Club Focus - Chelsea - Keen to seize the sleaze
Sex, shame and scandal are beginning to affiliate themselves with a team formerly prized on their winning mentality and goal-scoring prowess. Chelsea gained a reputation even in the earliest years of their development for attributing big-name signings and it seems now they are paying the price for these top performers as their rising stars begin to attract controversy.
Amidst allegations John Terry had an affair with ex-team-mate Wayne Bridge’s girlfriend sleaze at the club has now heightened as current England left-back, Ashley Cole, is alleged with infidelity. Ron Gourlay amongst other senior club officials are said to clamping down on the behaviour that has distorted the prestigious London club of late. Cole is reported to be facing a fine in the region of £400 000 - the highest recorded sum as a result of internal club discipline in Premier League history. The club are eager to get deal with the situation, stamp out any issues and focus solely on the tastk in hand - winning the league and European Cup double .
The win at Wolves provided a welcome relief. Didier Drogba’s brace and overall quality the inevitable difference between the two sides as the Ivorian converted a good move to open the scoring before securing victory after rounding Marcus Hahnemann. On many occasions this season Chelsea have had to rely on their powerful centre-forward for a moment of inspiration or potency in front of opposition defences, and once again the prolific African delivered the goods. His presence is imperative to Chelsea’s title aims this season as competition brews with Manchester United, as does Drogba’s with United talisman Wayne Rooney. The two are significant to each side’s credentials and it may be their form alone that carries their side to League or Champions League glory.
The 2-0 victory over Wolves was only Chelsea’s second Premier League away win since late November. Despite this, media attention has long been focussed on Wednesday’s trip to Milan, where the Blues will be reunited with former boss Jose Mourinho. The Special One clashed with Carlo Ancelotti when the two were in opposing Milanese dugouts last season, spending a good deal of the campaign arguing through the Press and this will only add spice to an already feisty affair. The feud did not end with Ancelotti’s departure from Serie A. Arriving at Stamford Bridge, Carletto asked about the Special One and merely claimed he was unaware of whom the supposed “Special One” was. Both clubs have been linked with the other’s players in the previous months but none agreed a deal and it is unknown whether managerial influence was a result.
Many Chelsea stars have made no secret of their admiration of Mourinho, and the Inter Coach’s close relationship with the Blues stars is sure to still be strong. This friendly rivalry therefore will hopefully, in Blue eyes, refrain from entering the pitch and in particular the mindset of the players. The Londoners away form has been poor this season but a score draw would be welcomed knowing their home form is resolute both in defence and attack. Manchester United’s 3-2 victory over Milan may provide impetus for the Blues to attack, although defence may be the best form of it in a tough away European fixture. Two of the top sides in world football will lock horns this Wednesday and the Chelsea boss will hope for no more off-the-pitch distractions before battle commences with the Italian giants.
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