Monday, September 3, 2007

BALLACK TO MISS BLUES` EURO TIES

Michael Ballack was not included in Chelsea's squad list for the Champions League group stages.

The Blues submitted their list of players last Friday and could not guarantee the Germany midfielder would feature in the majority of the Group B games as he is recovering from summer ankle surgery.

Jose Mourinho's men play Valencia, Schalke and Rosenborg twice before the group stages finishes on December 11.

The club's stance suggests Ballack may not return to domestic duty before the end of October.

"Naturally, we hope Michael's recovery is as quick as possible, that he returns to full training ahead of schedule and that he will then be available for the latter stages of the competition, should we qualify," read a statement from Chelsea.

The 31-year-old has not played since April and, because he is not registered, he will now not feature in European action until at least February, as long as Chelsea qualify for the first knockout round.

It has been a difficult weekend for Mourinho on the injury front, and he also has the frustrations of the international break to add to his concerns.

Frank Lampard was ruled out of Sunday's Aston Villa defeat with a thigh problem and he is still rated doubtful for England's European Championship double-header against Israel and Russia.

"I think he is definitely out of both games. I don't know, but I don't think (he will be ready)," said Mourinho in the London Evening Standard.

Striker Didier Drogba was forced off at Villa Park with a knee problem but at least there are 12 days before the club's next clash, with Blackburn coming to Stamford Bridge.

The break for international football, however, means other irritations for Mourinho.

"I have to speak to the players after 10 days," he said.

"Some players will arrive back on Thursday week and some on Friday week and then we have to play Blackburn on Saturday.

"I will now be working with half a dozen players and the kids from the reserves, enjoying my work every day - but not with the objective of preparing a team for the next game."

Mourinho admits the late withdrawal of Lampard disrupted plans for the Villa clash.

He said: "Lampard pulled out after training on Friday when doing individual work. It meant all the work we did in the week, you have to forget.

"You then have to try and build a team on Saturday to try and play such a difficult game (on Sunday)."

Taken from =football365=

Labels:

MOURINHO FEELS FRUSTRATED

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has the frustrations of the international break adding to the injury concerns from the defeat at Aston Villa.

Frank Lampard was ruled out of the clash with a thigh problem and he is still rated doubtful for England's Euro 2008 double-header against Israel and Russia.

"I think he is definitely out of both games. I don't know, but I don't think so," said Mourinho in the London Evening Standard.

Striker Didier Drogba was forced off with a knee problem but at least there are 12 days before the club's next clash, with Blackburn coming to Stamford Bridge.

The break for international football, however, means other irritations for Mourinho.

"I have to speak to the players after 10 days," he said. "Some players will arrive back on Thursday week and some on Friday week and then we have to play Blackburn on Saturday.

"I will now be working with half a dozen players and the kids from the reserves, enjoying my work every day - but not with the objective of preparing a team for the next game."

Mourinho admits the late withdrawal of Lampard disrupted plans for the Villa clash.

He said: "Lampard pulled out after training on Friday when doing individual work. It meant all the work we did in the week, you have to forget.

"You then have to try and build a team on Saturday to try and play such a difficult game (on Sunday)."

Taken from =football365=

Labels:

WENGER `GAMBLE` IS PAYING OFF

Gilberto has branded Arsene Wenger's refusal to pay large transfer fees for star players a "big gamble".

But the Brazilian midfielder believes Arsenal are now reaping the reward of the stability created by Wenger's policy of adding selectively to the squad.

Wenger has responded to claims by former Gunners chairman David Dein that the club needs huge investment to be remain competitive by vowing to continue with his frugal approach.

After two barren seasons Wenger's belief in his young squad appears to be paying off with Sunday's 3-1 victory over Portsmouth lifting them to second in the Barclays Premier League.

The starting line-up against Pompey was assembled for less than £30million, yet at this early stage they seem genuine title contenders.

Gilberto said: "It's a big gamble when clubs spend big money for each new season but we do not spend.

"But while we haven't spent a lot of money, we have been playing together for a few years now.

"That makes a difference in the game because we all know each other - if I pass to Cesc Fabregas he knows exactly where the forwards will be. That's important.

"We must keep focused because other clubs have made some very good signings.

"Arsene has his policy of signing players and he does what he believes is right for the club.

"He spends as little as possible and that helps the club when they do need to spend money."

Wenger's belief that his young side is ready to flourish has been given credibility by their fine start to the Premier League.

They have accumulated 10 points from four matches - double their tally of the same stage last term - and Gilberto believes the familiarity of their new surroundings at the Emirates is partly responsible for the improvement.

The Brazilian midfielder said: "It's very nice to make a start like this. Last season it was completely different.

"Now we have to keep going, accumulate as many points as we can and keep going. We need to keep playing like we know we can.

"The younger players have become more experienced because of the time they have spent together.

"Last year it was very hard for us to adapt to the width of the pitch. We had a very bad start and it was difficult to recover from that.

"But that was our first year and now we look completely different. We were better near the end but we must not now allow the same thing to happen again."

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp has bemoaned the international break that means most of his squad will be absent from training for the next 11 days.

He said: "The problem is I won't see my players until Friday week.

"I can't sit down with them and show them videos and discuss the goals in detail.

"Then when they come back we are concentrating on playing Liverpool.

"Am I then going to start getting into them about what they did against Arsenal?

"I have to pick them up and be positive about beating Liverpool. It's crazy. What work can you do on the training ground?

"I've got six players for the next weeks and who knows how many of the nine or 10 who are away will come back fit."

Taken from =football365=

Labels: