A round-up of stories relating to Chelsea over the past 24 hours
Chelsea look like they will be taking no chances in their team selection for the game away at Nordsjaelland. Torres will be their lone striker once again as Sturridge’s injury problems keep him out. Frank Lampard also looks set to start having been left on the bench for the past three matches. Di Matteo has insisted the England star still has a major part to play at the club, perhaps wary of the criticism Andre Villas-Boas received when he left out Lampard last season. Lampard has been a club talisman for many seasons now, a status new boy Oscar is keen to take on himself one day. The Brazilian has said he would like to emulate club stalwarts Terry and Lampard.
Whilst Oscar dreams of his long term future at the club, Roberto Di Matteo is very aware of the importance of the match tonight. Whilst Nordsjaelland are not expected to challenge, the Ukranian side Shakhtar Donetsk will be a major threat, as of course will be Juventus. Having surrendered two points in their opening home game Chelsea need to ensure they get the maximum six points from their matches with the Danish champions. Di Matteo even went as far as to call this “probably the most important game in the group”.
Petr Cech is well aware his side struggled away from home in the group stage last season, and wants to see an improvement this time around. Last season Chelsea drew at Genk and Valencia, and lost away at Leverkeusen.
Andreas Laudrup, son of Swansea manager Michael, is poised to start for the Danish side against Chelsea. Andreas is a 21 year old winger who can play on either side of the pitch, and was previously in the youth ranks at Real Madrid. Two other players to watch out for are striker MIkkel Beckman and midfielder Kasper Lorentzen.
In transfer news, Chelsea have reportedly sent scouts to monitor the young Lille defender Lucas Digne. Manchester United are also monitoring the 19 year old left back, with both English sides perhaps looking to replace their long term custodians of that position, Evra and Cole, in the coming summer.
Striker Fernando Llorente’s troubles at Bilbao should see the striker leave in January, but the Chelsea target is now reported to be more likely to head to Juventus rather than the Blues in the winter transfer window.
Rumours continue to link Ashley Cole with a move to PSG, with former Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti describing him as the best left back in the world. Cole is out of contract in the summer, and may look elsewhere if Chelsea are only prepared to offer him a one year deal.
image: © wonker
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