Chelsea Close To Unleashing Gael Kakuta

Rarely has one player dominated the headlines to the extent that Chelsea’s Gael Kakuta grabbed the media’s attention in 2009. Twelve months on, Kakuta is ready to earn a more positive reaction. The Frenchman is still just 19 years of age, but his time in England has been nothing short of eventful since completing a switch from French side Lens in 2007.

After cutting his teeth with the Chelsea youth team, Kakuta’s world was turned upside down by controversy surrounding his transfer to Stamford Bridge. In 2009, the FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber banned Chelsea from buying players during the next two transfer windows while Kakuta received a four-month ban and a fine. Though the decision was later overturned, the saga thrust Kakuta into the spotlight. But the drama around the deal has not fazed him, though there were some tough patches when the bans were announced.

His talent has been obvious to everyone at the club and in late 2009 Ancelotti raved about his young star’s potential. The Italian said: At his age, I have never seen one player with his talent. He suffered for one or two weeks about the situation but he is a very good talent. His character is good. Technically, he is fantastic.

John Terry is considered to be the last player to rise from the club’s youth system and the defender has voiced his pleasure at witnessing Kakuta’s promise. Terry stated: It’s good to see not only for the management and the players but for the fans as well. Gael’s a real exciting talent. No one’s getting too carried away - Gael still has a lot to prove - but he’s a great young talent and he’s doing really well.

The recent 2010 UEFA European Under-19 Championships showcased the youngster’s all-round game. Playing on home soil, France made a fast start as Kakuta set them on the way to a 4-1 win over Holland in the group stage. He popped up again to save the day in the semi-final with the equalizer against Croatia. But he saved his most important contribution for the final against Spain. With the game locked at 1-1, Kakuta conjured up the assist for Alexandre Lacazette to strike a late winner. Having led his team to glory, Kakuta was named Golden Player for his fine displays in the tournament.

Of course, Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti is not short of quality options going forward, with Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka and Frank Lampard in the fold, plus Salomon Kalou and last season’s star Florent Malouda. But it will not have escaped the Italian’s notice that Kakuta is developing into a promising attacker. Just as Sir Alex Ferguson has been raving about the potential of Javier Hernandez and Federico Macheda, Chelsea coaches are said to be excited by Kakuta’s progress. Thus far, his first team appearances have been limited to one Champions League outing and a few cameos off the bench in the league and League Cup. Yet it is not a far fetched idea to think that the youngster might feature in the first team this year, especially as Drogba has had injury problems.

The departures of Joe Cole and Michael Ballack may also open up playing time for Kakuta. It is no secret that Chelsea needs some younger legs, especially when trying to unlock stubborn defences. Teams tend to opt for a 4-5-1 formation at Stamford Bridge, making it paramount that the Blues have players with the creativity to produce a moment of magic. And Ancelotti will need to shuffle his pack if Chelsea is to mount serious challenges on four fronts. While there would be benefits to be gained from allowing Kakuta to gain regular first team football out on loan, the attacker has made it clear he wants to stay and fight for playing time this season.

Chelsea are the team to beat this year after winning the Double last season, but with that comes additional pressure. And in Kakuta, they have a young star who will not be overawed by the big occasion. When the moment arrives, Kakuta will be itching to show the promise that caught Chelsea’s eye several years ago. Kakuta and Chelsea have been through some testing times together, but the Blues will soon reap the rewards. The young Frenchman could well be a key man for many years to come.

Chelsea Owner Roman Abramovich Behind Vitesse Takeover

Georgian businessman Merab Jordania was said to have taken over Eredivisie outfit Vitesse earlier this week, but according to a report in Quote, it’s none other than Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich who is behind the deal.

The financial magazine claimed that Jordania is little more than a puppet for Abramovich, quoting an anonymous friend of the Russian, who reportedly stated: “De facto, it is Roman who has bought Vitesse.”

It has been suggested that players from Chelsea’s reserve and youth teams could soon be making their way to Arnhem, though young Dutchman Jeffrey Bruma will not be one of them. “He is someone who could end up starting in the future,” the source revealed.

Vitesse are a club who have been plagued by financial difficulties over the last decade and have found times tougher during the recent global economic crisis. As a result, they’ve been forced to shed many first team players and have filled the squad with a number of youngsters.

Exactly why Jordania wanted to invest in an Eredivisie club has not been made clear and has certainly made it easy to cast a shadow over his recent successful takeover of the side who finished 14th in the Netherlands’ top flight last term.

Nicolas Anelka Labels French Federation Officials ‘Clowns’ After 18-Match Ban

Slapped with an 18-match national team suspension on Tuesday, France striker Nicolas Anelka has admitted to having simply laughed at his ban, which was handed to him by the FFF’s (French FA) disciplinary committee.

Anelka was suspended after a frank exchange of words with then-coach Raymond Domenech during the half-time interval of les Bleus’ World Cup encounter against Mexico spilled over into the press, with the result that the Chelsea star was sent home from the World Cup while his team-mates sat out training as a protest.

“For me, this whole thing with the commission of whatever it is an aberration, a masquerade to make sure they don't lose face,” he declared to France Soir. “They have punished a void, as Nicolas Anelka never existed in this pitiful and colourful affair. I repeat: the page with les Bleus was turned on June 19 when I was evicted from Knysna.

“They are real clowns, these people... I am doubled up with laughter.”

Michael Essien Flies Ghanaian Kids To Chelsea

Two Ghanaian kids Bismark Mensah and Jonathan Kwofie have been flown on a three-day visit to Chelsea Football Club in London under the aegis of the Michael Essien Foundation.

The boys will participate in a three-day residential camp from August 17 to 20. They are also scheduled to be part of mini-tournaments aimed at honing their football talents along with other kids at the club.

“I am proud that we have been able to help these boys live their dream, which is what the Michael Essien Foundation is all about,” the midfield general said in a statement.

“We have been working hard behind the scenes and with the help of Chelsea Football Club we will be giving the boys hope and inspiration – a key message of the foundation.

“A very big thank you to everyone at Chelsea Football Club & Chelsea Foundation for being so kind and generous – especially everyone directly involved in this small project of giving the boys a chance to realize their dream. I am truly grateful,” he stated.

The Ghanaian youngsters will be taken on a tour of Stamford Bridge and other places of interest.

Ancelotti: Continuity Away From Home

Carlo Ancelotti may have started the season with a 6-0 win but he's still looking at areas for improvement on the last campaign.

Last season was a phenomenal year for the Blues, ending in the Double, but Ancelotti remembers early troubles away from home, beginning with a 3-1 loss last September against Wigan, our next opponents.

A 2-1 defeat at Villa Park soon followed, which is why Ancelotti is keen to avert any troubles outside of Stamford Bridge with the focused football that ended our last campaign.

'They didn't start well [against Wigan last year],' explained the Italian, 'but we have to learn to play against teams with strong motivation.

'Our aim is to show continuity away from home. Although we did very well last season, away we had some problems. We need to change the direction of this.'

Ancelotti knows just how important it is to start the season with a victory, explaining how the beginning of last year's campaign was instrumental in winning the League.

'Last season we started well and won the first six games - that was key to winning the title.

'We want the same this season and we have started very well. Now we need to look to the next game.

'It's good to think game-by-game. Every game could be difficult, so it is important to stay focused.

'These players can certainly repeat the same season [as last year] but our aim is to do better if it's possible.

'We have started better than last year, showing more confidence, and I think we can do better.'

And with side boasting the likes of Drobga, whose hat-trick proved he's ready to carry on where he left off last year, Chelsea fans world-wide will be truly excited by the start to 2010/11.

'I have been happy to work with a lot of strikers, but it is difficult to find one with the continuity of Drogba,' added Ancelotti.

'Drogba is fit, he does not have problems physically, he is professional, so he can play for a lot of years but the most important thing is the mentality, to be happy to train, to be happy to play - Didier is that kind of man.'

Chelsea Target Decides On Move Today

Chelsea target Neymar will decide today whether to complete a £24m move to the Premier League.

The Brazilian wonderkid was having talks with his family last night over his future after Chelsea made an improved offer.

Santos are holding out for the £29.6m buy-out clause in his contract and have threatened to report Chelsea to Fifa for “tapping up” the teenager.

But Neymar’s agent Wagner Ribiero said: “Neymar is meeting with his family, and they will decide what they want. Then we will have a conversation with Santos. Everything will be decided this week.”

Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck has strongly denied Santos’ claims, saying: “There was no tapping up from Chelsea, and I want to be clear on that.

“We are looking at several young Brazilian players, and he is one of the players we have been looking at. Whether he becomes a Chelsea player at some point, who knows?”

Bayern Munich Eye Chelsea Starlet Gael Kakuta

Bayern Munich are set to steal Chelsea youngster Gael Kakuta with the offer of a regular first team spot, according to The People.

Kakuta, 19, rose to fame last season after his transfer from Lens came under the scrutiny of FIFA.

The starlet has begun to make waves on the pitch now and was the stand out player in France's European Championship under-19s side.

This form has alerted Bayern to the attacker's talent and they are prepared to offer him a way out of the Blues' reserves.

After making just one Premier League appearance last term, Kakuta is understood to be ready to test manager Carlo Ancelotti's resolve to keep him.

Chelsea On The Verge Of Making £4.5m Offer To Stoke City For Asmir Begovic

Chelsea are believed to be readying an offer of £4.5 million for the services of Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.

The shaky form shown by Petr Cech's understudies, Henrique Hilario and Ross Turnbull, was previously reported to have been the cause behind the Blues' hunt for another shot-stopper.

In the meantime, the Potters boss Tony Pulis recently admitted that there had been enquiries from west London, but insisted that the 23-year-old is not for sale.

However, the Daily Mail claims that Roman Abramovich's outfit will put Stoke's resolve to the test by proposing a £4.5m offer in exchange of the services of the former Portsmouth 'keeper.

Begovic joined his current club in the winter transfer window last season, but recent reports point towards the player making a move if he is not the first-choice shot-stopper at the Britannia Stadium.

Real Madrid Ready To Launch £10 Million Swoop For Chelsea Striker Didier Drogba

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho is planning to launch an audacious bid to be reunited with Didier Drogba by offering £10 million for the Chelsea frontman.

The Portuguese tactician returned to his former club last week to complete the £6.7 million capture of Ricardo Carvalho, and now - according to The Sunday People - he hopes to take the Ivorian captain to the Bernabeu.

However, Chelsea are unlikely to discuss a potential departure for last year's top scorer in the Premier League and will rebuff any move from the Spanish giants as they did with Ashley Cole earlier this summer.

Drogba, who has won three Premier League titles and three FA Cups since joining Chelsea six years ago, forged a close bond with Mourinho during their time together at Stamford Bridge and may be interested in a switch to Spain.

Mourinho will be hoping that the chance to link up with his former boss will prove too much of an attraction for the former Marseille man, and believes a £10 million bid will be enough to sway the Chelsea hierarchy to part company with their prolific striker.

Petr Cech Plays Down Talk Of Reunion With Jose Mourinho At Real Madrid

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has quashed rumours that he is on the verge of leaving Stamford Bridge to join Real Madrid.

Cech has been linked with a move to rejoin old boss Jose Mourinho at the Bernabeu as well as teaming up with Ricardo Carvalho who has already made the move.

Mourinho signed Portuguese defender Carvalho for £6.7 million having convinced him to come to Spain and the Real Madrid coach is rumoured to be attempting to persuade Chelsea’s number one to do the same.

However Cech has rejected claims that he has been in contact with Mourinho and also questioned whether Real need a goalkeeper to replace World Cup winner Iker Casillas.

"There are more of us here who were with Chelsea while [Jose] Mourinho was in charge. So the media could speculate about many players. You should never say never, but we have not spoken with Jose [Mourinho].” Cech told Pravo.

"If you take a look at Real's [Madrid] squad, you see that the goalkeeper's position is the only place where they have not had any reason to change anything."

Meanwhile Chelsea has been quiet in this summers transfer window with Yossi Benayoun and Ramires the two notable signings.

Midfielders Joe Cole and Michael Ballack have also left the club but Cech is confident that more new faces could arrive before the end of the transfer window.

"It is normal that in such a big club like Chelsea someone comes in and someone leaves," argued the former Rennes keeper.

"There may be some more activity yet because the transfer window is still open. Still someone might arrive."

Chelsea PR Plan To Keep Real Madrid Target Ashley Cole At Stamford Bridge

Booed by England fans at Wembley and jeered by West Bromwich Albion supporters on his own patch, Ashley Cole's low opinion of England and it's people is unlikely to have changed during the past week.

This season promises to be Ashley Cole's most challenging to date, not that he already hasn't had a few.

Cole is certainly no stranger to the role of pantomime villain, he has been type cast ever since his defection from Arsenal to Chelsea, right through the public playing-out of his marriage break-up and up to his part in England's failure in South Africa.
Little wonder the chance of a reunion with Jose Mourinho at the Bernabeu holds plenty of appeal.

Despite Carlo Ancelotti's insistence that Cole is going nowhere, Mourinho has not given up hope of bringing the 29-year-old full-back to Real Madrid.

Chelsea are certainly willing to pull out the stops to ensure Cole will not be banging on his manager's door in the next fortnight demanding a move to the Spanish capital.

The plan, as Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck explained, is to help restore Cole's battered public image with a little profile lowering.

Buck said: 'I think Ashley is fine. He is great around the club, is polite and helpful. We're not involved in his private life but we support him to a certain extent if we can.

'You would be unhappy too if you got the treatment he is getting by the media. He doesn't like that but I don't think it will be any different if he was in Spain or Italy.

'He has just got to work a little bit, with our help, on improving his image. He is a great player and everyone loves to watch him play and we just look forward like that. We do [rally around him] at executive level, as do the other players and management. We will do the best we can.'

Quite how Chelsea intends to perform this radical image makeover remains to be seen. It will be certainly easier said than done with a player who was pictured with a bevy of scantily beauties on his recent holiday in Los Angeles and who headed straight to paparazzi infested haunt, China White, immediately upon returning from Chelsea's pre-season trip to Germany.

Persuading Cole that it might wise to opt for a quiet night in rather than a night at the latest West End celebrity haunt will, therefore, be no mean feat. But if Chelsea is to engineer a seismic shift in public opinion then their only hope is to ensure the column inches Cole occupies are at the back of newspapers rather than the front.

Ensuring Cole is not the player opposition fans love to hate will be a long drawn out affair and will require the full cooperation of the player himself. It may just transpire that Cole decides the easiest way to shed his bad-boy image is to up sticks to a country where he can leave the baggage in the departure lounge.

Until then expect the boo boys to be in good voice at every ground up and down the country, starting at Wigan's DW stadium this Saturday.

Asian Stars Back At The Academy

Winners of this year's Asian Soccer Star contest were at Cobham last week as they underwent their trials with the Chelsea Academy.

The three-day trials were incorporated into the Academy's Summer Camps, which act as a pre-season for the youngsters signed on in our younger age groups.

While none of the boys attending did quite enough to be signed on, it was good news for Under 9 winner Adam Aziz who has been invited back to be a part of our elite training centre program, where he can be closely monitored by Chelsea staff.

Kelan Patel, trialling with our Under 11s, told Chelsea TV how much he had enjoyed the experience.

'We had lots of tests, and it's fun but really hard sometimes, but the coach is really nice and helpful,' said the young midfielder. 'I learned there are better players out there. In my Sunday league there are good players but not as good. I thought this would be easier but there are loads of really good players.'

Chelsea's Academy project manager Darren Grace oversaw the trials, and was impressed by the lads.

'All of them have done okay, they trained on Tuesday, Wednesday was a games day so we had a series of games they took part in, and on Thursday it was another day of training, with lots of practices and drills they won't have been used to,' he explained. 'From what I have seen they have coped well and certainly haven't looked out of place.

'The standard here is extremely high, and it is getting tougher and tougher. The good thing about the Academy here at the minute is that the scouts are doing a fantastic job bringing in players from different backgrounds and cultures and the Search for an Asian Soccer Star is another scouting tool. All the lads were told we'd monitor them and that they should try and play at the highest level they can and to keep working hard. They all coped well and did themselves and their families proud!'

For 2010, we opened the contest up to six age groups, adding Under 8s, 9s and 10s to the Under 11s, 12s and 13s competition that took place in 2009. This, Grace explained, was to help us nurture potential players from an earlier age.

'We've had more age groups this year, we started younger because we felt if we could find them at a younger age we have more time to help them develop and grow an affinity with Chelsea Football Club and the way we do things,' he said. 'Then, if any of them are ultimately good enough to join the Academy it is better that they come in as early as possible.'

Match Report: Chelsea 6 - 0 West Brom

Double winners Chelsea fired an early warning to their Barclays Premier League title rivals as Didier Drogba smashed a hat-trick in their opening-day thrashing of new boys West Brom at Stamford Bridge.

Florent Malouda set the Blues on their way after only six minutes, with Drogba's free-kick extending the lead on the stroke of half-time.

It was more one-way traffic after the restart, as the Ivory Coast striker netted from close range with Frank Lampard making it 4-0 just after the hour.

Drogba's deflected effort and a last-minute strike from Malouda sealed an emphatic win for the champions, who put last week's 3-1 defeat by Manchester United in the Community Shield at Wembley firmly behind them.

Despite being outplayed, West Brom and their manager Roberto Di Matteo, the former Chelsea midfielder, deserve credit for continuing to display some good passing football, but which tellingly lacked a cutting edge in the final third.

Chelsea had got off to a flying start when they took the lead after only six minutes.

Malouda was tripped by Pablo Ibanez on the edge of the West Brom box.

Keeper Scott Carson spilled Drogba's free-kick straight to John Obi Mikel, whose follow-up effort was blocked. The ball then dropped straight to Malouda, who could not miss.

The champions were in full flow, with Ashley Cole whipping a low ball across the six-yard box after another surge down the left.

However, the conditions worsened, and fit again Chelsea keeper Petr Cech had to be at full stretch to touch away Graham Dorrans' deflected effort.

The visitors, who finished second behind Newcastle in the Championship last season, continued to try to take the game to Chelsea, putting together some promising passing moves.

Czech striker Roman Bednar smashed a fine finish into the roof of the Chelsea net on 18 minutes, but the offside flag had already gone up for what looked a marginal decision.

Cole then drew some predictable jeers from the travelling fans when he went to take a throw-in - but the boo-boys were soon drowned up by the home faithful showing the England defender their full support.

After a drop in tempo, Chelsea slowly started to find their rhythm again.

Gabriel Tamas fouled Drogba, giving Chelsea another chance to deliver a ball into the West Brom box.

Lampard struck his 20-yard shot well and Carson parried, but this time Malouda could not keep his follow-up on target as he sent a looping header over.

It was, though, 2-0 just before the break.

Youssouf Mulumbu tripped Michael Essien and this time Drogba smashed his free-kick through the wall and into the bottom corner.

The conditions improved for the second half, allowing both teams to pass the ball quickly.

On 53 minutes, Scotland midfielder Dorrans chipped a free-kick over the wall, but the ball dropped onto the top of the net.

Chelsea then moved 3-0 ahead when Drogba bundled in his second.

John Terry flicked Malouda's inswinging corner goalwards and Mulumbu hacked it off the line, but the ball was not cleared and Drogba, who won the Golden Boot with 29 goals last season, was alert to smash it in from close range.

Lampard walked in a fourth on 63 minutes after a clever exchange between Nicolas Anelka and Cole down the left.

The England midfielder, who had been carrying a slight ankle problem, was then replaced by Yossi Benayoun, as the Israeli made is debut following a summer move from Liverpool - who were described as a "small club somewhere north of the M25" by Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck in his program notes, hitting back at comments by Joe Cole following his free transfer summer move to Anfield.

On 68 minutes, Drogba completed his hat-trick with a 20-yard effort which cannoned off Tamas and flew into the bottom corner past a wrong-footed Carson.

The Ivory Coast striker was then given a well-deserved break when he was replaced by countryman Salomon Kalou.

Malouda whipped a 20-yard free-kick over the wall and bar, while Alex flicked a rising shot from Chris Brunt over the bar to deny the visitors a late consolation.

Neymar Denies Chelsea Deal

Santos striker Neymar has dismissed claims he has already signed a contract with Chelsea after Carlo Ancelotti hailed the teenager as a 'fantastic player'.

Neymar, who scored on his Brazil debut against the United States in midweek, has been heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge before the close of the transfer window.

Chelsea have seen an offer rejected by Santos and the Brazilian club's president has threatened to report the Premier League champions to Fifa regarding their pursuit of the 18-year-old.

There have been claims that Neymar has agreed personal terms with the Blues, but the promising forward is adamant that is not the case.

"I'm very happy to be remembered by a great team, but Santos is my place at the moment," Neymar told reporters.

"I want to stay at Santos, win more titles here and, who knows, leave in the future.

"That whole story that people are saying about Chelsea did not reach me until now. I don't know anything about it."

Blues boss Ancelotti is unaware of Santos' threat to report the club to Fifa, but acknowledged his admiration for Neymar.

Ancelotti said: "I know nothing about this. He is a fantastic player, but he is not a Chelsea player now and it's difficult for me to speak about this.

"What happened after, I am not interested. I can only speak about his technical quality.

"We are interested in all the young players that come through all over the world. Neymar is one of these, but this doesn't mean we have to buy this player."

Chelsea Ready To Dig Deep To Bring Benzema To Stamford Bridge

Chelsea are rumoured to be ready to make a significant bid to bring Real Madrid misfit Karim Benzema to Stamford Bridge. Carlo Ancelotti is looking to bring in more youthful attacking options as he sees the likes of Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka entering the latter stages of their illustrious careers.

The Blues boss was apparently greatly displeased with his sides showing in the Community Shield encounter with Manchester United and as a result is looking to spend big to help beef up his squad ahead of the new season. Jose Mourinho may well be looking at offloading the French international and there were rumours that a deal to bring Ashley Cole to the Bernabeu could have been tied into such an approach but Ancelotti has no desire to sell the full back so will instead try to get the former Lyon man in a straight cash deal.

The young forward hasn’t had the best of times at the La Liga giants and only managed 18 starts in all competitions last term and spend long spells on the bench. There is no sign that the new Real boss will be looking to push him back up the pecking order so if a big enough bid came in then it would surely be considered.

The 22 year old missed out on French World Cup squad due to his lack of first team action and is currently embroiled in a sex scandal that has rocked his home country. He may well therefore be keen on a fresh start and a new challenge.

Real Madrid will be looking to recoup as much of the £34m outlay they spent last summer and Roman Abramovich is apparently more than happy to fund new additions and the west London side haven’t really spent big at all so far this summer, having only spent money on Yossi Benayoun, so clearly funds won’t be an issue.

Wigan To Poach Chelsea Youngster

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez is set to sign Argentinian striker Franco Di Santo from Chelsea on a season-long deal.

Martinez has made an official approach for Di Santo as Jason Scotland’s replacement and the forward’s agent flew in from South America to open talks yesterday.

Di Santo had a loan spell at Blackburn last season that started promisingly but faded away when he was left out of Sam Allardyce’s side.

Chelsea wanted to sell Di Santo but there have been no takers.

Bolton backed off because they could not get a straight answer while Feyenoord and Twente Enschede cooled their interest.

Martinez wants to pair Di Santo with countryman Mauro Boselli and use his intelligent front-running.

Where Will Ramires Slot In Alongside Chelsea's Existing Midfield Options?

As erstwhile police detective Lester Freamon advises throughout the critically acclaimed American television series The Wire, "All the pieces matter". And in £16 million Brazilian Ramires, it seems Carlo Ancelotti has found another one he believes will play a significant role in helping his Chelsea squad try to retain their Premier League crown.

If some pundits thought the Blues' rush to the title last season showed their squad to be in rude health, then Ancelotti seemingly didn't agree — at least in midfield. The club has operated ruthlessly and efficiently to remodel their midfield ranks this summer — releasing seasoned campaigners Michael Ballack, Joe Cole and Juliano Belletti, while Deco has joined Fluminense, with Ancelotti showing little remorse before introducing the subtley different skillset of Yossi Benayoun and now the 23-year-old Brazilian in replacement.

The question, then, is how these pieces — both new and old — will be utilized next season. With Ancelotti likely to stick predominantly to the 4-3-3 formation that worked so well in the latter stages of last season(with one holding midfielder sitting behind two box-to-box central operators, themselves deeper than the two wingers working behind Drogba), he now has plenty of ways of filling that mould.

A return to the diamond formation the former AC Milan manager has long put his faith in is not impossible, despite memories of its failings when used to start last season — if only to cause opponents some tactical uncertainty. That system, in midfield at least, is not markedly different from the 4-3-3 but does require an adept playmaker to slot in adeptly at the tip to work effectively (something that couldn't be done last year).

Chelsea Players Are At War With Abramovic

Chelsea stars kick off the new season on Saturday at war with owner Roman Abramovich.

The billionaire Russian has infuriated his Double winners by scrapping and slashing the squad's bonuses.

A Chelsea insider said: "The players are furious and there is a huge row going on behind the scenes.

"They're champions and are rewarded with a pay cut - it's hardly a great way to motivate them.

"It was a big shock and they're not happy. Now they're going into the season under a cloud."

Stunned Blues players - who face West Brom in Saturday's Premier League opener - were given the news at a meeting with director Eugene Tenebaum and chief executive Ron Gourlay.

They were told Rom has done away with all appearance bonuses and cash tied to performances and results.

The only bonuses this term will be for WINNING the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup or Carling Cup. And they will get nowhere near previous season's figures.

Our insider added: "They thought it was it was just a normal pre-season meeting.

"But instead they were told it was all change and most of the bonuses they'd enjoyed had been scrapped or reduced."

Malouda: A Taste For Success

Florent Malouda has not been back to Stamford Bridge since lifting the Premier League trophy on May 9. Two months on he is desperate for another go, but knows we face a long battle to retain our crown.

The winger sparkled and shone for much of last season, rightly earning the Player's Player of the Year award as he helped us to the Double and a record number of goals scored in one season.

Now the time has come to stop reflecting on those successes and ensure that by May 2011, we are in celebratory mood once more.

'Even if the trophy is heavy it is a real pleasure to have it and it was a very hard season for us last year, we had a struggle to get it, but that's the way it is, it doesn't come easy but once you get it you realize you did a great thing. Now we want it again,' said the Frenchman, before admitting we begin the campaign in less than ideal shape after a tricky pre-season period.

'It has been a tough pre-season. I think when you come back from a big event like the World Cup you must quickly switch on in your mind,' he explained. 'It has been a short pre-season, we didn't have good results but that's normal, because there were too many differences.

'Some players were back on July 5, others had longer holidays because we know the season will be long, so the most important thing is at the beginning of the season when maybe we are not 100 percent as a team to work on the confidence, work hard, defend well and then be really efficient in front of goal, that's how to prepare the next good moments.

'Winning is a habit but you have to prepare yourself to win, the season is very long, especially the Premier League. It is a good taste when you are winning and celebrating on the pitch but you must never forget the basics, so for me, the most important thing is to start right, get back to the basics, get the confidence back and you can keep on winning.'

We currently have three straight league wins and many will be expecting us to add to that in grand fashion against newly-promoted West Brom at the Bridge on Saturday afternoon, given the goalscoring form in which we ended the last campaign.

Does Malouda believe we can be quite so prolific once more in 2010/11, or was our record 142 goals last term, 103 of them in the Premier League, a one-off?

'We shouldn't forget that achievement, it was a record, and because we are competitors we must have the aim to beat our own record,' argues the 30-year-old. '. It won't be easy but I think we have the quality and the strength to score even more goals. That will be the best way to keep the Premier League at Stamford Bridge.'

Ancelotti - Title Will Be Harder To Win

Chelsea's players begin their Barclays Premier League title defence on Saturday with a stark warning from manager Carlo Ancelotti that they will have to work much harder than last year if they are to hold on to their crown.

Chelsea welcome Roberto Di Matteo's West Brom to Stamford Bridge in Saturday’s late game as they look to build on the league and cup double which the Italian achieved in his first season at the helm.

This year's title race looks set to be one of the most open in years. Tottenham will be brimming with confidence after they broke the monopoly of the 'big four' by finishing fourth last season while Arsenal and Liverpool have both made good acquisitions this summer.

Manchester United easily beat the Blues in the Community Shield last week while their neighbours City look strong after their summer spending spree to which Mario Balotelli was added last night.

"It will be more difficult to win the title this year," said Ancelotti.

"It is not enough to be like last year; we will need to work harder.

"Manchester United will be our biggest rivals.

"They have quality, tradition and history but I know that we have to pay attention to the other teams.

"Arsenal bought a fantastic striker in (Marouane) Chamakh, Liverpool has a new manager, they could be a strong opponent, and we have to look at Manchester City because they bought a lot of good players and they have to build a team. They could be involved in the title race."

The Blues' bid was boosted by the signing last night of Brazil midfielder Ramires from Benfica.

The 23-year-old has joined on a four-year contract having received a work permit and passed a medical.

The Blues are thought to have paid £18.2million for the energetic and versatile midfielder.

Ancelotti has predicted a bright future for the 23-year-old, who represented his country at the World Cup.

"He is a fantastic player," Ancelotti said.

"He will be the future of the Brazil national team and I hope he will be the future of Chelsea.

"He won't have any problems adapting to the English game because he is not Brazilian 100%. Because usually a Brazilian doesn't like to run, he likes to play football. He is a runner."

Ancelotti was hit by the departure of defender Ricardo Carvalho to Real Madrid this week. The Portuguese, who played a key role in Chelsea's title win last year, had come to an agreement with the club a year ago to let him move on this summer, much to his former manager's dismay.

"Everyone was disappointed Carvalho left because Carvalho did very well for six years at the club," said Ancelotti.

"His desire was to leave this club to try new emotion, new experience."

Carvalho's departure does not mean that Ancelotti will be making a move to sign a replacement, though, effectively quashing any rumours linking the club with Benfica centre half David Luiz.

Ancelotti said: "As a centre-back, we have (John) Terry, (Branislav) Ivanovic, Alex and (Jeffrey) Bruma. We are okay. We do not need anyone else."

Chelsea Get First Refusal On Fluminense Stars As Part Of Deco Deal

Chelsea have been given first refusal of Fluminense’s youth players as a condition of Deco’s transfer to the Brazilian club.

The Portuguese midfielder was released with a year left on his contract at Stamford Bridge and subsequently signed a two-year deal with Fluminense in August.

According to The Daily Mail, Chelsea’s scouts have been invited to Fluminense's academy in Rio de Janeiro to asses their promising youngsters.

Notable graduates of Fluminense's youth system include Manchester United’s Rafael and Fabio da Silva, who were picked up by Sir Alex Ferguson’s side when they were 15.

Brazil Under-17 forward Wellington Silva is another product of their academy and he will join Arsenal in January when he turns 18.

Match Preview: Chelsea vs. West Brom

Chelsea begins the defence of their Premier League title with a home game against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday evening.

The Blues won an historic league and FA Cup Double last season, but go into the new campaign short on momentum after a disappointing pre-season campaign – where they won just once – was capped off by defeat to Manchester United in the Community Shield.

Defeats to Ajax, Hamburg and Eintracht Frankfurt before their loss to the Red Devils at Wembley caused concerns for manager Carlo Ancelotti, who has also had fitness worries over a number of his key players in recent weeks.

There are likely to be new faces at Stamford Bridge – the likes of Ramires and Neymar are being heavily linked to the Blues – before the end of August, but it is the current crop that needs to get the season off to a winning start.

And despite their problems before the big kick-off, few will be betting against a Chelsea victory on home soil as the serious business gets under way.

The Blues, who scored over 100 league goals in 2009/10, have won their last 10 matches against Saturday’s opponents and it will be a major upset if that sequence is not extended to 11.

West Brom have certainly been the 'yo-yo' club of the 21st century so far, being promoted four times from the Championship and relegated back to the second tier on three occasions.

That means they are now starting a new season in a different division for the eighth time in ten campaigns.

The Baggies did buck the trend and dramatically stay in the top-flight on the final day of the 2004-05 season, but the odds are against them repeating that feat this time around - the bookies rate them as the second most likely side to go down, behind only Blackpool.

Boss Roberto Di Matteo has signed Boaz Myhill, Nicky Shorey, Pablo Ibanez and Steven Reid over the summer, as well as securing Gabriel Tamas on a permanent deal ahead of what is set to be a long struggle against the drop.

Games against the likes of Chelsea will not be the ones which decide the Baggies’ fate, though, so anything they do pick up will be considered a bonus and this may be a good time to play the champions with their worries over form and fitness.

In all likelihood, though, Di Matteo will already have one eye on next week’s home game against Sunderland as his search for around 40 Premier League points begins.

FORM GUIDE

Chelsea 1-3 Manchester United
Hamburg 2-1 Chelsea
Eintracht Frankfurt 2-1 Chelsea
Ajax 3-1 Chelsea
Crystal Palace 0-1 Chelsea

West Brom 1-1 Osasuna
Coventry City 1-1 West Brom
Doncaster Rovers 1-0 West Brom
Bristol Rovers 0-1 West Brom
VVV Venlo 1-2 West Brom

TEAM NEWS

Chelsea

Chelsea are hoping that goalkeeper Petr Cech will be fit enough to return in time for the game, after problems with a calf injury meant Henrique Hilario and Ross Turnbull stood in for him throughout pre-season.

Didier Drogba should be fit enough to play a full part in proceedings after being restricted to a substitute appearance in the Community Shield, although Alex is out with a thigh problem and Ricardo Carvalho has joined Real Madrid.

That means Branislav Ivanovic is set to continue in the centre of defence alongside John Terry, with Paulo Ferreira at right-back.

Possible Starting XI: Cech; Ferreira, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole; Mikel, Essien, Lampard; Anelka, Drogba, Malouda.

West Brom

West Brom’s main injury concern comes in the form of key player Graham Dorrans, who had to pull out of Scotland’s midweek friendly against Sweden with a groin strain.

He will be assessed in the run up to kick-off, as will new signing Pablo Ibanez, who looks likely to recover from a minor problem that forced him to withdraw from last week’s friendly with Osasuna after the warm-up.

Possible Starting XI: Carson, Jara, Tamas, Ibanez, Shorey; Mulumbu, Brunt; Morrison, Dorrans, Thomas; Bednar.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Chelsea

Didier Drogba scored 37 goals in a sensational 2009-10 season as he helped Chelsea to the Double - a return which saw him finish 11th in the Goal.com 50.

After his World Cup and pre-season campaign were disrupted by injury, though, the Ivorian will be desperate to make up for lost time and get off to a goalscoring start.

A home game against newly promoted opposition gives him the perfect chance to do just that.

West Brom

Scott Carson has a big season ahead of him as he aims to get back into the England set-up after David James was dropped and Paul Robinson retired from the international scene.

The Baggies shot stopper is likely to be busy on Saturday and will need to be on top of his game if the visitors are to pick up anything from their trip to west London.

Kalou: This Season Could Be Last Opportunity For Chelsea’s Ageing Squad To Win Champions League

Saloman Kalou believes that the forthcoming season could be this Chelsea squad’s last chance of winning the Champions League.

Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka, John Terry and Ashley Cole will all be in their 30s when the season draws to a close, but Kalou thinks they can all put disappointing World Cup campaigns behind them to inspire their club this season.

"That's the reason why we should win, we should go for every challenge," the 25-year-old Ivory Coast international told the Guardian.

"And I think this season will be a great season for Chelsea because this may be the last opportunity for us to win the Champions League or to win more prizes together. Everyone is concerned by that and we have a decent goal and this team is willing to do their best to achieve all those trophies.

“We have good professionals in the team, good experience and people are hungry to win because, at the World Cup, it was not so good for everyone at Chelsea. They have that hunger to win games because we know that the World Cup was a disappointment for everyone."

Kalou feels the team will also benefit from the return of midfielder Michael Essien, who played in the community shield against Manchester United.

"We know how important he is for the team, how important he can be to the whole season, because having him in the team is a bonus," Kalou said.

He also dismissed Chelsea’s poor pre season, blaming the World Cup for disrupting the club’s preparations.

"Some players came in at different moments [from the World Cup], and some players didn't train for one week, so they need time to be fit. It can be a problem but we have the players and the experience of these kind of competitions. I think they will be ready for Saturday, I have no doubt of that."

Chelsea Complete Ramires Signing After Successful Tribunal Appeal

Chelsea have been given the go-ahead to complete the £18.2m transfer of the Brazil midfielder Ramires from Benfica after the player was granted a work permit at a tribunal today.

The clearance came this afternoon after the Chelsea assistant manager, Ray Wilkins, and the club secretary, Dave Barnard, attended a hearing in London and argued their case for Ramires to receive a permit under the special circumstances clause, given that he has not played the required 75% of games for Brazil over the past two years.

The panel sanctioned the signing of the 23-year-old widely recognized as one of the most sought-after young talents in the game. The Brazilian is expected to arrive in London on Saturday to complete the paperwork, although he is unlikely to be considered for the visit of West Bromwich Albion to Stamford Bridge.

City To Pip Chelsea To David Luiz Signing

Manchester City are beating Chelsea in the race to land Benfica’s £27 million-rated Brazilian centre half David Luiz.

City are willing to outbid the double winners in the chase for the curly-haired defender who is now a priority signing for both of the Premier League giants.

Luiz has been lined up by Chelsea as a replacement for Real Madrid new boy Ricardo Carvalho, but City believes they will win the race - even if it means paying over the odds for a player yet again.

Coach Roberto Mancini wants Luiz signed quickly to let him sort out his defence and then push out some well-known faces when he trims his squad to 25 for the Premier League rules.

City already have a handful of top centre halves but Mancini believes Luiz, who also plays left back, is the answer and negotiations are at an advanced stage.

Luiz’s signing would push the likes of Vincent Kompany and Joleon Lescott down the pecking order as Mancini and his team put the squeeze on Mark Hughes’s signings.

The news that City have stepped up their bid will be a blow for Chelsea who have seen the Arab-backed outfit move ahead of them in the signing stakes - with this a potentially major reminder of that wealth.

Luiz will have City’s promise to weigh up against Chelsea’s status, but both the player and his handlers - who are used to dealing with both clubs - could go where the money is instead.

Both City and Chelsea hope to make progress on their moves over the weekend, with Luiz back from international duty with Brazil in America.

It is also an extraordinary fee for a player who has barely got into the Brazil side but most experts tip him as a star of the next decade.

Chelsea's Neymar Interest Confirmed By Carlo Ancelotti

Carlo Ancelotti, the Chelsea manager, has confirmed that he would like to sign the Brazil striker Neymar from Santos.

Chelsea has antagonized the Brazilian club with their determined approach to the transfer, with Santos threatening to report them to Fifa for "unethical" conduct and "harassment".

"I know nothing about this," said Ancelotti, whose club has already had a £17m bid for the 18-year-old rejected. "I can only speak about his technical quality. He is a fantastic player.

"We are interested in all the young players that come through all over the world and Neymar is one of these but this doesn't mean we have to buy this player."

France U-19 Star Gueida Fofana: I Want To Join Gael Kukuta At Chelsea

Team captain of France's Under-19 European Championship winning side and tracked by Europe's elite, Gueida Fofana, the midfielder of Le Havre has delivered an exclusive interview to Goal.com about his future.

Goal.com: About your future, you are tracked by big clubs (Chelsea, Liverpool)...

Gueida Fofana: Yes, there are big European teams interested in me. Honestly, this is very pleasing. But I will ask to leave Le Havre. I need a good sports project behind the club to allow me to progress, with a framework that helps me improve.

Currently under contract, would you leave if a club makes an offer that Le Havre can’t refuse? And what club would you go to? Chelsea?

Yes, it's true [I would leave]. Obviously, playing at a big club tempts me, but I do not really have a favourite destination. As I said, I want a club that proposes a good sports project.

Would it make you happy to play with France Under-19 team-mate Gael Kukuta at Chelsea?

(Laughing) Yes, of course it would make me happy. As well as with Gilles [Sunu] at Arsenal, Francis [Coquelin] in Lorient or Chris [Mavinga] in Liverpool. To go to a club where there is already one of my [international] team-mates, it would be nice, for sure. I'll be happy if there is a beautiful sports project for me. But playing with Gael, of course it would make me happy.

Are you not afraid you would ‘polish the bench’ if you left Le Havre for a big European team?

Sure, it is not easy. I must weigh up the pros and cons. But that does not scare me. The important thing is that the club offers me a project that will allow me to progress, to gain experience. There is a risk, but I'd say that’s football. Overnight, you can be pushed or forgotten.

What are your goals for the new season?

To win promotion to Ligue 1. I really hope we will succeed. We are all highly motivated to earn a spot in Ligue 1 next season, and hopefully it will happen. From a personal standpoint, my goal is to play more, to have as much playing time as possible.

You've won the European Under-19 Championships against Spain this summer. Is not it difficult to get back into club football?

Psychologically, it is not easy. We [the France U-19s] spent six weeks together. We had other rules, other ways of doing things, a way of training. But we're all back to work and to do the right things!

Speaking of the Euros, what happened during the competition?

It was very cool. We were a united group who lived well together. We tried to put aside our individuality and it worked well. We all had the same goal: to be crowned European champions, and we all gave everything to go in this direction.

How did you feel about the competition as captain of France's Under-19s?

When you wear the armband, you have certain responsibilities that suit me perfectly. It takes a person who likes to talk, give advice, to invest in the field. I really enjoyed being the captain of my team and I am satisfied with the role that I played.

As captain, you lifted the trophy for the U-19 European Championship. How did you feel at the moment?

I felt great pride. It only happens to one player and it happened to me. I'm super proud. In addition, it was not very far from home, for my family, in front of the French public. It was unforgettable.

Do you think about a selection for the senior team?

The national team is a bonus. It happens when you have demonstrated your potential with your club and played very good seasons. So you think about it, but much work remains.

Do you think you have brought some joy to some of the French public after the fiasco of the France team at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa?

We arrived after what happened at the World Cup. We did not know we were going to generate much excitement, either from the public or the media. We did not expect to play before such a crowd. If the team is a pleasure to people, so much the better. We are pleased to be able to bring happiness, especially as we have played a good competition with four wins and a draw. All of this is exceptional.

Fergie - Blues Are Favourites

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes defending champions Chelsea must be considered favourites for the Premier League title.

The Red Devils finished one point behind the Blues last season after an epic tussle which went right down to the wire.

Chelsea's success brought an abrupt end to United's top flight dominance, with Ferguson's men having taken the title in each of the three previous years.

Between them, United and Chelsea have now shared ownership of the Premier League crown for the last six years, with no other club able to get a look in.

Many expect that trend to continue in 2010/11, with it difficult to see where a sustained challenge is going to come from.

Ferguson accepts that United and Chelsea will be among the frontrunners once more this time around, but insists that it is the men from Stamford Bridge who are under the most pressure to perform.

"My thoughts are not necessarily on the top four, because we've got to think about how we're going to win this league," he said.

"You have to think that Chelsea - having won the league last season - are going to be the favourites. That's what you have to think - the team that won it the previous season, you have to try and knock off their perch."

Ferguson, who stopped short of suggesting that 'noisy neighbours' Manchester City could be potential challengers, feels the battle for a top four finish will be as intense as ever this season.

He added: "The interesting one is Everton. They have got all their players back. The first half of last season was a nightmare for them, with the injuries for major players like (Mikel) Arteta and (Phil) Jagielka - they were big losses to them.

"Now all these players are fit, they could be an interesting prospect for the season.

"I say that with the events of last season, when Tottenham got into the top four, so they broke that monopoly of established teams like ourselves, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool. I expect Everton to do very well this season."

And Ferguson is also expecting Liverpool, who finished seventh last term, to be back in the mix after drafting in Roy Hodgson to succeed the departing Rafa Benitez.

"You would expect Liverpool to improve with Roy. Tottenham are on the upswing, with Harry's (Redknapp) experience," he said.

"It tells you the top four is going to be a competitive four again, because that's what we're all aiming for - to be in the Champions League. That's the priority for all these clubs."

Ricardo Carvalho: I Have Always Wanted To Play For Real Madrid

New Real Madrid signing Ricardo Carvalho says that he has always longed to play for los Blancos and is also looking forward to his reunion with Jose Mourinho.

The Portuguese has joined Madrid from Premier League champions Chelsea on a two-year deal for a reported €8 million transfer fee and will be officially presented as a Blanco today. Ahead of the press conference, the 32-year-old told Spanish sports daily Marca that he had always dreamed of playing for the nine-time European champions.

"This is an important step for me in my career. For a long time I have wanted to play for Real Madrid."

He added: "Wherever Mourinho goes, he wins. He is a great coach, as has already been demonstrated. Players have full confidence in him."

Alex: I'm Feeling Good

Alex may have missed the pre-season campaign but he's feeling sharp and ready to line up against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

The Brazilian, who missed pre-season due to injury, rotated his position with Ricardo Carvalho last campaign, but with the departure of our former number 6 to pastures new, he's likely to become a more regular name in the starting line-up.

However, despite this extra responsibility, Alex is relishing the opportunity and insists the pressure upon him is no different from the beginning of any other season.

'It is a normal start to the season,' he said. 'The pressure is the same for every player; we just have to win every game.

'I am feeling very good. I had a problem about one month ago but now I have been training in the sand, on the pitch and in the gym, so I am ready to start on Saturday and have a great season.'

With the Double still fresh in everyone's mind, many will think the possibility of more silverware will spur the side on this campaign, but Alex has a different message.

'We have to concentrate on this season. We will forget last season, it was a great season, winning a Double, but now we have to focus on the new season.

'Every team will come to play us and they will try their best to beat us, so we have to think about this.

'We can do it better [have a more successful season]; we have the quality to do it a lot better but we have to forget about last season a little bit and focus on this season now.'

As he narrows his focus into this campaign and considers potential silverware, there's one trophy on the Brazilian's mind.

'I want to win the Champions League,' admitted Alex, 'the club wants to win the Champions League and every player wants to win the Champions League.

'It is a very good competition, one of the biggest in the world. In Brazil everybody says Chelsea needs to win the Champions League, here it is the same, so we need to concentrate on the Champions League.

'We have a good midfield, a good defence; we have a very good team. It is my opinion that we have the right team to win the Champions League.'

But for now the fans will be thinking only of the Barclays Premier League and our opening game against West Bromwich Albion.

The last time Chelsea played at the Bridge, it ended 8-0 in our favour, as we thumped Wigan in the last League game of 2009/10. But after a summer of World Cup football, which resulted in late returns to pre-season for many Blues, Alex warns the side may not be as prolific on Saturday.

'The fans will want a greater result but the start of the season is difficult.

'The first two or three games of the season are always difficult but we still need to win. We need to start the season well, with three points, because it is a long competition and so we need a good start.'

Chelsea Chuffed As Target Romelu Lukaku Snubs Real Madrid

Chelsea's long term target Romelu Lukaku has given the Blues a boost by snubbing Real Madrid and insisting he will stay with his club Anderlecht.

The 17-year-old striker is regarded as one of the hottest prospects in Europe and has been linked with Chelsea and Madrid over the summer.

However Lukaku says he is going nowhere and wants to stay in Belgium in a setback for Real boss Jose Mourinho who wanted to breeze him and tempt him away from Anderlecht with a £16million bid.

Chelsea, on the other hand, is prepared to sit and wait for Lukaku and will pleased learn that the Spanish giants have been warned off.

Lukaku, who scored 18 goals in 43 games for Anderlecht last season, said: 'I'm staying. My desire is to play Champions League with this club and continue my studies in Brussels.'

Clarets Capture Cork

Burnley has signed Chelsea midfielder Jack Cork on a season-long loan.

Cork, 21, enjoyed a successful four-month spell at Turf Moor last season and scored his first Premier League goal in the win against Tottenham on the final day of the campaign.

A statement on the club's official website said: "The 21-year-old was an outstanding success in his four-month stay as a Claret, making 11 appearances, with his influence on the field matched by his popularity in the dressing room."

The England Under 21 international has had previous loan spells with Coventry, Scunthorpe, Southampton and Bournemouth, clocking up over 100 league appearances.

Santos Striker Neymar Agrees To Move To Chelsea

Santos starlet Neymar has agreed to join Premier League champions Chelsea in the coming days, according to latest reports.

One of Brazil's most important newspapers, Folha de Sao Paulo, claims that in a meeting held in New York the decision to allow the Brazilian international striker to leave Santos for Chelsea was finalized.

It's been reported that the meeting was held in the presence of the player, his father, agent Wagner Ribeiro, Santos president Luiz Alvaro de Oliveira Ribeiro, Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck and agent Pini Zahavi. Neymar agreed to sign for the Blues, who will pay Santos €25 million.

Neymar has been a target of Chelsea's all summer and at one point it appeared that the move had fallen through when Santos officially rejected a €20 million bid from the English giants. However, with Neymar having agreed to put pen to paper, it now appears that an official declaration will be made in the coming days.

Santos Report Chelsea To FIFA For 'Trying To Tap Up' Neymar

Santos FC are reporting Chelsea to FIFA, claiming that the Blues tried to tap up Brazilian wonder-kid Neymar, according to reports in the South America country.

Santos have accused Chelsea of approached the 18-year-old before playing, and scoring, for Brazil against the USA in New York on Tuesday.

Chelsea has been chasing the teen for a while and Santos rejected a £17.5million bid for the player last month. Santos had previously snubbed a £12m bid for the player from West Ham.

It's not the first time Chelsea has become embroiled in transfer controversy.

The Blues were dealt a two-window transfer ban last year following the signing of French midfielder Gael Kakuta from Lens – an embargo that was eventually overturned by UEFA.

Dutch Debut For Bruma

Chelsea has a new full international after 18-year-old Jeffrey Bruma made his debut for Holland against Ukraine on Wednesday night.

The young defender had been called into the Dutch squad by coach Bert van Marwijk, who had opted not to name any of his World Cup group that came runners-up in the World Cup, and the Chelsea man was picked from the start in Kiev.

Although he was beaten by Andriy Shevchenko, who shot just wide, Bruma turned in an impressive performance, and will have whet his appetite for international football in this game, which ended 1-1.

Yury Zhirkov played the first half for Russia as they entertained Bulgaria in St Petersburg, winning 1-0 despite being under pressure for much of the game. Their goal game from Roman Shirokov inside the first 10 minutes.

Branislav Ivanovic was back at right-back after featuring in the centre of Chelsea's defence, as Serbia were beaten 1-0 at home by Greece. The goal came from a close-range Dimitris Salpingidis header after he had escaped the attentions of Man United's Nemanja Vidic.

At Under 21 level Patrick van Aanholt helped the Dutch become the first side to reach the European Championship play-offs, thanks to a 3-0 qualifying win in Liechtenstein. The left-back played the full 90 minutes.

Nemanja Matic played the full 90 minutes for Serbia, but like their senior side they were defeated, 2-1 away in Slovakia. The Chelsea man was booked after 18 minutes.

Finally, Philipp Prosenik played the first half for Austria Under 19s in their 1-1 draw against Russia. Lively throughout his run-out, the striker, who spent much of last season sidelined through injury, had a couple of chances and worked the Russian goalie into a smart save shortly before half-time.

England Stars Get Mixed Reception On Wembley Return

England's World Cup flops endured a mixed reception on their return to Wembley as John Terry and Ashley Cole were singled out for jeers in Wednesday's friendly against Hungary, but the rest of Fabio Capello's side were spared the predicted abuse.

Just 45 days after England's dismal World Cup campaign ended in a humiliating 4-1 defeat against Germany, Capello's team were back in action and it quickly became clear who their own supporters blamed for the debacle in South Africa.

England coach Capello and captain Steven Gerrard had both admitted before the friendly that they expected a hostile reception from the Wembley crowd.

Their worst fears were only partially realized as Terry, Cole, Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney were booed by sections of the estimated 60,000 crowd when their names were read out over the public address system before kick-off.

The fact that over 20,000 fans had opted to stay away suggested that supporters preferred to show their discontent by voting with their feet.

And once the match started it was only Chelsea duo Terry and Cole who had to suffer a continued chorus of disapproval whenever they touched the ball.

It was hardly surprising that those two were to get the worst treatment.

Cole has been public enemy number one with the English football public since he made what has been perceived as money-motivated transfer from Arsenal to Chelsea several years ago.

He has already been booed by England fans in the past and was reported to have told a friend after the World Cup that he would love to leave the country due to the reporting of his separation from his popstar wife - hardly a comment guaranteed to win favour with patriotic fans of the national team.

Terry was also something of an unpopular figure even before England's World Cup flop after being stripped of the captaincy following his affair with the ex girlfriend of former international team-mate Wayne Bridge.

The jeers gradually seemed to subside for those after the first 20 minutes however, suggesting England fans are a more forgiving bunch than many believed.

The Thursday Interview: Michael Essien

After the euphoria that brought last season to a close, the summer has been something of a frustration after four consecutive pre-season defeats, but the one highlight has been the return to action of a much-missed midfielder.

Absent for seven months, Michael Essien made his comeback in the first friendly of the summer at Crystal Palace, scoring the winner, and has gone on to play more minutes in the build-up to the season than any other Chelsea player.

Now we stand on the verge of another Premier League campaign, and the early signs are that the midfielder will be a central figure in Carlo Ancelotti's plans, both literally and metaphorically speaking. Essien though seems delighted to be back doing what he loves after a testing lay-off.

'It feels so good to be back, it has been a long way back but everything is behind me now and I'm enjoying playing football again,' explains the Ghanaian. 'I never feared for my career, it never crossed my mind.

'These injuries are part of football, so you have to take them when they come and not get too down about it.

'I knew if I worked hard I would be back again so that's what I did and I am back on my feet. I know a few years ago it could have been the end of my career but with new technologies, surgery and techniques things are good, so yeah, let's go again this season.

'We've had a bit of a bad pre-season with losing games but more importantly it has been good for me to be gaining fitness again and making sure I am sharp and ready for the season.'

In contrast to many of his team-mates, Essien had to sit out Africa's first World Cup, a blow for a man proud of his roots, but in doing so he has given himself the best opportunity of a clean bill of health in the new campaign, and demonstrated the importance of pre-season to a footballer.

He reported back at Cobham on July 5 ready to go, three weeks before the English and Portuguese internationals who were in South Africa, and although at first he had a tailored program, he is now with the rest of the squad and feeling the benefits.

'It is good to have a pre-season under my belt, personally I think I have done well and I keep getting fitter the more games I play. I feel like I am ready for the season and I am looking forward to it so much,' he says.

'I think this season could be a big one, the last two seasons I didn't take too big a part in, I didn't start in one but finished it, then I started okay last season but didn't finish it, so this year has to be a good one and hopefully I will stay injury-free and help Chelsea win some trophies.

'My main aim has to be to stay fit, to keep working hard and helping the team to get as many points as we can.'

If the 27-year-old can achieve that goal, then there is every chance silverware will be returning to Stamford Bridge at the end of May, and he will once more be able to celebrate alongside his team-mates on the pitch, rather than as a mere onlooker from the stands.

Club Continues Fight Agaiinst Ticket Touting

Ticket touting is a serious crime in English football and Chelsea would like to remind fans of its dangers.

Last season, 2,500 members and season ticket holders were suspended due to fraudulent claims for match tickets, which denied die-hard fans the opportunity to attend games.

Tickets sold illegally often result in large numbers of away supporters being in the home areas of Stamford Bridge, threatening the safety of fans in those seats.

Ticket touting is a serious criminal offence, which will be dealt with by the authorities, but inside the ground Chelsea can implement our own reprimands, and there will be repercussions for anyone caught touting.

Suspensions will be put in place, regardless of whether it's a first offence, so Chelseafc.com decided to ensure fans were fully informed on the threat of ticket touting ahead of the new campaign.

It is legal to pass on tickets and season tickets so long as certain criteria are adhered to.

Firstly, you must ensure the ticket is not sold at anything above its face value. Secondly, tickets must not be sold as part of a package or given away at a charity event without permission of the club. And thirdly, tickets must not be sold in a public place, and fans should note, this includes the internet.

In fact, the only outlet allowed to sell single match tickets online is Viagogo, other than match packages with Thomas Cook, so be aware when surfing the web.

Fans can give or sell tickets, at no more than their original value, to friends or family but must take care not to receive money or pass tickets over in a public place, as this will constitute an offence.

You should also be aware that, regardless of who you have passed your seat onto, you are still responsible for that ticket. As you are the person who was originally supplied with the ticket, it is you who will receive any repercussions that ticket may cause.

'The club takes this matter very seriously,' said a club spokesman. 'We need to protect the genuine ticket purchasers.

'Over the last few years the club has stepped up its campaign against ticket touts. We now do this more intensively than any other club.

'It is a disservice to genuine members who want to get tickets that fraudulent members will have bought. It denies real Chelsea fans the chance of going to a game.'

The club is here to help fight against ticket touts but we need your help. If you're a season ticket holder and the seats around you are regularly taken up by different people, then let the club know.

There may be legitimate reasons for this, but Chelsea promise to investigate and deal with accordingly.

'Between Fulham Broadway and the ground you're likely to walk past 10 people who'll be trying to sell tickets,' added the club spokesman.

'Unfortunately this is outside Chelsea's jurisdiction and the only advice we can offer is to ignore it, because it's more than likely you will be ripped off.

'Another thing to remember is that sometimes tickets are still available from the box office, so instead of paying extortionate prices outside the ground, you could have paid the normal price inside the ground.'

Chelsea Ready To Dig Deep To Bring Benzema To Stamford Bridge

Chelsea are rumoured to be ready to make a significant bid to bring Real Madrid misfit Karim Benzema to Stamford Bridge. Carlo Ancelotti is looking to bring in more youthful attacking options as he sees the likes of Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka entering the latter stages of their illustrious careers.

The Blues boss was apparently greatly displeased with his sides showing in the Community Shield encounter with Manchester United and as a result is looking to spend big to help beef up his squad ahead of the new season. Jose Mourinho may well be looking at offloading the French international and there were rumours that a deal to bring Ashley Cole to the Bernabeu could have been tied into such an approach but Ancelotti has no desire to sell the full back so will instead try to get the former Lyon man in a straight cash deal.

The young forward hasn’t had the best of times at the La Liga giants and only managed 18 starts in all competitions last term and spend long spells on the bench. There is no sign that the new Real boss will be looking to push him back up the pecking order so if a big enough bid came in then it would surely be considered.

The 22 year old missed out on French World Cup squad due to his lack of first team action and is currently embroiled in a sex scandal that has rocked his home country. He may well therefore be keen on a fresh start and a new challenge.

Real Madrid will be looking to recoup as much of the £34m outlay they spent last summer and Roman Abramovich is apparently more than happy to fund new additions and the west London side haven’t really spent big at all so far this summer, having only spent money on Yossi Benayoun, so clearly funds won’t be an issue.

Chelsea On Alert As Asmir Begovic Demands First-Team Football

Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic will look to leave the Britannia Stadium unless he is Tony Pulis' first-choice goalkeeper.

Chelsea is thought to be monitoring the situation and could pounce for his signature.

The 23-year-old was excellent at Portsmouth last season and with Pompey desperate for money, he was sold to Stoke City during the January transfer window.

However, Begovic has been unable to unseat Danish World Cup goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen as first choice at Stoke.

The Daily Mirror reports that Begovic will look for a move if it becomes clear that he will sit on the bench and that Chelsea are keep to snap him up.

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti currently has the unconvincing Hilario as back-up for Petr Cech and is keen to add more strength among his goalkeeping options.

Real Madrid To Battle Chelsea For Benfica Centre-Back David Luiz

After sealing an agreement to buy Portuguese centre-half Ricardo Carvalho from Chelsea, Real Madrid is set to battle the Blues for Benfica central defender David Luiz.

Carvalho's expected transfer has paved the way for Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti to sign another non-home-grown player according to new Premier League regulations, and the Mail reported that he is prepared to pay £27 million for Luiz.

Madrid, meanwhile, appear to have given up on buying the expensive Maicon from Inter, and want to sign both Luiz and AC Milan centre-back Thiago Silva , according to the Spanish Marca newspaper.

Benfica are said to be willing to offlaod Luiz to Madrid for 25 million euros plus Dutch midfielder Roysten Drenthe.

Chelsea Desperate To Offload Striker Franco Di Santo

Chelsea are offering Franco Di Santo to clubs around Europe as they attempt to cash in on the striker, according to The People.

Di Santo, 21, is believed to be out of manager Carlo Ancelotti's plans after failing to shine while on loan at Blackburn Rovers last term. With a return of just one goal in 22 Premier League appearances while in Lancashire, he is believed to have little chance of a Blues future.

Dutch sides Feyenoord and FC Twente, plus English pair Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic are believed to be keen. Chelsea is pushing for a £2 million permanent move rather than another temporary switch.

Chelsea's Ricardo Carvalho To Sign For Real Madrid For €8m

Chelsea stalwart Ricardo Carvalho is joining Real Madrid, both clubs have confirmed.

The 32-year-old is thus on the verge of reuniting with his former coach and mentor Jose Mourinho in a deal claimed by Spanish sources to be worth €8m.

Media sources in Spain claim that negotiations have been ongoing between the two clubs for much of Tuesday, but not until the evening did Chelsea announces that the deal was taking place, subject to the agreement of personal terms.

The Blues said, "Chelsea Football Club can confirm it has agreed terms with Real Madrid for the transfer of Ricardo Carvalho. The transfer is subject to a medical and the player agreeing personal terms.

"Chelsea would like to thank Riccy for his six years of service, and we wish him well in his future career."

Real Madrid stated shortly afterwards that Ricardo Carvalho "would be under contract at Real Madrid for the next two seasons," implying that both wages and the medical test were mere formalities.

Neither announcement offered the transfer fee, but €8m is reported to be the sum of the deal. It has been further rumoured that there is a "plus-one" option on Carvalho's two-year deal, but this was not mentioned by the Santiago Bernabeu club.

Carvalho will serve as Madrid's fifth summer signing after wide midfielders Angel Di Maria and Pedro Leon, attacking midfielder-cum-forward Sergio Canales, and central midfielder Sami Khedira.

At the Bernabeu, he will compete with Raul Albiol, Pepe, and Ezequiel Garay for a starting berth, while if Real Madrid sign an attacking full-back, as is expected, he may also have to jostle for position with Sergio Ramos.

Pat Nevin: Looking Good

Legendary Chelsea winger turned pundit Pat Nevin believes things are coming together for the Blues as we approach the start of the Premier League campaign.

Here is an odd thing, I honestly can't remember one single pre-season game in my entire career. I can vaguely sense that I once played with Chelsea somewhere in north-west England or was it north Wales? Actually I can't be sure. Then later on there was some part time thug from a semi-professional team who nearly broke my leg, but could I tell you his team, the score, or who I was even playing for at the time? No chance.

Ask me about the first league game from each of my seasons however and I could probably recall the score, what kind of game it was and how I played. I am sure you get the point, the season starts now as far as professional footballers are concerned. Everything before this weekend has been about fitness, about shaping the side and getting new players to understand the systems as well as the capabilities of their team-mates.

The string of defeats in those pre-season friendlies, including the Community Shield was not what was desired. In truth even though there was a trophy at stake and it was played at Wembley, what is more important, three points against West Brom or that 3-1 defeat to United?

Right now I have to admit to being more upbeat than most about Chelsea's chances in 2010/2011, in fact I am more positive than I was at this time last season, which turned out to be quite good in the end, I think you will agree. Yes Deco, Ballack and Joe Cole have gone but each was a peripheral influence last time round.

I thought Michael Ballack had a very good end to the season when he played deeper in midfield but with Essien back at last and the likelihood of one stronger midfielder coming in soon I think that area could be stronger than ever. Joe Cole is however a bigger question and not an easy one. For what it is worth, not surprisingly I think Joe is a fine player and he will always be respected by Chelsea fans for what he did for the club, but and there is a big but, there is a question, will he be hugely missed?

In my media work I probably went to see Liverpool last season more than anyone apart from Chelsea and have constantly said that Yossi Benayoun is one the best players in the Premier League and certainly among the most imaginative and visionary. His treatment by Rafa Benitez absolutely confounded me, every time he had a good game, made or scored a goal he would get dropped. I am delighted to say that there was never a complaint or an attitude problem from the Israeli, but I was convinced Yossi was in the right and Rafa in the wrong throughout. So not to put too fine a point on it, I think Chelsea have got the best of the deal, I would always choose Benayoun before Cole, anyone listening to my commentaries would know that I am not just saying this because he has arrived at the Bridge.

So even though players have gone and the pre season has been pretty poor, I am not in any way downcast. This year it is a harder Premier League than ever with Man City, Spurs and Everton all improving, but that was needed, the Chelsea/Man Utd duopoly gets a bit boring for everyone else.

What Chelsea needed in the short term was a 'helpful' opening league program to get the players - especially those who have been at the World Cup - back up to speed. A quick glance at the opening five fixtures and I am sure you will agree, it has fallen into our laps almost perfectly. A convincing defeat of new boys West Brom and it will not be struggling Chelsea in the media, it will be double winners Chelsea...and doesn't that still sound good?

Kickz Kids Given Chance To Shine

A number of young participants on Chelsea's anti-crime 'Kickz' initiative have been offered trials at the club after they impressed on the football-based initiative.

Joseph Felix from the Westminster program, Glen Kamara from Kensington and Chelsea and Troy Timothy from Hammersmith and Fulham impressed the coaches and Chelsea scouts with their footballing ability, their attitude and their hard work.

The Kickz project is helping to divert participants away from many of the social problems facing young people, often in some of the most deprived areas in the country. Chelsea now deliver six Kickz projects to over 1,200 young people three times a week in London as well as providing similar social inclusion initiatives in Surrey and Essex.

The projects use the power and appeal of football to build safer, stronger, more respectful communities through the development of young people's potential. They combine football coaching three nights a week in some of the country's most disadvantaged areas alongside a range of educational workshops and opportunities to gain qualifications and increase employability.

'The lads have given their all and their hard work has been rewarded,' said Kickz project manager Daniel GIll. 'They've worked really hard not only at their game but at turning their lives around and these trials will show them and everyone else on the program that if you work hard and apply yourselves opportunities in life do exist.'