United Going Out Is Bad For Us, Says Carlo Ancelotti

Carlo Ancelotti today admitted he is devastated Manchester United and Arsenal were knocked out of the Champions League this week because he fears it will put Chelsea's title hopes at greater risk.

Chelsea lead United and Arsenal at the top of the Premier League by just two and three points respectively and Ancelotti hoped their rivals would continue to be distracted by playing in Europe.

But Arsenal were thrashed 4-1 by Barcelona in the second leg of their quarter-final, while United crashed out on away goals to Bayern Munich thanks to a strike from former Blues winger Arjen Robben.

Ancelotti feels both clubs will be even more determined to ensure their season's don't end in failure and said: "I think it is not good news for us. The Champions League is a very important competition and you have to use a lot of energy to play.

"But both teams can now focus on the Premier League. It is the only competition they can play. We have to pay attention because they're very close to us and we need to run quickly to arrive in first place.

"I would have liked United to win against Bayern and to stay in the Champions League, for us it would have been easier."

United's next League game is at Blackburn, which is where Chelsea dropped two crucial points last month after they were knocked out of the Champions League themselves by Inter Milan.

But Ancelotti is convinced United will bounce back at Ewood Park even though they have been beaten by Chelsea and Bayern Munich in their first leg over the last two weeks.

He added: "They had a bad week. They lost a quarter-final, lost against us, but now they have a possibility to come back to win and to play well. They have experience to change their state of mind, to stay focused. United have experience and quality."

Carlo Ancelotti Told Not To Go For Pato

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has been told to forget about making a summer raid for Brazil star Pato.

The Premier League leaders face Aston Villa in the FA Cup semi-finals on Saturday chasing the League and Cup Double and will want to strengthen in the summer to keep alive their dream of European glory.

Ancelotti signed the 20-year-old Pato for Milan in 2007 from South American team Internacional.

The striker has netted 36 goals in 74 games in Italy and Real Madrid are also keen. But Pato’s agent Gilmar Veloz insisted the player was going nowhere.

He said: “Chelsea and Real? These are only market rumours.

“There is nothing true. He has a deal with Milan and he feels good in Milan.”

Pato – whose name means duck – is under contract at Milan for another four years.

Capello Issues Cole Warning

Fabio Capello has warned Ashley Cole he will only pick him for England if he proves his fitness between now and the end of the season.

The Chelsea left-back has been sidelined since February after breaking his ankle and is facing a race against time to be fit for South Africa.

He has been pencilled in to return for Chelsea's home game with Stoke on 25th April and he will do so with Capello's words ringing in his ears.

"I know not all the players will be in the same shape. Some will have played the whole season, some will have played only half the season," he told Four Four Two magazine.

"If, for example, Ashley Cole is only half-fit, that's not enough. He needs to play too. After three months of being injured he will need games."

Capello went on to explain he is not a fan of playing players out of position and that he plans to use specialists at the World Cup.

Working on a marking system out of ten, the Italian concedes he has plenty of thinking to do before finalising his squad.

He added: "I think to myself: the value of this player is 10, another is nine, another is eight and a half. And I choose (the players with the) most (points).

"Everyone has different qualities. For some positions, one characteristic is more important than the other one.

"It depends on the position, it depends on different moments in the game, it depends on the opponents.

"I prefer the specialist. I think that 11 specialists win against 11 players who can play in different positions. It is nice to see players who can play in different positions though. There will be times when you have to do this."

Ancelotti: Premier League Still Best Despite Champions League Failure

Carlo Ancelotti today insisted England's Champion League failure was "a blip" and not a long-term trend.

Chelsea boss Ancelotti admitted he would have preferred to see Arsenal and Manchester United overcome Barcelona and Bayern Munich rather than be eliminated, for purely selfish reasons.

But the Italian, whose side were put out in the last round by former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho's Inter, dismissed fears that English football was now going backwards.

Ancelotti said: "Nothing has changed. The Premier League is a very competitive championship. It's a case that can happen that sometimes.

"The English teams have very good strength. This year was a blip. Nothing more.

"I still think the Premier League is the best league in Europe, despite what has happened.

"It is, not only for the players and strength of the teams but the atmosphere. The quality of the teams is very competitive.

"I'm not only talking about the big four clubs but also Everton, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Tottenham, who can stay at the highest level of this championship."

Ancelotti Is Living Proof That Nice Guys Can Come First

If awards were given for dignity, then Carlo Ancelotti would be the runaway winner. No question.

In both defeat and victory, the Italian has the same demeanour. It was impossible to miss his victory celebration at Old Trafford because, by the standards set by Jose Mourinho and others, there was no charge down the touchline when his Chelsea team secured what could be a defining victory in the Premier League title.

No. Ancelotti contented himself with a joyous clenching of both fists and then shook hands with Sir Alex Ferguson.

Unlike Mourinho at Old Trafford on that famous occasion when he was in charge at Porto, his trousers will not need a visit to the dry cleaners after a slide down the touchline.

Like his team, Ancelotti has more than a touch of class. He has been there, seen it and done it. A defeat at home to Inter Milan in the Champions League supposedly exposed his naivety - not an affliction common among Italian coaches it has to be said.

Quite simply, Chelsea were beaten by a better side and Ancelotti knew it. But no panic. No threats. No talk of UEFA subversion, even though his team may well have been awarded two penalties.

Ancelotti just went about re-grouping his men and switching the focus to the prizes still on offer. The response has been staggering. The thoroughly deserved win against Manchester United was the culmination of emphatic wins over Portsmouth and Aston Villa. Clearly Ancelotti has the respect of his players because a deflated, disenchanted and disillusioned team do not put seven past Villa.

But there was no triumphalism about his demeanour after the win at United. Just a clam assessment of the win and the acknowledgement that tough battles lay ahead before there can be an talk of championships.

He did stray into the realms of stating the obvious when he noted United are not the same team without Wayne Rooney, but that is hardly in controversy territory.

Let's get it right - Ancelotti is no robot. But he is an ultra-professional and a clear thinker and he has started to make jokes in English rather than use sarcastic asides like one of his predecessors. He also has the track record of being a winner in Serie A and in the Champions League.

He keeps a calm, assured perspective. He treats victory and defeat in the same manner - Rudyard Kipling, who called those eventualities "imposters", would have loved Carlo Ancelotti.

A proven winner and a gentleman. There are many who might like to take note of that.

Reserves Report: Birmingham City 0 - 1 Chelsea

A young second string created some fantastic football to overcome an experienced Birmingham side at St Andrew's on Wednesday night.

Jacob Mellis's strike deep in the second half was enough to seal the win as Chelsea played some beautiful football against a physical Birmingham side, which included seven first team regulars. Both sides ended the game with 10 men.

Maik Taylor, Gregory Vignal, Michel, Sebastian Larrson, Lee Carsley, Teemu Tanio and Chucho Benitez all started. Stuart Parnaby was meant to begin in the hosts' defence but illness forced him to miss the clash.

Meanwhile, Chelsea lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Sam Hutchinson leading from central defence. In front of him were Liam Bridcutt and Nemanja Matic.

Fabio Borini was the lone striker while Gael Kakuta, Josh McEachran and Jacob Mellis all lined up behind. Only five of our side had played first team football.

Regardless of the hosts' experience, Chelsea were first to attempt a strike. Gael Kakuta prospered from hard work by Fabio Borini on the right flank but the Frenchman's subsequent shot from the edge of the area went skimming past the post.

Continuing the offensive start, Kakuta soon produced another chance on goal while Nana Ofori-Twumasi received treatment on the sidelines for a knock on his ankle. The first 10 minutes were Chelsea's.

But as the hosts settled, the game became a more equal affair. Sam Hutchinson was called into action twice in central defence to diffuse Birmingham's attacks. Then, with 15 minutes played, Larrson forced a good save from Taylor with a freekick from 30 yards out.

Chelsea retaliated, with Van Aanholt twice delivering dangerous crosses into the box. The second was only inches away from Borini's feet before Josh McEachran nearly netted the stray ball in front of goal.

We'd claimed the best of the opening exchanges and before the half-hour mark arrived, Mellis, Kakuta and Matic had all created further chances.

Safe hands from Rhys Taylor denied Teemu Tanio's first shot of the game, a low drive towards the bottom left, before a Lee Carsley chance had the Welshman at full stretch to tip away for a corner.

The closest either side came to scoring in the first half was a Borini chance at the near post, which went spinning across the face of goal before narrowly heading wide.

As the second half got under way, there was a change made to the Chelsea defence. Conor Clifford came on for Hutchinson and took up a right-back role while Ofori-Twumasi moved into the centre.

Like the first half, the second began with a Kakuta chance from the edge of the box, an opportunity the young Frenchman sent screaming over the bar.

The first card of the game was brandished minutes later when Ofori-Twumasi slipped and handballed, stalling a Birmingham attack. Fortunately the eventual freekick from 35 yards strayed off target without ever threatening Chelsea's goal.

Van Aanholt continued to prove troublesome down the left, releasing one cross to the near post which Borini narrowly missed connecting with before the keeper gathered. Seconds later the Italian forced an acrobatic save from Maik Taylor.

Borini continuously hounded the Birmingham keeper, feeding off balls from Kakuta, Matic, van Aanholt and McEachran, but each shot was either parried away or sent over by the Italian.

But Chelsea were threatening and an away goal felt imminent. After Mellis and Ofori-Twumasi both received treatment at the same time following two separate challenges, the visitors won another freekick 25 yards out.

Van Aanholt, who'd put in a fantastic performance so far, sent a brilliant shot dipping over the wall before the keeper tipped over. McEachran took the corner, sending an awkward ball across the face of goal for Mellis to tap in with 76 minutes played.

With the lead established, Chelsea applied further pressure. Van Aanholt forced another good save from the Birmingham keeper when he smashed the ball towards the top right from 25 yards out.

But not neglecting his defensive duties, seconds later van Aanholt was back dispossessing substitute Akwasi Asante, who was at the tip of a Birmingham counter attack.

The dying minutes of the game were marred by a red card for Michel after a scuffle ensued following a Taylor save. Larrson was then shown a yellow for dissent.

Then, after some confusion, Ofori-Twumasi was also shown a second yellow, which ended his game prematurely.

The game finished 1-0, as both sides were left with 10. It was a tremendous performance from a young Chelsea side.

Cole And Essien Set To Boost Chelsea's Title Hopes

Chelsea's title hopes were boosted when they learned that injured defender Ashley Cole was likely to return for the last three games of the season.

"I think he needs some more days to train but we hope he will be ready for the game against Stoke (on April 25)," manager Carlo Ancelotti told reporters.

"He is doing very well and so is Michael Essien. Maybe he will be one week later (than) Cole."

Ghana midfielder Essien has not played for the club since injuring his hamstring in December. He then suffered a knee problem at the African Nations Cup in January.

Leaders Chelsea are two points clear of Manchester United in the Premier League, with Arsenal a further point adrift and five games remaining.

The game against Stoke City comes directly before their last two league fixtures against Liverpool and Wigan Athletic.

Cole, England manager Fabio Capello's first-choice left back, has been fighting to get fit before the end of the season with the World Cup starting in South Africa on June 11.

The 29-year-old broke his left ankle at Everton at the start of February but returned to light training last month.

Ancelotti also said Serbia international Branislav Ivanovic trained on Thursday and could be on the bench for the FA Cup semi-final against Aston Villa at Wembley on Saturday.

The defender has been out since he hurt his knee at Blackburn Rovers on March 21.

Drogba Wins Goal Of The Month

Didier Drogba has won Goal of the Month for February following his brace against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge.

Only one of his two net-busters could win and our resident expert chose the thumping left-footed strike our number 11 took after cutting in from the right flank.

Four of the goals in this month's final five were scored by Florent Malouda, as he hit top-form against West Ham, Portsmouth and Villa.

The first goal is the Frenchman's left-footed drive against West Ham, as he calmly slotted past Robert Green from the edge of the box.

The second is Malouda's screaming shot against Portsmouth, as he collected on the left before dribbling and thumping into the top of the net.

After that, Drogba makes the selection with his expertly taken strike, also against Portsmouth, after he latched onto a fantastic long ball from Mikel.

The third goal in this month's five is our number 15's tap-in at the near post against Aston Villa before the final choice is Malouda's right-footed shot into the top of the net against the same side, as we thrashed Villa 7-1.

Pato Speculation Dismissed

Alexandre Pato's agent has rubbished reports linking the striker with a move away from AC Milan.

Speculation has suggested that Real Madrid and Chelsea are both pondering summer moves for the Brazil international.

However, the 20-year-old's representative Gilmar Veloz maintains that he has no intention of leaving the San Siro, where he is under contract until 2014.

"Chelsea and Real? These are only market rumours," Veloz told calciomercato.it.

"There is nothing true. He has a deal with Milan and he feels good in Milan."

Veloz also expressed his pride at continuing to represent Pato after some reports claimed he had changed his agent.

"I'm happy this has been cleared up. I'm Pato's agent and I stay with him for several years," he added.

Pato is currently sidelined with a thigh injury but is expected to be back in action in around 10 days.

Coach Calls For Dzeko Decision

Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko has been urged to make a statement regarding his future by his coach Lorenz Gunther Kostner.

Dzeko has established himself as one of the most potent goalscorers in Europe and was close to joining AC Milan last summer.

He eventually decided to stay at Wolfsburg, but has a clause in his contract which would allow him to leave in the summer if a club offered in the region of £36million before 31st May.

Premier League rivals Chelsea and Manchester City have recently been linked with bids for the Bosnia international and Kostner feels it would be beneficial for Dzeko to declare his intentions.

"Edin Dzeko will finish the season a Wolfsburg player, that's for definite, whatever happens after that is down to rumours," said Kostner ahead of the second leg of the Europa League quarter-final tie against Fulham on Thursday night.

"Edin Dzeko saying he will stay would be an absolutely huge sign for us. I can't tell you how important that would be for us, but that's neither here nor there. Right now we have to wait to see what happens in May.

"As his manager I can't have much influence on whether he stays or not. All I can say at the moment is that he is on absolute top form. He's really firing on all cylinders. He's doing fantastic."

Dzeko discussed his future last week and admitted that he has no preference about which country he wants to play his football in, only that he is playing regularly in the UEFA Champions League.

He told Sport-Bild: "I have never said I desperately want to join a club in Serie A, there are plenty of options.

"Spain is one, England is one and even Germany remains one. Still I am not going to comment on the name of any club.

"I have the intention to join a club that is playing in the UEFA Champions League every season."

Chelsea & Manchester City Scout Bari Defender Leonardo Bonucci

Premier League sides Chelsea and Manchester City are tracking Bari defender Leonardo Bonucci, according to reports in the Italian press.

The Rome-based newspaper Il Messaggero claims that both Manchester City and Chelsea have sent scouts to watch the highly-rated central defender.

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti and Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini are believed to have been impressed with Bonucci this season.

The 6.2ft defender, who is also attracting the interest of Inter Milan and Juventus, has been part of one of the meanest defences in Serie A in 2009/2010.

Leonardo Bonucci, 22, is also co-owned by Genoa and is expected to leave Bari in the summer after impressing alongside another highly-rated young Italian defender, Andrea Ranocchia.

CSKA Moscow Winger Dzagoev Still Has Chelsea Ambitions

CSKA Moscow star Alan Dzagoev admits he still has ambitions of playing for Chelsea.

The exciting Russia winger spent time at Stamford Bridge trialling as a teenager and remains hopeful of eventually pulling on a Blues shirt.

"Before, when I was young, I trained with the Chelsea Academy," he told La Stampa. "And, of course, even today I still prefer the Blues to other teams.

"I like them mainly because of Roman Abramovich."

Chelsea Fullback Gordon Gets Tranmere Rovers Reality Check

Chelsea fullback Ben Gordon admits he's been handed a reality check on-loan at Tranmere Rovers.

The 19-year-old former Leeds United junior knows he must consider the prospect that by experiencing football in the lower divisions for the first time, he may be taking a taste of his own future.

Gordon told the Liverpool Daily Post: “This is my first loan spell and things at Tranmere are quite a bit different to the way they are at Chelsea.

“I’ve had a few days training and a few matches. It’s different and it is brilliant.

“Obviously things like the training ground and the facilities are not like they are at Chelsea and bring me down to earth.

“They show me what it is like in this division.

“Things may look like this when I’m older, so it is a good reality check.”

Chelsea And Liverpool To Enter Bidding War For Lazio's Alexander Kolarov

A number of Premier League clubs, notably Chelsea and Liverpool, are tracking the availability of Lazio full-back Alexander Kolarov with a view to making a move for him this summer.

Kolarov has been catching the eye this season with a string of good performances for the Rome club, who are thought to be looking at rebuilding their squad this summer after a poor season.

With Lazio teetering on the brink of the Serie A relegation zone, Kolarov looks almost certain to be sold to raise cash for some new signings in the summer - or to play top-flight football if his club go down.

But the Serbian international said the reports of interest from Chelsea and Liverpool, as well as Italian and Spanish table-toppers Inter Milan and Real Madrid, will not distract him.

'I find that different clubs are interested in me every day when I open the newspapers,' he told fanzine La Lazio Siamo Noi.

'The interest from Real Madrid, Liverpool and Inter cannot but flatter me.

'However, so far there has never been anything concrete.'

Ashley Cole Training Again, Could Return For Chelsea This Month

Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole has resumed training and may return to first-team action against Stoke City on 25 April at Stamford Bridge.

The England defender broke his left ankle during Chelsea's defeat to Everton in February. Following surgery, Cole underwent intensive rehabilitation during a three week spell in France.

According to London's Evening Standard, the 29 year-old did some gentle running exercises at Chelsea's Cobham training ground yesterday.

The news will be welcomed by both Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti and England coach Fabio Capello, who is already without left-back Wayne Bridge, who ruled himself out of World Cup contention.

Chelsea Launch New Search For Asian Star

Chelsea’s groundbreaking Search for an Asian Soccer Star is back and this year is bigger and better.

Two of last year’s Asian Stars have now gone on to sign for professional clubs and this year Chelsea will be offering six lucky players the chance to win a week-long trial at their world famous Academy.

Once again the club has teamed up with the Asian Media Group and Kick it Out to support the tournament which will take place on the second May Bank Holiday Weekend (29-31) for players from Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan and Bangladeshi backgrounds aged 8 to 13 years old.

Participants will be judged on a series of matches and tests specifically designed and used by the Chelsea Academy to examine speed, skill and ability.

One player from each age group will be selected for a week’s training with the Chelsea Academy squads during the summer with any player meeting the required standard being offered the chance to be signed by the Blues.

The initiative is the first of its kind ever undertaken by a professional football club and is designed to give a much needed boost to Asian participation at all levels of the game.

Last year’s initiative saw 350 young people attending the Cobham training ground and the three winning players training and turning out for Chelsea teams during the summer. Two of last year’s winners have since gone to be signed by Leyton Orient and Southend. “Last year was a massive success with two of the boys going from Sunday League football to play for professional clubs,” said Simon Taylor Chelsea’s Head of CSR. “We want this year’s tournament to be bigger and better so we have doubled the amount of age groups and trials on offer. The scheme is not just about finding the next Anelka, Drogba or Lampard, it is about breaking down barriers, showing Asian players that opportunities at all levels of the game do exist and encouraging them to maximise their potential.” Chelsea will also be inviting managers, coaches and scouts from clubs at all levels of the game to identify talented youngsters and information will also be on hand for Asian players to find clubs in their area.

Kalpesh R Solanki, Group Managing Editor of Asian Media & Marketing Group (AMG) said: “Asian Media & Marketing Group (AMG) are proud to be associated with Chelsea in their search for an Asian Soccer Star. The Asian community has become involved in many fields over the years but the involvement of Asians in football is scarce and we all need to work together and encourage more involvement from the community.

Piara Powar, Director of Kick It Out added: “"We fully endorse the Search for an Asian Star initiative. The outcomes from the 2009 initiative demonstrate how a project like this can break down stereotypes, and give genuine opportunities in the professional game for talented young Asian players."

"The Chelsea scheme uses the best that the club can offer to reach out to the best talent in a way that gives other young Asians the encouragement to believe that there is a place in the game for them."

Why Impassive Ancelotti Stays Focused On Future With Chelsea

The word Carlo Ancelotti will use repeatedly this week at Chelsea’s plush training ground will be “focus”.

He will not allow his players to wallow in the satisfaction of a significant job well done at Old Trafford.

Instead, he will demand they keep the next assignment – the FA Cup semi-final against Aston Villa – sharply defined in their minds.

Ancelotti’s insistence on not dwelling on what has happened has made a great impact in the past two weeks.

The Champions League defeat by Inter Milan and a frustrating draw at Blackburn seemed to have derailed Chelsea’s season, but Ancelotti explained: “After a defeat you don’t have to lose confidence in your players and you don’t look behind. It is better to look forward.”

After thumping 12 goals against Portsmouth and Villa and completing a Premier League double over Manchester United, Chelsea can certainly look forward with renewed confidence. Matches against United do tend to provide landmarks for Chelsea coaches.

Avram Grant took over three days before a defeat at Old Trafford and was sacked three days after losing the Champions League final to United on penalties.

Luiz Felipe Scolari’s brief stay became untenable because of a 3-0 thrashing at Old Trafford, and Ancelotti’s reign began with a Community Shield victory over United at Wembley.

The latest victory over the crestfallen Ferguson was thoroughly merited, and should prove instructive to those, including some inside the Chelsea camp, who were swift to condemn Ancelotti a fortnight ago.

His understated touchline style – slouching slightly with hands in pockets, face mostly impassive – contrasted with the theatrical posturing of former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho while he presided over Inter’s win.

Ancelotti was equally undemonstrative during the draw at Ewood Park, and many concluded the Italian was helpless and hopeless.

But he does his work on the training pitches and in team meetings. Once the game kicks off, he views events with the stoicism learnt during a long and hugely successful career as a player and coach.

At Old Trafford on Saturday he allowed himself an instinctive, restrained celebration when each of Chelsea’s goals went in.

His hands came out of his trouser pockets long enough for both fists to clench and he let out an involuntary yell of exultation. But he was soon calm again – and focused.

The big tactical decision was not dropping Didier Drogba to use Nicolas Anelka as a lone central striker – it was the formation itself which showed Ancelotti’s mind at work. Mourinho initially played 4-3-3, with two dynamic wingers hugging the touchlines and Drogba ploughing a solitary furrow in the middle.

When Anelka arrived, he and Drogba could not both be comfortably accommodated in that system, nor in the 4-1-4-1 Scolari favoured.

Guus Hiddink used Drogba and Anelka together in attack, either with Anelka as a wide man or with both playing centrally ahead of a heavily populated midfield and Ancelotti has often done the same.

But Ancelotti’s approach has been more flexible than any recent predecessors at Chelsea. He has deployed a midfield diamond (4-1-2-1-2), a Christmas tree (4-3-2-1) and a narrow 4-2-2-2, in which the width was provided by two adventurous full-backs.

Yet on Saturday Ancelotti opted for 4-3-3. The increasingly impressive Florent Malouda and the revitalised Joe Cole, who combined for the first goal, were the wide players in the front three, with both tracking back when necessary.

Just as importantly, Chelsea’s system allowed Frank Lampard and Deco to do whatever occurred to them in midfield, rather than being stifled by rigid roles. And Lampard, in particular, was outstanding.

Anelka started as the only central striker, but Drogba replaced him for the last 20 minutes and scored a blatantly offside goal nine minutes later.

But then Federico Macheda’s goal after 81 minutes was possibly handball and only emphasised how insipid their attack had been until he joined it as a substitute.

Dimitar Berbatov is simply not an adequate replacement for Wayne Rooney.

Yet it would be folly to write off United’s season, just as it was barmy to deride Ancelotti two weeks ago.

John Obi Mikel: I Would Happily Sacrifice The FA Cup For Premier League Glory

Midfielder John Obi Mikel believes only winning the Premier League title will make the season a success for Chelsea.

The Blue are still in the league and FA Cup mix as the season reaches its conclusion, but after a disappointing Champions League exit against Inter Milan in March the 22-year-old believes the squad have one clear priority.

“I've won the FA Cup twice and I think if I win the Premier League I will be happier,” Mikel told the Evening Standard.

“We are disappointed with how we went out to Inter, but that's behind us now and we've got to focus on winning the Premier League. That's just as important a trophy."

After a crucial 2-1 victory against Manchester United last Saturday, the Blues are two points ahead of their rivals in the table with just five games remaining. And the Nigerian is confident the squad are capable of finishing the job.

“We're still in the race for the title and I think the belief is there," he said.

"We've got the right mentality, everything seems to be in place, so it's up to us to keep it going.”

Didier Drogba Delighted To See Chelsea Team-Mate Florent Malouda Picking Up Plaudits

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba is pleased at the way in which team-mate Florent Malouda has won over the critics this season at Stamford Bridge.

The French winger played a key role in the Blues' weekend win over Manchester United, crossing for Joe Cole's opener and maintaining his fine recent form.

Drogba, a team-mate of Malouda's at Guingamp seven years ago, feels that his coleague is at last receiving the recognition his talent deserves.

"Everybody recognises his talent now," Drogba told the Blues' official website.

"It has been difficult for him to change leagues and also he had quite a few injuries at first but every time he has played this season he was good.

"He is not the type of player who will do many skills but he is really efficient, with simple touches, passes, assists, and he is clever.

"He reads the game well and that is the kind of player we need in our squad."

Malouda: Fast Out The Block

Florent Malouda's impact on the season continues unabated and the creator of the first goal against Manchester United adds to the match analysis by discussing the strategy at the start of the game.

The left winger's strong run, shrugging off challenges from Antonio Valencia and Darren Fletcher before he crossed for Joe Cole's crafty finish, was the culmination of 20 minutes of good possession football by the visitors, but it was possession football played at a high tempo as Malouda explains:

'When a team is playing in a Champions League game it gives a lot of energy. That is why we started the game against Manchester United quickly because we knew that if we played with high intensity, they could have some problems having played midweek.

'We tried to control the game when we had the ball and with the runs and the problems we caused them, I think they were more tired than us in the first half.

'It was more difficult in the second half,' he admits. 'It was a really tough game but we played really well and for us it means a lot after the bad week we had 10 days ago. We reacted in the best way.

'After the game everybody was really tired but if we can play the same way until the end of the season there will be no problem.'

It has been unusual for Malouda not to be looking for Didier Drogba's runs inside and ahead of him at the start of the past two games. He was not surprised to see the big striker make an instant impact when he was eventually called from the bench.

'Didier reacted in the perfect way,' Malouda says. 'We have a strong squad and we know we are at the top because we have scored a lot of goals with and without Didier. Last week we won against Villa so the manager gave starts to the same team and Didier fully understands that.'

Malouda and Drogba have known each other well since they were team-mates at Guingamp seven years ago and Drogba is delighted England is seeing the football from Malouda that gave him such a big reputation in France.

'Everybody recognises his talent now,' Drogba says. 'It has been difficult for him to change leagues and also he had quite a few injuries at first but every time he has played this season he was good.

'He is not the type of player who will do many skills but he is really efficient, with simple touches, passes, assists, and he is clever. He reads the game well and that is the kind of player we need in our squad.'