Palermo's Pastore Staying Put

Serie A outfit Palermo insist they have no intention of selling star man Javier Pastore.

The Argentine playmaker is reported to be attracting interest from afar, with Manchester United, Chelsea and Juventus all said to be keen.

However, Palmero director Walter Sabatini is adamant the 20-year is going nowhere.

"Pastore will not be sold," he claimed.

"It won't happen in June, neither next season. He represents the future of this club and this is why we won't accept any bid for him."

Palermo have invested heavily in the stars of tomorrow over recent years, having offloaded a number of the more experienced members of their squad to bigger clubs.

Abel Hernandez, a teenage forward from Uruguay, is also believed to have caught the eye of potential suitors, but once again Sabatini insists there is no chance of a deal being struck.

"Abel Hernandez is another of our youngsters who will not be going anywhere," he continued.

"It is not true that Arsenal have made an offer for him."

The Sicilians are currently flying high in Serie A and have their sights set on a top four finish and UEFA Champions League qualification.

My Heart Is With Both Chelsea And Inter - Jose Mourinho

Inter coach Jose Mourinho is preparing to take on Chelsea in the second-leg of their Champions League tie next week, holding a 2-1 advantage after a win at the Giuseppe Meazza.

The 47-year-old tactician spent three years in charge of the Blues, but insists that despite knowing it will be an emotional evening, only the Nerazzurri are his priority now.

"The good thing is I don't have to walk far, from the dressing room to the bench is only five metres. I won't have to cross the field and feel the emotions and reactions of the crowd," he explained in an interview with uefa.com.

"On the field are the players, not me. They are much more important than I, because the game is won on the pitch, not on the bench. But my heart will fully be on either side. That's what a professional should do, but I cannot hide that Chelsea was a very important part of my life."

Inter were eliminated from the competition at this stage last season after falling to Manchester United and the squad underwent several changes during the summer.

"If a coach does his duty and the club supports him, as is the case for me, you can always improve," he continued.

"We bought some players last year that we did not have, such as a pure attacking midfield creative player like Wesley Sneijder.

"Up front we have more solutions like [Diego] Milito, [Samuel] Eto'o, and [Goran] Pandev. Sure we lost Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but with these three players we have more solutions and more options. In addition, Lucio was the type of defender that we lacked.

"I think now the team is more suited to the modern game."

My Week At Work: Daniel Sturridge

Striker Daniel Sturridge scored twice for the reserve team this week, and enjoyed his short stint with the second string, but still can't bring himself to give them too much praise.

The best goal I have seen this week:
The most shocking goal of the week was my first one for the reserves against Stoke, in off my back! The second wasn't lucky, that was well judged, so be careful. Samir Nasri's for Arsenal against Porto was very good, I'll say that.

The best save I have seen this week:
I'm a striker, I don't look out for keepers' saves do I? How about Alex's tackle against Stoke on Tuncay?

The best training:
Being with the reserves, the overall banter and feel of the session the day before the game was hilarious, everybody was up for it and enjoying themselves.

The worst training:
I can't be airing out the coaches for getting involved, there have been a couple of one-off incidents, but I don't know, nothing I want to tell you about!

Funniest moment of the week:
That reserve training session, we were playing some six-a-side which was funny, one team was bantering the whole time and ended up winning it, they had Nikki Ahamed, Danny Mills Pappoe, Jacob Mellis, Gokhan Tore, they did very well.

My favourite sound this week:
There's a song by Mr. Slick called 'Chillin', and I'm always listening to that because I'm always chilling myself.

Best food this week:
Anything my mum cooks, and this week I'll say her chicken, which is always amazing.

Best entertainment:
I've not watched a lot this week on TV or anything, I've stopped with the computer games at the moment, so I'm spending time in London with my friends, but I did watch 'The Taking of Pelham 123' again this week, and that's good.

The news story that stands out:
That Facebook murder, it just shows you have to be careful with it because it can obviously be dangerous.

And a special mention goes to:
Maybe the reserve boys. No why am I giving them a special mention? This should be family shouldn't it? So my family for keeping me happy through hard times.

Match Preview: Chelsea vs. West Ham United

Chelsea have been plunged into a goalkeeping crisis ahead of Tuesday night's Champions League return leg against Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan.

Chelsea lost first-choice goalkeeper Petr Cech with a calf strain in the 2-1 opening leg defeat at the San Siro and deputy Hilario collected an abductor injury during last Sunday's 2-0 FA Cup quarter-final victory over Stoke.

The injuries have left the Blues with just Ross Turnbull and Rhys Taylor available for the Barclays Premier League clash with West Ham.

The pair are likely to be on duty against Milan in their return last-16 tie as coach Carlo Ancelotti admits it is unlikely Hilario or Cech will have recovered in time to play.

The loss of Hilario is a real blow for Ancelotti as Turnbull has made just two appearances for the club this season.

Turnbull, who joined on a free transfer from Middlesbrough last summer, played in the 4-0 Carling Cup win over Bolton and Chelsea's 2-2 draw with APOEL in this season's Champions League group stage.

"We have a problem with the goalkeepers,'' admitted Ancelotti.”We don't know if Hilario or Petr are able to play on Tuesday.

"I want to put the best line-up out because it's an important game. We don't have to think about the Inter game.

"We need to win and go back to the top of the table, so I want to put the best players out. But we have problems. Michael Essien, Ashley Cole, and Jose Bosingwa are out. Also Ricardo Carvalho and Hilario is not able to play. So, in goal, Turnbull will play.

"Cech is doing physiotherapy. He did not train on the pitch, so it's very difficult for him to recover for Tuesday.

"Hilario had a problem against Stoke and has not been able to train this week. An Adductor muscle in his groin is the problem. On the bench will go Rhys Taylor, our young goalkeeper from the reserve team.

"I'm not worried. The performance of the team does not rely upon the goalkeeper. I don't want to say we can play without a goalkeeper, because that's an important player for the team, but I have confidence in Turnbull.

"He has not played a lot of games this season but, with the work with our goalkeeping coach, he has improved very well. I have no problem about playing Turnbull against Inter Milan.''

Meanwhile, West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola believes his team need 10 more points to beat the drop - and is challenging his players to upset the form book and pick three of them up at his former club.

The Hammers' disappointing 2-1 home defeat to Bolton last weekend leaves them on 27 points, three above the Barclays Premier League relegation zone with 10 matches remaining.

With their next two games coming away at title challengers Chelsea and Arsenal, many believe it will be West Ham's final eight fixtures which will determine whether they reach the 37-point mark demanded by Zola.

But the Italian sees no reason why the recovery following the loss to Bolton cannot start at Stamford Bridge, a ground where he served Chelsea with distinction between 1996 and 2003.

"Personally, I think 37 should make it for us,'' Zola said, when asked how many points his team will need to secure their top-flight status.

"Some people are saying less, but I want to be sure that 37 will be a good target for us.

"It will be fantastic for me to win at Stamford Bridge. The situation is that we need those points. For me and my team, I think it will be a big boost forward.

"I think we have enough quality here to do it. But we have to improve our consistency.''

Zola will make changes to his team, in terms of both preparation and personnel, for the Chelsea match.

Fit-again centre-back Danny Gabbidon is set to come into the line-up in place of James Tomkins, who was arguably at fault for both goals West Ham conceded against Bolton.

England striker Carlton Cole could start up front on his own, with Zola reverting to a 4-5-1 formation as he looks to improve his side's dreadful away record this season.

With Julien Faubert ruled out with a hamstring injury, Jonathan Spector could be switched from left-back to right-back, with Swiss youngster Fabio Daprela coming in as a replacement.

Ancelotti: Trust In Turnbull

Carlo Ancelotti has been talking injuries ahead of the West Ham game as he welcomes Yury Zhirkov back into his squad and prepares to give a Chelsea league debut to Ross Turnbull.

Hilario has a groin injury suffered in the match against Stoke last weekend and has not trained all week. He is a doubt to face Inter on Tuesday and will not play tomorrow (Saturday).

Ricardo Carvalho is also out of the West Ham match as he recovers from a hamstring niggle but injuries apart, Ancelotti will be fielding his strongest team.

'We need to come back to the top of the table and so I want to put the best line-up out,' confirmed the Chelsea manager after Friday's training.

'We have some problems because we have injuries to some players, but I am not worried. I have trust in Turnbull. He hasn't played a lot of games but with our goalkeeper coach, he has improved very well.'

The 25-year-old has made two Chelsea appearances since signing from Middlesbrough in the summer.One was a full 90 minutes in a 2-2 draw against APOEL at the Bridge in the Champions League. He also came on midway through the first half of the Carling Cup win at home to Bolton when Hilario was injured and kept a clean sheet.

He last played in the Barclays Premier League when Boro lost at the Bridge in January 2009.

The goalkeeper on the bench will be Rhys Taylor, a 19-year-old from the reserve squad who played in the FA Youth Cup Final two years ago and was an unused sub for three first-team games during the Christmas and New Year period 2007/08.

'Yury Zhirkov is fit,' Ancelotti reported. 'He trained very well this week and has recovered completely. He can play tomorrow and also Tuesday and I don't think Carvalho has a problem for Tuesday.

'Maybe we will have a problem with goalkeepers because we don't know about Hilario and Petr Cech is doing physio but he hasn't trained on the pitch, so it is very difficult for him to recover for Tuesday.'

Ancelotti also had news on more long-term injured Ashley Cole and Michael Essien. They return to Cobham today from their rehabilitation in France after surgery.

Essien after an initial complication that has put his recovery back three to four weeks is progressing well.

'We are sure that he will play before the end of this season if his recovery continues without roblem.Ashley Cole is doing very good recovery, very fast. We have to look at him but we hope to have him before the three months.'

That was the time period initially predicted for the left-back's recovery. While he is considering his own injured players, Ancelotti has empathy for his opposite number this weekend, Gianfranco Zola.

'It is not easy for him because he has had a lot of injuries. Now, after the recovery of Carlton Cole, they have the possibility to play well until the end of the season. I hope West Ham stay in the Premier League because I think Gianfranco did a very good job this season. It is a very difficult job but he didn't lose his focus.

'The last Italian manager we played against beat me, but I am happy to meet my ex-player.'

Chelsea And Man City Want Neymar

Chelsea and Manchester City lead the race to sign Santos forward Neymar, according to the Brazilian's agent.

The 18-year-old has long been linked with a move to the Premier League, with Manchester United also credited with an interest.

It has been reported that Robinho's loan move, and possible permanent deal, to Santos will give City the priority option for Neymar if he becomes available for transfer.

But the teenager's representative, Augusto Frederico Pena, has announced that Chelsea are rivals to the Eastlands outfit for a contract escape clause which is understood to stand at €35million (£32m).

Pena told calciomercato.it: "There is every likelihood that Neymar will leave Santos in the summer. I think there are more opportunities for English teams.

"In the Premier League, he is followed by Chelsea and Manchester City, although there is nothing concrete."

Terry Hopes To End Mourinho's Dream

Captain John Terry is convinced Chelsea can end Jose Mourinho's bid for Champions League glory when the former Blues boss returns to Stamford Bridge next week.

Mourinho's Inter Milan will arrive in London on Monday holding a 2-1 advantage from the first-leg of their last-16 tie at the San Siro.

It will be the first return to Stamford Bridge for Mourinho since September 2007, when he departed after leading the club to every domestic honour including successive Barclays Premier League triumphs in 2005 and 2006.

Terry, who scored in the FA Cup victory over Stoke last weekend, is confident Chelsea can overcome Inter's slender lead and reach the last eight of the tournament at the expense of the 'Special One'.

Terry said: "Returning to Stamford Bridge with a one-goal deficit and an away goal against the Italian champions is a starting point most sides would take and this side believes we can turn it around.

"We are going for three trophies right now and every game is crucial. Only winning will do."

Agent: Contract Talks For Borini

Chelsea striker Fabio Borini is in talks with the Blues over a new contract, according to his agent.

The talented teenager joined the London club as a trainee in July last year and has shown plenty of promise since then.

He has featured eight times in the first team squad, playing on the domestic scene and in Europe.

Having impressed on each occasion, Borini is now close to securing a new deal which will see him at the club for the foreseeable future.

"There will soon be a meeting with Chelsea for the renewing of the contract," Borini's agent Marco De Marchi told Calciomercato.it.

"In London, Fabio is very good," he added. "The management are very pleased with his performances and Carlo Ancelotti rates him highly."

Asked if Borini may be loaned out to his native Italy once a deal had been tied up, De Marchi said: "I don't think so.

"He wants to remain with the Blues but if there are other options we will evaluate them."

Carlo Ancelotti Keeps Joe Cole Guessing At Chelsea With Liverpool Waiting In Wings

Relations between Joe Cole and Chelsea have been affected by the news that the club are in active negotiations to extend the contracts of both Nicolas Anelka and Michael Ballack.

Cole, whose deal expires on June 30, and his advisers were under the impression that all contract talks were on hold until the summer. Not so, say Chelsea, who firmly dispute that claim. But it has not helped the 28 year-old's sense of being wanted at the club he joined seven years ago.

Cole had asked for a new, improved offer more than two years ago and was told to wait by the then chief executive Peter Kenyon. The priority was tying down Frank Lampard. A serious knee injury, with Cole out for nine months, caused a further delay while other Chelsea players have signed new deals in the meantime. Significantly the midfielder has failed to hold down a first-team place on a regular basis under Carlo Ancelotti.

The official position remains from both sides that player and club want a deal to happen – and one may well be concluded – but it's highly unusual for an international in his prime to be in the situation that Cole now finds himself in, especially going into a World Cup finals which he is danger of missing out on. Certainly part of his negotiations was to get himself into the "upper quartile" of earners at Stamford Bridge with an improvement on his £80,000-a-week salary to take him into six figures.

That has been balked at by Chelsea but although it's clear that money, and length of contract, is a factor the greater concern now appears to be Cole's inability to convince Ancelotti to play him. The recent failure to come on against Inter Milan in the Champions League – the manager preferred to use the pace of Daniel Sturridge – did not go unnoticed while, in fairness, Cole has not been playing convincingly.

Cole is now in a quandary. There will be no shortage of clubs interested in him this summer – and tentative offers are being made – with Liverpool understood to be keen followed by Tottenham Hotspur. Cole has, also, always hankered after the idea that he could play in Spain, having appeared as a La Liga pundit but with a baby on the way, does he want to go overseas?

Carlo Ancelotti '100% Sure' Joe Cole Will Stay At Chelsea

Despite rumours of a move away from the club, Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti believes out-of-contract midfielder Joe Cole will stay at Stamford Bridge next season.

The Englishman's contract runs out in the summer, and he has reportedly attracted interest from Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham after so far failing to agree a new deal with his current club.

But Ancelotti, who has used Cole only sparingly this season, is certain the 28-year-old will remain with the club he supported as a boy.

"He will stay at Chelsea next year - of that I am 100 per cent clear. He will be in the squad for next year," Ancelotti said ahead of Saturday's game against West Ham United.

"It’s my aim and the aim of the club to keep him in the squad because Joe Cole is an important player, a very professional player, and one who has a lot of quality.

"For these reasons, we want to keep him.”

Ancelotti's assistant Ray Wilkins echoed the sentiment, playing down reports that the club's board was reluctant to offer Cole a new deal.

“We are desperate to keep Joe. I know the club is and we as a management group feel the same. He is a valuable asset to us," he said.

“I have spoken to Joe on numerous occasions and he is upbeat about his future here.

"He loves Chelsea. He wants to stay at Chelsea and I’m sure the club and his people will sort the situation out.

"We sincerely hope he is here next season."

Drogba Is Africa's Number One

Didier Drogba has been named the African Player of the Year for the second time in his career.

The Chelsea striker previously won the honour in 2006 and has been in the top three places on four other occasions.

On Thursday evening of what is his 32nd birthday, Drogba beat the challenges from other nominees Michael Essien and Samuel Eto'o to receive the 2009 award.

The winner is voted by the national coaches from the 54 countries affiliated to the Confederation of African Football.

Unable to be at the ceremony in Ghana due to his Chelsea training commitments, it was collected on Drogba's behalf by an official of the Ivorian Football Federation.

Both Drogba and Essien were named in the African Best XI for 2009.

Essien was quick to congratulate his Chelsea team mate and friend. Speaking from his rehab camp in France he said:

'Congratulations to Didier for winning this superb award. He has worked hard over the last year for Chelsea and Ivory Coast and he deserves every award he wins.

'The winner is chosen by people who know and understand the game and all three of us in the running would have loved to have won it, but there can be only one winner and this time it is Didier - Well done mate.

'I hope this is a sign of things to come in the upcoming Chelsea versus Inter Champions League game. For a Chelsea player to beat an Inter player Eto'o for the award could be a good omen ahead of the game.'

Didier Drogba: We Need To Win All Remaining Premier League Games To Be Champions

Striker Didier Drogba has demanded a perfect finish to the Premier League season from Chelsea if they want to be champions.

The Blues currently lie two points behind leaders Manchester United, but have a game in hand on their rivals, and Drogba believes only 10 wins from their remaining 10 league games will do.

"I am thinking about the big games coming up. We need to win all our games now because the pressure is there from United," Drogba was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail.

"This is the time of the season where we have to be on the best form. If we want to be champions again, then we know what we have to do."

The Ivorian has been in fine form for his club this season, scoring 19 goals in his 23 league appearances to date.

Petr Cech Expected To Return For Chelsea Ahead Of Schedule

Petr Cech is confident of returning to the Chelsea first team ahead of schedule for their Premier League game against Blackburn Rovers in nine days' time, his rehabilitation from a calf injury progressing encouragingly, although Henrique Hilário will be in goal against Internazionale for the second leg of the Champions League last-16 tie next week.

The Czech tore a calf muscle having leapt unchallenged to claim a cross after an hour of the first leg at San Siro and departed in discomfort on a stretcher with his side trailing 2-1.

A scan confirmed the injury and Chelsea were expected to be without their first-choice goalkeeper for a month, potentially ruling him out of four Premier League matches as well as FA Cup and Champions League ties. That diagnosis may now be revised, with a return for the televised game against Blackburn on 21 March more realistic after the 27-year-old made steady progress in recovery.

His absence was keenly felt when Manchester City exploited Hilário's rustiness to win 4-2 at Stamford Bridge last month, the title challengers' first home defeat in 38 matches, but Chelsea will have to rely on their recently capped Portuguese goalkeeper as they seek to progress beyond Inter and into the Champions League quarter-finals.

The 34-year-old Hilário, a perennial understudy to Cech since moving to west London from Madeira's Nacional in 2006, made his international debut as a second-half substitute in a 2-0 friendly victory over China this month, though his opportunities to impress at club level have been limited.

He kept a somewhat unconvincing clean sheet in the FA Cup at home to Stoke City last Sunday and will play against West Ham United on Saturday before facing José Mourinho's Inter side.

Yuri Zhirkov, troubled by his own calf problems in recent weeks, returned to training with the first-team squad at Cobham today and may now be available for the visit of West Ham.

Danny Ready To Reignite £25m Chelsea Move As He Launches Zenit St Petersburg Comeback

Portugal playmaker Danny hopes to prove Chelsea he is still worth a £25million move after recovering from a career-threatening knee injury.

The 26-year-old insists he was on the verge of a mega-move to Stamford Bridge before rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee while training with Zenit St Petersburg 10 months ago.

Danny is set to play his first competitive match since returning to fitness when Zenit kick off their Russian Premier League season at Krylya Sovetov on Saturday, and expects Chelsea scouts to keep tabs on him.

'The injury made it a very difficult time for me,' he said recently. 'It prevented my transfer to Chelsea, for example, and even before the injury, I nearly went to Juventus.

'But I understand their position. They have to think twice before hiring a player who has an injury.'

Zenit will seek to recoup the huge fee of about £25m, which they paid for Danny when making him their replacement for Arsenal-bound Andrey Arshavin in August 2008.

Danny started well, scoring the winner against Manchester United in a man-of-the-match performance during Zenit's UEFA Super Cup win.

He now has the double aim of impressing foreign scouts and trying to win back a place in the Portugal team in time for the World Cup.

Blues Set For Atletico Swap Shop

Chelsea could be set to use Deco and Ricardo Carvalho as bait to sign Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero in the summer.

Portugal international Deco, who still has another year remaining on his Blues contract, recently confirmed his desire to quit Stamford Bridge after struggling for first team action under Carlo Ancelotti.

And, while he is looking for a return to Brazil to be nearer his family, it is being reported that Chelsea will try and persuade him to move to Spain with Atletico on a free transfer in an effort to get the Primera Liga outfit to part with their £35million star man Aguero.

Meanwhile Portuguese defender Carvalho could also be thrown into the deal if Atletico agree to a player-plus-cash deal for the Argentinian, who has already scored 15 goals in all competitions this current season

Chelsea Striker Didier Drogba Hungry For More Glory

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba insists that he still possesses the desire to continue his hunt for glory, despite turning 32-years-old on Thursday.

In defiance of his advancing years, the hit-man has scored 32 goals in his last 52 appearances for the Blues.

"I still have the same passion for the game," Drogba told the club's official website.

"I still feel hungry and I am still chasing medals.

"I feel really good you know. As I have said in the past it depends on the injuries you get and this season I can say that I am lucky, or I can say that the few months that I took out last year to get my knee well are now paying off."

Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti had previously maintained that between 30 and 33, a player reaches the middle age in his career, claiming that advancements in training techniques and changes in lifestyle have helped prolong footballers' careers.

"But at the same time your lifestyle is only as important as your mental approach to the game," the Ivorian added.

"If you put in your head that you are 32 and you are old it is going to be difficult.

"I still feel like a kid when I am on the pitch so sometimes he [Ancelotti] has to pull me back."

Despite staying atop the Premier League for a majority of the season, the Ivory Coast international did not want to count chickens before they were hatched.

When quizzed as to what success in the league would mean, he said: "We are far from that."

"We have lot of games coming and big games too so I don't want to bring bad luck by talking about if we win, but this season so far has been really good for me."

Alex Nominated For FA Award

Alex has been nominated for the E.ON Player of the Round after his performance in Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final against Stoke at Stamford Bridge.

The defender didn't put a foot wrong all game, and is pictured making a superb saving tackle on Sanli Tuncay in the first half, the second key challenge he had made after an early block on Mamady Sidibe denied a likely goal.

Alex, 27, has earned rave reviews from John Terry for his performance against Stoke's physical forwards, which he discussed with the Chelsea website the day before the game.

Fans can vote for Alex until Wednesday March 24 by clicking here, and those who do so will be entered into a prize draw to receive a commemorative trophy and two VIP tickets to The FA Cup Final on May 15.

Chelsea & Ghana's Michael Essien Contests WAFU “Best of the Best” Award

Ghana midfield ace Michael Essien has been named in a 16-man list for the inaugural West Africa Football Union Award.

According to the organisers, the award, tagged “Best of the Best”, will be presented to any player from west Africa who performs exceptionally during the year under review.

Essien’s national team-mates Sulley Muntari of Inter and Andre Ayew of AC Arles have also been nominated.

The tall list will be pruned to four and the winner will be decided in May solely through phone or SMS voting by the public.

Also shortlisted are Ivorians Kader Keita, Yaya Toure and Didier Drogba, Nigeria duo Yakubu Ayiegbeni and John Obi Mikel, Jonathan Pitroipa and Moumouni Dagano of Burkina Faso and Malian duo Frederic Kanoute and Seydou Keita.

The rest are Stephane Sessegnon (Benin), Emmanuel Adebayor (Togo), Mamadou Niang (Senegal) and Pascal Feindouno (Guinea).

City Lead Race In Blues Ace Bids

Man City are reported to be putting together a contract offer for Chelsea's Joe Cole who looks set to be a free agent in the summer.

The former West Ham star is thought to be unhappy at the Blues' alleged offer of only a 12-month extension at £36,000 a week - a 40 per cent reduction on his current terms and nowhere near the likes of Chelsea's top earners - Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard, and John Terry who all trouser in excess of £100,000-a-week.

Cole's agent is understood to be testing the potential market for his client of he is available on a free transfer and City are ready to beat neighbours Man Utd with a package worth £80,000-a-week.

Tottenham are also interested but Cole is apparently keen to play Champions League football and relocate to the north west with wife Carly Zucker - who is expecting the couple's first child in the next few weeks.

Reserve Report: Chelsea 3 - 0 Stoke City

Daniel Sturridge struck twice for Chelsea reserves as we saw off a young Stoke City side at Cobham on Wednesday evening.

The summer signing was lively all evening, and could have had five on another night, but settled for a fortuitous brace, laying on another for Gael Kakuta who was also in fine form.

The Blues dominated from start to finish, taking advantage of the absence of many Stoke regulars due to their first team fixture away at Burnley on the same night, in turn recording a first win in four league games.

Steve Holland had Fabio Borini and Jeffrey Bruma available after illness, but Ross Turnbull, who had been touted to play in goal, missed out meaning a start for Rhys Taylor.

Other notable absentees were Josh McEachran, who is expected to be fit for next week's FA Youth Cup semi-final against Blackburn, and Sam Hutchinson, who will resume full training later this week. Long term injury victims Adam Phillip and Michael Woods remain sidelined.

Bruma began at right-back with Patrick van Aanholt back from a loan at Newcastle on the left, while Borini was joined in attack by Sturridge, an unused sub against Stoke's first team in the FA Cup on Sunday.

Sturridge was the first to get a sight of goal against a Stoke side consisting entirely of Academy scholars, the forward dragging his 20-yard drive wide of goal after creating space for himself four minutes in.

Moments later he forced visiting goalkeeper Dave Parton into a smart low save with a similar effort, as Chelsea were already beginning to assert themselves against younger opposition.

Sturridge was at the centre of everything going forwards, and should have put his side in front in the 12th minute after Gael Kakuta threaded him through. The shot went high, and though he could blame a bobble on the surface, he should still have hit the target.

The 20-year-old thought he had Stoke goalkeeper Dave Parton beaten when another powerful drive flew towards goal, but the stopper stuck out a foot and diverted the ball up and over.

It was to take 25 minutes in the end for Sturridge to finally make his mark, almost inadvertently after Kakuta had crossed from the left and Jacob Mellis had looped the ball onto the crossbar. Stoke could have cleared but instead the ball was kicked at the former Manchester City forward, who diverted it home with his back.

Stoke's best chance fell to forward Warwick Alexander, who could only guide Ryan Connor's free-kick wide from eight yards out, and the miss proved costly, as within minutes Chelsea's lead was doubled.

This time Kakuta finished off the move he started in his own half, releasing Sturridge with a brilliantly struck first-time pass, and finishing calmly after his team-mate's shot rebounded to him from Parton's palms. The Frenchman was left with plenty to do, but took a touch and fired low into the far corner. Question marks might have been raised in the visiting defence as to why Kakuta had so much time.

The same player almost made it three six minutes before the break, but blazed his shot over with his weaker right foot after dancing through half the Stoke defence, before Bruma fired into the side netting after a corner was only cleared to the edge of the area.

Injury to Danny Mills Pappoe meant one change at half-time, Nana Ofori-Twumasi coming on at right-back and Bruma, captain for the night, moving to centre-half.

Five minutes into the second half Borini had an effort chalked out for offside against Mellis, who was proving difficult to track for Stoke's central midfielders.

Sturridge's second goal of the evening arrived as he arced Van Aanholt's cross into the far corner with a controlled half-volley, and the result was settled.

Nemanja Matic, who had been tidy all evening, almost added a fourth but saw his drive turned away, while Sturridge twice shot wide as he pursued a hat-trick.

Liam Bridcutt was booked late on for dissent, but all in all it was a successful evening as the young Blues returned to winning ways.