Latest Chelsea News

Chelsea players to hold crisis talks

Two of Chelsea's big-name players are set to demand talks with manager Avram Grant following growing unrest within the squad.
Ashley Cole and Michael Ballack were both left out of the starting line-up for the 2-1 Carling Cup final defeat against Tottenham and both are rumoured to be angry at the way Grant handled his team selection.
Reports suggest Grant's decision making is unduly influenced by senior players - most notably Frank Lampard and John Terry - causing conflict with others and further undermining the Israeli coach.
Lampard and Terry were both reportedly told in the lead up to the final that they would not be taking part because Grant did not feel they were fit enough, following respective injury lay-offs.
However, after Lampard held showdown talks with his manager he was immediately reinstated, along with Terry, who allegedly had a training ground bust-up with coach Henk ten Cate over the possibility of being left out of Sunday's showpiece.

Exclusive news Arsenal played a behind closed doors game against Chelsea yesterday

The game was arranged as a chance for Chelsea to look at some of their players who had not featured recently, whereas Arsenal used it as experience and a chance to give run outs to Rhys Murphy, Rene Steer and Rui Fonte who have been injured in recent weeks.
Chelsea put out a strong side, which included the likes of Ashley Cole, Claudio Pizzaro, Andrei Shevchencko, and Carlo Cudicini.
Arsenal’s young side, which included 15 year old Luke Freeman, and other 16,17 year olds were ripped apart by around a £100 million pounds worth of talent, but huge positives for Neil Banfield as it was excellent experience for our youngsters.

Chelsea loan out winger Sinclair to Charlton

Charlton have completed the signing of young Chelsea winger Scott Sinclair on loan until the end of the season. Sinclair, who has previously enjoyed successful loan spells at Plymouth and QPR, goes straight into Alan Pardew's squad for the game at to Sheffield United on Saturday. 'I'm really excited to be here,' Sinclair told Charlton's official website. 'I've come here to get more experience, and I want to keep playing and get some goals for the club. 'There were a few clubs in for me, but I thought Charlton would be the right one for me and I'm sure I've made the right choice.'

Sinclair, who turns 19 next month, has made seven appearances for Chelsea this season and will be available for the Coca-Cola Championship play-off final should Charlton be involved.
'I've had a few starts for Chelsea, but it's been frustrating trying to break though there, with all the good players they have,' he added. 'That's why I've chosen to come to Charlton. It's a club that seems ready for the Premier League, and I think with the squad that we have got we can definitely reach it.'

Chelsea ban Ten Cate from speaking to English media

Chelsea fans are unlikely to hear from controversial assistant coach Henk ten Cate through the English media anytime soon.The Independent says the 53-year-old is forbidden by Chelsea to give any interviews to the English press.

Obi reveals Chelsea crisis talks

Mikel John Obi has revealed Chelsea's players held crisis talks after their Carling Cup final hell. Avram Grant's men lost Sunday's crunch match with Tottenham 2-1 after extra time.
And Mikel, 20, admitted the Blues held a showdown meeting on their return to training on Tuesday.
The Nigerian said: "We had a talk among ourselves as players and we know we could have done better in the cup final.
"It was obviously disappointing but we just have to put what has happened behind us and make sure we move forward and everything from here goes well."
Mikel has also warned that no-one is safe from the axe as they chase Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup glory.
He added: "There is a lot of competition in the team now and you have to know you can't play every game.
"There are a lot of big players, good players.
"Everyone in the team is a good player and you can't keep them out for a long time."

Chelsea players unhappy with Ten Cate

Some Chelsea players believe the rift between skipper John Terry and assistant coach Henk ten Cate is no easy fix, it has been revealed. The Independent says the relationship between certain senior players, including Terry, and Ten Cate is never likely to be smooth, regardless of attempts by the club to play down Saturday's row between the pair. Some Chelsea players believe that the training sessions Ten Cate has put on simply do not compare with what they were used to either with Jose Mourinho or at international level.
While Ten Cate made a conciliatory gesture towards Terry in a Dutch newspaper this week when he said that both of them were "emotional" characters, some Chelsea players believe that the problem is bigger than that. They feel that during Saturday's training session Ten Cate was showing off to the club's owner, Roman Abramovich who was watching on the sideline. When Terry struck a pass a split second after Ten Cate had blown the whistle to stop play, the Dutchman went on the attack and took on the most influential player at Stamford Bridge.
Despite the ruckus, there are many at Chelsea that believe Ten Cate's approach will be a good thing for the famous names and egos on the playing staff.

Cudicini: I stayed for Chelsea fans

Carlo Cudicini has revealed Chelsea fans convinced him to stay at Stamford Bridge this season.The Italian goalkeeper told Chelsea TV: "The supporters are probably one of the biggest reasons. Of course it was difficult at first to sit on the bench every game but when I had the chance, the supporters gave me great confidence and help. Still now when I play and hear them behind me, chanting my name, after nine years I feel shivers and a great feeling to play."

Barcelona coach Rijkaard wants Chelsea talks

Sources close to Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard says he would consider a move to Chelsea at the end of this season. The Daily Mail says a source close to Rijkaard confirmed yesterday that he would consider shelving those plans if the Chelsea job becomes available.
He said: "Frank is leaving Barcelona at the end of the season. That has always been the plan and at the moment it is 100 per cent that he will.
"The only thing that could change his mind is if they win the title or the European Cup again and then there would be a decision to be made.
"He's got a year left at Barcelona but in the past he has always said Chelsea are a big club. Of course he would be interested if the job became available."

Abramovich organises Moscow Champions League party for Chelsea

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich expects his team to reach the Champions League final in Moscow this season.The Sun says Abramovich has already booked hotels and restaurants around the May 21 showpiece in his native Russia. Chelsea's billionaire owner secured Moscow's most expensive rooms and eateries in anticipation of celebrating the club's first Champions League final.
And that means under-fire coach Avram Grant must deliver the Blues to European football's biggest stage.

Chelsea skipper Terry leads players on team-bonding excursion

Chelsea captain John Terry took the players on a team-bonding excursion yesterday.The skipper was the big shot as he led the squad on a day out paintballing in Surrey - just as he had done 15 months ago. But there were two notable absentees - manager Avram Grant and first-team coach Henk Ten Cate, says the Daily Mail.
Chelsea's squad have been involved in a number of tense meetings this week designed to iron out the problems at the club, particularly in the wake of their Carling Cup Final defeat by London rivals Tottenham.

Clarke, Rogers in charge of Chelsea training

Chelsea's fiery assistant coach Henk ten Cate has little to do with the day-to-day training - it has been revealed.The Daily Mail says Chelsea sources revealed yesterday that assistant Steve Clarke and the highly regarded first- team coach Brendan Rogers take most training sessions, while Ten Cate is responsible for "team shape".
In complete contrast to his predecessor Jose Mourinho, Avram Grant simply watches from the sidelines and rarely has any input.

AC Milan coach Ancelotti on Chelsea shortlist

AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti is under consideration for Avram Grant's job at Chelsea.The Daily Mail says Ancelotti and Barcelona's Frank Rijkaard make-up Blues owner Roman Abramovich's shortlist.
Ancelotti and Rijkaard are two of only five people to win the European Cup as players and managers, but the Dutchman is the preferred candidate.
Every other player had to wait until just before kick-off on the day of the game to find out if they had been selected.
Ballack was one of those excluded, and said: "I am not happy that I did not play from the start. It was not explained, it was on the team-sheet shortly before the game and that was it."
The incident involving Terry and Ten Cate was witnessed by owner Roman Abramovich, who attended training sessions for three days leading up to the final.