Match Report: Chelsea 4 - 0 Blackpool

Chelsea moved four points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League with a comfortable victory over new boys Blackpool at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea destroyed Ian Holloway's side with four first-half goals - two from Florent Malouda and others from Salomon Kalou and Didier Drogba.

Blackpool improved in the second half and Branislav Ivanovic had to clear off the line from DJ Campbell while substitute Gary Taylor-Fletcher brought a fine save from Petr Cech.

It took just two minutes for Chelsea to take the lead when Drogba's corner was flicked on by Branislav Ivanovic and Kalou supplied the finish at the far post.

It was the Ivory Coast striker's fourth league goal of the season and Chelsea's 22nd in total so far this season.

Michael Essien almost made it two in the seventh minute but the midfielder's 20-yard shot was too high.

But Chelsea doubled their lead in the 12th minute when Kalou put Drogba clear of the Blackpool defence.

Instead of having a shot himself, Kalou's international team-mate chose to cross superbly for the unmarked Malouda to fire home his fifth goal of the season.

Branislav Ivanovic almost made it three seconds later but his header from a Malouda corner fell just wide of the upright.

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech was forced into his first save of the game in the 16th minute when he tipped a shot from Alex Baptiste around the post.

Chelsea made it 3-0 on the half-hour when Ashley Cole fed Drogba and the Ivory Coast striker's shot on the turn was deflected past Matthew Gilks. It was Drogba's fifth of the season.

Chelsea were now in rampant form and only some poor decision-making from Cole prevented Blackpool from falling further behind.

The England left-back should have made it four to the home side seconds after Drogba's goal but his cross-shot went wide of the far post.

In the 38th minute another Chelsea attack almost brought yet another goal.

Paulo Ferreira headed the ball into space for Kalou to collect but his cross was smashed wide by Malouda.

Another simple Chelsea move sliced Blackpool open in the 41st minute to make it 4-0 to the champions.

Drogba's ball over the top to Kalou was inch-perfect and he crossed for Malouda to fire into the bottom corner.

Gilks then thwarted Drogba in the 44th minute as the Chelsea forward looked to make it five.

Blackpool almost reduced the arrears in the 49th minute when DJ Campbell rounded Petr Cech but Ivanovic cleared the ball off the goal-line.

Moments later Luke Varney squandered a chance for the visitors when he volleyed over from eight yards.

Chelsea had lost the initiative and a 20-yard shot from Varney was deflected just over the bar as the visitors, for once, enjoyed the upper hand.

On the hour, substitute Gary Taylor-Fletcher brought a fine save from Cech with a curling shot which was going in until the Czech Republic international tipped it over the bar.

Seconds later Holloway removed Elliott Grandin and Varney and replaced them with Brett Ormerod and Marlon Harewood.

But Chelsea squandered a chance to go five in front in the 63rd minute when Drogba put Kalou in the clear but a poor touch allowed Gilks to save his eventual shot.

Moments later a cross from Drogba was met by Malouda but the France international's far-post volley was tipped over by Gilks.

In the 66th minute, Malouda spurned another hat-trick chance by firing wide of the left-hand upright.

Essien sent a rising shot over the crossbar 10 minutes from time and Drogba did the same four minutes from time.

Didier Drogba Wanted More Goals Against Blackpool

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has praised his side after a 4-0 rout of Blackpool maintained the Blues' perfect start to the season.

Despite creating a host of chances in the second half, all the goals were scored in a first-half blitz thanks to strikes from Salomon Kalou, Drogba and a Florent Malouda brace, but Drogba believes more goals could have been scored.

"It's fantastic you know I think we have improved and we try and score the most goals we can and we scored four in the first half and I think in the second we had seven chances," Drogba told Sky Sports after the game.

"I think it was a little bit of a lack of concentration [to not score more], poor position on the last pass, so this is something we have to think about even though we had a great result today."

With both captain John Terry and vice-captain Frank Lampard missing through injury, the armband was given to Drogba for the match and the Ivorian claims it was an honour to be captain whilst hoping his team-mates can get back to fitness quickly.

"It's fantastic you know, I've been here for six years. But it's always better to have them [Terry and Lampard] out on the pitch. I want them to come back quickly but it was an honour and pleasure for me to be captain today," he concluded.

Juventus & Chelsea Set To Lose Race For Sevilla Winger Jesus Navas

Juventus and Chelsea could be out of the race to sign Sevilla winger Jesus Navas, as Arsenal are reportedly in pole position for the 24-year-old.

The Bianconeri were interested in Navas to fill the right-wing position, as the side believes it requires further strength.

Los Nervionenses have put a €25 million price-tag on the talented player, and the Gunners seem to be the most interested in the winger.

Itasportpress.it also claim that the Gunners and Navas have agreed to terms verbally, but more discussions will be required to finalize an official deal.

Sevilla are currently in second place in the league, on seven points from their three matches.

Chelsea Plan £9m Summer Move For German ‘Lampard'

Whilst it would be hard to imagine why Chelsea would need any new faces at Stamford Bridge given their stupendous start to the new season it does seem that Carlo Ancelotti continues to plan for the future and a move for 20 year old German international Toni Kroos would helpfully act as a useful successor to Frank Lampard’s berth in the side in years to come.

Even though there may be a tendency to think of the Bayern Munich man as a new ‘Ballack’ he is far more like Lampard in his style of play. He is acting, direct and has an eye for goal, unfortunately he appears to have little hope of breaking into the Allianz Arena picture any time soon.

Kroos had a great season last term on loan at Bayer Leverkusen but was reticent about making such a move a permanent one, the £9m rated youngster would no doubt jump at a move to the Premier League champions.

Carlo Ancelotti Anticipates 'Fantastic' Match Between Chelsea And Manchester City

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti is expecting a "fantastic" match between his side and Manchester City next week.

Roberto Mancini's side beat Wigan Athletic 2-0 at the DW Stadium on Sunday afternoon, as Chelsea were extending their 100 per cent record this season, beating Blackpool 4-0.

City got the better of Chelsea in their last outing at Stamford Bridge in a 4-2 defeat for the hosts, but Ancelotti is keen to carry on his side's unbeaten run.

"I think that next week we have important games," he told BBC Sport. "We have started very well, we wanted to do this, we are happy for this moment and we want to continue.

"Obviously Man City will be a fantastic match, we have to pay attention but we want to do our best."

Nicolas Anelka and John Terry were both rested at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, but Ancelotti is expecting them both to be fit for this coming Saturday.

He said: "I think that we have a very good squad. At this moment I wanted to give a rest to Anelka, Terry had a little problem last night and we wanted to play [him], so he rested and we hope he will be fit next week."

Ancelotti also indicated he would rest a host of first team regulars for the League Cup meeting with Newcastle United in midweek.

He continued: I want to give thew chance to the younger players. We have fantastic younger players and I want to give them the opportunity to show this quality, but it will be a strong team.

Frank Lampard also sat out Sunday's victory over Blackpool and Ancelotti hinted he will not be involved against Newcastle.

He said: For Wednesday, I don't know. We hope he will be fit for Man City.

Ancelotti Urges Fringe Stars To Shine

Carlo Ancelotti is ready to utilize the depth in his Chelsea squad after they went four points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League with a 4-0 drubbing of Blackpool at Stamford Bridge.

The Italian will use the Carling Cup to blood his youngsters before welcoming back England men John Terry and Frank Lampard against Manchester City at the weekend.

Two goals from Florent Malouda and other strikes from Salomon Kalou and Didier Drogba put paid to Blackpool in a sensational opening half yesterday.

But Chelsea is entering a period where they play two games per week and Ancelotti is ready to use all his resources.

"We will need to use all of our players," said Ancelotti. "The squad is so strong that we can change players to offer something different to the team or change the shape if we want to.

"We want to show, during this season, that we can adapt to any game - this can be our strength."

But victories over West Brom, Wigan, Stoke, West Ham and Blackpool have hardly stretched Chelsea and Ancelotti accepts their biggest test so far will come against City in the Premier League at Eastlands on Saturday.

"It is important to have confidence in our play - we have that," said Ancelotti.

"We know the next game in the league will be more difficult.

"It is an important test for us next week but it is also an important test for them. We have not played against the top teams but we are playing well. It is necessary for us to do it against the top teams."

Ancelotti confirmed that Terry and Lampard should be fit after injuries to face City but he also revealed their Carling Cup team against Newcastle on Wednesday will predominantly be filled with youngsters.

"Frank is training, he is not 100% yet," said Ancelotti. "He will be able to play against Manchester City. Terry had a problem with his ribs and was not able to play, but he should be okay in two or three days.

"We will change a lot of players for the Carling Cup because we want to use this competition for our younger players."

Reaction: Confident For Big Test Ahead

Enjoyment at the sheer spectacle of the first half against Blackpool and understanding that his team couldn't extend the 4-0 lead in the second half were the primary emotions expressed by Carlo Ancelotti after the latest win.

The visitors from the north-west coast were cut apart on numerous occasions on their return to Stamford Bridge after 14 years, and Chelsea had Salomon Kalou and Didier Drogba goals and another Florent Malouda brace to show for it, but chances weren't taken second half and Blackpool had moments of their own, some spurned, some saved by Petr Cech.

Ancelotti admitted his team did take their foot off the accelerator that has been pressed firmly to the floor for much of the season.

'Blackpool had a good reaction after the first half, they made some chances to score and also we didn't play so well,' the manager said.

'After 4-0 up it was difficult to maintain concentration and stay in focus in the game, we had a lot of opportunities to score but it was not fantastic play like the first half.

'The first half was very good for us, it was a pleasure to watch my team playing like we played first half.

'But I am not angry about the second half because I know very well there are a lot of games in this period and maybe the players are looking to these next games. Maybe they lose a little bit of concentration during the game.'

Ancelotti also looked ahead to after the win that kept the team four points clear. He spoke about the midweek cup match against Newcastle and next weekend's visit to Manchester City. Some are saying it is only in that game that everyone will see if Chelsea are very good this season; pointing to a perceived easy set of fixtures so far.

'It could be that it is an easy start,' said Ancelotti. 'We didn't play against the top teams but we played very welland this is the most important thing. Now it is important to maintain the same level of play against the top teams but I think that we are able to do this.

'It is important to have confidence in our play and now we have confidence and we know very well that the next game will be more difficult. It is an important test to show the same level of play away against a fantastic team like Manchester City.'

Blackpool manager Ian Holloway was fulsome in his praise of the performance that beat his side, describing Chelsea as 'light years ahead'.

'We have seen some teams underestimate us but the champions certainly didn't,' he said.

'Some of the movement they showed I hadn't seen before and that caused our players problems.

'I have seen in the flesh now how good Drogba and Essien are. I have seen some football in my life and the way Chelsea played is an absolute credit to Mr. Ancelotti and their players. Some of their moving and passing and running is phenomenal.

'The tactics I tried to adopt didn't work,' he admitted, 'but we looked much better when in the second half we played the way we normally play, which is with four strikers, and we did cause them some problems.

'I expected it to be closer but we drew the second half and at half-time, I certainly didn't think we would do that.'

Ancelotti reported that he expects Frank Lampard to be fit in time for the Man City game and John Terry, who was missing against Blackpool due to a rib injury, will be 100 per cent in two to three days.

He also reiterated his intention to make plenty of changes for Wednesday's Carling Cup game.

'I am confident I will put out a very good team because we have young players who are ready to play for us,' he explained.

Playing With Pleasure

If it looked like the players were enjoying themselves on Sunday afternoon, it is because they were.

A first-half display of attacking football to rival anything else in the world saw us race into a 4-0 half-time lead against Barclays Premier League newcomers, with a goal apiece for Salomon Kalou and Didier Drogba and a pair for man of the match Florent Malouda, who explained afterwards just what a good time the lads were having.

'It was a real pleasure for us players on the pitch, and for the fans it was too. We really enjoyed it and we'll have to do it again,' said the Frenchman. 'We work hard every day in training, we have our system and shape, we have our philosophy and when you get results at the weekend it's a real pleasure.'

Captain for the day Drogba admitted we should have had more in the second half.

'We try to score the most goals we can in the game. We scored four in the first half and in the second we had so many chances, but I think it is a lack of concentration or bad decisions in the last pass. It is something we have to think about but the result was great today,' said the Ivorian, who was delighted to be asked to wear the armband in the absence of both John Terry and Frank Lampard.

'It's fantastic, I've been here for six years, this is my seventh,' the 32-year-old smiled. 'It is always better to have them on board and on the pitch, and I want them to come back quick even if it was an honour and a pleasure to be captain today.'

Malouda was also pleased to keep a clean sheet, which he believes was more important to adding to the score in the second half following on from games against West Ham and Zilina, where we conceded late consolation strikes.

'Most important was to keep the clean sheet because we couldn't do it against Zilina in the Champions League, it was important for us because we are confident up front and it is good for the defence to keep a clean sheet, so there was no disappointment in the second half,' he explained.

Next up in the league is a trip to Manchester City, which according to many will be our first big test of the new season. The players though are not so sure.

'We just want to win the league, we are not focused on Manchester City, we have to play all the teams,' Malouda responded. 'People are thinking about Man City because they don't give us credit for what we have done until now.

'We have to stay focused as we did last year, and can achieve great performances against big teams. We have a lot of games to come and we play to win every game.

'The season will be long and you don't win in September. We have to carry on and keep our focus, because we know there will be great expectation from our fans. You have to be on top at the end of May, and we're fully aware of that.'

Premier League Preview: Chelsea vs Blackpool

He may have an eyebrow with more of a mind of its own than Roger Moore's but Carlo Ancelotti is certainly the man with the golden, erm, team-talk, as his Chelsea side already sit top of the Premier League with four wins out of four and no sign of letting up.

Admittedly the fixture computer has been kind to the league champions, who have not had to face a decent side yet and on Sunday have a chance to make it a perfect five against Blackpool, a team who conceded six at Arsenal. And the Seasiders will have their work cut out to keep the Blues out - no-one has stopped Chelsea from scoring in their last 23 Premier League home games.

But it isn't all sunshine and lollipops, as this week's 4-1 Champions League win at MSK Zilina showed: Chelsea raced into a four goal lead, but then conceded a comic goal, which bounced off Branislav Ivanovic's face, and looked miles from champions after that.

Still, the stats are in Chelsea's favour - 50 goals in their last 12 Premier League games, conceding just five. Wowzers.

Before anyone starts writing off Blackpool bear in mind that they are currently fourth in the league and have won two of their three away games this season. Yes, they were at Wigan and Newcastle, but the Arsenal 6-0 drubbing aside, the Seasiders have hit six goals without reply on the road.

And unbelievably, history is on their side: the last meeting between Chelsea and Blackpool was in the League Cup in 1996 and the Seasiders stunned the Blues by winning the second leg 3-1 at Stamford Bridge, though it proved in vain as the Blues had already won 4-1 at Bloomfield Road.

But the differences between the two sides in 2010 are vast - Blackpool boss Ian Holloway admitted yesterday the club didn't have a washing machine to clean dirty kit and come Sunday evening they could well be in a spin.


TEAM NEWS:

Chelsea

Chelsea will have to do without free-scoring midfielder Frank Lampard who has not recovered from hernia surgery in time, but star striker Didider Drogba returns from suspension mid-week to lead the line against the Seasiders.

Right-back Jose Bosingwa is out with a knee injury, but Ashley Cole is available for the left-back spot after being rested against MSK.

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


Blackpool

The man with the poshest name in Premier League football - Gary Taylor-Fletcher - will return for the Seasiders after missing last weekend's victory at Newcastle with a calf problem

Alex Baptiste, who scored a cross shot against Wigan, could also be back in action having been sidelined with a fractured hand.

Possible Starting XI: Gilks, Baptiste, Eardley, Crainey, Evatt, Adam, Vaughan, Varney, Campbell, Taylor-Fletcher, Grandin.


PREDICTION:

Not hard this one really, no matter how much of a football romantic you are. The Blues rarely drop points or even concede goals at Stamford Bridge, and while Blackpool's record on the road isn't too bad so far this season, their wins have come against relegation rivals.

Expect a comfortable home win.

Chelsea 4 – 0 Blackpool

Ancelotti Focused On Blues Despite Father's Illness

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti insists his father's illness in Italy is not preventing him from focusing on his job at Stamford Bridge.

The Italian returns home to see his father at every opportunity but, while he accepts it is emotionally difficult, he has a first-class support system -- both at the club and back home.

"My father is not well," said Ancelotti. "He's an old man. Whenever possible, I fly back to Italy to see him.

"He has good support from my sister, so we don't have a problem for this reason.

"It's not difficult to keep my focus. I've spent a lot of time here and, when I'm not here, I have good support from my assistant.

"Everyone knows my situation. I don't have a problem managing the team for this reason. It's difficult, emotionally, when it's your father ... but this is life. I have to do my best to stay close to him.

"I will go back on Monday. But I will not miss the Carling Cup game against Newcastle next week."

Roman Abramovich Set To Make Financial Club Cutbacks

Chelsea’s billionaire owner Roman Abramovich has reportedly told the club that their big spending days are over.

The Russian has been in control of the Premier League champions since 2003, but has told officials and executives that the club will now have to live within their means and that cutbacks will be necessary in order to stabilize finances at Stamford Bridge.

This has led to players having their bonus payments reduced, which basically means a pay cut, and when addressed at Chelsea’s Cobham training ground earlier in the week by chairman Bruce Buck, they were told that the club will now have to generate the money first in order to bring new players to Stamford Bridge.

The Russian forked out over £230 million in his first two years with the club, signings the likes of Michael Essien, Didier Drogba and defender Ricardo Carvalho, as well as some of the least successful signings such as Damien Duff and Adrian Mutu, all for substantial sums.

The cutbacks will also mean slashing catering costs and coaching staff numbers at their Cobham training ground.

However players who signed a contract before 2009 will still have their win bonuses guaranteed.

Despite the cutbacks at Chelsea, Abramovich is still owed £726m by holding company Fordstam but the club has recorded a staggering loss of £493m since the Russian took over.

Chelsea Set To Offer Carlo Ancelotti A New Contract To Extend Stamford Bridge Stay Until 2014

Chelsea is reportedly in line to offer manager Carlo Ancelotti a new contract that will tie him down at the club until 2014.

It is believed that the west London outfit's owner, Roman Abramovich, is pleased with the progress than the Italian has made since taking over last year.

The former Milan boss guided the club to a historic double last season, as the Blues won the Premier League and the FA Cup.

It has also been reported that the Russian owner is delighted with the manner in which the team went about achieving success last term, as Ancelotti's charges scored over 100 goals en route to being crowned the champions of England.

Now The Mirror claims that the 51-year-old boss is expected to be offered a new deal that should keep him in his post until 2014.

Ancelotti's still has two years on his current contract at Stamford Bridge, which is thought to be worth about £3 million-a-year.

Salomon Kalou: Smells Like Team Spirit

Rival sides are going to have to up their game if they are to take on Chelsea, as striker Salomon Kalou says that team spirit in The Blues clubhouse is very much in evidence.

In an interview with Chelsea TV, the 25-year-old said the squad's results speak for themselves.

'We are winning every game and it doesn't matter which player is in the team,' he remarked. 'It's good to know that we have a great team and great people that want to work together.'

Such camaraderie will be put to the test this Sunday when Chelsea take on Blackpool, a match that Kalou knows could put an end to his side's successful streak.

He told the news source that because Blackpool - currently fourth on the table - are new in the league, they go out on the pitch willing to give anything a try each time, which means Chelsea need to be careful as the game could prove one of the most difficult of the season.

Kalou isn't the only one to believe that the Blues have what it takes - manager Carlo Ancelotti made similar remarks last week, revealing how pleased he is to have so many players firing on all cylinders at this early stage.

Mikel: Achieving Our Aim

Sometimes though, they are simply impossible to ignore, and when you take a look at the Barclays Premier League's list of top passers there is a Chelsea man at the top - John Mikel Obi has completed 299 of 310 attempted, a completion rate of 96 percent - three percent higher than Arsenal's Abou Diaby, and seven percent greater than Manchester United's Darren Fletcher, his nearest rivals in the holding midfield role.

Everybody seems in agreement that the 23-year-old Nigerian has upped his game in 2010/11, and long may it continue.

Upon discovering the statistics, the midfielder was as shocked as he was impressed.

'No?! 96?! Wow!' he laughed. 'It's good isn't it? It is a surprise, but I know that passing, even when I was little, was the thing I had, I hardly gave the ball away in youth football.

'When I came into senior football and at a higher level in competitive games I started to give passes away. Since coming into the Premier League it has been harder.'

He believes it is testament to how well the whole side has begun the campaign, with 17 goals scored in our four matches to date, and just one conceded.

'It shows how good Chelsea are at the moment, it is not just me,' Mikel said.'Everyone is working hard, pre-season was misleading because we lost a few games, people were coming back from the World Cup at different times, but now is the most important time and we're very fit, playing well and happy.'

Mikel has long been a fan of the possession games played by both Arsenal and Barcelona (Barça had 74 percent possession against Panathinaikos in midweek, compared with our 53 percent against Zilina), and while they are impressive, he believes it is Chelsea that are the best side to watch at the moment due to our more attacking, dynamic approach.

'The styles of football are different, they do play more of the ball, more passes in the midfield, they don't rush most of the time, and we can do that sometimes, but we play the ball around and can be more physical, we are ready to play any way,' he argued.

So how would he go about trying to stop the Blues were he an opposition manager?

'I don't know, it is not for me to worry about!' smiled the number 12. 'Most sides try to get men behind the ball and stay deep on the edge of their area, they sit back and it's not a problem if they lose, they expect to, but they try to make it difficult for us.

'When we get an early goal it always helps because the game becomes more open, so that is what we have to aim for against Blackpool on Sunday.'

The visit is the Seasiders' first to Stamford Bridge since 1996, when they emerged with a 3-1 win in the League Cup. They still went out though, as we had already won 4-1 at Bloomfield Road.

Some statistics can be useless.

Building Bridges Tackles Descrimination

Chelsea utterly condemns anti-Semitic behaviour and operates a zero-tolerance policy towards all forms of discrimination, as shown by the new Building Bridges campaign aimed at eradicating prejudice from Stamford Bridge.

We are proud of our record in tackling racism and discrimination, and you can play your part.

A number of people have been banned from Stamford Bridge and prosecuted, and Chelsea will not hesitate to do so again if there is sufficient evidence.

The technology involved in identifying culprits is continually improving, as seen with the new CCTV system at the stadium this season.

Ancelotti Denies Blues Are Cruising

Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti insists they are top of the Barclays Premier League on merit even if they have yet to face any of their title rivals so far this season.

Chelsea have scored 17 goals in the league this season and conceded just once in victories over West Brom, Wigan, Stoke, and West Ham.

The Blues face newly-promoted Blackpool at Stamford Bridge on Sunday with fans expecting another goal feast.

Chelsea's first real test will come away at Manchester City at the end of this month but Ancelotti maintains his team is ready for anyone.

"It's an important moment now," said Ancelotti. "We have a lot of games and we don't have time to train properly, but we are ready to play against a strong team.

"We have more knowledge and for that reason, we are doing well. There's no fear, now, which is good. The players are all involved in the team and there's a good atmosphere. If we can maintain this atmosphere, I think we can have success this year.

"To think about the game against City is too far away. Blackpool are a good team and have won two away games, at Newcastle and Wigan, and are showing good skills in the Premier League.

"We have to pay attention. They are no easy games. Our moment is nice. It's good now, but we want it to continue.

"We have fantastic ability up front. We have to put a kind of football on the pitch to showcase this quality. Balance is important in football.

"If you have players with skill and ability, you can show this balance. You have to find that balance and be able to attack and defend."

Chelsea will be without England midfielder Frank Lampard on Sunday as he is yet to fully recover from his hernia surgery.

Ancelotti also wants to rest some of his first-team players with midfielder Ramires, right-back Paulo Ferreira and striker Salomon Kalou likely to be handed a first-team start.

"Lampard will be out," he added. "I don't think he'll be able to play on Sunday, but he will be ready to play in the Carling Cup next week.

"He's training but we don't want to take a risk. He has to put more power in his adductor, so he'll have to train again."

Two-goal Nicolas Anelka is likely to spearhead the attack alongside the returning Didier Drogba with Daniel Sturridge standing down.

Anelka scored twice in the midweek win over MSK Zilina in the Champions League although his 'handcuff' goal celebration got more column inches than is well-taken double.

Anelka was banned for 18 games by the French Federation for his part in the country's World Cup mutiny and the player then announced his retirement from international football.

But Ancelotti says Anelka got a raw deal from the French authorities.

"I spoke with Nicolas for him to explain to me the celebration," said Ancelotti.

"He said it was against the France Federation. I agree with him. I think he's had a bad deal. I don't know if he's upset, but he's putting in fantastic performances. Maybe, for this reason, he has more motivation to play well.

"Obviously, if he stays here to train he can maintain a good physical condition, but for a player it's better to play for a national team."

But Sturridge will think himself unlucky not to continue in attack, especially after scoring against Zilina in the 4-1 win in midweek.

However, Ancelotti has already told the 21-year-old that, despite his efforts on Wednesday, he needs to improve still further.

"He played an important game on Wednesday and scored," conceded Ancelotti. "It's not important for me if he's playing in the Champions League or the Premier.

"He's a Chelsea player with good quality. He could do better. I expected more of him on Wednesday and he knows this.

"He has fantastic ability, and I'd like to see these skills and ability more in a game. He scored with fantastic movement, but we need to see more of that."

Ancelotti Weighs Up Options Without Lampard

Carlo Ancelotti is planning changes to his side for the visit of Blackpool, but hasn't settled on a starting 11 yet, although he knows he will again be without Frank Lampard.

The vice-captain is yet to recover fully from surgery on his groin and will continue to train individually over the weekend to strengthen muscle in that region.

Jose Bosingwa remains out although the right-back's return is imminent, but contrary to some media reports Yossi Benayoun is available for selection. Yom Kippur that keeps fellow Israelis Avram Grant and Tal Ben Haim from attending West Ham's game on Saturday will have ended before Sunday.

Benayoun is one of the players in the frame to take the place vacated by Lampard's absence, as he did in Zilina midweek, although no decision has yet been made.

'He [Benayoun] played very well first half, taking the right positions and he made two assists,' Ancelotti says.

'It is a new position for him but he can play that position because he is intelligent and we need to have intelligent players in midfield because then we can rotate places there.Yossi will take up the right positions.

'But Ramires played a good game against West Ham and he is fresh,' the manager adds, emphasising he has yet to choose the side.

'Lampard will be fit next week, for the Carling Cup I think. He is training but we don't want to take a risk.'

No-one will be surprised if Didier Drogba and Ashley Cole start versus Blackpool, both having remained at Cobham while the team was playing in Slovakia, and this rotation of the squad in the opening month is important to the team's prospects according to Ancelotti.

'I try to put my idea of football to the team but it is not my team because this club had a precise identity before I came here,' he claims.

'I have my idea of football, we changed something last year and now I think we have more confidence in our play, we have more knowledge, and for this reason we are doing well.

'We know every game could be difficult for us but the atmosphere is good now. The players are all involved in the team and I am happy for this, and if we can continue the atmosphere we can have success this year.'

People outside Chelsea have pointed to our early fixtures and claimed we will not have faced a true test before we travel to Manchester City next weekend, but Ancelotti is ignoring such talk.

'To think about the game against Man City is too far, we have to think game by game. Blackpool is a good team and they have won two games away, they are showing good spirit and so we have to pay attention, this is not an easy game.'

Finally the manager has also reacted to one of this week's hot topics - bad tackling in the Premier League, as raised by Arsene Wenger.

Firstly Ancelotti sent good wishes to Manchester United's Antonio Valencia who broke his ankle on Champions League duty.

'Valencia was unlucky because the defender didn't make a bad tackle. I want to wish him a quick recovery.

'The tempo of the game here is different from other countries but I don't think that here there are more bad tackles.

'There is fair play here and I have trust in the referees. If there is a bad tackle then the referee can judge.'

Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool And Tottenham Tracking Werder Bremen Star Marko Marin

Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham are all considering moves for Werder Bremen starlet Marko Marin, according to the Daily Mail.

Though a potential bidding war may significantly alter transfer fees, an estimated €18 million (£15m) bid is anticipated to be enough to land Marin, who remains under contract until 2013.

The 21-year-old has been touted as the "German Messi", having recently starred in Bremen's comeback against Tottenham in midweek.

However, after allowing Mesut Oezil join Real Madrid this summer, Bremen are unlikely to let their latest star player leave.

Daniel Sturridge Blasts 'Arrogant' Slurs Aimed At Him Following Manchester City Exit

Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge has revealed the hurt he felt as he was labelled "arrogant" following his Manchester City exit.

Sturridge, 21, quit the Blues in July 2009 after coming through the Eastlands youth academy. Reports at the time stated the England youth striker's exorbitant wage demands due to an inflated ego had seen him move down south.

However, Sturridge has hit back at those claims and insists the slurs couldn't be further from the truth.

He said: "I had some negative things around me when I joined the club.

"It was very hard for me to handle because I did not have my family around me. It was a hard stage in my life, not only in my career, but in my life as well.

"Some people had the opinion that I was an arrogant guy and I didn't work for the team and that hurt me a lot.

"It hurt me because I didn't believe it. Never in my life have I been an arrogant guy and it was very hurtful to hear people say things like that about me because I know I am not that type of person.

"Obviously, you then go home sometimes and feel very, very upset and you don't know what to do. For me, when that type of stuff was going on, it was very hard for me to be alone. I just want to show everyone that I am not that type of guy.

"When people meet me they realize I am actually not that type of guy. I am just trying to get as far as I can in football. Hopefully, I can push those things aside and prove to people that I am not like that.

"It was hard me for because I am young. It was difficult moving from Manchester to London. I was away from my family for about four or five months when I first joined the club.

"I am used to having them around me. In the second half of the season, it was different because they were with me and raised my spirits.

"It was very difficult for me at the beginning to get used to life alone because I was not used to that. When I was here on my own, the players helped me a lot. They put their arms around me and told me to keep my mind on football and not worry about anything because my time would come.

"Now I feel I am a Chelsea player and part of everything. The team has been here has been together for a long time and it was very hard for me to become a part of things. The boys made me very welcome when I first joined the club, they showed me a lot of love.

"I was very happy they did that for me because sometimes it is hard when you join the club as a new player and you don't know anyone.

"But I believe I have become a better player and I hope I can play more often with these world class players.

"Carlo Ancelotti is the best manager I have worked with. He gives you huge confidence and has huge faith in me. Hopefully I will be able to repay him."

Nicolas Anelka Confident Goals Will Continue To Flow For Chelsea

Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka sees no reason why the goals should dry up any time soon, after the Blues opened the new campaign with 21 strikes in five games in all competitions.

Anelka bagged a brace himself in the 4-1 Champions League win against MSK Zilina on Wednesday evening, but he thinks that the scoring success is down to the sheer number of players in the squad who have an eye for goal.

"Chelsea is a good team, we have a lot of big players and everybody can score, it is good for [us] and we just try to show it to everybody on the pitch," the 31-year-old told his club's official website.

"It is good for the confidence of the team because teams know everybody can score.

"We will try to do the same, even better. We start well and I hope it will continue in the same way."

Having so many good players available though does mean that some high-profile names have had to accept that they are not automatic starters for every game.

"We know a lot of players will sometimes be on the bench to rest," he added.

"We have so many games we know it is going to be tough this season and we have to rest, so everybody accepts it because we want to win.

"If you need a rest to be fresh to win games we will accept it."

Anelka agrees that one player who could make an impact this season is his young French compatriot Gael Kakuta, who has two substitute appearances in the Premier League to his name this season.

"I think so. He gets used to the first team now, he is playing every day with us, he is a good player and will show it," he asserted.