Blues To Play In Bangkok

Chelsea Football Club's first-team squad will be visiting Asia during next summer's pre-season preparations.

Chief executive Ron Gourlay announced today in Bangkok, Thailand, that the team will be playing a match in the city against a Thailand All Stars side.

The news means the Blues will be returning to Asia where two years ago we played games in China and Malaysia.

The last time we played in Thailand was 1997 when Ruud Gullit took a side that had recently won the FA Cup to play the national team and won 1-0.

Since then support for the club in south-east Asia has grown rapidly generating around 350,000 monthly visitors to our official website chelseafc.com and today's announcement continues involvement with Thailand that was strengthened with this month's signing of Singha Beer as our official beer sponsor.

The venue for next summer's match will be the 60,000-capacity Rajamangala National Stadium with news on the date and ticket sales to follow.

'By announcing this part of our summer tour schedule so far in advance, we have a year to engage with our increasing fan base in Thailand as we build towards the game. We are looking forward to bringing the club closer to the fans with a year of activities including our world-renowned community coaching scheme,' Gourlay says.

'Importantly, we know this match will be against the quality of opposition Carlo Ancelotti requires and in a suitable venue, with a great atmosphere too. We are delighted our fans in Thailand will have a chance to see us play in the flesh.

'Premier League football is a passion in Asia, a continent in which Chelsea has significant relationships including a groundbreaking partnership in the Asian Football Confederation's grass roots projects, and the Super Soccer Star talent search with finalists in that competition visiting our Academy at Cobham.'

The visit will be promoted by ProEvents whose chairman, Paul J Kam, says: 'We are extremely pleased to return to Thailand with Chelsea after more than a decade.

'Thailand is best known for its superb hospitality and is one of the "must visit" countries for football teams in the world because of the tremendous football fans we have in this country.

'Chelsea is widely popular throughout the world and especially so in Asia where fans will support champions. We wish Chelsea all the best this season and hope that the team will come to Asia as back-to-back champions.'

Reserves Report: Chelsea 1 - 1 Everton

Chelsea welcomed reserve team football back to Stamford Bridge and launched a new league format with an entertaining game.

Steve Holland's side took the lead through Fabio Borini and looked well on their way to three points following a first half they dominated with good possession football, played by a side containing six of the FA Youth Cup Final side. It was augmented by the more senior Michael Mancienne and Jacob Mellis and also contained 15-year-old Nathaniel Chalobah.

Everton, opposition due to the new nationwide set of fixtures, changed formation at the break and added an extra man in midfield. The Toffees equalized with a set-piece and tested the home team further as young Blues legs began to make mistakes, but Chelsea rallied strongly and came close to finding a winner three times in the closing minutes.

Everton could have scored inside 40 seconds of the first half as Joao Silva ran in behind the home defence but Sam Walker stuck out a hand and kept out a close-range effort.

Mellis, fresh from England duty at the recent European Under 19 Championships, had Chelsea's first effort but scooped it over and Borini, captaining the side, fared little better when slipped through by a well-weighted Josh McEachran pass.

Up the other end, James Vaughan brought a first-team presence and it took a clean challenge in the area from centre-back Rohan Ince, on his full reserve debut, to prevent the Everton striker bustling through for a clear strike on target.

Chelsea were enjoying territorial advantage however and won a free-kick right on the angle of the penalty area, whipped just a yard over by Gokhan Tore. Moments later Borini stung the hands of Jan Mucha, Everton's summer signing who was Slovakia's goalkeeper at the World Cup.

Chelsea's goal, scored on 21 minutes, followed a prolonged period of crisp Blues passing and pressure. Everton cracked when Chalobah's long pass was worked by Mellis to over-lapping left-back Patrick van Aanholt. The Dutchman picked out Borini who clipped the ball beyond the reach of Mucha from 10 yards out.

Everton could have drawn level soon after had Walker not pushed Gueye's cross-shot over. Vaughan then tried his luck from range but shot too high.

There was almost a horror show of Rob Green proportions from Mucha when van Aanholt had a dig with a free-kick from further out than Tore's earlier effort and hit with less pace. It was grasped, then allowed to squirm free before being gathered again by the Slovakian in the nick of time.

All the promising play was Chelsea's. Chalobah in midfield was showing a good range of passing, McEachran was busy nipping in to win the ball and constantly looking to split the defence while Conor Clifford worked hard. Approaching the break, McEachran passed up the chance to shoot inside the area, instead tapping the ball onto to Tore whose shot was saved. Borini then curled a 40th minute shot just over.

The McEachran-Borini connection almost came off early in the second half but the Italian was well tackled before he was denied a headed goal by a Mucha save having met Van Aanholt's cross.

Nine minutes after the restart Chelsea gave the Merseysiders a sniff of goal but stretching Vaughan, who was unmarked, couldn't quite make contact with Gueye's cross.

The Blues were eventually undone by a set-piece two minutes later from a free-kick conceded by Tore. Floated in, Ross Barkley rose above the defence to nod wide of Walker's dive.

Chelsea had by now let the upper hand slip and another Barkley header needed a Walker save. Free-kicks were being conceded in dangerous places.

Chances at the other end were few although Conor Clifford had a 25-yard drive turned wide. Steve Holland gave it until the 78th minute to make changes but then brought on three subs.

One of those, Milan Lalkovic, was quickly on target but Mucha saved at his near-post. McEachran had threaded the ball between defenders.

With five minutes to go, Chalobah could have capped his reserve debut with a goal when he pounced on a loose ball after Borini's shot was blocked but the schoolboy hurriedly sliced wide.

Another sub, Jacopo Sala caught a shot cleanly but that was saved and on 89 minutes, van Aanholt smashed a ball low towards the far post but Lalkovic couldn't adjust his feet in time to turn in a bouncing ball.

There was still hope when substitute Kaby went down under a challenge in a promising position but McEachran could only send the ball into the empty seats in the Matthew Harding Lower with 92 minutes on the clock.

Carlo Admits World Cup Boost

Carlo Ancelotti feels England's World Cup flop is providing his Chelsea players with added motivation.

The Three Lions failed to make an impact in South Africa under Ancelotti's fellow Italian Fabio Capello, crashing out in the first knock-out round following a dismal campaign.

But Blues stars John Terry, Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole, who all struggled on England duty this summer, have enjoyed an encouraging start to the season.

Chelsea have set the early Premier League pace with 12 goals and six points from their opening two games, and Ancelotti believes the England players in his squad are determined to compensate for their World Cup failure.

"If you have character, then after a problem you cannot have no motivation," Ancelotti told the Sun.

"But from this, I think the English players are taking more motivation from the World Cup.

"They have all come back with good motivation and I think they are in good condition. The English players like Terry, Lampard and Cole are all now showing very good physical condition."

When asked whether England's miserable World Cup showing has worked in favour of his side, Ancelotti added: "I think so.

"To have a good rest after the World Cup was a necessity.

"They had a very long season in England and they needed to have good recovery time."

Lampard netted his first goal of the campaign against West Brom in the Blues' season opener at Stamford Bridge, while defenders Terry and Cole helped keep clean sheets in that match and in their 6-0 away victory at Wigan on Saturday.

"Defensively, we were good in the first half because Wigan put us under a lot of pressure and we didn't concede," added Ancelotti.

"They only had three shots from distance."

The Italian was also full of praise for Didier Drogba's display against the Latics, despite him failing to get his name on the score-sheet after landing a hat-trick during the Blues' 6-0 triumph over the Baggies last weekend.

"I am very happy with him and he showed a good understanding with Kalou," he said. "Usually a striker will try to score, but he was unselfish.

"He is not a Superman but he is playing well and he is a humble player. It is not easy to find such humility in a big player."

Kalou Accuses Chelsea's Rivals Of Being 'Scared'

Salomon Kalou has accused Chelsea's title rivals of being "scared" following their free-scoring start to the Premier League season.

The defending champions have kicked off their campaign with a pair of 6-0 triumphs against West Bromwich Albion and Wigan.

Ivory Coast striker Kalou, who scored twice in the rout at the DW Stadium on Saturday, has now revealed that he hopes that the glut of goals will strike fear into their future opponents.

"Two games, 12 goals - we've started the season like we finished last year," Kalou said. "When you are the defending champions you have to scare the other teams, and that's what we are doing.

"Right now we are enjoying it and hopefully we will continue to play at this level. I hope that after these two games any team we play will be afraid of Chelsea."

Last season Chelsea, in their first year under Italian boss Carlo Ancelotti, became the first side to score over 100 goals in a Premier League season.

Florent Malouda Insists Chelsea Have Stepped Their Game Up To A New Level

Florent Malouda insists that Chelsea have developed a “killer instinct”, and believes that the Blues now play the Premier League’s most entertaining football.

The defending league champions have started off the season brightly, winning both of their matches against West Bromwich Albion and Wigan Athletic by the same 6-0 scoreline.

The France international believes that Chelsea’s play has stepped up to a whole new level, and Malouda thinks that the Blues have shown these past two weeks how much quality they possess.

“It is difficult to know why people still seem to think Arsenal and United play the best football,” Malouda told the Daily Mail.

“Even when we finished on top of Arsenal, people said they played better than us.

“If you want to win the League, you have to be efficient, but when you look at how many goals we are scoring, you surely have to recognize there is real quality about us.

“The manager has worked at making sure we control games and you are seeing an evolution in our play. We are keeping more clean sheets but also scoring a lot more goals.

“It is not enough for us now just to go 1-0 up. We have developed a killer instinct and want to finish teams off. There are goals throughout this team and if there is an opportunity to kill a game off, we take it.

“We'll never go easy on teams and it is great for confidence to know just about everyone in the squad is capable of scoring goals.”

Some believed that age would soon catch up to this veteran Chelsea squad, but Malouda believes that the experience and time together that the squad have enjoyed are what makes them better.

“I don't know about getting old, but I'm pretty sure most Premier League managers would settle for a squad like ours.

“The great thing about being together so long is that we all know the system and each other and the movement up front is improving all the time.

“Even when Salomon Kalou came on as substitute, he could feel where the ball was going to be played and ended up with two goals.

“We are tapping into the experience that has built up in recent years and turning it to our advantage. We all know the system and how to apply it and that does so much for our self-belief.”

Chelsea Readying Mammoth €40 Million Swoop For Real Madrid Defender Sergio Ramos

Chelsea are set to launch a sensational bid to land Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos, and will offer €40 million for the World Cup winner, according to reports from Spain.

Sports publication Marca comments that Blues owner Roman Abramovich, whose side have been relatively quiet in the current transfer window after seeing an approach for Brazilian sensation Neymar collapse, wants to burst onto the scene with a major coup, and sees Ramos as the player to do just that.

The sizeable transfer fee will be coupled with a five-year contract for Ramos, worth €10m per season, and Chelsea are desperate to conclude a deal before the end of the current transfer window.

The London club’s only additions this summer are midfielders Yossi Benayoun from Liverpool and Brazilian international Ramires, who joined from Benfica, while the likes of Ricardo Carvalho and Michael Ballack have moved on.

It is hugely unlikely that los Blancos coach Jose Mourinho would wish to sell his prized defender, particularly with the current injury woes at the back which are hampering their preparations for the new season.

However, with Mourinho also coveting the arrival of a ‘number nine’ before the season begins, a boost to his transfer kitty may allow a bid to be launched for targets such as Fernando Llorente, Emmanuel Adebayor or Edin Dzeko.

Begovic Chase Still On

The inference is there that Chelsea is still very keen on the Stoke goalkeeper, Asmir Begovic.

After having an early bid rejected by Stoke City and being told that he’s not for sale, our sources tell us that Stoke City have yet to respond to a reputed offer of £4.5 million made, reportedly by Chelsea, recently.

Furthermore, the Potteries club is reportedly being hounded by other clubs keen to lure the keeper from Stoke with Manchester City Fulham and Middlesbrough also reported as being keen.

Reaction: Scoring & Scaring

Following a record opening-day win last week, Chelsea followed it up by equalling our all-time best top-flight away win, yet it is points rather than goals that are pleasing the players more.

Saturday's 6-0 win at Wigan, the first time the club has recorded that scoreline two games running, matches a 6-0 win away at Barnsley in 1997 (that also the second Premier League game of the season).

On that day Gianluca Vialli netted four times. Thirteen years on the goals were more evenly spread throughout the team with Florent Malouda, for the second game in a row, opening the scoring.

'We are not thinking about records,' he said as he reflected on Saturday's game.

'Even last year we were not aware of the records until we broke them and this year we know we start again from the beginning and we play to win.

'Even if it is 1-0 we are happy because when you start the season you just want the points and after that maybe the goals for the goal difference. That could be important.

'People are thinking about big tests against big teams ahead but we focus on getting the points and being at the top of the league from the first game.'

Malouda believes knowledge that a one-goal lead can never be considered enough is what sets the team on road to the big victories; results that are only beginning to mark Chelsea down as big entertainers.

'Even when we finish on top of Arsenal people still think that Arsenal play better than us,' the Frenchman notes. 'We don't comment about the other teams but since the manager came in he tried to bring control of the game and people have seen an evolution because we are scoring more goals and we are getting more clean sheets.

'If you want to win the league you have to be efficient and when you see a team like Chelsea scoring so many goals, I hope that people will recognize our quality. But we are not playing for that. Our aim is to win.'

Didier Drogba may have been goalless but his outstanding contribution ran to a significant hand in five out of the six goals.

'We scored six but we suffered a lot in the first half,' he pointed out, 'so I think the game was difficult and the fact that we scored quickly in the second half made it easier for us.

'We have played together for such a long time that we know what we have to do when the game is difficult and we know also what we have to do to make it easier.'

Super sub Salomon Kalou, beneficiary of two Drogba assists to set his scoring underway for the season, is optimistic the Blues' 12 goals will have an instant impact.

'I hope that after these two games the teams we play will be afraid of Chelsea.

'We have started the season how we finished the last one. It is going to be very tough but right now we are enjoying it and hopefully we continue to play on that level because when you are the defending champions you have to scare the other teams.

'Even though he didn't score, Didier had a great game,' Kalou added.

'He was there for his team-mates and he knows how to balance his game. He knows when he can score and he knows how to pass the ball and I was glad to be there to finish it.'

Adidas Kit Signing This Week

To celebrate the launch of our new away kit, Adidas is giving Chelsea fans the ultimate money-can't-buy prize - an invitation to meet some of the players for a photo and kit signing.

Six Chelsea men will be at the Adidas Sports Performance Store at 415-419 Oxford Street in London this Thursday, so if you fancy the chance to meet Nicolas Anelka, Florent Malouda, Branislav Ivanovic, Salomon Kalou, Daniel Sturridge and Gael Kakuta, now is the chance.

If that wasn't enough, you can get up close and personal with the Barclays Premier League trophy, and win two tickets to cheer on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Match Report: Wigan 0 - 6 Chelsea

Wigan had no answer to Chelsea's goalscoring machine as manager Carlo Ancelotti's side have already now hit double figures for the season after two games in defence of their Barclays Premier League crown.

For the second successive Saturday Chelsea rattled home six, with Nicolas Anelka and substitute Salomon Kalou each bagging a brace, sandwiching one apiece from Florent Malouda and Yossi Benayoun.

It leaves Chelsea sitting pretty at the top of the table and the Latics propping it up, and with the possibility manager Roberto Martinez may now be fearing for his job.

The Blues have now scored a phenomenal 29 goals in just five league games, 14 of those against Wigan as they thumped eight past them on the final day of last season.

As for Martinez's hapless side, they have conceded 25 goals in six league matches, with 10 this season after starting out with a 4-0 home humiliation to Blackpool last weekend.

That had prompted bookmakers into offering staggering odds of 15-1 on a Wigan win, arguably forgetting the Latics had ended Chelsea's six-match winning start to last season with a 3-1 victory.

Certainly for the opening half hour Wigan's performance in contrast to a week ago was as different as night and day.

There was energy, effort and endeavour, and most crucially a lack of errors that was the main reason behind their embarrassing downfall against the Seasiders.

Striker Hugo Rodallega epitomised the difference as he was willing to chase balls out to the left wing, and when required he also tracked back to play his part in defence.

Rodallega was also the man who put Petr Cech under any pressure, although in fairness a 35-yard free-kick and 22-yard drive were meat and drink for a man of the Chelsea goalkeeper's calibre.

But for that initial 30 minutes Chelsea were kept quiet by Wigan's industry, with their only notable effort not really one to write home about as John Obi Mikel skied a 25-yard effort high over the crossbar.

However, Chelsea are not champions for nothing and in the 33rd minute they underlined why, stepping up a gear for the goal that broke the deadlock.

It was simple, incisive stuff as Didier Drogba and Ashley Cole combined down the left to tee up Frank Lampard for a close-range prod that was brilliantly tipped away by captain Chris Kirkland.

But from the rebound Malouda's reactions were too quick for Maynor Figueroa as he was on hand to tap home from a yard out.

Wigan's high work rate kept them in the game until the half-time break during which Martinez would undoubtedly have urged his side to keep it tight after the restart, whilst at least try and press for the equalizer.

But within the space of just over six minutes, such words will have counted for nothing as Wigan found themselves 3-0 down, and with the game over as a contest.

Two minutes and 29 seconds into the second half Chelsea had doubled their lead courtesy of a crisp, clinical strike from Anelka.

Collecting a raking ball from Mikel down the right, Anelka's cause was aided by Figueroa, Antolin Alcaraz and Kirkland pausing for a brief moment as the Frenchman strode into the area.

The trio gave Anelka just enough time to steady himself before he then unleashed a low right-foot shot beyond Kirkland inside his right-hand post.

Fewer than four minutes later Chelsea were heading back to London with all three points as Anelka scored his second.

After chasing a long ball down the left, Malouda chipped in a cross to the far post where Drogba turned the ball back across goal for Anelka to nod home from three yards.

To their credit Wigan refused to roll over, arguably playing some of their best football of the game, albeit all in vain.

Yet Rodallega and the returning Charles N'Zogbia, absent last week after Martinez had questioned his attitude, were denied by brave blocks by Chelsea captain John Terry and Alex respectively.

James McCarthy then saw a deflected effort hit the right-hand post, with Mauro Boselli flagged offside after tapping home the rebound.

Chelsea, though, were not done and after being on the pitch eight minutes after replacing Malouda, Kalou made it four in the 78th minute.

After Mohamed Diame was taken off on a stretcher, Chelsea then rubbed further salt into Wigan's wounds with Kalou making it 5-0 in the 89th minute and another sub in Yossi Benayoun adding the sixth in stoppage time.

Carlo Ancelotti Happy To Start The Season Well After Crushing 6-0 Win At Wigan

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti is very pleased to have started the season well as his side scored six for the second week running as they run out comfortable 6-0 winners against Wigan Athletic on Saturday.

Striker Nicholas Anelka and substitute Saloman Kalou both scored twice, while Florent Malouda and Yossi Benayoun also added one each, to maintain the champion’s impressive start to the season.

However Ancelotti believes his Chelsea side didn’t have it all their own way.

“It was a tough game and we had a lot of difficulties in the first half.” Ancelotti told Sky Sports News.

“Wigan played very well and used a lot of energy in the first half.

“In the second half it was a lot easier for us and the match was quite open.”

Ancelotti also believes that the difference in philosophy between English football and that of his native country contributed to the scoreline.

"There is a different mentality [in Italy],” he continued. “I think Wigan tried to come back into the match in the second half.

"But there was more space for our strikers and we are doing very well on the counter attack now."

The Chelsea boss was also quick to praise his players who were disappointing in the World Cup in South Africa.

“The World Cup was a different story.

“They have come back with strong motivation and are playing very well.”

Despite the 6-0 win, which saw Chelsea go back to the top of the league, Ancelotti dismissed claims that his side has an early advantage.

"I don't think this could be an advantage now.

“We have to continue to play well and to win. It is important to start well this season and We are doing this so we are happy."

Didier Drogba Believes The Premier League Will Be As Difficult As Ever

Didier Drogba believes that the Premier League will still be difficult despite his side scoring twelve goals in their opening two games.

The Ivorian international was named man of the match after his side’s 6-0 win over Wigan Athletic on Saturday, despite not scoring himself.

Chelsea currently sit comfortably at the top of the Premier League with two wins from two games, and scoring 12 goals in the process, but their star striker still believes that the league will be as difficult as ever.

“We are going to have difficult times [throughout the season],” the 32-year-old told Sky Sports.

“It would be great if we could win the league, but the league is not going to be easy.”

Wigan suffered a humiliating 4-0 home defeat at the hands of Premier League new boys Blackpool last weekend, and many tipped the same outcome for this encounter against the reigning champions, but the Lancashire outfit started out the strongest, and Drogba recognised that.

“We scored six [goals], but we suffered a lot in the first half.

“The fact that we scored quickly at the start of the second half settled us down a lot. We know what we have to do when a game is difficult, we know how to make games easier.”

After today’s result, Chelsea became the first team in Premier League history to score at least six in their opening two games, and Drogba believes this is down to the cohesion in the side.

“We [have] known each other for such long time. We know what we have to do to make it easier.”

Ancelotti Lauds Leader Terry

Carlo Ancelotti has hailed John Terry as the man most responsible for driving Chelsea towards greatness.

The Blues celebrated a memorable League and Cup double last season, their first under the guidance of Ancelotti.

The Italian has rightly been praised for the fine work he has overseen at Stamford Bridge, especially as things have not always gone as smoothly as he would have liked.

His talismanic skipper fell under the microscope at times last term, with revelations about his private life and the subsequent decision to strip him of the England captaincy firing Chelsea into the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Ancelotti, though, insists Terry has never allowed his focus to waver and admits he is full of admiration for the way in which the combative centre-half demands universal respect within the dressing room.

"John Terry is the captain of all team captains, he was born with the captain's armband on his arm," Ancelotti writes in his new autobiography: The Beautiful Games of an Ordinary Genius.

"Even without the band, it's as if he wears it anyway, and that's how it ought to be. He's different from all the others, Chelsea is his home, it always has been, ever since the youth squad.

"One word from him, and the locker room holds its breath. He's the first one to sit down at meals, the first one to stand up.

"Being part of this club is his mission, that's how he was made. He pays close attention to the performances of the youth team, he keeps up, he knows all the scores, he misses nothing (although he often loses at ping-pong in the dining room - and when that happens, watch out).

"He works twice as hard as everyone else, he has the sense of responsibility of someone who runs a company, a people, a philosophy that above all has to win.

"There is no room for second place; there can only be room for us."

Michael Essien Takes Break From Internationals

Michael Essien has chosen to temporarily withdraw his services for the Ghana national side in order to focus on club concerns with Chelsea.

Essien sustained a knee injury at the African Nations Cup in January that ruled him out for the remainder of Chelsea's season, as well as Ghana's campaign at the 2010 World Cup.

The midfielder has suffered with a number of fitness problems during his time at Stamford Bridge and wants to ease the strain on his body by enjoying an international hiatus.

"I think I will be taking a break," Essien said. "Not retiring, just not playing for time. I have to take the right decision for myself. I don't know whether they will be disappointed because they have done fine without me."

Essien's statement comes as a real setback for Ghana side that, although they reached the World Cup finals, would welcome their iconic captain when fit.

Only recently, Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac said he was looking forward to Essien returning to the Black Stars squad having missed the World Cup in South Africa.

"Michael is still an important component of this side, he is a special player," Rajevac said. "Essien brings a special dimension to this team. We are looking forward to having him back with us."

Ancelotti Loves Dealing With Anelka

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti insisted Nicolas Anelka has never caused him a moment's bother - and he blasted the French Football Federation for giving him an 18-match ban.

The 31-year-old received the draconian suspension, which applies to France games only, after being sent home from the World Cup following a reported bust-up with coach Raymond Domenech.

"He is a very good man. I have never had a problem with him," said Ancelotti. "I was very surprised at this behaviour during the World Cup. If I have to think of one player who would shout at me, Anelka would be the last."

He added: "He likes his job, he loves football. He has fantastic skills but he doesn't like publicity and he has character. He never missed training last year.

"I think it was unfair for him - 18 games is too much. Anelka is an honest man and he didn't deserve the decision. He has reacted very well. He has taken it with good spirit."

Anelka blasted the FFF as "clowns" and laughed off the ban, insisting he had already retired from international football.

"It is good news for myself because he can stay here to train during the international break, he can maintain a good condition," said Ancelotti.

Dressing Room Prankster Targets Chelsea Stars

Chelsea is looking wide open at the back - because someone is slashing HOLES in their undies.

A prankster keeps creeping into the changing room at their training ground to cut up their designer pants.

That's a turn-up for some of the players - who at times have had trouble keeping their pants ON.

The mystery assailant strikes up to twice a week while the Blues train at Cobham, Surrey.

His cheeky attacks have threatened the players' ball control and could easily lead to some ugly tackle being seen in the penalty box.

England star Frank Lampard said: "It's gone on for about a year. We get in to find the bum cheeks cut out of our underpants.

"It has to be one of the players. They are the only ones with access. You might get two hits in a week, then he won't attack for a month or so."

Lamps, 32, added: "I've a good idea who it is but wouldn't dream of making accusations until I have proof.

"I hope it's soon - it's costing a fortune in designer underwear!"

A club insider said: "It was a bit of a laugh but now the lads are a bit cheesed off.

"There's hardly any holes in our defence - so it's a shame the same can't be said of our underpants."

It's not the first time the boys have experienced trouble in the underwear department.

Ashley Cole got dumped by wife Cheryl this year after sending photos of himself in his Y-fronts to a topless model.

Youth Report: Chelsea 2 - 3 Manchester United

Chelsea's Under 18s succumbed to a tough Manchester United side today, with the visitors coming back from a two-goal deficit to win in the dying seconds.

The hosts built up a two-goal lead in the first-half before Manchester United returned with a strike in each half, the winner came as the result of defensive error but against the run of play.

Milan Lalkovic and Philipp Prosenik netted Chelsea's goals, which arrived in a first-half dominated by the Blues before the visitors pulled one back before the break.

There were several new additions to the line up from last year's regular youth team, with Jamal Blackman taking up his position between the posts.

At right-back sat Todd Kane with Ben Sampayo captaining from left-back. Meanwhile, Danny Stenning and Archange Nkumu both took up midfield positions behind an attacking trio of Bobby Devyne, Prosenik and Lalkovic.

Youth team manager Dermot Drummy fronted a 4-3-3 formation while the visitors lined up with a lone striker and five in midfield. It was the travelling side who began the game brightly, with Ryan Tunnicliffe weaving through midfield before drilling a shot wide of Blackman's goal.

In retaliation, Milan Lalkovic broke down the left flank, only for his subsequent cross to fly high over the box.

Blackman was then forced into an acrobatic save after Jesse Lingard rifled a chance from just inside the box; the Chelsea keeper blocked with his hands and deflected for Kane to clear.

Soon after the Chelsea shot-stopper used his feet to deny Lingard once more, as both sides scrambled for possession only feet in front of Chelsea's goal, following a long Manchester United ball.

It would take until the 30th minute for either side to break the deadlock, and it was Chelsea who struck first.

A well-earned goal arrived after Lalkovic, chasing down an ball by Anton Rodgers, took advantage of a mistake from United's defence and stole possession on the edge of the box, kicking the ball high before hitting it over the line.

The goal opened the game up and end-to-end football ensued. Blackman kept his presence felt, smothering shots and intercepting through balls, while Chelsea's midfield played one-touch football to maintain possession.

And it wasn't long before the Blues made it two, with Prosenik getting his name on the scoresheet.

After an Nkumu tackle won possession, the ball passed along right flank before Devyne took control. His cross found Prosenik (below) at the near post who expertly headed into the net.

But the two-goal deficit was short-lived as Manchester United pulled one back from the restart, with John Cofie converting a close range chance after the hosts' defence was overrun with red.

Lalkovic and Prosenik both tried to increase the lead further before the break but to no avail as the Blues went into half-time 2-1 up.

Drummy made one change before the restart but the intensity which ended the first-half had subdued slightly, with most of the play taking place in midfield under Chelsea's control.

George Saville was shown a yellow not far into the half, after a late tackle clipped Sean McGinty's feet, but despite the freekick to Manchester United, Chelsea continued to dominate.

Drummy then made another change with 23 minutes left. Prosenik made way for Lewis Baker, while Devyne went into the centre of attack. Seconds later the referee brandished yellow once more after McGinty cut Banga to the ground.

Devyne took advantage of his new position and was denied a chance shortly after. Manchester United keeper Sam Johnstone dived low, deflecting his shot from danger. The subsequent corner nearly found Banga at the far post but bounced out for a throw-in.

However, the game was levelled with 15 minutes left when Michael Keane netted another goal for the visitors from close range as defensive errors gifted him possession.

Chelsea threatened from the restart, with Lalkovic in particular looking sharp, but the opponent's defence remained resolute, allowing the hosts no chances.

The visitors managed to net the winning goal in the dying minutes. It was another scramble in the area which fell to Cofie, who smashed home with ease.

'It was a good game today,' said Drummy, 'Chelsea played some really good football and it was just unfortunate to concede at the end.

'But the side did really well, Manchester United are a very tough team to play against and we saw that today.'

Carlo Ancelotti Demands Five Victories Before Facing Manchester City

It was once said that Jose Mourinho had turned the title race from a marathon to a sprint – such was the need for the contenders to start the season in full stride – and now another Chelsea manager has set his team the target of winning all five of their Premier League matches before they face Manchester City next month.

Carlo Ancelotti said it was crucial that Chelsea faced City "on top of the list" – ie top of the table – when the two sides meet at Eastlands on Sept 25 because of their growing threat. Although, he added, City are "not a team" yet and lack a "clear identity" after another summer of heavy spending, that will have changed by then.

"Manchester City has problems. But that's normal," Ancelotti said. "You can see the power of Man City in a month. That's a normal time [for new players to adapt). When they play against us they will be a team. They bought another fantastic player in Mario Balotelli."

For now, Ancelotti said, Manchester United remain Chelsea's "challengers" – a sense confirmed by last weekend's opening round of matches – but he added of the need to quickly build a lead over City.

"They need this time [a month] because they've changed a lot of players, not just to build a team but to give time to the players who have come back from other countries. We have to look at City in a month. After that, we can say whether they are able to fight for the title or not. But I think they will be able to fight for the title," he said.

Ancelotti's knows that is the minimum requirement for Roberto Mancini and, of course, for himself. Not that he agrees with Sir Alex Ferguson – the man who also said Mourinho had cranked up the pace of the title race – that City's spending has been "kamikaze".

"The reason they did that was because they needed the players," he said. "I'd prefer to have the players than to search for them. You're not always able to take the players you want I have a fantastic squad. If you have the money, you can spend it. Man City has the money. I can't spend this money because I don't have it. This club, Chelsea, bought fantastic players in the past and can use those players now six or seven years on."

Vitesse Closing In On Deal For Chelsea’s Slobodan Rajkovic

Vitesse hope to quickly secure the loan signings of Ismail Aissati from Ajax and Slobodan Rajkovic from Chelsea, according to a report in Voetbal International.

Having been taken over by Georgian businessman Merab Jordania earlier this week, the club has received an injection of funds and are expected to be active in the transfer market in an attempt to strengthen their squad over the course of the next ten days. Their first activity seems likely to be confirming the arrival of Slobodan Rajkovic on a season long loan.

Press reports earlier in the week suggested that Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich was behind Jordania’s buy-out of Vitesse as he wants to use the club as a nursery for reserve and youth players, though the Russian was quick to strenuously distance himself from these suggestions.

Mourinho Wants Drogba

Jose Mourinho is planning a £20m offer for Chelsea’s Didier Drogba.

The Real Madrid boss wants to take his former striker to the Bernabeu.

But Mourinho will be told by Chelsea that their 32-year-old hitman is not for sale.

That will not stop Mourinho trying to snap him up, however, and Drogba’s agent, Thierno Seydi, has admitted that anything could still happen with his client before the end of the transfer window.

Seydi said: “Until the transfer window closes ­anything is possible with footballers.”

Mourinho wants an experienced striker after ­allowing Real Madrid hero Raul to leave the club.

At the moment he only has French flop Karem Benzema and young Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuain.

Mourinho has already done one deal with former club Chelsea this summer, taking Ricardo Carvalho to Madrid for £6m and he now plans to have a meeting with his club’s general director Jorge Valdano.

The Argentine chief wants to off-load some players and will try to use Dutchman Rafael van der Vaart in part exchange for Drogba.

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti is adamant that Drogba is going nowhere despite the fact that Seydi had talks with Manchester City last month about a Drogba move to Eastlands.

Drogba has spoken about wanting to finish his career at Chelsea, but at the same time he has wanted to work with Mourinho again ever since the Portuguese left the club three years ago.

Essien Making Up For Lost Time

For Michael Essien, memories of the monotony persist. Back when the English summer was sun-drenched he had rarely deviated from a set daily routine. He would arrive at Chelsea’s near deserted training centre in Cobham for 10am, then gain what little variety he could by mixing and matching between exercise bikes, cross trainers, treadmills, weights and lengths of the swimming pool. The work-out, prolonged and painful, ended at 5pm with another energy-sapping pigeon step taken on the road to recovery.

By early evening he would be back at home in front of the television to watch team-mates and compatriots participate in the World Cup finals, a stage that might have been his. The drudgery of life in rehabilitation might have left others numbed, but Essien is stronger than that. “John Mikel Obi would be in doing his work, and a couple of the reserve team players, but that was it, though it was not a problem for me,” he says. “I’m the kind of person who likes to be lonely. I got my head down and focused on getting fit. To be back playing now makes the hard work well worth it.”

There is a purring enthusiasm to the Ghanaian that suggests he is now intent upon making up for lost time. Essien has endured lengthy spells on the sidelines in the past two seasons. He ripped his anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee two seasons ago while playing for Ghana, damage that excluded him for more than five months and, therefore, virtually the entirety of Luiz Felipe Scolari’s tenure at the club. In January he wrecked the cartilage and meniscus in the same joint while training at the African Cup of Nations in Angola.

The loud click heard by all present signalled the end of his participation in a season that yielded the club’s first Premier League and FA Cup Double. He scheduled a 10-day break at the end of the season ahead of the anticipated hefty working summer and promptly succumbed to a nasty bout of tonsillitis that dragged on for a week. In that sorry context, his glee at a return to first-team football is utterly understandable.

The midfielder, along with Mikel, played in all five of the champions’ pre-season friendlies and West Bromwich Albion faced a familiar rampaging figure last Saturday in Chelsea’s 6-0 win. “It was great to be back,” says Essien. “There’s relief there, too. It was so frustrating to be back in that position, out of the team and in the treatment room, but these things happen. The knee is fine. There has been no reaction, either after training or after games.

“I suppose I knew what to expect. I’d been injured the previous year, and I’m a strong guy mentally. I can honestly say that winning the Premier League last season meant as much to me as it did in my first season at the club.”

Essien played 14 league games last season, and a meagre 11 the season before, but was still offered a contract extension this summer that should extend his stay at Stamford Bridge to a decade. Carlo Ancelotti will be rejoicing to have his midfield dynamo restored to the fold, with the 27-year-old offering him rare options. He was employed in a familiar position on the right of a narrow midfield three against West Brom, with licence to spring forward and unsettle nervous opponents. Yet he retains the ability to anchor that central trio – a role offered to Mikel last Saturday – and, unlike a more conventional Claude Makelele clone, can still boast that explosive thrust.

“People are saying I’m one of the new signings this year, and I am looking forward to playing more consistently after missing so much of the last two seasons,” says Essien. “This can be a big season. I don’t think I’ve still got things to show Carlo Ancelotti. He has seen me play a lot, even before he was our manager, and he knows what I can do.

“It is an exciting time. Some players have left but Ramires has come in, a player I haven’t seen much of but getting into the Brazilian team is not easy, so he must be good. I hope I can work well with him. It will be up to the manager where we all play. I’ve always enjoyed getting forward, pushing up-field to help us in our attacks, but I think you can still do that from a central position too.”

Ancelotti’s team were defeated by today’s opponents Wigan at the DW Stadium early last season and will be wary of enduring a repeat. “But that was last season, that is gone now,” adds Essien. Everything about this player is forward thinking.

Drogba Chasing First Hat-Trick Of Hat-Tricks Since 1946

Record-chasing Chelsea striker Didier Drogba will bid to become the first player in 64 years to claim three successive hat-tricks in the English top-flight when his team visit Wigan Athletic on Saturday.

No one has scored a treble in three consecutive English top-flight games since Liverpool's Jack Balmer in 1946.

The only other players to achieve the feat were Tottenham Hotspur's Frank Osborne in 1925 and Tom Jennings of Leeds United in 1926.

Ivory Coast international Drogba helped to wrap up the Premier League title for Chelsea on the final day of last season when he bagged three goals in an 8-0 demolition of Wigan at Stamford Bridge.

Drogba then started the new campaign with another treble in a 6-0 rout of promoted West Bromwich Albion last Saturday.

The 32-year-old's second hat-trick in a row helped him surpass Jimmy Greaves's total of 132 goals as Chelsea's sixth-highest scorer.

"I didn't know (about the record) but it is really nice," Drogba told the club's website (www.chelseafc.com).

"I have said I want to make history in the club and by being among these big players I have done it. But I don't want to stop here, I want my name as high as I can (get it)."

Only Bobby Tambling (202), Kerry Dixon (193), Frank Lampard (158), Roy Bentley (150) and Peter Osgood (150) are ahead of Drogba (134) on Chelsea's all-time list.

Wigan will be wary of the Ivorian especially as Roberto Martinez's team had the second-worst defensive record in the Premier League last season and slumped to a shock 4-0 home defeat by promoted Blackpool last Saturday.

Blues To Support Cole

Chelsea insist they will do everything they can to help England international Ashley Cole through his difficult period.

The 29-year-old was booed by England fans at Wembley while he also came under fire from West Brom fans at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Cole has been perceived as public enemy number one following his infamous defection from Arsenal to Chelsea in 2006.

The talented full-back is wanted by Real Madrid's new manager Jose Mourinho and Chelsea fear his low morale and declining popularity could force his hand.

However, rather than part company with one of their star players, chairman Bruce Buck insists they will stand by Cole and do whatever is necessary to help him on and off the pitch.

"I think Ashley is fine," explained Buck. "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 from the media.

"He doesn't like that, but I don't think it would be any different if he was in Spain or Italy.

"He has just got to work a little but, with our help, on improving his image."

Ancelotti: Hutch Can Still Support Us

Carlo Ancelotti has praised Sam Hutchinson for his attitude over the past three years, and expressed his hope that the young defender stays with the club following his retirement.

The 21-year-old was forced to bring an end to his promising career following three years of knee problems, but plans to stay with the club as an Academy coach while also studying sports science at university.

'We are sad, disappointed about this, he decided to retire after very strong work to recover from his injury,' Ancelotti said.

'He was not able to do this but now we are together to look forward to support him in everything. He will start to study sports science, he will start to train with our Academy, and we would like that he stays in our family because he has a strong character and showed this during the years when he tried to recover from the injury.

'He is a very good man and can have a fantastic job here in Chelsea and support us with his character,' the manager continued.

'Obviously he is sad now but he has to look forward, there are a lot of things. You can't play but you can do different jobs in football, he loves football and we will support his passion.'

Match Preview: Wigan vs. Chelsea

Wigan Athletic will keen to erase the memory of last weekend's drubbing by Blackpool but face a massive task in halting red-hot Chelsea at the DW Stadium.

The Latics were stunned 4-0 by the newly-promoted side last Saturday while Chelsea proved they are in no mood to relinquish their grip on the title with a 6-0 thrashing of West Brom.

Wigan played Chelsea on the final day of last season and few have forgotten how the Lancashire side suffered a humiliating 8-0 defeat when Carlo Ancelotti's side clinched the title.

However, Wigan were one of the few teams to inflict a league defeat on Chelsea last season with goals from Titus Bramble, Hugo Rodallega and Paul Scharner giving Roberto Martinez's men a 3-1 success.

If recent form is anything to go by then Chelsea will run out easy winners. Wigan have shipped 24 goals in their last 10 league games while the Blues have gone 406 minutes without conceding at the back.

Wigan news

Charles N'Zogbia could return to the Wigan side for the visit of the champions after being left out against the Seasiders.

The French winger was omitted for last week's 4-0 thrashing by manager Martinez, who questioned the player's attitude amid speculation over his future.

Martinez has since played down reports of a rift between the pair and said the 24-year-old will be in contention on Saturday.

The Spanish boss must also decide whether to keep faith with goalkeeper Chris Kirkland after his personal horror show in their season opener.

Forward Victor Moses has been ruled out with a calf injury while club captain Gary Caldwell remains on the sidelines after double hip surgery in the summer.

Chelsea news

Chelsea boss Ancelotti may give a Premier League debut to new signing Ramires. The Brazil international has joined from Benfica, although Jon Obi Mikel performed well against the Baggies.

Didier Drogba, who is aiming to score a league hat-trick for the third consecutive game, is sure to retain his place up front and he will be supported by Frenchman Nicolas Anelka.

Branislav Ivanovic is expected to be recalled into Ancelotti's starting XI after missing out last week due to an injury sustained on international duty. Portuguese full-back Paulo Ferreira will make way.

Jose Bosingwa remains on the sidelines with a knee injury and will play no part as Chelsea look to maintain their impressive start to the new campaign.

Possible starting XIs:

Wigan: Kirkland, Boyce, Alcaraz, Gohouri, Figueroa, McCarthy, Diame, Moses, Watson, Rodallega, Boselli.

Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Terry, Alex, Cole, Mikel, Essien, Lampard, Malouda, Anelka, Drogba.

Ramires Not Ready

Carlo Ancelotti has announced that Ramires will not be involved at Wigan but should make his debut against Stoke.

The Brazilian midfielder joined Chelsea from Benfica last week in a big-money deal but is not yet ready to be in contention.

Blues supporters are likely to get a first glimpse of Ramires in action the following Saturday when Stoke travel to Stamford Bridge.

Ancelotti has few injury concerns to key players ahead of the clash with the Latics and revealed that Jose Bosingwa will soon be back in training following a long lay-off due to a knee problem.

"Ramires came back this morning, he will train today, and will not be involved on Saturday," the Chelsea manager said on the club's official website.

"Next week he will be ready to play against Stoke and he will be involved in the match.

"(Branislav) Ivanovic had a little problem in his stomach and is fit and ready to play on Saturday.

"We are without (Jose) Bosingwa, he will start to train with the team next week and maybe needs again two or three weeks to play.

"(Jeffrey) Bruma will have surgery this morning for a hernia, and (Gael) Kakuta has a problem on his back.

"The other players are in good condition. (Frank) Lampard had a problem before the match against West Bromwich on his ankle, but trained well, recovered well and is fit."

Chelsea suffered a surprise defeat at the DW Stadium last season before taking their revenge on the final day of the campaign with an 8-0 home victory that clinched the title.

The Blues then continued their prolific goalscoring form by beating West Brom 6-0 on the opening day of this term, but Ancelotti is not expecting an easy match.

He said: "I am sure it will be a different game on Saturday (to West Brom), the last game at Wigan we lost 3-1 and for this reason I think we have to prepare well for this game, above all mentally.

"I will be happy if we can win just 1-0. It is important to have a clean sheet, it is important to score when possible but this is not football, to win 6-0 or 7-0 cannot happen every day. It is important to win, to play well, and if possible to score.

"We have to pay attention, they started bad, lost at home against Blackpool and they want to be strong, to have power, to do a different match. We have to pay attention because they have quality and skills in front."

Blues Striker Relishes Playmaking Role

Nicolas Anelka made headlines yesterday for laughing off his international ban for France, but when it comes to club football for Chelsea, the Frenchman is more focused than ever on diversifying his skill set.

The 31-year old, who has represented a plethora of clubs before his arrival at Stamford Bridge two years ago, feels confident about being surrounded with great finishers such as Didier Drogba, Florent Malouda, and Frank Lampard.

Hence, he insists that it has been a natural process for him to go from a lethal finisher to an effective playmaker over the course of time that he has spent in West London.

Speaking to the club’s website, he said: “Now I like the way I am playing but I have always liked to create goals and give assists because I like to win. When you want to win, even if you don’t score you want to make someone score and this is what I did last weekend.

“For me when you score and when you create a goal, it is the same. When you like football, I think you must like to do both as well,” he added.

Having won the Golden Boot Award in his first full season with the club not too long ago, Anelka acknowledges that scoring goals always remains a top priority for a hungry forward.

However, based on his experience, he insists that in a physical league such as the English top flight, players over 30 years old must be prepared to structure their game differently as per the needs of their team. After all, nothing is more important than winning!

“I will try to score more and I will try to do more assists but as I say, the most important is to win games and I am sure even if I don’t score, even if I don’t give assists then someone else will do it.

“Players need to change how they play in their thirties and even more so in England because it is so physical and quick with a lot of contact. You are not like you were when you were younger so you need to adapt your game – and this is exactly what I want to do,” concluded Anelka.

Ancelotti Slams French Federation Over Anelka Ban

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti has slammed the French Football Federation for banning striker Nicolas Anelka for 18 matches.

Anelka was suspended from international duty after being sent home from the World Cup following a dressing room row with then-France coach Raymond Domenech at half-time of the group stage match against Mexico.

The French squad refused to train for one day in South Africa in a show of solidarity with Anelka - an action which sparked outrage in France and led to a government probe into the scandal.

Blues striker Anelka responded to the ban by calling the federation's chiefs "clowns" and insisted he had already retired from international football.

Ancelotti is adamant Anelka doesn't deserve to be hit with such a lengthy suspension and, speaking at his weekly press conference on Friday, he said: "I think it was unfair for him - 18 games is too much.

"I don't know what happened there but Anelka is an honest man and he didn't deserve the decision.

"But Anelka has reacted very well. He has taken it with good spirit."

Ancelotti, who took charge at Chelsea last year, insists Anelka has never caused him any problems and he believes the ban is good news for the Premier League champions as it gives one of their star players extra time to rest.

"He never caused any problems for me. It is good news for myself because he can stay here to train during the international break, he can maintain a good condition," Ancelotti added.

"But for him it is not good news because every player wants to play in the national team."

Ancelotti will need Anelka to remain at his best this season after missing out on Brazilian striker Neymar when the highly-rated 18-year-old decided to remain at Santos rather than move to Stamford Bridge.

Hutchinson Forced To Retire

Chelsea youngster Sam Hutchinson has been forced to retire from professional football following a recurrence of a knee injury.

The 21-year-old defender has struggled with his fitness for several years, leaving him unable to build on a career that saw him handed his first senior game at the end of the 2006/07 season by Jose Mourinho.

The Portuguese coach spoke of his ability to become a first-team player in the future, however despite his young age he has consistently been hampered and has now chosen to quit.

Hutchinson began the 2007/08 season with bright prospects after several appearances for the reserves and also won a place in England's Under-21 squad, as well as making three appearances last season.

He will now be given support by the club to study sports science at university and will work on his coaching qualifications as part of Chelsea's academy.

Alex - Ramires Identical To Essien

Chelsea defender Alex has compared the club's new signing Ramires to current midfield star Michael Essien.

Brazil international Ramires completed a big-money move to Stamford Bridge from Benfica last week and has been handed the No.7 shirt.

Alex feels his compatriot's playing style is similar to that of Essien and is confident Ramires will be a success for the Premier League champions.

"I was talking with Jose Bosingwa and we were saying how Ramires is a lot like Michael Essien," Alex told the club's official website.

"He's not as strong as Essien, but he has the same style on the pitch.

"He goes forward very quickly, then he comes back and marks very well. He's a very good player.

"It's very important for me and the team that the midfielders go to shoot and arrive at the goal, but then get back to mark.

"He's almost the same as Michael Essien like that, so I am expecting a lot of goals, which is important for us.

"He will get to play with Michael Essien, John Obi Mikel and Frank Lampard, we have a very good midfield group and he will do a great job for us."

Neymar Explains His Decision To Reject Chelsea & Play On With Santos

Santos prodigy Neymar has stated that he will remain in Brazil for the time being, choosing to snub a lucrative offer from Premier League outfit Chelsea.

The 18-year-old Brazil international has been linked with a move to Europe for much of the summer, but over the last fortnight the Blues had emerged as strong favourites for his signature. Neymar seemed undecided for a period, but he has now told a press conference that he won’t be moving to England yet.

“The final decision is always that of the player,” he stated. “I talked to my father, my family, and I have decided to stay. I am happy, and that's what I want. I think this decision will help me a lot in my game, because I'm happy. Money alone does not buy happiness.”

Club president Luis Alvaro de Oliveira was left delighted.

“The decision of Neymar is not based on a simple comparison of numbers, because otherwise Santos would have lost. This is a much more thoughtful decision, which shows that a child of 18 years is capable of taking the decisions of a mature man,” he said.

Neymar has already been capped once by Brazil, scoring against the USA on his international debut last week.