ChelseaFCSW6: 20 Jan 2009

Tuesday 20 January 2009

Forget Kaka. We've Already Got The World's Best Player

Luiz Felipe Scolari insists Chelsea Football Club have the best player in the world.
As Manchester City prepare to fork out a staggering £107million for AC Milan’s Kaka, Scolari has praised midfielder Frank Lampard as the best player on the planet.
“He is fantastic,” said the Blues boss. "If one day maybe, after two or three years, I can be a national coach again and I get to vote for world player of the year, my vote would be for Frank. "He is not a player only, he is a man. He loves to play. Before I only had an impression of him. But now I know him."

JT To Play Against Ipswich

John Terry should be fit to play in this weekend's FA Cup tie with Ipswich despite suffering a back injury on Saturday.
The skipper was forced to withdraw from the Blues side to face Stoke on Saturday after feeling discomfort in his back in the warm-up, which led to Alex partnering Ricardo Carvalho in the centre of defence. But the England star insists the problem is not serious and he will be available for selection when Ipswich travel to Stamford Bridge for Saturday's fourth round tie.
More importantly from Chelsea's perspective, Terry will be fit to face Middlesbrough on January 28 and then title rivals Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday February 1.
On the title battle, the 27-year-old said: "We haven't been playing well enough to win the Premier League. As a group of players we've not been good enough of late. Results haven't been good enough home or away.
"We've got to, and can, put together a string of results from now to the end of the season, but we'll need to win at Liverpool."

Big Phi Looks For Kenyon's Backing

Big Phil is planning a surprise move for Benfica winger Angel di Maria.
The Times says Scolari sees the young Argentine as the ideal replacement for crocked midfielder Joe Cole, who has been ruled out for the season.
Scolari views Ángel Di María, Benfica's Argentina winger, as his best long-term prospect, though he also fancies Wigan's Luis Antonio Valencia.
Benfica have accepted that Di María will leave sooner rather than later, although they are reluctant to sell him while they remain in contention for the Portuguese title.
Scolari's negotiating position with Peter Kenyon, the Chelsea chief executive, is helped by his refusal, unlike some of his predecessors, to complain in public about a lack of transfer funds and has taken full responsibility for his side's inconsistent performances.

Blues In For Valencia?

Chelsea are reportedly lining up a £7million bid for Wigan's Antonio Valencia, reports the Daily Mail.
Blues manager Luiz Felipe Scolari wants the winger to replace Joe Cole after the England international was ruled out for the rest of the season with cruciate ligament damage.
Manchester United and Real Madrid have also been monitoring 23-year-old Ecuadorian Valencia but he would not be guaranteed as starting place at Old Trafford or the Bernabeu.

Big Phil To Bring In Winger?

Luiz Felipe Scolari is reportedly looking to bring in a winger to Stamford Bridge during this January transfer window to fill the void left by Joe Cole, with Jermaine Pennant at Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur's David Bentley being linked to the Premier League club.
The Blues are a little light on the flanks, after Cole was ruled out for the rest of the season, after damaging his knee ligament's during last week’s FA Cup replay against Southend United.
Shaun Wright-Phillips left last summer to return to Manchester City, which means that Scolari has just Florent Malouda, Salomon Kalou and the inexperienced Miroslav Stoch at his disposal.
According to reports in The Sun, Chelsea are keeping an eye on Reds winger Pennant and former Arsenal player Bentley.
With the board allowing the manager a very meagre amount to spend during this transfer window, Big Phil is hoping that they at least allow him to bring in the players on loan.
The Brazilian is known to have strong interest in 26-year old Pennant, however Chelsea will have to work smart and fast if they are to sign him, as Pennant is reportedly on the brink of completing a transfer to Portsmouth.
On the other hand, Bentley might be an easier target as the winger has been seen struggling at White Hart Lane ever since joining Spurs last summer from Blackburn Rovers