Essien Sets Sights High

Midfielder Michael Essien says Chelsea can crown last season's double success by winning the Champions League.

The Ghana international has returned to Chelsea's midfield after spending much of last season on the treatment table with a knee injury that eventually cost him a trip to the World Cup finals in South Africa.

Chelsea stormed to the Barclays Premier League title last season and then clinched their first-ever double with an FA Cup final victory over Portsmouth at Wembley.

Now Essien believes the Blues can add the Champions League crown to all the domestic silverware they have won.

Chelsea are confident of getting through their group which includes MSK Zilina, Spartak Moscow and Marseille.

"We have set our targets as high as we possibly can and the aim is to win every competition we enter," said Essien.

"We now have four trophies to go for and we are all focused on giving it 110 per cent.

"You cannot ask for more than three games played, three wins with 14 goals scored and none conceded. That is the reason why I am excited about this season. The team has been together for the last four to five years and the understanding is getting better each year.

"We cannot get carried away and have to keep working hard to win everything. As a player you get the inner feeling that something big is around the corner and I feel the same way I felt last season when we won the double.

"However I am sure we can go one further and add the big one - the UEFA Champions League to our collection of trophies.

"Everyone knows how much winning that will mean to us. As a team we have won every domestic trophy and so it's only natural that we have the hunger for the European trophy.

"That is not to say we don't care about the Premier League, FA Cup or Carling Cup. We want to win every competition we enter this season and we will do all we can to win them all."

Didier Drogba Named West Africa’s Player Of The Year

Didier Drogba has won the inaugural prize for the best footballer in West Africa awarded by the West Africa Football Union (Wafu).

The sub-region's maiden awards ceremony was held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on Wednesday and chaired by Ghana’s FA president Kwesi Nyantakyi, who represented the Wafu president Amos Adamu.

The awards were meant to distinguish footballers from West Africa who performed exceptionally during the year under review. The votes were conducted via phone calls and SMS from the sub-region’s public.

Drogba received the biggest award of the night, tagged “Best of the Best”, beating Ghana’s trio Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari and Andre Ayew.

The Elephants' Yaya Toure and Kader Keita were also distinguished as well as two Nigerians: John Obi Mikel and Yakubu. Emmanuel Adebayor from Togo was also awarded.

Two of the Ivory Coast's former players Laurent Pokou and Cyrile Domoraud, along with Toure and Drogba, were designated as ambassadors of an Abidjan-based orphanage home called “SOS d’Abobo” so its residents can benefit from the players education projects - a prime mission of UFOA.

Essien Puts International Career On Hold

Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien has stood down from international football for the foreseeable future, telling Ghana he wants to return to form at club level, coach Milovan Rajevac said.

Essien has been missing without explanation from two Ghana squads named since the World Cup, including the selection for Sunday's start of the 2012 African Nations Cup qualifiers.

Rajevac told the BBC Essien had asked for time off to consolidate his place in the Chelsea side after a long injury lay-off.

"He contacted me and wanted to ask for permission to be excused for a while," Rajevac said in Swaziland ahead of Sunday's Group qualifier.

"I understood his thoughts and of course I wanted to help him to get into his old form, to start playing regularly and I gave that permission," the Serbian-born coach added.

Essien, who missed the World Cup in South Africa, has suffered two serious injuries while on past international duty.

"I'm sure that after sometime he will come back to the national team," Rajevac added.

Essien has won 50 caps for his country and played in the 2006 World Cup for the Black Stars.

Lampard Reveals Secret In New Magazine

Frank Lampard is looking sharp and ready to talk on the cover of October's Chelsea magazine, now on sale.

Inside the new edition he reveals secrets behind his play that helped him net 27 goals last campaign - a magnificent total for a striker, let alone a midfielder.

Talking exclusively to the club's official publication, Lampard describes how movement, stamina and sharpness all play a role in his game, but another factor is the team around him which allows our number 8 so many opportunities to strike.

'I'm very lucky to play in a team with such good movement,' Lampard tells Chelsea, 'especially when we're really firing.

'Defenders are worried about [Didier] Drogba and [Nicolas] Anelka, especially when they're running in behind players and pushing the defensive line back, because that opens up space for me to arrive when the ball comes into the box.

'The easiest way I ever score goals is when we win the ball and move it quickly forward. What's the point in winning the ball back and just keeping it?'

During the in-depth interview, Lampard also discusses new arrivals at the Bridge, as well as the experience our side already boasts, before talking of Chelsea's recent run of form and how it affects the opposition.

'The fans enjoy it, we enjoy it, but it's not reality winning sixes, sevens and eights. There was a time last year when we couldn't score. We've got to be ready for teams who shut up shop against us so that we have to find a way to make a breakthrough.

'Those are the games where you have to find a goal from nowhere and be happy with a 1-0 win,' he adds.

Elsewhere in the new-look Chelsea magazine, Ramires tells fans all about his footballing career, which didn't really begin until he was 17. He also reveals how his first time out of Brazil was when he left for Benfica last year.

You can learn all about the young Brazilian's football idols, what role he expects to play for Chelsea and his first impressions of the club and our impressive training facilities.

Then there's Florent Malouda's Photo Album, a collection a snaps from his childhood and time at Chelsea, each accompanied by a description from the man himself.

There are images of him in his first football team and he also divulges the belief he once had of being Superman and the drastic repercussions which followed!

Salomon Kalou stars in this month's Family Secrets feature, as the Ivorian reveals all sorts of facts, from his favourite songs and sporting idols, to his most important shirt swap and the last holiday he took.

And as Chelsea magazine looks back over days gone by, Ken Shellito takes part in this month's The Boys Are Back In Town.

In it Shellito discusses Jimmy Greaves, a fellow east London boy who would go on to achieve great things.

The former full-back describes the decision to sign for Chelsea and how it came about in this exclusive and insightful interview.

DJ and supporter Johnny Vaughan then discusses his love of Chelsea before Carlo Ancelotti answers fans' questions in You Ask The Manager.

This month's feature includes queries such as 'Having not made too many signings this summer, what gives you the belief that we can retain our title or win the Champions League?'

Or 'Do you have any superstitions going into a game, as a manager or back when you were a player?' and 'How does the atmosphere compare in Premier League matches to that of Serie A?', all of which the Italian expertly answers.

Internationals: Benayoun Blows Malta Away

Yossi Benayoun was the star turn as Euro 2012 qualifiers began for Chelsea players on Thursday evening, scoring a hat-trick in an Israel win.

Our summer signing struck all his side's goals in a 3-1 home win over Malta. He scored within the first 10 minutes from inside the area, only for the visitors to equalise before the break. Benayoun then converted from the penalty spot in the second half before heading his hat-trick goal on 76 minutes, following up after a save. He also had a goal disallowed for handball after two minutes.

Former Chelsea players Tal Ben-Haim and Ben Sahar (currently on loan at Hapoel Tel-Aviv from Espanyol) also played for Israel.

England Under 19s were also in action on Thursday evening with Josh McEachran and Aziz Deen-Conteh both making their debuts at this level.

The Chelsea Academy products started a 2-0 win over Slovakia at Crewe's Gresty Road. McEachran played the first 61 minutes and Deen-Conteh came off on 69 minutes. Their team-mate in last season's FA Youth Cup win, Milan Lalkovic, played 64 minutes for the Slovakians.

More Chelsea players will be involved in Euro 2012 qualifiers on Friday.

Chelsea Name Reduced Squad

Chelsea has included just four 'home-grown' players in their 19-man matchday squad for this season.

Under new rules this campaign, Premier League clubs must register a minimum of eight players who have trained for three years with any English or Welsh outfit before the age of 21 if the full 25-man quota is used.

Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti has instead submitted a reduced party in which John Terry, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole and Ross Turnbull are the only 'home-grown' names.

Amongst the 'non home-grown' players are Stamford Bridge stars such as Didier Drogba, the top goalscorer in the Premier League last season, Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka.

Top flight clubs had to make their squad selections by 5pm on Wednesday following the closure of the summer transfer window.

The Blues have opted against the big-spending antics of some of their Premier League rivals this summer, making just two captures in the form of midfield duo Ramires and Yossi Benayoun, who have both been named in the squad.

In addition to the named line-up, Ancelotti can call upon unlimited players aged 21 or under, with the likes of Daniel Sturridge, Jeffrey Bruma and Gael Kakuta at his disposal.

Chelsea squad: Ashley Cole, John Terry, Frank Lampard, Ross Turnbull, Petr Cech, Branislav Ivanovic, Michael Essien, Ramires, Yossi Benayoun, Didier Drogba, John Mikel Obi, Florent Malouda, Jose Bosingwa, Yury Zhirkov, Paulo Ferreira, Salomon Kalou, Alex, Henrique Hilario, Nicolas Anelka.

Frank Lampard Happy With Chelsea's Stability And Continuity After Summer Transfer Dealings

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard is pleased that there have not been major changes at Stamford Bridge this summer, with continuity so important to maintaining success.

Ramires and Yossi Benayoun have been the major arrivals at the club, with a number of squad members exiting the club, but there has been little change to the core group that won both the Premier League and FA Cup last term.

"Continuity is nice, especially when you have won a double but you do want to add to it and make it better although at the same time you don't want to add to it and make it worse," Lampard told his club's official website.

"There is an element of keeping what you've got and only adding if you are adding better or good squad players.

"Five first-team squad players have left but we have started off very well and we have to keep that going. If we get injuries to big players we hope we have got the cover there."

Lampard also feels that winning the double last season has benefited the squad in terms of collective experience and confidence.

"I don't know about individually, everyone is a bit different. But as a group the double certainly has an effect on collective confidence," he added.

"That is a big positive but the negative is if people think we have won the double, let's rest on our laurels.

"It is very important to keep the confidence but make sure that you never get the feeling that we can easily do that again. The moment you think that then you won't win anything else, so it is a balancing act."

Meanwhile, Lampard feels that the current trend for two holding midfielders in managers' formations is not the one he prefers.

Rather, he feels that one defensive midfielder alongside a more advanced player is more effective.

"Formations do generally go in cycles. In the 90s it was 4-4-2 and then it changed and I think we were probably the instigators as much as anyone in England in making it 4-3-3 when [Jose] Mourinho was in charge," he explained.

"Then because football has become a bit more tactical and organized, it is about becoming harder to beat and teams want two holding midfielders sometimes.

"I personally don't like the system too much. I think one holding midfielder if they are good at their job is enough and I find if you have two in a straight line then it doesn't give you so many angles to play through midfield.

"I always think it is better to have people at different angles which mean one being deeper and the other two taking up different positions [further forward]."

Michael Essien Determined To Emulate Last Season's Achievements

Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien is determined to lift more silverware this season to make manager Carlo Ancelotti sing in celebration.

Essien, 27, was on the sidelines as the Blues enjoyed a club first Premier League and FA Cup double. After recovering from a knee ligament injury, the Ghana international was determined to help the club to further success at home and in Europe.

Speaking to the club's official website, Essien declared he had his eye on some new additions to the Stamford Bridge trophy cabinet.

He said: "I still have memories of the double parade at the end of last season and would love to do it all over again at the end of this season.

"I can't wait to hear the manager sing 'Paa-pa-pa-pa-pa-paa' again. It's the best Italian song I have heard since Pavarotti and it still makes me laugh even watching the DVD now."

The ex-Lyon player added: "As a player, you get the inner feeling that something big is around the corner and I feel the same way I felt last season when we won the double.

"However, I am sure we can go one further and add the big one - the Uefa Champions League trophy - to our collection of trophies.

"Everyone knows how much winning that will mean to us.

"As a team, we have won every domestic trophy and so it's only natural that we have the hunger for the European trophy.

"That is not to say we don't care about the Premier League, FA Cup or Carling Cup. We want to win every competition we enter this season and we will do all we can to win them all."

Chelsea Youngster Jeffrey Bruma Signs New Four-Year Deal

Young Chelsea defender Jeffrey Bruma has signed a new four-year contract to keep him at the club until at least 2014.

The 18-year-old has made four substitute appearances for the Chelsea first team following his arrival in 2007.

Bruma became a professional last summer and since then has made both his full Chelsea and Netherlands debuts whilst also guiding the Chelsea youth team to the FA Youth Cup last season.

Speaking to the club's official website, Bruma said: "I am very happy to stay here."

Bruma thanked the Chelsea staff for recognizing his improvement but conceded that even more improvement would need to be made to stake a claim for a regular first-team spot.

"I have been working to improve all the time I have been here and a next step is getting your next contract, and now it is time to improve again," he said.

"I often speak to [assistant first team coach] Paul Clement because when I came over here as a 15-year-old and was in the youth team, he was the youth team manager. We sit down and lay out a sheet of targets. We did this when we were away in the Champions League in Milan last season.

"I have made my international debut already and that was the aim for two or three years' time. It has come so early and when you reach your targets you obviously have to set new ones, so my new targets are to play as much as I can at Chelsea in the first team and get in the Dutch full squad again as soon as I am fit."

Bruma will now be looking to progress to the Chelsea first-team after appearing in the Carling Cup last year.

The champions allowed Ricardo Carvalho to move to Real Madrid earlier in the transfer window and Bruma could be seen as the long term replacement for the Portuguese international, should his development continue.

Chelsea To Recruit Barca's Director Of Sport

As transfer day limps to its underwhelming conclusion, there are rumours in Spain that Chelsea could be making a new off-pitch signing.

The man in question is Txiqui Begiristain, who would set a new Scrabble record with his first name alone. Txiqui was the Director of Sport at Barca under the previous President, Joan Laporta. Laporta`s mandate ended over the summer, there were elections, and the new bloke, Sandro Rossell did what all newly-elected leaders do, i.e. replacing the previous incumbent’s people with his own. Txiqui, an essential architect of Barca’s success, left the club in June, after 7 years at Barcelona. He made it clear that he was keen to look for pastures new.

And those pastures could be in London, where it is said that Roman Abramovich wants to build a football empire similar to that at Barcelona. Begeristain has there been made an offer that 'cannot be refused`. The man behind this rumour, well-known journalist Guillem Ballagué, says that 'from what I’m told, Txiqui will become the new Director of Football from the beginning of January`.

Ballagué has a mixed record on rumours. On the one hand, he has his entries to a lot of corridors of power in Spanish football. On the other, he has been the man who has broken out some quite excitable cobblers. Fernando Torres to Chelsea was, according to him, a 'done deal`. However, the rumour that Chelsea could be interested in Begeristain has been floating around for some months now.

The rumour would cast doubt on the future of Chelsea’s current 'Director of Football`, Frank Arnesen. If there is a different title in Spain compared to England, Spanish clubs tend to give the title 'Director of Sport` as they tend to cover more than just football. Barcelona, for instance, also has an all-conquering basketball team, as well as a pretty good handball team. Chelsea, of course, only has football.

Arnesen has been given the role of head talent scout, in charge of uncovering football talents. Despite a moderate hype, it is hard to point to many youngsters ready to break into the first team. If anything, for all the reported promise, the kids tend to be locked in the lower levels, leaving on loan deals, but not making the jump to the Chelsea first team. José Mourinho blamed the lack of talented youth in the Chelsea ranks on Frank Arnesen.

On the other hand, the Barcelona model is one that must be attractive to any club. Xavi Hernandez, Lionel Messi, Carles Puyol, Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta, Victor Valdes … many of the Barca first team (and most of the 2010 World Cup winning Spanish side) were home grown at the Barcelona school at La Masía, an institution where kids of all levels learn a football philosophy, as well as schooling in life. No wonder that, as well as being extraordinary footballers, they are also well-balanced individuals. It’s a model that is the envy of world football.

And the rumour is that Roman wants to change the club structure to create a new Masía at Chelsea, and he considers that the best person to oversee this project is the one who has had such an impact on the original Masía, Txiqui Begeristain. It would mean changing the way the club does many things, from training to schooling, not to mention the role of the younger levels in relation to the first team, as well as modifying the role of the first-team coach.

And if the rumour is true, it would be a powerful declaration of intent. Watch this space.

Delac Signed On And Loaned Out

Goalkeeper Matej Delac, who turned 18 last month, has signed as a professional for Chelsea and has been loaned for the season to Vitesse Arnhem.

The Croatian had previously been subject to a pre-contract agreement and spent a fortnight training with our first team in December.

He joins from Croatian top-flight side Inter Zapresic where he played in the first team and he represented his nation at the recent European Under 19 Championships.

His side reached the semi-finals before being beaten 2-1 by France. Gael Kakuta was a scorer past our new keeper in that match, the first time Delac had been beaten for three matches in the tournament.

The 6ft 3in keeper joins Serbians Nemanja Matic and Slobodan Rajkovic as Chelsea players on loan at Vitesse who play in the Dutch top division.

Ancelotti Talks With Coaching Elite

While many of his squad are away on international duty, Carlo Ancelotti is also abroad this week for a brainstorming session with other top-level managers.

He is attending the 12th Uefa Elite Club Coaches Forum in Switzerland where he is joined by former Blues bosses Jose Mourinho and Claudio Ranieri, future Champions League opponent Didier Deschamps, Alex Ferguson and Roy Hodgson, plus Barcelona's Pep Guardiola, Auxerre's Jean Fernandez, Schalke's Felix Magath, Benfica's Jorge Jesus, Lyon's Claude Puel, Malaga's Jesualdo Ferreira, Basel's Thorsten Fink, Ajax's Martin Jol, Werder Bremen's Thomas Schaaf and Nikos Nioplias of Panathinaikos.

They are at Uefa headquarters in Nyon where they are will be discussing trends in and concerns about the sport at the highest level.

The Forum began yesterday [Wednesday] and continues today with a press conference given at the conclusion.

Ancelotti follows on from Mourinho and Luiz Felipe Scolari who were delegates at the Forum whilst Chelsea manager.

Nicolas Anelka: Chelsea's Tough Defence Makes Us An Attacking Powerhouse

Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka believes that a miserly attitude in defence is the secret behind the Blues' impressive goalscoring form this season.

Carlo Ancelotti's men have hit 14 goals in their first three Premier League games of the new season, but Anelka feels that the foundations for that hot streak have been set further back in the team than the forward line.

"We have the mentality not to concede first and then we know almost every time we can score one goal," the former French international told his club's official website.

"You know when you play with Chelsea that if I don't score, Didier can score and if he doesn't score, Flo [Florent Malouda] can score and if none of us score, Sala [Salomon Kalou] can come on and score. Everybody can score in this team."

The form of Malouda in particular has impressed Anelka, with the winger now fully acclimatized to life in the English top flight after struggling a little when he first arrived several seasons back.

"Flo likes to listen to ragga music in the dressing room and dance and it is fun. On the pitch he is intelligent, he can score, he can assist and also he is very strong," Anelka explained.

"Now he scores more goals than before and he wants to score more and more. He has been here three years and he has got use to it, he has more confidence.

"It is difficult to come from the French League and straight away to a big club like Chelsea. In England it is tough, it is stronger, everything is quicker and you have to get some games to get used to the English game.

"Now he knows the English Premier League and you see it on the pitch."

Alex Aiming To Keep Taylor

Crewe are in talks to extend Rhys Taylor's loan spell from Chelsea and believe it will benefit all parties.

The Wales Under-21 international goalkeeper's current loan expires on September 8.

"We are looking at the possibility of extending Rhys' loan with us and I have spoken to (former Crewe manager and reserve-team coach at Chelsea) Steve Holland, who is conducting affairs over this," Alex boss Dario Gradi told the club's official website.

"We are happy with him, they are happy with him being here and he is happy to stay. I think he has enjoyed playing some games and what we do here."

Franco Di Santo Joins Wigan Athletic On Three-Year Deal

Chelsea striker Franco Di Santo has completed his move to Wigan Athletic on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.

Di Santo, 21, had been linked with a move to the club all summer but the deal was only agreed in the last minutes of the summer transfer window. The Argentina youth international has returned to Lancashire after scoring one goal in 22 Premier League appearances while on loan at Blackburn Rovers last season.

Speaking to the Latics' official website, Di Santo - who made eight first team appearances for Chelsea in two years - expressed his joy at having his future sorted out.

He said: "I am just happy that my future has been sorted out now. I can't wait to start training, meet all my new team mates and start fighting for my place in the team.

"Roberto Martinez has big ambitions for the club and he made it clear how much he wanted me to be here. When a manager is so positive about you, then it is an easy decision to make."

Manager Martinez was thrilled to see Di Santo follow the temporary capture of Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley.

"Franco is an Under-20 international for Argentina with great Premier League experience having worked at a club with the calibre of players of Chelsea, and also spending a hugely beneficial year on loan at an established club like Blackburn Rovers," the Spaniard stated.

"We all feel that Franco can fulfil his potential at our football club and he'll bring a completely different dimension to our squad with his presence, technical ability and hard-work.

"We've been following Franco for a long time and from his point of view it's clear that he is desperate to play for Wigan Athletic and his desire and commitment is exactly the right attitude for our club."

Malouda Wants End To Saga

Frenchman Florent Malouda has called for an end to the dark cloud hanging over the national football team.

France suffered an early exit at the World Cup in South Africa amid a storm of controversy in which Nicholas Anelka was sent home and players protested in anger.

Anelka allegedly launched a foul-mouthed tirade at then boss Raymond Domenech, prompting his banishment, while senior players refused to train in support of their team-mate.

The divide saw the camp fall apart and France subsequently failed to win any of their Group A games, sending them home with their heads hanging in shame.

The French Football Federation have since acted on the in-house friction by handing out bans to key instigators and the nation embarks on a new era under the guidance of Laurent Blanc.

Blanc refused to pick any of the 23 players involved in the World Cup for his first friendly game in charge but many have returned for his competitive debut against Belarus on Friday.

With Bosnia awaiting four days later, the nation hope to qualify for the 2012 European Championships and key player Malouda wants an end to the saga which has rocked French football.

"Even if this is something that is engraved on my career and I can't erase it, we must go forward," Malouda told L'Equipe.

"I am sorry, but what is done is done. We cannot do anything about it. At some point, we must stop lamenting it and focus our attention on the two teams we have to face.

"Even if they are still questions about the management of what happened in South Africa, it's over. My best answers I will give on the pitch. That is my therapy."

One of those suspended by the FFF is captain Patrice Evra, who will miss five games, but Malouda admits he is unconcerned if he is not considered to be in the running for the armband in his absence.

Malouda said: "The captaincy is the responsibility of the coach, and if I don't get it, I will not be disappointed," he said. "It has never been a personal ambition. I am here to win."

John Terry Admits Hamstring Injury Has Troubled Him Since 2010 World Cup

Chelsea captain John Terry has admitted a hamstring problem picked up at World Cup 2010 dogged his pre-season.

Terry, 29, has been forced out of the England squad to face Bulgaria and Switzerland in the upcoming Euro 2012 qualifiers. The centre-back has been ordered to take 10 days rest to recuperate from the injury sustained in South Africa.

Speaking to Chelsea TV, the Blues captain revealed he had been playing through pain during his club's perfect start of their Premier League title defence.

He said: "I have had a bit of a problem since the World Cup and I was hoping after the World Cup that I would have two weeks off and it would completely go away.

"But that wasn't the case and, coming back working hard, it came back on.

"I played the last England game [against Hungary] but I had to come off at half-time because of it.

"I have not made it public but I have been struggling with it and maybe I just need 10 days' rest to fully get over it because it could impact on my season."

Branislav Ivanovic Out For Up To Six Weeks With Back Injury

Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic has confirmed he is set to be sidelined for two to six weeks with a back injury.

Ivanovic, 26, had been struggling with the knock and missed Saturday's 2-0 Premier League victory against Stoke City.

After sitting out that match, the centre-back was immediately withdrawn from the Serbia squad for the Euro 2012 qualifiers against the Faroe Islands and Slovenia.

Speaking to skysports.com, Ivanovic revealed he had travelled to Belgrade but would not be able to join his team-mates on the training pitch.

He said: "I came to Belgrade to see my team-mates, but the back injury is such that I cannot train or play."

Paulo Ferreira Quits Portuguese National Team

Chelsea's Portuguese full-back Paulo Ferreira has announced his retirement from international football.

The 31-year-old told the Portuguese Football Federation it was a move he had taken "after deep reflection" and was motivated by "personal reasons".

Right-back Ferreira won the first of his 62 caps for his country against England in September 2002.

His decision to quit international duty follows that of Atletico Madrid winger Simao last week.

Ferreira arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2004 when he was reunited with his former coach at Porto, Jose Mourinho, who paid a then-British record fee for a full-back of £13.2m.

The following season Ferreira was a key part of Chelsea's first title-winning campaign in 50 years, despite missing a vital part of the season after breaking his foot in March 2005.

Chalobah Skippers England To Victory

Nathaniel Chalobah was the captain of England Under 17s side that enjoyed a 3-1 victory over Portugal on Sunday, helping his side win the FA International Under 17 Tournament.

The 15-year-old schoolboy, who made his debut for Chelsea's reserve team last week and was part of the England side that became European Under 17 champions earlier in the summer, earned his sixth junior international title with the win in last week's four-team tournament.

Having made his Under 17 debut aged 14, he now has 20 caps at that level.

The goals on Sunday came from a Hallam Hope brace and a third from Nick Powell, who play for Everton and Crewe respectively, but it was Chalobah who had the fixture's first chance.

In the fifth minute he nearly struck after latching onto a long ball, only to be smothered by the opposition inside the six-yard box who didn't allow our Academy hopeful any space to shoot.

England's opener came when Hope smashed a Powell cross into the net from close range after 21 minutes of football. The second arrived five minutes later when Hope lobbed the keeper from the edge of the box.

The Young Lions built a three-goal lead before Joao Cacelo pulled one back for Portugal in the 50th minute, not long after Powell had made it three for England, rifling a shot into the net from a tight angle.

Chalobah represented his nation in all of the tournament's three games. First he came on as a substitute in England's 2-2 draw with Turkey. He then started against Australia on Friday; when he was replaced just before half-time while England went on to win the clash 4-0.