment to our fans and to other people. The way Chelsea played was good for everyone."

Chelsea Make Inquiries About Fernando Torres

Chelsea are hopeful of luring Fernando Torres from Liverpool after making discreet inquiries, according to reports last night.

Torres is reported to be one of Chelsea's key targets as they aim finally to win the Champions League. The coach, Carlo Ancelotti, and the owner, Roman Abramovich, are believed to agree that extra quality is needed to achieve their goal.

"I would like to play with Torres," Ancelotti said recently. "He is a very good player. But this is not an issue for now. He is a Liverpool player."

The Spanish striker would likely command a British-record fee in any deal. Manchester City have also been linked with him, and have the resources to pay a huge fee, but their lack of Champions League football would be a drawback.

Real Madrid Target Didier Drogba

Real Madrid are preparing an audacious bid for Chelsea striker Didier Drogba.

Reports in Spain suggest that Real Madrid are preparing an offer for Didier Drogba, in a bid to lure José Mourinho to the the Bernabeu.

Manager Manuel Pellegrini has announced he will be quitting the club, paving the way for Mourinho to take over.

And it is thought that his first move will be to offload Karim Benzema and bring in the Chelsea star.

The news could alert Manchester United, who attempted to sign Benzema last summer.

Joe Cole Lauds 'Remarkable' Avram Grant And Expects Him To Land A 'Good Job' If He Leaves Portsmouth

Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole has praised Portsmouth manager Avram Grant as the two teams prepare to clash in the FA Cup final, saying the former Blues boss merits greater credit for his achievements with the Stamford Bridge club.

The England international, grinning that Grant was a "great manager" having regularly picked him in his own Chelsea starting XI, pointed out that his managerial tenure during the 2007-08 season made for impressive reading.

"I think people turn their noses up at what he did here," Cole added.

"But at the end of the day he took us to two cup finals while he was here, to two points off [Manchester] United and the width of a post away from winning the Champions League."

However, Cole believes Grant's spell at Fratton Park has been, if anything, even more outstanding.

"What he's done at Portsmouth is remarkable," he said.

"With that group of players and everything that's going on there."

With Portsmouth's future still in some doubt, Grant's former pupil isn't convinced his old mentor will be around for a sophomore season.

"I don't know if he's staying there next year, but I'm sure he'll get himself a good job if he doesn't," he continued.

Chelsea's Nicolas Anelka Slams Avram Grant Over Treatment

Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka has hit out at former club manager Avram Grant for belittling him.

In his new book, published on Sunday, Anelka said: "Grant used to look down on me.

"It was as though he felt I should be grateful and not ask for anything. The pretext for this was I had been brought in from Bolton."

Anelka said his treatment at the hands of Grant knocked his confidence to the extent he knew he was going to miss the decisive penalty in the 2008 Champions League final against Manchester United.

"I set great store by emotions and Grant did not show great confidence in me," said the Frenchman.

"In the 2008 Champions League final against Manchester United, Grant threw me on as a sub without giving me any warning.

"In the end I messed up the very last penalty in the shootout, which Edwin van der Sar pushed away. It is sad to say but I knew I was going to miss my kick."

FA Cup Final Preview: Chelsea vs. Portsmouth

Two clubs with very different agendas meet for the FA Cup final on Saturday, as the curtain comes down on the English football season.

For Chelsea it's a chance to make club history and secure the league and cup double for the first time. For a team that dominated English football during the middle of the 00's, it seems hard to imagine they haven't done this already, but they could not be more prepared to make history.

Carlo Ancelotti's men smashed eight goals past Wigan on the last day of the season, completing a 103 goal haul over the whole campaign, a Premier League record. That will have been helped by some high-scoring wins, including a 5-0 victory at Fratton Park in March, but the Italian isn't assuming history will be repeated on Saturday.

“I learnt from the semi-final between Spurs and Portsmouth that if you don’t prepare well, you can have difficulty playing against them,” Ancelotti said before the game.

“Also, we have a lot of respect for the opposing team, who did a fantastic job to get to the final. Avram Grant is a very good coach. He was at Chelsea for one year, played the League Cup and Champions League final and did a very good job.

“Portsmouth have had a difficult year, but he did well to take them to the final of the FA Cup."

Pompey, by contrast, have the chance to put some much needed shine on an otherwise depressing season. The club's debt spiralled to nearly £140 million, plunging the team into administration and earning them a nine point deduction which effectively relegated the side.

Despite this, Avram Grant has managed to steer his charges to the cup final, which itself is nothing short of miraculous. The fact they were helped by a slippery Wembley pitch in the semi-final against Tottenham, is more of a sidenote.

After the furore around the state of the turf, Pompey won't be expecting any further help, but could be confident of causing an upset. Anything can happen on cup final day, just ask Sir Alex Ferguson who lost to unfancied Everton in 1994.

"I spoke with a few of the lads and they know that in one game anything can happen," Pompey defender Tal Ben Haim warned the Blues.

It has been a bizarre season for the south coast club, with four different owners, untold financial problems, and goalkeeper David James offering to pay the wages of sacked club staff.

It will be the first time ever that the newly crowned champions have met the side bottom of the league in the final - could it be the first time a relegated side has won a final? In the bizarre world of Portsmouth, it could just be the finale their crazy saga warrants.

FORM

Chelsea
Apr 13: Chelsea 1-0 Bolton (Premier League)
Apr 17: Tottenham 2-1 Chelsea (Premier League)
Apr 25: Chelsea 7-0 Stoke (Premier League)
May 2: Liverpool 0-2 Chelsea (Premier League)
May 9: Chelsea 8-0 Wigan (Premier League)

Portsmouth
Apr 14: Wigan 0-0 Portsmouth (Premier League)
Apr 18: Portsmouth 1-2 Aston Villa (Premier League)
Apr 24: Bolton 2-2 Portsmouth (Premier League)
May 1: Portsmouth 3-1 Wolves (Premier League)
May 9: Everton 1-0 Portsmouth (Premier League)

TEAM NEWS

Portsmouth
Portsmouth have not been the luckiest with injuries this season, and it was against Chelsea that one of their nastiest occurred - Daniel Sturridge's flailing elbow gave Tommy Smith one of the most graphic broken noses seen for a while.

Smith misses out, along with long-term absentees Hermann Hreidarsson (Achilles) and Danny Webber (knee).

Pompey's main injury worry, though, is all-action midfielder Jamie O'Hara, who has a back problem. The Spurs loanee has been in brilliant form this season and Grant's side have missed his combating midfielder displays of late. He is hoping a pain-killing injection will allow him to play some part.

Centre-half Tal Ben-Haim has recovered from a groin problem, Nadir Belhadj and Richard Hughes (both hamstring) should be available, but Aruna Dindane (groin), Marc Wilson (hamstring), Hassan Yebda (thigh) and youngster Lenny Sowah (knee) are all concerns.
Kevin-Prince Boateng, scorer in the semi-final, is almost certain to miss out with an ankle injury and has not even travelled to London with the squad.

Possible line-up: James, Finnan, Rocha, Ben-Haim, Vanden Borre, Mokoena, Belhadj, Hughes, Mullins, Piquionne, Utaka.

Chelsea
Unsung hero of the season Branislav Ivanovic is a doubt with a knee problem but the big worry this week was captain John Terry. Thankfully for Blues fans his foot injury looks to be nowhere near as bad as first feared and the centre-back even declared himself "100 per cent" fit to play.

John Obi Mikel has undergone minor surgery on a knee injury and is out for the remainder of the season, while long-term absentees Michael Essien, Jose Bosingwa (both knee) and Ricardo Carvalho (ankle) remain sidelined.

Possibly line-up: Cech, Terry, Alex, A Cole, Ivanovic, Ballack, Lampard, Malouda, Kalou, Anelka, Drogba.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Chelsea - Didier Drogba

The Ivorian has 36 goals in all competitions already this season and will be keen to add more on Saturday. He claims he isn't "crazy for goals" but the public strop after not being allowed to take a penalty against Stoke says otherwise.

Childish displays aside, it's difficult to argue with Drogba's form - 11 goals in his last 11 games - and when he's on song it's almost impossible to stop him.

Portsmouth - Ricardo Rocha

The former Spurs man put in a Man of the Match performance against his old club in the semi-final, despite playing out of position at centre-half. Pompey were so ravaged with injuries the defender, usually used to playing at right-back, slotted in and was immense.

Another sterling display - albeit against a better forward (no offence Spurs fans) in Didier Drogba could be the catalyst for a famous Pompey victory.

Carlo Ancelotti: We Must Not Take Portsmouth Lightly In The FA Cup Final

Carlo Ancelotti has warned Chelsea repeat the mistake that Tottenham Hotspur made and underestimate Portsmouth in the FA Cup final on Saturday.

After they clinched the Premier League title last weekend, a victory at Wembley would give Chelsea the first Double in club history.

Pompey was able to shock Spurs in the semi-finals with a 2-0 extra-time to earn a chance to win their second FA Cup title in three seasons.

Ancelotti has given credit to Pompey manager Avram Grant for the job that he has done with under extraordinary circumstances and believes that Chelsea must respect the Championship-bound club.

“I learnt from the semi-final between Spurs and Portsmouth that if you don’t prepare well, you can have difficulty playing against them,” Ancelotti told the Daily Star.

“Also, we have a lot of respect for the opposing team, who did a fantastic job to get to the final.

“Avram Grant is a very good coach. He was at Chelsea for one year, played the League Cup and Champions League final and did a very good job.

“Portsmouth have had a difficult year, but he did well to take them to the final of the FA Cup.

“We have to play against players with strong, strong motivation.”

The Italian admitted that he did not understand how special the FA Cup was until experiencing it for himself.

“I didn’t know before this season how special the FA Cup was and how important it is for every club.

“It’s the oldest competition in this country. I know now there were a lot of surprises, a lot of little teams played important games; Leeds beat Manchester United, Liverpool lost to Reading.

“For us, it’s a great opportunity to win the Double for the first time for this club and we can do this.”

Real Madrid Struggling To Agree New Contract With Chelsea Target Gonzalo Higuain

Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain's displeasure at the club's latest contract bid continues to leave the door open for a Premier League switch.

Spanish newspaper El Confidencial has reported that the Primera Liga title chasers have offered the Argentine €4 million-a-year to stay. However, this falls €2 million short of what the player himself and his father and agent Jorge are demanding.

Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City are all rumoured to have been offered the centre-forward for €34 million. With 27 goals in 34 La Liga matches this campaign, he has been in deadly form.

Higuain is currently contracted to Real until 2013 on €1.6 million-a-year. This would be significantly improved if he moved to England.

Carlo Ancelotti Admits Interest In Liverpool Striker Fernando Torres

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has agreed with Didier Drogba that he "would like to play" with red-hot Liverpool striker Fernando Torres.

Drogba admitted this week that he would like to form a deadly partnership with the Spanish international. Torres has been linked with a £70 million switch to either the Blues or Manchester City during the upcoming transfer window

Speaking to reporters, Ancelotti confirmed he agreed with the opinion of his current star centre-forward: "Me too, I would like to play with Torres, he's a very good player. But this is not an issue for today, he's a Liverpool player, a very good striker and we don't need another striker today."

Meanwhile, Ancelotti dispelled any rumours he would miss the World Cup, and Terry will also line-up against Portsmouth in Saturday's FA Cup final:

"John Terry had the problem with his foot, but trained on Friday with no problems so there will be no problem on Saturday."

The Premier League champions are red-hot favourites to complete their first ever double but Ancelotti warned they cannot underestimate the south-coast outfit.

Ancelotti said: "It could be the first time for Chelsea to win the Double, it's a great opportunity. But we have the final, we have to have respect for Portsmouth.

"Portsmouth played a very good semi final, they beat Tottenham and it will be a very tough game for us. If you don't prepare well it can be difficult."

Anelka: Make It A Double

One of two men on the verge of making history, Nicolas Anelka admits achieving a 'double Double' will make him a very proud man.

The Frenchman, along with Ashley Cole, has already achieved the feat of winning both the FA Cup and the Premier League in the same season with Arsenal, in 1998, while Cole did it four years later in 2002.

Nobody has ever done it with two clubs, and Anelka appreciates the standing it would give him in the game.

'I heard from Chelsea TV that nobody else has won the Double with two teams, it would be good if we can make history, even more because I like this club and I want to win everything I can,' he told the official Chelsea website.

'I will be proud to have achieved something in football, and very happy to say in the future I was able to win things with Chelsea at this time - this is even better because it is something special.'

Having spent so long in his career without major honours, last season's FA Cup success was his first trophy in England since 1998, and it has been a relief that he is again obtaining silverware.

'It was unexpected with Arsenal, we were a long way behind Manchester United in the league, but in football you never know and you have to fight and believe until the end, that's what we did and we had a lot of wins at the end of the season which gave us confidence to win the title, and then the Double,' he explained.

'Here at Chelsea we have always had belief and it is good to be in a squad when you know you can win titles, so I look forward to playing this game at Wembley and hoping we can win again.'

Fabio Capello Explains He Had 'No Option' But To Strip John Terry Of England Captaincy

Stripping John Terry of the England captaincy after revelations about his private life was the only thing Fabio Capello could do, the Three Lions boss has revealed.

The Italian axed the 29-year-old after revelations appeared he had an affair with the ex-girlfriend of England team-mate Wayne Bridge.

Capello told Italian newspaper La Stampa: "I had no other alternative - he knows that for me values come before everything.

"I was in Italy and I had a telephone call where I was told everything that had happened.

"I thought about it and then I called John and we spoke. He is an adult and a serious person."

On his return to England, Capello summoned Terry to his Wembley office where he told him of his decision to hand Rio Ferdinand the armband.

He said: "We looked each other in the eyes. I told him that the captain has to be an example for everyone. I cannot let you keep the armband."

Capello also added he never feared Terry quitting the team during the scandal.

"No," he said when quizzed. "It's one of those things that can happen in life."

"Terry is one of those that makes a difference, he is a true leader."

Branislav Ivanovic Admits That Working Under Avram Grant Was Most Frustrating Time Of His Career

Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic has admitted that working under former manager Avram Grant was "the most difficult time in my career".

The Serbian international joined the club for £9 million in January 2008, just over a month after Grant replaced Jose Mourinho as manager at the west London club. And Ivanovic — who will come up against Grant on Saturday in the FA Cup final against Portsmouth — admits that his inability to get into the Israeli's first-team for the remainder of that season, when they were targetting Premier League and Champions League success, was a source of great frustration.

"I have no ill feeling towards Avram but at that moment I was really angry," Ivanovic told the Evening Standard.

"I understand him now because I couldn't change a lot of things in that moment.

"When I arrived it was difficult for a lot of reasons. I had come from the Russian League when there was a break between seasons.

"I was not ready to play. I needed time to be able to get used to the training, the play and everything about the club. But after that I picked up an injury and when I returned it was near the end of the season and every game for Chelsea at that stage was important.

"The squad was very strong and they were trying to get to the Champions League Final. They were also involved in a very tough title race with Manchester United, like it was this year.

"However, it was the most difficult time in my career."

Ivanovic only made his debut for the Blues eight months after signing, and long after Luiz Felipe Scolari had replaced Grant in the dugout. Now a first-team fixture at Stamford Bridge, Ivanovic paid tribute to Andriy Shevchenko — another who had his problems during his stay at the club — for giving him the advice and guidance that enabled him to survive the dark days.

"I can't forget what Andriy did. He really helped me. He tried to give me confidence," Ivanovic said.

"He told me about the style of play in England, what I had to do as a defender and where I could improve.

"It was a difficult period for him, too. He had been outside the team, he was also injured, but he wasn't just thinking about himself, he was thinking of me too.

"I can only say a big thank you to him for everything he did because he helped me become prepared for when I would play."

Chelsea Net Hat-trick Of Awards After Free-scoring Premier League Season

While Chelsea have the chance to make history and complete a first ever league and cup double on Saturday, they managed to get their hands on more silverware before the FA Cup final with Portsmouth has kicked off.

Dider Drogba's last-day hat-trick against Wigan Athletic meant he was the top flight's Golden Boot winner with 29, and he was presented with his trophy on Thursday.

The accolades for Blues players did not stop there as goalkeeper Petr Cech was awarded the Barclays Golden Glove for keeping the most clean sheets - 17. Liverpool's Pepe Reina also managed 17 clean sheets, but Cech's sheets-to-game ratio means the Spaniard misses out.

And the club also received a special prize, the Barclays Merit Award, for their goalscoring exploits - their 103 league goals was the first time a team had broken a tonne since records began in 1992. The Blues are also the first team to break a century in the English top flight since Tottenham in 1962-63.

The newly-crowned Champions' attacking exploits have been simply breathtaking this season, finishing the season with an 8-0 victory over Wigan at Stamford Bridge.

But their monumental victory last time out was not their only goal-fest of the season. Carlo Ancelotti's side managed to score seven goals in home victories against Aston Villa, Stoke City and Sunderland, in a season in which they have proven their attacking pedigree.

Terry Trains With Blues

Chelsea captain John Terry has trained with the club as normal on Thursday, allaying fears regarding his fitness ahead of the World Cup.

The former England skipper suffered an injury scare on Wednesday while training, sparking concerns that he could miss this weekend's FA Cup final and that his World Cup chances were damaged.

First reports suggested that Terry had broken a metatarsal as he left Chelsea's Cobham training ground wearing a protective boot on his foot.

But the 29-year-old centre-half went to hospital for a precautionary scan which showed no break, and he arrived to train as normal on Thursday.

A spokesman for Chelsea said: "John Terry has started this morning's final training session at Cobham prior to the FA Cup final.

"On Friday the squad will train at Wembley."

Chelsea take on Portsmouth in the cup final on Saturday as they look to win the domestic double having clinched the Premier League title last weekend.

The news will come as a major boost to Blues fans as well as England manager Fabio Capello, who has a number of fitness doubts in central defence.

Mancienne May Leave Chelsea

Chelsea defender Michael Mancienne admits he may have to leave the club in order to play regular first team football.

The promising 22-year-old has spent a second season out on loan at Mick McCarthy's Wolves, where he helped the Midlands club remain in the Premier League during an impressive spell.

Mancienne proved to be a capable operator at the back or in a holding midfield role at Molineux, however the expiry of his deal means he is due to return to Stamford Bridge for pre-season training.

The England Under-21 international helped McCarthy's team reach the top flight two years ago and was able to return to the club following promotion.

And after gathering vital experience in the firing line, Mancienne fears it will be time to leave the club he supports - even though he doesn't want to.

Mancienne told the Daily Mirror: "I want to play for Chelsea, I want to be able to break into their first team but I know how much quality they've got in the side so it will be very difficult.

"But I'm 22 now, I've had two seasons out on loan at Wolves and had regular games and really enjoyed it. Now I want to be settled at one club so I know where my future is long-term and really try to push on.

"I'm a Chelsea fan, I've been at Chelsea since I was a kid, I've grown up at the club but it's hard for any young player to break into the team at a big club so I don't really know what's going to happen."

A move away from the London club may prove difficult for him, though, as he still has three years remaining on his contract with Carlo Ancelotti's side.

Mancienne received a shock call-up to Fabio Capello's senior England squad for a friendly against Germany last season and after representing the Three Lions at Under 16, 17, 19 and 21s level he is keen to break into the full international fold.

But the former QPR loanee knows that his ambitions will only be fulfilled by playing regularly - leading him to ponder his future during the close season.

He went on: "I've got three years left of my contract, I'm due to go back to Chelsea, start pre-season training again and take it from there.

"I'm at a stage of my career, though, where I need to be playing regularly because I've got big ambitions.

"I loved getting the call-up for England and of course I'd love to play for my country in the future and to do that I need to be playing games.

"If I go back to Chelsea for pre-season I'll be giving everything but I'd like to think it will either be with a chance of getting some games or maybe it's time to think about my future."

Didier Drogba would welcome Chelsea Move For Liverpool Striker Fernando Torres This Summer

Didier Drogba hopes that Chelsea can form a frightening strike force by signing Liverpool superstar Fernando Torres this summer.

The Ivory Coast international’s hat-trick against Wigan Athletic on Sunday earned him the Premier League Golden Boot as his 29 goals were three more than Manchester United hitman Wayne Rooney.

Despite the fact that Drogba and France international striker Nicolas Anelka scored 51 combined goals in all competitions this season, the Ivorian would be happy to pair up with Torres at Stamford Bridge next season.

"I have heard the talk about Torres maybe coming in and I would welcome it, of course,” Drogba told The Mirror.

"Every time there is a new player coming here it's making the club bigger and giving us a lot of strength.

"If there is a chance for him to come he will be welcome because any help is welcome!"

Chelsea have been after Torres since the striker helped Spain triumph at Euro 2008 and Blues chief executive Ron Gourlay will give manager Carlo Ancelotti some money to bolster the squad this summer.

The only club to make a legitimate run at Torres has been Manchester City but with the Spanish international frustrated with a disappointing season at Liverpool, Chelsea could take advantage and make a move for the 26-year-old.

Liverpool will be looking for upwards of £60million in exchange for Torres but Chelsea will be hesitant to pay any more than £40m.

Spanish Fight For Ashley Cole Won't Tempt Chelsea To Cash In On Prized Asset

Chelsea will not sell Ashley Cole at any price despite interest from Spain's two biggest clubs. Cole's future has been the subject of much speculation with both Real Madrid and Barcelona looking to sign him this summer.

It has been reported that the England left-back wants to leave Stamford Bridge because he has had enough of the intense scrutiny into his private life. The 29-year-old has come under fire for his behaviour off the pitch and regularly been featured on the front pages due to the break up of his marriage with Cheryl Cole.

It hasn't prevented him from having one of his best seasons for Chelsea and he played a key role in the club winning their first title for four years.

Jose Mourinho, who brought Cole to Chelsea from Arsenal in 2006, is expected to leave Inter Milan for Real this summer and is hoping to tempt his former player to Spain.

With reports that offers for Cole could reach £25million, Chelsea's desire to break even has led to talk they may cash in on the former Arsenal star to raise the funds they need to buy players such as Sergio Aguero or Fernando Torres.

But it is understood the club are not interested in listening to any bids for a player they consider to be “the best left-back in the world”.

The England international, who only signed a new four-year contract last September, also admits he is delighted to be playing for one of the best sides around. Chelsea's 8-0 win over Wigan on Sunday ensured they finished one point ahead of Manchester United and meant they scored a record 103 Premier League goals on their way to the title.

Cole believes that statistic shows the squad are full of flair, although he is just as proud of the way they grind out results when needed.

“On our day we are unbelievable,” said Cole, who claimed his first title winning medal as a Blue. “If we show fight and character we will beat anyone. The players are so dedicated here and are very professional. I am proud to be a Chelsea player.

“Everyone says about [the team] entertaining but we have beaten teams 6, 7 and 8-0. Everyone talks about the Arsenal and Manchester United teams and they do play good football but player for player we have one of the best teams in the world. Sometimes you don't have to entertain, you have to win and we have done it.

“I think [the club record 8-0 win against Wigan] has been coming. We have been beating teams 7-0 and we deserved to beat these teams by more. It happened against Wigan with a great performance. I came here to win medals and to win big trophies. This will shut a few people up. I have proved a few people wrong.”

Meanwhile, striker Didier Drogba has reiterated his desire to see out the rest of his career at Chelsea and has warned the club's rivals that he will be even better next season.

The 32-year-old scored a career high 29 League goals to win the Golden Boot ahead of Wayne Rooney this term.

He said: “This is the first time I have been at a club for six years and I feel at home. I have said before I want to stay at Chelsea for the rest of my career.

“I really feel season after season I'm getting better. I always keep working. I'm not Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo but I have my own qualities and I always try to improve.

“This is the best season of my career. My third year here I scored 33 goals, 20 in the League, but this season I have scored 29 in the League and 36 overall. It's amazing. When I start the season I always look to do better than the last one or the best season I have had. It's going to be difficult to do that next year but I think it's possible.”

Drogba's first target, though, is to ensure Chelsea finish the campaign with a historic Double by beating Portsmouth at Wembley on Saturday.

He added: “I want to finish the job with the FA Cup Final. To win the Double will mean a lot for the club and the players. It won't be easy because Portsmouth are really focused. It will be a happy ending for them if they win it.”

Carlo Ancelotti Sets Sights On Roma Striker Mirko Vucinic

Chelsea are readying a bid for Roma forward Mirko Vucinic this summer. Carlo Ancelotti is hoping that a bid in the region of £22m will be accepted by the Serie A club for the services of the Montenegro International who has been in fine form this season.

Roma have run Inter Milan very close in the domestic title race but could end up falling at the final hurdle but the fact that the Stadio Olimpico side have been able to challenge Jose Mourinho’s all conquering side has a lot to do with the amazing season Vucinic has had.

The lanky forward is having the best season of his career, netting 13 goals and assisting many others and whilst Claudio Ranieri will not want to lose the former Lecce man he may find it hard to prevent the 26 year old from wanting to make such a lucrative move to the Premier League champions.

Ancelotti is more than aware that his main strike pairing, Nicolas Anelka (more recently played out wide) and Didier Drogba are both 30 years and over and with that in mind the Italian is looking for longer term options for his Stamford Bridge attack.

Kalou: No Easy Game

So, just one more Chelsea game remains for Salomon Kalou before he heads off to prepare for his first World Cup Finals where the likes of Brazil and Portugal await as opponents.

Relegated Portsmouth may on the face of it look a very different proposition to national sides containing the likes of Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo and will be the underdogs as they line up against the Barclays Premier League-winning Blues, but Kalou remembers another recent FA Cup Final when Harry Redknapp's Pompey were the favourites.

Two years ago, the only FA Cup Final at the new Wembley not involving Chelsea, was an extremely tight affair between Championship side Cardiff and Saturday's opponents.

It was a close 1-0 victory for the south coast side, following a defensive game of football that saw few chances at either end.

'People think that because Portsmouth have been relegated and we are champions that it will be an easy game, but no, it won't,' insists Kalou.

'We have seen it before when a small team has made it difficult for the big team so we have to think about that, and as it is a cup final, it could last 90 minutes or it could last 120 minutes and we have to be ready for every situation. We must be prepared.'

This time it is Avram Grant and not Redknapp who will be guiding Portsmouth from the sidelines, the same Grant who led the Blues to a Carling Cup Final and the Champions League Final in 2008, although both games were lost.

'It will be good to see Avram again,' says Kalou, 'we had a good time with him here but now he's our opponent and we are ready to play the game.

'He will know the side but we will try our hardest to win the Double because it will make Chelsea history and we will be part of that history.

'Portsmouth will probably go 4-3-3 as well because that is what he [Grant] has played most of the time and they have the players for that system.

'But we are not focusing on what Portsmouth will be doing. We have to focus on ourselves.

'That's what we have been doing all season and now we have to finish that game well and the season well because it has been a very good season.'

Brooking Fearful Of Cole Chances

Sir Trevor Brooking fears Joe Cole could be facing World Cup heartbreak when Fabio Capello names his final squad for South Africa.

Chelsea midfielder Cole was a key figure for England before he suffered a knee injury in January last year, and he struggled to regain his place in the Blues' side once fit.

Three Lions boss Capello has nonetheless handed the 28-year-old the chance to book his ticket on the plane by naming him in an initial 30-man training squad.

But Brooking feels Cole, a player he managed during his brief stint as caretaker boss of West Ham, needs to impress or he will miss out when Capello settles on his final 23 next month.

"He was one of those who people thought were marginal because he hasn't rediscovered that form, Chelsea had a lot of momentum and Joe hadn't started a lot of the games," Brooking, the FA's director of football development, said.

"A year or so ago Joe would have been a certainty but he's one of those who will have to make an impact in the next two weeks because otherwise he could be one who misses out. So it's an important spell for Joe."

Brooking does feel there are still places in the squad up for grabs for some of Capello's wildcards, such as Adam Johnson, Scott Parker and Tom Huddlestone.

"There will be a lot of interesting battles," he added.

"Although you are there as a squad you don't want to be one of the seven who doesn't make the cut.

"Having watched Fabio for a couple of years he does put a lot of emphasis on what happens in training.

"He likes to try one or two things to look at players and I do think, at the moment, there are a couple of places that could go either way and he will make that decision at the end of that period."

Joe Cole Determined To Make England Squad

Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole has admitted that, after getting back into Fabio Capello's provisional England squad for the 2010 World Cup at the eleventh hour, he is determined to do everything in his power to ensure he is in the Italian's final 23.

Cole's domestic season with the Blues has been ravaged by injury, with the 28-year-old finding it difficult to force his way back into the Premier League champion's starting line-up after missing the first few months of the campaign with a long-term injury.

But given a last gasp chance to prove his worth at international level by Capello, Cole is determined to make the absolute maximum of the opportunity to play in another World Cup.

"I want to go to the training camp [in Austria], force my way into the final 23, then get in the first eleven, and then once I'm in that I'll be looking to win it," Cole told reporters.

"I'm ready, I'm fit. We've done a fitness test today and I'm the fittest player in the squad. I'm fresh and hungry and just want to get out there."

Before Cole can fly out with the rest of the England squad on Monday, however, there is the small matter of Saturday's FA Cup final against Portsmouth. And after scares this week about the fitness of defender John Terry, Cole admitted he was always confident the club captain would be fine for the Wembley game.

"I think, with JT, you would have to run him over a few times before he's not going to play," Cole said.

"I knew he was all right."

The Englishman's status at the club is currently uncertain, with his contract expiring at the end of the campaign and a new deal between club and player reportedly far from being agreed.

When asked about his future, Cole's hesitancy in his response suggests he is not fully expecting to ply his trade at Stamford Bridge next season.

"My future... the way I'm seeing it is I'm focusing on the cup final," Cole eventually stated.

John Terry's Father Admits Dealing Cocaine

Chelsea defender John Terry's father has today pleaded guilty to dealing cocaine.

Edward Terry, 56, of Chafford Hundred, Essex, admitted at Basildon Magistrates' Court to supplying a class A drug.

He was released on bail and will be sentenced at Basildon Crown Court on June 1.

Terry's lawyer claimed that his client was embarrassed about the upset he may have caused to his son, who himself has been the subject of much tabloid controversy this season.

The court was informed that Edward Terry had supplied £160 worth of cocaine to an undercover reporter in a wine bar in Chafford Hundred last year.

His lawyer claimed that he had been targeted by reporters because of his famous son.