AVB talk to rebuild Blues

Manager Andre Villas-Boas on Friday refused to rule out further January sales at Chelsea amid reports linking a host of his stars with moves away.

Didier Drogba, Florent Malouda, Salomon Kalou and even Frank Lampard have been tipped to follow Nicolas Anelka - and probably Alex - out of Stamford Bridge when the transfer window reopens.

And while manager Villas-Boas insisted Chelsea had "no interest" in selling anyone else next month, he admitted it was possible someone could leave.

"If any club comes with an interesting offer, we'll have to consider it," he said.

"But we are proposing is to take on the challenge of the six months ahead with these players."

Malouda this week publicly admitted he would be prepared to move on in search of regular first-team football, while fellow forward Kalou is seeking assurances of more game time before signing a new contract to replace the one that expires this summer.

Both have been linked with Paris St Germain, who on Friday confirmed former Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti as their new manager.

Drogba, who is also a free agent at the end of the season, has already rejected a one-year extension to his Blues deal and he and Kalou are less than two days away from being able to pen a pre-contract agreement with a rival club.

Drogba, who was holding out for an additional two years, had declared he would not seek a January move.

But his position has reportedly shifted, with the Ivorian having already been made one lucrative offer to move to China, where three clubs appear to be vying for his signature.

Asked if he was 100% sure Drogba would be at Stamford Bridge when the transfer window closed, Villas-Boas said: "You never know in these cases, because it gets excited in the market, but I would say yes."

He added: "January arrives and the player is free to start speaking to other people.

"It's fair to say that he has this advantage on his hands, but his integrity and values will not be questioned if he is picked for the club."

Villas-Boas claimed none of his players had asked to be allowed to leave in January other than Anelka and Alex, who both had transfer requests accepted.

That saw them banished from Villas-Boas' first-team squad, but asked if the same policy would apply to anyone who followed suit, Villas-Boas said: "We might not accept a transfer request. That's the big difference.

"It would be bad signs if people wanted to leave in this way.

"To trade this club for a 'better' club is difficult.

"There are only five or six in the world with the same history, prestige, economic stability and facilities."

Chelsea have been linked with a host of players themselves but Villas-Boas reiterated he was looking to make only one signing beyond that of Gary Cahill, whose move from Bolton on Friday hinged on the parties reaching an agreement over personal terms.

It appears Villas-Boas has been given the full backing of billionaire owner Roman Abramovich to continue his rebuilding project, even if he fails to win the Barclays Premier League title.

He would be the first Chelsea manager to be given another season under those circumstances but he refused to dwell on whether that represented a change of policy at Stamford Bridge.

"That question cannot be addressed to me," Villas-Boas said.

"It can only be addressed to the owner of the club, and you know that he is not available for interviews.

"I have nothing to say. We have signed on a three-year contract.

"Hopefully, that can represent trophies for the club, which is what is expected of me."

Having all but conceded the title after Monday's draw with Fulham, Villas-Boas insisted it was still possible to cut the 11-point gap to Manchester City and Manchester United.

Speaking ahead of Saturday's visit of Aston Villa, he said: "We would have thought that Man City would win the game against West Brom and that Arsenal would do the job against Wolves.

"That would have changed the perspective of our position.

"There is still a gap that can be shortened.

"We need a run of solid wins."

Romeu might return in 2013

Oriol Romeu has made an impressive start to life in the Premier League

Oriol Romeu's agent has suggested the player could remain at Chelsea until 2013 before returning to Barcelona.

Romeu has made a positive impact at Chelsea after leaving the Camp Nou in the summer, but it has been reported that Barca are eager to take the player back and could even make their move in January.

Upon completion of the deal it was said that Barcelona had the right to buy Romeu back for €10 million at the end of his first season or €15 million at the end of his second season, but there has since been confusion over that clause. Andre Villas-Boas said recently that it was only active if Chelsea wished to sell, while Barca reportedly disputed that claim.

A Chelsea spokesman, responding to the persistent speculation, said earlier this month: "The contract stipulates that in any buy-back clause it's only if Chelsea wishes to sell, so essentially it's a first option. It does state it clearly in that contract and that contract is lodged with FIFA."

Agent Javier Magico Diaz has now suggested that Romeu is, in any case, not looking to leave Stamford Bridge for the time being.

Asked if Romeu would return, he told Marca: "His dream before leaving was to be a Barcelona player and that still stands, but we cannot ignore the opportunity Chelsea have provided.

"Oriol has made a name for himself in the Premier League and is playing regularly. We're committed to the club and we cannot leave them hanging."

He added: "We'll have to see if it's appropriate for the club and the player. We need to know if he'll keep developing at Chelsea and playing. Maybe it will be more convenient to stay for another year and then return in 2013."

Hulk desperates Swicth to Chelsea

Hulk won Europa League and Primeira Liga titles under Andre Villas-Boas last term

FC Porto striker Hulk is keen to join former boss Andre Villas-Boas at Chelsea, according to the player's agent.

Hulk has been strongly linked with a move to Stamford Bridge since Villas-Boas made the leap to the Premier League from Portugal in June.

However, the Brazilian striker's agent, Teodoro Fonseca, said despite his client's desire to re-unite with Villas-Boas, Chelsea would still need to pay a colossal fee.

"Hulk at Chelsea? Anything is possible," Fonseca told A Bola. "But his buyout clause is €100 million, so his future depends on an agreement between the clubs.

''Hulk would wholeheartedly agree to work with Andre at Porto or Chelsea, or at any other team, because he really likes the way he coaches. Andre knows Hulk very well and they have a good relationship."

The 25-year-old has also been linked with Manchester City and Paris Saint Germain in recent months, while his current contract at Porto runs until 2016.

Hulk would join Chelsea said Agent

Hulk would gladly be reunited with AVB

Porto striker Hulk would be keen to be reunited with Andre Villas-Boas at Chelsea, according to the agent of the Brazil international.

Hulk fired 36 goals last season as Porto won an historic quadruple under the stewardship of Villas-Boas, before the latter left Estádio do Dragão for Stamford Bridge.

Since then, Hulk has been consistently linked with a move to Chelsea, and some reports suggest the Blues could launch a January bid for his services.

However, Chelsea would have to pay a hefty €100 million to activate the realise clause written into the contract of the 25-year-old, who has also been linked with Manchester City.

But, says Theodoro Fonseca, a move to Chelsea would certainly appeal to his prolific client.

"Hulk at Chelsea? Anything is possible," Fonseca told A Bola.

"But his buyout clause is €100M, so his future depends on agreement between the clubs."

He added: "Hulk would wholeheartedly agree to work with Andre [Villas-Boas] at Porto or Chelsea or at any other team, because he really likes the way he coaches.

"Andre knows Hulk very well and they have a good relationship."

Malouda intend to quit Chelsea

Florent Malouda wants regular first-team action

Florent Malouda has threatened to leave Stamford Bridge if he is not given more playing time by Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas, with Paris Saint Germain looming as a possible destination.

Malouda has been used predominantly as a substitute since the arrival of Juan Mata last summer, managing just 15 appearances in all competitions this season.

Meanwhile, former Blues manager Carlo Ancelotti has been touted as a possible replacement for Antoine Kombouare at PSG, leaving many to speculate Malouda is set to re-unite with his previous boss.

"I'm not getting enough playing time," Malouda is quoted as saying in the English press. "It's too limited for the ambitions I have. I can't be happy with that. If it is necessary, I will leave."

Malouda, though, laughed off reports he will move to big-spending Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala if he decides to leave Chelsea in January.

"I couldn't even manage to pronounce the name of this team," he said. "I don't know from where these rumours come, when they don't have any base in reality.

"Me, I am someone who prefers transparency. I don't have anything to hide, so I'm telling you the truth."

AVB: EPL Title not realistic

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has all but conceded that the Premier League title is beyond reach following Monday's 1-1 draw against Fulham at Stamford Bridge.

After initially gaining ground on leaders Manchester City with a series of good results, Villas-Boas's team have now drawn their last three games and find themselves 11 points off top spot.

"I think it's pretty difficult," said Villas-Boas when asked about his team's chances of closing the gap to the leaders. "If we had had a good December, which would have been good with six points from these two home games, we would have had a chance.

"You assess things as they are. There's no big drama in terms of how we look at things. But you have to be sufficiently realistic. It's not impossible. You cannot say that. But we have to focus on our position at the moment and make a real assessment.

"Maybe the Premier League is over for us at the moment."

Chelsea simply cannot afford to keep throwing away points because they are suddenly back in a real battle to finish in the top four, with Arsenal knowing a win against Wolves on Tuesday would lift them above their London rivals, who would drop to fifth.

Billionaire Blues owner Roman Abramovich may yet forgive Villas-Boas not winning the title this season but he is unlikely to tolerate failure to qualify for the Champions League.

Chelsea's next games are at home Aston Villa and away at Wolves.

Formation

Dempsey strike derby draw 1-1

Stamford Bridge proved anything but a sanctuary for Chelsea as their Premier League title hopes suffered another mortal blow following a 1-1 draw with Fulham in the west London derby.

A game manager Andre Villas-Boas had hand picked for Fernando Torres to rebuild his shattered confidence proved another nightmare outing for the £50 million man.

This was also meant to be the match where Chelsea got their championship challenge back on track after two straight 1-1 draws away from home.

However, they completed an unwanted hat-trick to leave them 10 points behind Manchester City ahead of the leaders' trip to West Brom.

Torres, making his first league start for almost two months, did inadvertently lay on Juan Mata's 47th-minute opener but Clint Dempsey equalised nine minutes later before Fulham goalkeeper David Stockdale kept Chelsea at bay.

Torres, whose current goal drought stretched back nine matches, had been hoping for a Boxing Day gift from a side that shipped five against Manchester United on Wednesday and who were without the injured Bobby Zamora and Andy Johnson.

One man Stamford Bridge did provide some sanctuary for was Chelsea captain John Terry following the barracking he received at Tottenham on Thursday over his charge for alleged racist abuse.

Terry played like a man on a mission at White Hart Lane and he and his team-mates needed another good performance to maintain their dwindling title hopes.

Fulham looked determined to spoil all that, Dempsey going a little far with a cynical tug on Raul Meireles that saw the American booked.

Otherwise, they were the better side for 15 minutes, with Dempsey's bouncing 25-yard shot forcing an uncomfortable save from Petr Cech and Orlando Sa seeing an effort blocked by David Luiz before wasting a great chance when he headed Stephen Kelly's cross over the bar.

Torres, who had already had half a sniff, was unlucky not to give Chelsea the lead when he expertly controlled Mata's cross on his chest but smashed his volley straight at Stockdale.

Torres then robbed Brede Hangeland on the edge of the box and laid off to Daniel Sturridge to slice off target but Fulham settled down again and Mousa Dembele dragged wide after bypassing Oriol Romeu.

Although Jose Bosingwa sent in some dangerous crosses, Chelsea were struggling to produce a telling ball against what was at times a nine-man defence, with Raul Meireles and Romeu resorting to wayward pot-shots.

The stalemate continued until two minutes before the break when Dembele sent a tame header too close to Cech.

Chelsea paraded Jimmy Greaves at half-time and their fans could have been forgiven for wishing he was playing up front for them.

Torres' travails looked to have continued after the restart but the striker helped the Blues break the deadlock inside two minutes.

The £50million man failed to control Ashley Cole's cross but the ball fell perfectly for Mata to sweep home left footed from the edge of the box.

Fulham had only scored four league goals away from home all season, the worst record in the top flight but they were soon level with a superbly-worked goal.

The ball eventually found its way to Bryan Ruiz on the right, who tricked his way past Cole and crossed for Dempsey to stab past Cech.

Villas-Boas took action just past the hour mark, hauling off Frank Lampard for Florent Malouda.

The change almost paid off when the Frenchman's backheel from Terry's header hit the feet of Stockdale and bounced back off Malouda for a goalkick.

That came after the goalkeeper tipped over Sturridge's curler and before Bosingwa was cautioned for felling Kerim Frei.

Villas-Boas then threw on Didier Drogba for Sturridge.

Drogba failed to beat Stockdale from a tight angle after gathering a terrific long ball from Luiz and Meireles curled a superb shot on the turn just past the post.

A masked Paulo Ferreira replaced Bosingwa in Chelsea's final change, Fulham responding by sending on Pajtim Kasami for Sa.

Stockdale twice denied Chelsea a late winner, tipping Meireles' header from Malouda's cross over the bar, before palming away Drogba's glance from a corner.

The keeper nearly spilt Malouda's long-range drive and Chelsea almost paid the ultimate price when Kasami shot tamely at Cech before Stockdale's fingertips again denied them from Drogba's stoppage-time free-kick.

Chelsea in Cahill talks

Bolton Wanderers have confirmed they are in talks with Chelsea over the transfer of Gary Cahill.

Chelsea are in need of further cover in central defence after Alex submitted a transfer request, and Andre Villas-Boas - who had earlier dismissed reports of the Blues' interest - confirmed the club were monitoring his situation.

England defender Cahill, who turned 26 this month, is out of contract at the end of the season and Bolton are now looking to cash in during the January window.

"Regarding Gary Cahill, there has been dialogue between ourselves and Chelsea," Bolton said on their Twitter page. "He is a top player and is fully focused on Bolton."

Cahill is expected to feature for Bolton against Newcastle and Wolves on Boxing Day and New Year's Eve respectively.

AVB rules out Alex recall

Andre Villas-Boas will not bring Alex in from the cold, even if it means Chelsea starting Boxing Day's west London derby with John Terry as their only fit centre-half.

Blues boss Villas-Boas was asked on Wednesday whether he would reverse his decision to banish Alex from his first-team squad should the club suffer an injury crisis.

Despite having previously claimed Alex and Nicolas Anelka, who were sidelined after submitting transfer requests, could force their way back into his plans, he declared the former would not be recalled - even if the worst happened.

Barely 24 hours later, it did, with Branislav Ivanovic limping out of Thursday night's 1-1 Barclays Premier League draw at Tottenham.

Asked afterwards if he had changed his mind about Alex ahead of Monday's game against Fulham, Villas-Boas simply said: "No."

In fairness, Chelsea coped admirably at White Hart Lane with the loss of Ivanovic, despite Jose Bosingwa being forced to move from right-back to centre-half for what was possibly the first time in his entire Stamford Bridge career.

Paulo Ferreira also impressed at right-back having not previously featured in the Premier League this season.

"This was a fantastic adaptation and another solution that we have in the squad," Villas-Boas said.

With Ivanovic almost certainly out of Monday's match, Villas-Boas was hoping David Luiz would return from the knee problem that has sidelined him from the last two games.

Otherwise, he insisted he would even consider playing young midfielder Oriol Romeu alongside Terry rather than turn to Alex.

"Hopefully, David can return for contention for the game against Fulham," he said.

"But, if not, from Oriol to Bosingwa, both can play in that position - and Paulo has done it in the past."

Any defensive crisis may last no more than a week, with Bolton boss Owen Coyle confirming the club were in talks with Chelsea over the transfer of Gary Cahill.

Villas-Boas said of Cahill, who Wanderers must sell to avoid losing for free in the summer: "He is extremely interesting, a player of course that terminates his contract.

"But we would be stupid if we shortened our targets just to one."

He added: "I think you know that we will be in the market for a centre-half. It's pretty obvious based on the fact that we've accepted Alex's transfer request.

"We'll have to let the market open and then find out what happens regarding Alex.

"We will have to respond quickly in the market, not because of the urgency but because we're willing to fill that position with one more central defender."

Chelsea have also been heavily linked with a loan move for Juventus winger Milos Krasic, who has been touted as a replacement for Shanghai-bound Anelka and cover for Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou when they depart on African Nations Cup duty.

Krasic's signing would allow Daniel Sturridge to deputise at centre-forward, with Fernando Torres still struggling for form and looking increasingly unlikely to find it sat on the bench.

Frank Lampard is of the same opinion about his own lot, with the midfielder having now been left out for the last three big games.

The 33-year-old will return to the side on Monday after Ramires picked up his fifth domestic booking of the season at White Hart Lane.

Villas-Boas said: "Lamps is an exceptional player and his level of commitment and his level of talent will never be in doubt.

"I'm sure he'll make his way back into the team again with the way he fights in training to try to get back into contention."

Fourth-placed Chelsea are also fighting to get back into contention in a title race which sees them 11 points behind leaders Manchester City, but Villas-Boas was expecting a backlash from a Fulham side thrashed 5-0 at home by Manchester United on Wednesday night.

He said: "A result like that, also the result that they got in the Europa League, generates revolt and generates anger, which can fuel emotions for a London derby that is extremely difficult for us."

Santos prepared for Neymar 'war'

Santos was named the best player of Campeonato Paulista in 2010 and 2011

Santos president Luis Alvaro de Oliveira Ribeiro is predicting "a war" for Neymar's signature in 2014.

Neymar, 19, is considered one of football's brightest talents, and interest from Europe is high, with Real Madrid, Barcelona and Chelsea all linked with the forward in recent months.

It was this week claimed Champions League holders Barcelona had struck a preliminary agreement of €10 million with Santos allowing them to swoop for his services before his current contract expires in 2014.

Santos have, however, since rejected the claims, and the Santos president has now reaffirmed the Brazilian club's commitment to retaining the striker, despite the lure of receiving a potentially huge transfer fee.

"Barca do not have any first option on Neymar," he told RAC1. "I can assure he'll stay until 2014, then a war will start. In 2014, his contract will be up and he can sign for another club if he so chooses.

"Barca and Madrid both made a formal, written offer for Neymar. Madrid's bid was the highest, Barca's more long-term. I have a very strong commitment to the truth. With Neymar the issue was basic. He has incredible potential - he's one of a kind.

"He's very young, at 19. I felt to sell now was to sell the future. All the fans in Brazil love him and that is a priceless heritage for Barca and so we made every possible sacrifice for continuity - rejecting offers, even millions."

However, he also said that Madrid had offered less than the player's release clause.

"They wanted to pay less than the release clause, which was a joke," he said. "[Neymar's agent] Wagner Ribeiro is someone who's close to Madrid and I think it had an economic interest in seeing him in the white shirt."

On speaking to Barcelona president Sandro Rosell after the meeting with Madrid counterpart Florentino Perez, he added: "I called Sandro and said I have good and bad news. The good news is that Neymar will not go to Madrid. The bad news is that he is not going to Barca either.

"Barcelona have no advantage here. My friendship with Sandro has no bearing on any future negotiations."

Chelsea 'interested' in Krasic - agent

Chelsea are keen to sign Juventus outcast Milos Krasic in the January transfer window, according to the wantaway winger's agent Dejan Joksimovic.

Krasic, 27, has not played for the Bianconeri in more than two months and has only completed a full 90 minutes once this season.

The Serbia international is desperate for first-team football and his agent has consistently stated that Europe's top clubs are circling, with a move in January seeming almost certain.

Juventus were reported to have rejected an offer from Manchester United for Krasic in the summer, but a potential switch to the Premier League, with Chelsea, could still be on the cards.

"The lad will leave Juventus, as he hasn't been relaxed over the past few months due to the various rumours appearing in newspapers," Joksimovic told TMW. "Chelsea? They are interested in the player."

AVB Show Honour Under-fire Terry

Andre Villas-Boas heaped praise on under-pressure skipper John Terry after his last-gasp intervention prevented Chelsea from losing to Tottenham at White Hart Lane on Thursday.

Terry learnt just 24 hours earlier that he will be charged by the Criminal Prosecution Service for alleged racist comments he made towards Anton Ferdinand during the west London derby at QPR in October.

Despite receiving unwanted attention from the home support throughout the Spurs match, the defender put in a solid display at the back and denied Emmanuel Adebayor's goal-bound effort at the death. Villas-Boas has continued to support to Terry, who has vowed to clear his name, since the race row erupted and continued to do so after the match.

"His performances, commitment and concentration have increased since the incident and he anticipated the situation at the end there tonight. It was a big opportunity for Tottenham," Villas-Boas said.

"His quality and talent are never in doubt. He's completely focused to the cause of this football club."

Villas-Boas' team now sit 11 points behind Premier League leaders Manchester City, but he still thinks his team's chances of claiming the title are alive.

"I think we can still win it," said Villas-Boas. "We came to Tottenham, a side who are title challengers, so it's a good point to get. We've been in worse situations before and recovered to seven points. I'm sure we can shorten the distance."

Tottenham have lost just one of their past 13 games, and took the lead through Adebayor in the eighth minute.

However, Daniel Sturridge got Chelsea back in the game soon after and the visitors continued to threaten, going close to winning the game through Ramires, who should have buried a header when unmarked inside the box towards the end of the second half.

"The result really doesn't matter," Villas-Boas said. "The performance was outstanding. If a ball had gone into our net in the last minute, I would have left satisfied.

"We didn't lose two points. Coming here with Tottenham on the run they're on, with the form they're showing in the league, to get a point is excellent. If you had said at the beginning of December that we'd go through these games with two wins and two draws, I'd have taken it running into the home fixtures.

"Our second half was brilliant. For us to impose ourselves as we did is extremely gratifying."

Fernando Torres hit liverpool fans

Fernando Torres: Benched by AVB

Chelsea striker Fernando Torres has hit out at Liverpool over his exit from Anfield 11 months ago.

Once a hero on Merseyside, Torres is now a hate figure after agreeing a £50 million move in the January window. He suggested he was told lies by Liverpool's owners, and also said he is bemused by the Liverpool fans' attitude towards him.

In an interview with Spanish TV station Canal+ Liga, Torres said: "The Liverpool fans don't know the truth about why I signed for Chelsea. The fans don't even know half of what happened. They don't know what the people in charge at Liverpool are like - they have a completely different perception of what they are like.

"They made promises that they didn't keep and I left because I realised I didn't have time to be part of a project that would take years. I have nothing against the Liverpool fans. I didn't want to leave Liverpool the way I did but the club lied. I was let down and I don't understand why the fans hate me."

Torres' move to Chelsea has, so far, been an unmitigated disaster, scoring just three Premier League goals. The only game he has started since November 1 is the Carling Cup tie with Liverpool and he has been an unused substitute in their last two matches.

But the Spain international is determined to rediscover the form which saw him score 56 goals in his first three Premier League seasons.

"I am going to try to be very humble and get back into the Chelsea starting line-up," he added. "My form has not been good but I am world and European champion and I deserve more respect.

"It's hard being on the bench but I respect the players who are playing. I'm going to support the team and get back in.

"It's true that [Spain head coach] Vicente del Bosque is worried about me and my form for Chelsea. It's up to me to go back to being the striker I was before. If I go back to how I was a few years ago, I will again play an important role in the Spanish national team."

CPS set the date for Terry racism

The incident involving Anton Ferdinand and
John Terry is being investigated.

The Crown Prosecution Service are expected to announce on Wednesday afternoon whether Chelsea and England captain John Terry will be prosecuted for alleged racial abuse.
The CPS will make statement regarding comments Terry allegedly made to Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand during Chelsea's Premier League match at Loftus Road on October 23.

Last week prosecutors asked police for more information regarding the incident and it is reported that new video evidence, featuring previously unseen footage from TV cameras, was handed to the CPS.

Immediately after the original allegations were made, Terry issued a statement saying: "I've seen that there's a lot of comments on the internet with regards to some video footage of me during the game.

"I'm disappointed that people have leapt to the wrong conclusions about the context of what I was seen to be saying to Anton Ferdinand.

"I would never say such a thing, and I'm saddened that people would think so."

Ancelotti See off The Blues and Gunner With Italian Club

Former Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti believes English football "is not very well", and has suggested the Blues and Arsenal will struggle in their Champions League ties against Italian teams.

After both Manchester clubs were sent tumbling out of the competition in the group stage, the Italian tactician insists English clubs are in a weak position heading into the knockout phase.

Ancelotti, who recently stated his desire to return to Premier League management, says Serie A's sixth-placed Napoli will go into their clash against Chelsea as favourites.

"They are balanced matches with the Italians as favourites," Ancelotti told The Sun. "Italian football has made steps forward and after the elimination of City and United, English football is not very well.

"Napoli can play Chelsea as equals. Napoli have already had a little difficult period, but it seems they're getting back on track."

Ancelotti, who won the Champions League twice as AC Milan boss, believes the Serie A powerhouse will comfortably account for Arsenal in the round of 16.

"I am a Milan fan, so I find it hard to be rational. But they are superior to Arsenal. They have great players," he said.

Terry fine to face Totter

John Terry would be a big loss for Chelsea over the Christmas period.

Chelsea captain John Terry hobbled out of an open training session on Monday and underwent treatment on an ankle injury but will be fine for Thursday's clash with Tottenham Terry was helped from the field by two physios, but Chelsea released a statement saying: "John Terry will be fit to face Tottenham on Thursday despite limping out of Monday's open training session at Stamford Bridge.

"The defender pinched his Achilles while blocking a shot on the pitch towards the end of the session, and departed for treatment as a precaution, but is expected to lead the side out as normal at White Hart Lane on Thursday night."

The England skipper suffered a minor knee injury in the 1-1 draw with Wigan at the weekend, but manager Andre Villas-Boas confirmed after the game that he would be fit to face high-flying Spurs.

"John Terry took a painful knock, but he seems okay now. Even if he is limping I think he will be fine for the next game," Villas-Boas told reporters. "Ramires should be fine as well. He's progressing and will be able to play, and maybe David Luiz too."

Jordi Gomez drag Blues to draw

Jordi Gomez stunned Chelsea with an 88th-minute equaliser to earn struggling Wigan a vital point from a 1-1 draw at the DW Stadium.

Victory over Manchester City on Monday had put Chelsea right back in the Premier League title race but they huffed and puffed and had created little before Daniel Sturridge tucked away Ashley Cole's pass in the 59th minute.

That looked to be that, but two minutes from time Petr Cech fumbled a weak effort from Hugo Rodallega and Gomez guided the ball into an empty net for his fourth goal in five games.

Frank Lampard returned to the Chelsea starting line-up for the first time in three games in place of Ramires, who missed out with a bruised leg, while Wigan boss Roberto Martinez kept faith with the side that beat West Brom last weekend.

Last season, Chelsea put six past their hosts at the DW Stadium but the Latics have shown encouraging form in recent weeks and they had the better of the game in the early stages.

Victor Moses again stood out with his pace and trickery, and he played a part in a move that ended with Gomez tumbling in the penalty area, although contact from Cole seemed minimal and referee Martin Atkinson waved away the muted penalty claims.

At the other end, Gary Caldwell did well to block a dangerous cross from Sturridge while John Terry had Ali Al Habsi diving with a well-struck shot from 30 yards that flew a yard past the post.

Chelsea had settled and were pushing for the breakthrough, which they nearly achieved in the 23rd minute when a cross was only cleared as far as Oriol Romeu, who let fly with a volley that was pushed round the post by Al Habsi.

Didier Drogba was a fraction away from the opener seven minutes before the break when he got his head to a lovely Raul Meireles cross but, under pressure from Ronnie Stam, he could not keep his effort on target.

Wigan then felt they should have had a penalty when Branislav Ivanovic pulled his left arm across his body and into a shot from Moses, but again Atkinson was unmoved.

The Latics ended the half on the offensive as Moses just failed to get a toe to David Jones' dangerous low cross.

Salomon Kalou came on for Romeu at the start of the second half and took up position on the left, allowing Juan Mata to move into a central role behind Drogba.

Gomez tried his luck with a volley that was always just the wrong side of the post, while Kalou made his presence felt straight away with a jinking run and shot that was blocked by Stam.

The game was a bit more open now and Kalou set up Drogba for a shot into the side netting before the deadlock was broken in the 57th minute with a simple goal superbly executed by Chelsea.

Cole was allowed to run into the Wigan half and pick out Sturridge with a pinpoint diagonal ball.

The striker took the ball down with one touch on the right of the area before lashing it past Al Habsi for his ninth goal of the season.

Wigan now had to commit more men forward and Figueroa's low shot from the edge of the box was heading into the far corner before Cech got a hand to it.

Martinez made a double substitution with 19 minutes remaining, sending on strikers Rodallega and Franco Di Santo for Jones and Conor Sammon.

There was a worrying moment for Chelsea when Terry landed awkwardly after a challenge on Di Santo but the skipper was able to continue after treatment.

Some poor defending from Ivanovic then presented Wigan with a golden chance as his weak backpass let in Rodallega.

Cech was out sharply to block but the keeper was stranded as Di Santo shot only for Ivanovic to make amends with a header off the line.

Time was ticking away but Wigan did not give up and they got their reward in the 88th minute when Cech failed to hold a poke towards goal from Rodallega and Gomez turned the ball into an empty net.

De Laurentiis: Napoli happy with draw

Aurelio De Laurentiis is the president of Napoli

Napoli are eager to prove they belong in the Champions League and aim to show it in their forthcoming clashes with Chelsea, according to president Aurelio De Laurentiis.

The two sides were drawn to face each other in the last-16 of the competition, with Napoli having progressed for the first time to the knockout round.

"It's not possible to say whether our tie is difficult or easy,'' Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis told Gazzetta dello Sport. "Chelsea is a very strong team but so is Napoli. We are an international team.

"Of course other teams have been more fortunate than us but we are nevertheless happy with the draw.''

De Laurentiis believes the challenge for his side will be to control the nerves.

"All eyes will be on this tie,'' he said. "It's going to be very interesting. My players need to know how to dominate emotions but I'm certain they will bring out their best.''

Ross Turnbull

Squad No: 22
Position: Goalkeeper
Age: 26
Birth Date: Jan 4, 1985
Birth Place: England
Height: 1.93m
Weight: 85 kg

AVB - Villa Boas Wants Torres to be a Top Striker Again

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas insists he will make Fernando Torres one of the world's best strikers once again.

Villas-Boas went as far as to suggest he would be willing to tolerate another year of failure from the £50 million signing, rubbishing reports the Blues were considering selling Torres for £20 million when the transfer window opens in January.

Torres has scored just five goals for Chelsea since his January move from Liverpool, but Villas-Boas says the 27-year-old was "not for sale at any price", now or next summer. Indeed, Villas-Boas has made it his mission to ensure Torres returns to form, even if the striker's struggles continue until this time next season.

"I think so," Villas-Boas said. "This is a talent that is never in doubt. So we have to be very, very patient and I'm sure that we can turn this around.

"We'll have to continue to push. That's one of the prerogatives of the manager, to try to get the best out of everybody. It takes time."

Torres looks set to be given that time when Didier Drogba goes on African Nations Cup duty for the Ivory Coast in January. But with Drogba's recall having played a major part in Chelsea's revival in recent weeks, Villas-Boas must rely on Torres to not only rediscover his form, but deliver in terms of goalscoring.

"I think it comes with self-confidence and motivation and hitting the back of the net," he said.

"This was happening for Fernando in the first two or three months of the season. It has been Didier's run at the moment but we are pretty sure that Fernando will return strongly again.

"A player who wears the number nine lives for goals and a player who is a striker lives for goals. Didier and Fernando and (Romelu) Lukaku and (Nicolas) Anelka can tell you exactly that.

"Strikers are the most selfish people in the world and rightly so because they like to put the ball in the back of the net. This will help his motivation eventually.

"There's always that misconception in football, that when somebody's not working it is because at the other team where he was before, everybody played for him. I'm not sure if that's correct.

"Fernando has different things to offer from Didier and requires a different type of game. The team has the ability to adapt to the different circumstances. It was the same with Lukaku and the same with Anelka, and the same with (Daniel) Sturridge.

"Their natural, technical abilities require different types of game. Fernando is a very, very mobile player, likes the flanks - left flank - to come in, likes balls in behind, is a player who also comes short between the lines with good technical ability to lay off the ball to his colleagues."

AVB: Torres not for sale at any price

Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas has rejected reports that Fernando Torres will be offloaded by the club, insisting his striker is "not for sale at any price, now or in the summer".

Torres, 27, has scored just five goals in 35 games since arriving at Stamford Bridge from Liverpool for a British record fee of £50 million in January and has not started a Premier League game for the Blues since their 5-3 home defeat to Arsenal in October.

With Didier Drogba emerging as Villas-Boas' favoured striker in recent weeks, speculation had been mounting that Chelsea were considering selling Torres on for £20 million.

However, the Portuguese manager has rubbished such suggestions, claiming ahead of his side's trip to Wigan: "Fernando Torres is not for sale at any price, now or in the summer".

Villas-Boas also let his backing to midfielder Frank Lampard, who like Torres has found himself regularly used as a substitute of late.

The England international has been linked with the likes of LA Galaxy and Real Madrid after falling behind Raul Meireles and Oriol Romeu in the midfield pecking order, but Villas-Boas said: "Frank Lampard is a player of massive magnitude to this club".

Meireles: Drogba the key

Raul Meireles believes Didier Drogba is the key figure for Chelsea as they look to get their title challenge back on track.

Chelsea remain seven points behind Manchester City despite their 2-1 victory over the league leaders at Stamford Bridge on Monday night but, having won their last three league games, there is hope that Andre Villas-Boas' men have recovered from their blip.

Drogba was the star performer in the recent 3-0 victories over Newcastle and Valencia, and Meireles feels that the striker's form will be the decisive factor for the Blues this season.

"Drogba is the key to this team," Meireles said in The Sun. "We need Didier and his goals. He scored twice against Valencia last week and another against Newcastle and both times he demonstrated his quality at the decisive moment.

"He'll boost our title charge. We have all spoken in the dressing room and our challenge now is to obtain every home point going until the end of the season."

Drogba is out of contract at the end of the season and his agent recently indicated that he would not remain in Europe.

Ryan Bertrand

Squad No: 34
Position: Defender
Age: 22
Birth Date: Aug 5, 1989
Birth Place: England
Height: 1.77m
Weight: 64 kg

Joshua McEachran

Squad No: 20
Position: Midfielder
Age: 18
Birth Date: Mar 1, 1993
Birth Place: Oxford, England
Height: 5' 10'' (1.78m)
Weight: 66 kg










With Chelsea since the age of eight, McEachran made the step up to the first-team in 2010, and has been tipped as a star of the future for club and country.

A player who boasts great vision and passing ability, McEachran slowly made his way through the ranks at Stamford Bridge to pick up the 2010 FA Youth Cup and then the Under-17 European Championship. With his star on the rise, he was given a chance in the first-team and made his Chelsea debut aged just 17 years and six months.

Tipped for a big future in the game, he signed a new five-year contract in July 2011.

Strengths: A wonderful passer of the ball, he has the vision and creativity of a player twice his age.

Weaknesses: Strength and power is not his forte and he can be knocked off the ball. He also has yet to bring consistency and a goal threat to his game.

Career high: McEachran was awarded the Chelsea Young Player of The Year award in May 2011

Career low: The signing of Oriol Romeu and Raul Meireles cut his first-team options short in 2011-12.

Style: Technical, composed, a visionary midfielder.

Quotes: "Chelsea think extremely highly of him and you can see why. He's got the ability and the vision that you know, if players run off of him, he's got the ability to find them with passes. All of our cutting passes probably came from him. I think, in Josh, he's got a really outstanding talent, similar to Jack Wilshere, and it bodes well for us." England U-21 manager Stuart Pearce on Josh McEachran in 2011.

Trivia: McEachran made his debut for the England U-21 side aged just 17.

Nathaniel Chalobah

Squad No: 62
Position: Defender
Age: 17
Birth Date: Dec 12, 1994
Birth Place: England
Height: 1.85m
Weight: 75 kg

Ramires

Full Name: Ramires
Squad No: 7
Position: Midfielder
Age: 24
Birth Date: Mar 24, 1987
Birth Place: Barra do Piraí, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Height: 5' 11'' (1.80m)
Weight: 65 kg




Ramires Santos do Nascimento joined Chelsea in August 2010 from Portuguese side Benfica for a fee in the region of £17 million.

Ramires had spent only one season with Benfica, winning the Portuguese title, before Chelsea got their man following a month-long chase.

Brazil coach Dunga had championed the midfielder in the run-up to the 2010 World Cup finals. A hard-working player who covers plenty of ground, he also represented his country in the 2008 Olympics. Five appearances in Brazil's 2010 World Cup qualifying effort confirmed had earned the right to claim one of the precious 23 positions up for grabs in Dunga's plans. He was also part of the squad which won the 2009 Confederations Cup.

He played for Joinville and Cruzeiro in Brazil before heading to European football for £6.25 million. He twice won the Campeonato Mineiro state championship with Cruzeiro.

Strengths: A typical workhorse football, Ramires does all the work which the naturally attacking players do not want to get involved in. With a great work ethic, Ramires will never stop running and has great strength.

Weaknesses: Does not have the range of passing of your typical Brazilian star.

Career high: Winning the Portuguese title and League Cup with Benfica in 2010.

Career low: Missing Brazil's World Cup clash with Netherlands in the quarter-finals due to suspension.

Style: An energetic, all-action defensive midfielder.

Quotes: ''He is a fantastic player. He will be the future of the Brazil national team and I hope he will be the future of Chelsea." Carlo Ancelotti, August 2010.

Trivia: He was given the nickname Queniano Azul, or Blue Kenyan, refering to Cruzeiro's team colour and his physical appearance.

Raul Meireles

Full Name: Raul Meireles
Squad No: 16
Position: Midfielder
Age: 28
Birth Date: Mar 17, 1983
Birth Place: Porto, Portugal
Height: 1.79m
Weight: 65 kg



Meireles has gained praise for his work-rate and skills as an all-round midfielder.

Meireles first came to prominence with Boavista FC in 2003 and was soon picked up by hometown club FC Porto the following season. Establishing himself quickly in the side's central midfield, his passing range and ability to get goals while also acting as a defensive midfielder won over his critics and he picked up four Portuguese titles and three Portuguese cups while at the club.

After six years, Meireles opted to take on a new challenge with Liverpool after impressing at the 2010 World Cup with Portugal and signed for the Premier League club for £11.5 million. He made a slow start under Roy Hodgson, but he improved markedly when Kenny Dalglish took charge in January.

However, with Liverpool reinforcing in central midfield in the summer of 2011, there were rumours he would be on his way. On the final day of the window, he submitted a transfer request before completing a move to Chelsea, where he would link up with former Porto boss Andre Villas-Boas. Strengths: Dominant and dynamic, he loves a physical battle and has a good range of passing. Is also capable of the spectacular.

Weaknesses: Has a bit of a short fuse.

Career high: Winning the treble of league title, Portuguese Cup and Super Cup with FC Porto in 2006.

Career low: Signing for his hometown club FC Porto in 2004, he was used in an unfamiliar left-back role and must have wondered if he would ever make the breakthrough.

Style: Tough, uncompromising, a classy all-round midfielder.

Quotes: "You only have to look at the consistency Raul displayed in the qualifiers to realise that he is as important to this team as some of the big stars" - Portugal coach Carlos Queiroz, 2010.

Trivia: He is renowned for his tattoos. He had his first one done at the age of 19 and regularly adds new designs all over his body.

David Luiz

Full Name: David Luiz
Squad No: 23
Position: Defender
Age: 24
Birth Date: Apr 22, 1987
Birth Place: Diadema, Brazil
Height: 6' 2'' (1.88m)
Weight: 84 kg




Attracting the interest of most of Europe's elite, defender David Luiz's star rose quickly after only a few seasons at Portuguese club Benfica.

Beginning his career in his native Brazil with Vitoria, he made his debut as a teenage left-back and caught the attention of the national team set-up as he represented Brazil at the 2007 FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Canada.

Moving to Benfica in 2007, he missed almost all of his first season through injury, but soon moved to centre-back where he impressed so much he was named Portugal's Player of the Year in 2010. Starting all but one game in Benfica's title winning season, he also caught the eye of new Brazil coach Mano Menezes and made his senior debut against the United States a month after the World Cup.

Having been heavily linked with a move to Chelsea for several months, Luiz eventually sealed a £21.3 million move to Stamford Bridge in the final hours of the 2011 January transfer window, after it had seemed the move may had died in the previous days.

Strengths: Versatile and powerful, his speed, aerial ability and technical skills stand out.

Weaknesses: Not tested at the highest level, he can be caught out positionally and could improve his focus.

Career high: Winning the domestic Double with Benfica in 2009-10.

Career low: He made just a handful of appearances in 2007-08 after suffering injury in his first season. Style: Quick, powerful, dominant, an impressive defender.

Quotes: "I'm a central defender, and that's the position I feel most comfortable in, but I'd play in goal or up front if I had to. I can only be grateful for having the privilege to do a job I love." David Luiz, December 2010.

Trivia: He scored an impressive seven goals in 47 games as a teenager for his first club Vitória.

Fernando Torres

Full Name: Fernando Torres
Squad No: 9
Position: Forward
Age: 27
Birth Date: Mar 20, 1984
Birth Place: Fuenlabrada, Madrid
Height: 6' 1'' (1.85m)
Weight: 174 lbs (78.7 kg)











Player Bio

One of world football's most feared strikers, Fernando Torres has extensive pedigree for club and country and, while he has suffered from injury, he oozes class when he is on the pitch.

Appropriately for a player nicknamed El Nino ('The Kid'), Torres has set tongues wagging from a very early age. After coming through the ranks at Atletico Madrid he became the club's youngest ever player in May 2001 and was later installed as their youngest ever captain at the age of 19. However, despite his admirable loyalty over a period of six years, Torres was finally lured to Anfield in the summer of 2007 for a fee of around £21.5 million, just weeks after 'You'll Never Walk Alone' was seen inscribed on his captain's armband at Atleti.

Taking the No.9 shirt vacated by Robbie Fowler, Torres adapted seamlessly and scored 33 goals in his first season to surpass the tally set by Ruud van Nistelrooy to become the most prolific foreign debutant in English football. He maintains a hugely-impressive strike rate at Liverpool and his consistently electric performances in his three seasons at Anfield saw him become one of world football's finest players.

When Roy Hodgson replaced Rafa Benitez at Liverpool in 2010, Torres' form began to drop. He had already endured a hugely disappointing World Cup in South Africa, where despite claiming a winners' medal with Spain he had failed to score and was dropped from the starting line-up having not fully regained match sharpness for the tournament.

As Liverpool struggled under Hodgson, Torres looked a shadow of his former self, aside from a match-winning brace against Chelsea. The Spaniard had regularly pledged his future to the Reds and signed a new five-and-a-half-year deal in summer 2010, but with three days left of the 2011 January transfer window, he sent shock waves reverberating around Anfield by handing in a transfer request after a bid from Chelsea for him was rejected. On January 31, 2011, Torres became the fourth-most expensive player of all time when he moved to Stamford Bridge for £50 million.

Strengths: A born goalscorer, Torres possesses all the attributes needed by a world-class striker. He is quick, strong, impressive in the air, blessed with expert technique and is cool and collected in front of goal as well as having an eye for the spectacular.

Weaknesses: The suspicion remains that Torres can be distracted from his task by some physical attention from defenders, while he can be isolated if service is not forthcoming.

Career high: Scoring the winning goal in the Euro 2008 final against Germany as Spain ended their lengthy wait for a trophy on the international stage.

Career low: Failing to help Atletico Madrid regain their place in the Spanish top flight on the final day of his first season in the first team. Atleti's slogan, conceived after their relegation the previous season, of 'One Little Year In Hell' had to be quickly scrapped.

Style: Clinical, classy, deadly, the complete striker.

Quotes: "When you talk about the Premier League you talk about a lot of players with quality so it is not easy to pick just one, but he is among the best." Rafael Benitez, September 2009.

Trivia: Torres actually started off as a goalkeeper in his early days but quickly became a formidable striker, being named the best Under-14 player in Europe following his performances at the 1998 Nike Cup.

Romelu Lukaku

Squad No: 18
Position: Forward
Age: 18
Birth Date: May 13, 1993
Birth Place: Antwerp, Belgium
Height: 1.90m
Weight: 94 kg






Few teenagers have attained the level of fame and attention that Romelu Lukaku currently enjoys. A top scorer in Belgium last season, a full international and with all of Europe's elite clubs taking a keen interest in his progression, it is remarkable to consider that one of the continent's most recognisable young talents is still at school.

But in football terms, his education is largely complete. At the age of only 16, Anderlecht striker Lukaku finished the 2009-10 Belgian campaign as the league's top scorer with 15 strikes from 33 appearances, despite often being utilised as a substitute. His impact also extended to the Europa League, where, in December 2009, he became the third youngest goalscorer in European club competition when netting against Ajax at the age of 16 years and 218 days.

Lukaku replicated his form in the 2010-11 season and continued to be linked with a move away from Anderlecht. Jose Mourinho admitted he wanted to bring the striker to Real Madrid while the teenager was pictured wearing a Chelsea shirt during a tour of Stamford Bridge - sparking speculation that West London could be his destination.

Finally, in August 2011, Lukaku agreed a deal in the region of £20 million to join the Blues and new boss Andre Villas-Boas hailed him as a ''very exciting young talent''.

Strengths: An imposing physical specimen, Lukaku is strong, tall and quick, and possesses the positional awareness and quality of finishing to mark him out as a superb all-round striker. He is also a focused and determined character.

Weaknesses: Few, though there is a concern that remaining at Anderlecht will stunt his development a touch. He may benefit from developing a more rounded game, rather than being honed as a lone striker.

Career high: Finishing the 2009-10 Belgian season as the league's top scorer, despite still attending school.

Career low: Missing out on a place in the 2010-11 Champions League when Anderlecht were defeated by Partizan Belgrade in a penalty shoot-out in the play-offs.

Style: Dominant, explosive, prolific. A potential phenomenon.

Quotes: "There are only about 15 clubs around the world who can afford to pay for him. But if a club comes here with €20 million, they will return from this trip empty-handed. We want more for Lukaku, much more." Anderlecht's general manager Herman van Holsbeeck, November 2010.

Trivia: Romelu Lukaku's father, Roger, was a professional footballer in Belgium, while his younger brother, Jordan, is also on the books at Anderlecht.

Juan Mata

Full Name: Juan Mata
Squad No: 10
Position: Forward
Age: 23
Birth Date: Apr 28, 1988
Birth Place: Burgos, Spain
Height: 1.70m
Weight: 61 kg



After back-to-back summers in which Mata picked up the 2010 World Cup and the European Under-21 Championship titles, the forward was viewed as one of the hottest prospects in world football.

Beginning his youth career with Oviedo, he moved to Real Madrid's academy at the age of 15 and spent three years there before being promoted to the Castilla team in 2006-07. Impressing, despite relegation, Mata was curiously not given another deal at the club and was allowed to move to Valencia due to a clause in his contract.

Oozing with pace and a direct style that sends a shiver down the spines of defenders, Los Che got themselves a bargain and it was not long before he was making his mark on La Liga. Scoring goals aplenty from his attacking role on the flank he helped the side to the Copa del Rey trophy in 2007-08 and his understanding with David Villa was praised by many.

However, with Villa's exit to Barcelona in 2010 and Valencia's growing debt problems, Mata was linked with moves to Arsenal, Man City and Liverpool before Chelsea swooped to bring him to the Premier League for around €30 million in August 2011.

Strengths: Technically superb, his close control and vision are excellent and he has the ability to beat his man and set up chances.

Weaknesses: Lightweight and lacking power, he can be shrugged off the ball too easily and is not much help to his defenders.

Career high: Winning the 2010 World Cup with Spain, although he did not play a major part in the tournament.

Career low: Relegation from the Segunda with Real Madrid's B side left him with little hope of breaking into the first team.

Style: Classy, skilful, technical, a creative midfielder with a great eye.

Quotes: "He's a player who scores and assists and he can add to any squad in the world.'' Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas.

Trivia: A former student of journalism at the Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, he enjoys playing table-tennis in his spare time.