"Drogba fine but rested" Wilkins

Assistant first team coach Ray Wilkins reports that cramp was the reason for Didier Drogba's substitution on Sunday versus Tottenham.

The striker was withdrawn in the second-half with a problem in his calf but medical examinations have revealed no lasting injury.

'He had a scan yesterday and there is no problem with his calf, he just had the most horrendous bout of cramp and couldn't release the muscle,' Wilkins explained.

'We thought there was something a bit more sinister in there but the scan revealed there is nothing in there and hopefully Didier will be able to take part on Saturday.'

The forward, along with a number of other players, will be rested for Wednesday evening's Carling Cup tie at home to Queens Park Rangers.

By:Shane Evans

"Cole and Zhirkov to play carling cup" Wilkins

Ray Wilkins has confirm that both Yuri zhirkov and Joe cole are going to play the carling cup match on wednesday against QPR.

The assistant manager was speaking ahead of the third round clash at Stamford Bridge, which provides manager Carlo Ancelotti with an opportunity to test some of his periphery figures while welcoming back key first-teamers from injury.

Cole has not featured in the first team since his cruciate ligament injury in January, while Zhirkov is still awaiting his debut after a summer switch from CSKA Moscow.

'We haven't finalised the side yet but Joe Cole and Zhirkov will start, so that's good news for all concerned. They will be very important players as the season progresses so it's nice that they will come back in,' said Wilkins.

'When you can't use a player of Joe's ability, any side in the country would miss him, because he has that bit of fantasy that can open up defences. We have missed him but we have a squad that can compensate for such a loss.'

Asked how he would describe Zhirkov, Wilkins added: 'A very fluid footballer, left-sided, which is always very pleasant, a great mover and a great footballer.

'He has been out now for quite a period so it will be lovely to see him back out demonstrating what he can do, because if he demonstrates half of what he has shown in training we have a very pleasant player on our books.'

Also in the squad will be Paulo Ferreira, another cruciate ligament victim, and a number of young players, including Fabio Borini who made his debut on Sunday as a late substitute.

'Paulo will come back into the squad, whether Carlo decides to use him initially is another matter, but it's a chance to use the squad in the Carling Cup. We have a large squad here, and that's what we will do tomorrow night,' Wilkins explained, before discussing the promising youngsters that have been around the first team squad recently - Borini, Sam Hutchinson, Jeffrey Bruma and Gael Kakuta.

'They are all players that have impressed Carlo, he has watched the majority of reserve games since he has been here. It gives us an opportunity to bring these young men in and hopefully use them later in the season.

'If we progress in the Carling Cup then I am sure we will see a large number of these players used. [The transfer ban] is a great opportunity, and we will appeal against the ban, but it is a great opportunity for the young players to push themselves forward so the manager can see.

'There will be a few rested but we have a large squad, so it's an opportunity to put them at Stamford Bridge in front of 38,000 where it will be an important game for us.'

Wilkins is a former player and manager of QPR, and remembers his time at Loftus Road well.

'It was a very enjoyable stage in my career at a great little club and I enjoyed it, it was good fun. It has changed, they do have financial backing now but they are still the same club on the footballing side, they have always tried to play football. The managers they had always wanted to play football and Jim [Magilton] is the same.

'They are coming off the back of a fantastic result on Saturday (a 2-0 win away at Cardiff), so they will be coming with their spirits high and looking forward to a game at Stamford Bridge.

'It is always good to be drawn against a team in a higher league to see what you can go and do against them. I think they will bring 6,000 so they will be looking forward to it and it's up to us to make it an unhappy evening for them.'

By:Shane Evans

Ballack"between the big two"

Michael Ballack has admitted that the premier crown belongs to either Chelsea or Manutd.
Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack feels that this season's battle for the Premier League title is looking like a two-team tussle between the Blues and Manchester United, despite the presence of a bigger chasing pack of challengers this year.

"It looks a little bit like a two-horse race but we don't underestimate anybody. Manchester City did well until now. Tottenham [Hotspur], Arsenal and Liverpool are all teams that can have a run any time of the season," he told The Daily Telegraph.

"But United have a lot of good years behind them with the Champions League win and three title wins in the Premier League, which will give them a lot of confidence."

Ballack also credits new manager Carlo Ancelotti with imbuing a new ruthlessness into the Chelsea squad, something which has led to a boost in confidence amongst the players.

He added: "That’s what he always tells us – you have to wait for your chance and you can see it now when they come, we are deadly. He gives the team a lot of confidence.

By:Zack Wilson

"Mourinho is not aggressive" Moratti

SIENA - "Mourinho's disqualification? We weren't expecting it," commented Massimo Moratti after learning of the Inter coach's one-match ban and €15,000 fine following his dismissal during Sunday's win over Cagliari. "However, I hope his liveliness wasn't mistaken for aggressiveness."

The Inter president, speaking on the sidelines of a meeting with the Inter Campus World Cup participants in Siena, explained: "I wasn't in Cagliari so I can't pass judgment, but from what I was told, Mourinho didn't insult the referee and we weren't expecting a sanction of this kind. You can see his agitation and vivacity, but he is very respectful of institutions and I have never heard him say anything about the referees. I hope his vivacious personality isn't mistaken for an aggressive attitude. Is he our shield? More than being protection, he is an important reference point that we are very happy with."

Massimo Moratti went on to condemn the racist chants from the Cagliari fans directed at Mario Balotelli. "The match should have been abandoned to give a strong signal. As for the team, it has the potential to be a better team than last year. The problem is that we have totally changed our game. In the meantime Milito, a good and very humble person and a great professional, won us the game."

On the championship in general, the president commented on Juventus' sprint start to the season and extended his congratulations to Sampdoria's Antonio Cassano. "The Bianconeri's great start is good for the championship. You could see they were a good team and they have confirmed this with a positive start. Unfortunately, Cassano isn't part of Inter's transfer market strategy. We have never tried to get him. But he is certainly a great champion, an artist of football who will improve with experience."

By:Ben Marcos

Mourinho gets one-match ban

MILAN - Inter coach José Mourinho has been suspended for one Serie A match and fined 15,000 euros by the Lega Calcio's Disciplinary Committee.

The Portuguese was sent off by Daniele Orsato in the 58th minute of yesterday's match between Cagliari and Inter for protesting after the referee failed to book Davide Astori for a foul on Mario Balotelli near the Cagliari area (just several minutes earlier, Samuel Eto'o had been yellow-carded for a foul in midfield).

Mourinho has been sent off three times in Italy - twice in matches refereed by Orsato. The Inter coach has been given a one-match suspension on one previous occasion.

By:Marcos ben

Buffon: «In Genova we must leave a sign»

Buffon: «In Genova we must leave a sign»

[Photo]
Gigi Buffon has had a start to the season which is fitting for a number one. The super-keeper of Juventus has started-off in the role of absolute protagonist. With his saves, some of which really incredible, he contributed to the victories of Juventus (four in five matches) and of the national team (two out of two in the World Cup qualifiers).

Buffon remained in Turin to continue winning and his super-saves have helped Ciro Ferrara’s team start-off in the best of manners. Two days after the victory against Livorno – a sort of derby for a Tuscan like himself -, next comes the match against Genoa, a team for which he has never hidden a certain soft spot.

It will be a difficult match, which Gigi presented on his official website «On Thursday an important match awaits us, not so much for the points in question, because we are still at the start of the season, but because it will have to be a sign for us. In Genova we will have to give a convincing performance and win to increase further our self-esteem and the belief in our means».

As part of the series “winning aids winning”, Juventus will try to register their fifth consecutive victory in the championship. After the two victorious away matches in Rome, the fixtures present the bianconeri with another tricky away match. This is due to the value of Gasperini’s team but not only: «Genoa is an excellent team and is very fearsome, especially when it plays at home because it plays in a fantastic stadium and has a warm public capable of pushing the players of playing a heartfelt match overcoming all obstacles. The surrounding environment could be an additional problem for us which we must try to overcome thanks to our greater experience in European football. We mus therefore be clever and not be intimidated by the warmth of their supporters».

It will be another high level match after the one away to Lazio last week. This time it will not be a real leadership clash after the defeat suffered by the rossoblu in Verona. It was a surprising result but only up to a certain extent. Buffon concluded: «We will be playing against a team which is fresh from its first defeat in the championship. Chievo played a great match against Lazio and did not deserve to win and even against us in the first match day it did well».

By:Marco gilli

Ferrara: «It is a positive thing that we scored in the first half»

Ferrara: «It is a positive thing that we scored in the first half»

As the great coach that he is, Ciro Ferrara was satisfied with the victory against Livorno but still thinks there are various aspects which can be improved.

«When it comes to the results we are very satisfied but we know that there are things to improve because we encountered some difficulties. This could also b due to the fact that the players on the field have played a lot. We also had more chances to score. I wanted a merciless football when it came to wanting to win. We wanted the three points and we had to face the match with humility as we did and we brought home the victory».

Praise for three great protagonists: «Gigi played a great match but Marchisio and Iaquinta who also deserve to be praised».

Exhaustion could be an important factor: « My team could be tired but sometimes perhaps we run a bit for nothing using important energies and sometimes we tend to run after the opponents and therefore must try to hold the ball more and start the action.
It is a positive thing that we scored in the first half especially in the first minutes which allowed us to control the match. We must make sure that we keep up the consistency even though we are happy with the three points. Now we must think of Genoa which is a team of very high level».

by:Marcos ben

Diego: «The capability of sacrificing ourselves is our strength»

Diego: «The capability of sacrificing ourselves is our strength»

I am happy with the two goals and the victory. We played a great match». Diego Ribas da Cunha is gleaming: two fantastic goals, a constant presence in the game and a fundamental victory. After the assist for Iaquinta in the match against Chievo, at the Rome Olimpico the Brazilian was the absolute protagonist of the match. His approach with the Italian championship could not be better: «It is thanks to the Juventus environment, to Ferrara, to my team mates, to the affection of the fans. It is thanks to all this that I managed to fit in well. The strength of Juve is this: the capability of players of great class to adapt to a scheme and to sacrifice themselves if necessary».

By:marcos ben

"VICTORY WOULD BE FOR MY DAD " Diego

Diego Cavalieri claims Liverpool are desperate to up their game in the cup competitions this season - starting with a victory over Leeds United tonight which the Brazilian would dedicate to his late father.

Watch the full interview now>> The Reds were eliminated in the fourth round of both domestic knockouts in 2008-09 - meaning Pepe Reina's understudy got to play just four games throughout the term. Cavalieri is now hoping to make a fifth Liverpool appearance at Elland Road, where a win would be devoted to a supportive dad who died last month. He told Liverpoolfc.tv: "For me, it was really bad news. My father started with me in football and gave me a lot of support. But I need to work hard, keep my focus and play. "Before, every game was for him - and now that continues. I think a victory will be very important for Liverpool and for him." Liverpool have not won a major trophy since the 2006 FA Cup - a fact Cavalieri admits he and his teammates are desperate to change. "All the competitions are important," he said "When you don't win trophies it's difficult. The fans want trophies and I think we need to win some this year - that is important for the club and the supporters. "It's an important competition for me too because whenever you play you have to do well and show your quality. "The Carling Cup was frustrating last season, losing to Tottenham when we'd been winning in the league. For me, I wanted to win and continue in the cup. We lost too early. "This game is very dangerous but if we work hard, work together and have intensity, we can win. "With Liverpool, whatever game it is, you need to win - there is pressure to win." Leeds are currently top of League One and are one of just four teams still unbeaten in the Football League. Cavalieri has done his homework on the West Yorkshire outfit and knows the Reds will be up against it if they are to continue on the road to Wembley. "They are a team that plays with intensity," said the 26-year-old. "They like to play a long ball and they are strong - but these things are normal in England. "I know about their record this season. It makes it difficult for us because when a team is winning they play with confidence. This is an important factor on this game. "The fans are important but they are outside of the pitch. It's good for Leeds but the fans are not on the pitch so they are not a problem for us. "I played in Wembley 10 years ago with the national U17s team, but that was the old Wembley. Now it's new and it would be important to play there, but all we can think about now is Leeds." Meanwhile, Cavalieri revealed why he is a different goalkeeper than the one who arrived from South America more than a year ago. "I think I have more confidence now and am more adapted," he said. "It was difficult for me when I arrived because in Brazil they play differently. "The goalkeeper doesn't need to stay high and doesn't need to play with his feet all the time. The game is not as intense and here in England the pitches are always wet - that makes it difficult for goalkeepers. "For me, (goalkeeping coach) Xavi Valero is very important. He talks with me all the time, shows me videos of other teams, shows me how to play in England and talks with me all the time. "When I came here he told me that when the team plays high, I have to play high, and that was new for me. All the time he shouted at me, 'Diego, go high, go high.' "All this is very important to me. When you don't play too much you have to work hard, and Xavi works hard with me. "He's improved me physically, mentally and with the small details." Being number two to one of the world's greatest goalkeepers requires a lot of patience - but Cavalieri is not one to go banging on the manager's door. "It's good because you learn a lot," he said. "I had this situation at Palmeries in Brazil. I had a challenge with Marcos, who was a fantastic goalkeeper and played in the 2002 World Cup. "They don't make mistakes, so it's difficult for me to play. But when you train together you learn a lot."

By"Jimmy Rice

AURELIO EYEING ELLAND ROAD START

Fabio Aurelio has set his sights on his first start of the 2009-10 season in tonight's Carling Cup clash at Leeds United.

The Brazilian full-back, who returned to action with brief substitute appearances against Debrecen and West Ham, is delighted to be back in contention following his injury lay-off and is now hoping for a run out in the third round encounter at Elland road. "I'm really happy to be back playing and to be part of the squad for matches again is great," he said. "I hope to start at Leeds and I'm sure there will be opportunities in this game for players who haven’t been used in Premier League games much recently. "Every opportunity you get you need to show something to the boss and I have to take this chance. Hopefully I can do my job and help us get through. "We want to progress in every competition we’re involved in. The Carling Cup offers a possibility for us to win a trophy and we can't allow that chance to pass easily. "It might not be the most prestigious competition but it's still very important to us and we want to go all the way." Aurelio missed the whole of Liverpool's pre-season and the first five matches in the Barclays Premier League after picking up a knee injury while on holiday with his family in Brazil. He admits it has been a frustrating period on the sidelines but is now eager to catch up for lost time. "It has been a tough few months for me but at least I haven’t missed many games," he said. "I've been training hard at Melwood and to finally get back out there on the pitch was a moment of happiness for me. "My knee is fine now and I just need to build up my match fitness. “I’m not yet back to the level I was at last season but the game against Leeds is a chance to get some more minutes under my belt.” Aurelio's absence has given fellow South American full-back Emiliano Insua the chance to shine on the left side of the defence. The Brazilian has been impressed by the youngster's impact so far and admits he faces a stiff battle to reclaim his place in Rafael Benitez’s starting XI. "Emiliano has been doing really well," he said. "Everyone knows his ability and since the start of the season he has done a very good job for the team. "It will be a hard fight for that place this season but the fact we have more options now helps the team to be stronger. "If we all keep working hard then it will be a difficult decision for the manager." The trip to Elland road has been billed as the tie of the round. Aurelio accepts Leeds may no longer be the force they once were but is still expecting a tough battle. "They might be two divisions below us but we know all about their history," Aurelio said. "We know they are doing really well this season and are very strong at home. "Their confidence will be high and we have to be prepared for a very hard game."

By"Paul Hassall

"I'm delighted with the drama" Evra

Evra delights in derby drama

While Sunday's epic Manchester derby was a showcase of shoddy defending, United left-back Patrice Evra could scarcely contain his excitement afterwards.

The Frenchman acknowledged that each of City's goals could have been avoided, but opined that they helped to forge an unforgettable spectacle.

"Sometimes we need mistakes to have a great game like this," Evra told MUTV. "I really think we could have killed the game early on, but when we scored we started to make mistakes. I think for the fans, for everybody, for us, it was an amazing day today.

"To score like this in the last second of the game, it was just amazing. The players on the bench were coming on the pitch, the fans, the atmosphere - this is why I say thanks to God I play in the Premier League and for United. A day like this is just amazing."

Prior to Michael Owen's 96th-minute winner, Craig Bellamy looked to have salvaged an unlikely draw for Mark Hughes' Blues as the game entered stoppage time.

Evra concedes that Owen's strike was vital not only for the points and to placate manager Sir Alex Ferguson, but also to deal City's cash-powered revolution an early setback.

"It would have been very difficult to go inside the dressing room if we had drawn," he said. "I think the manager would have given the hairdryer to everybody!

"It was important to win because City hadn't lost a game. When we were drawing, I was thinking that people would start to say that City are still strong because they never lose. Now everybody has lost, except for Chelsea."

by Steve Bartram

Wenger - I'll tread carefully with Wilshere

Arsène Wenger will do whatever it takes to protect Jack Wilshere from the perils of 'burn-out'.

Football history is littered with stories of talented youngsters who shone brightly and then faded from vision, and the Arsenal manager is determined to handle Wilshere with care.

That is easier said than done. The 17-year-old was so impressive at the Emirates Cup in August that he won two consecutive man-of-the-match awards and was even touted for a place in England's 2010 World Cup squad. No wonder the clamour for his inclusion in the Arsenal first-team has grown ever since.

But Wenger has chosen to keep Wilshere on the fringes of the side until tonight, when the teenager will start the Carling Cup tie against West Bromwich Albion at Emirates Stadium. In an exclusive pre-match interview with Arsenal TV Online, the manager explained why Wilshere's progress must be managed correctly.

"I believe last year he paid a little bit of a price physically for a very demanding start," said Wenger. "This year we feel that he is strong, more mature, and I'm sure that he will show that.

"It's difficult to treat them [young English players] completely the same because you want to speed up a little bit their progress, but physically I will still treat him like anybody else because most people once they get to 19 years of age - 19 or 20 without big injures - they are over-used. A big injury can always happen because you get over-use of the players."

With that in mind, Wenger will use Wilshere sparingly. The 17-year-old can expect to pick up valuable first-team experience this term but his manager is setting no targets on that front.

"You cannot predict that too much, because for a player like Aaron Ramsey you know what can happen because he's now physically ready," said Wenger.

"I believe you do not know what will happen throughout the season so for Jack the most objective target is to improve. There are some areas where he can improve and that is most important that you work on everything."

By Chris Harris

Wenger - How Vermaelen came to my attention

Thomas Vermaelen first came to Arsène Wenger’s attention when he locked horns with Robin van Persie at the Amsterdam Tournament.

Tempers flared between the pair in the pre-season competition two years ago when the Belgian was still with Ajax. Wenger noted Vermaelen’s toughness and tenacity then returned last summer to take him to Emirates Stadium.

“I loved it,” said Wenger recalling the Van Persie incident.

“As a centre back you need to be fully committed. He is now 24, and at that time he was maybe 21 and wanted to show he could compete. I don’t know or remember if they shook hands afterwards but I remember some very committed games at the Ajax tournament.

“He played against Thierry Henry [in the same game] and kept him quiet. I thought ‘oh’ and remembered the name. I put him in my brain and kept it in there.

“I think what gave us a chance [to sign him] was from that moment on he played a lot at left back. A lot of people watched him a lot in England but saw him more at left back than at centre back.”

However, at Arsenal, Vermaelen is very much in the middle of the defence where, according to Wenger, he has brought the best out of his partner.

“Thomas is quiet, wants always to do well, he’s a hard worker as well as being mentally strong,” said the Frenchman.

“He is left-footed as well. That has two advantages as it allows us to play Gallas on the right-side, where he wants to play. This gives us a natural balance at the back when we want to play the ball out. You can see he plays through the channels with his left foot, and that is very interesting.”

In fact the only question mark early on concerned his height; six foot is on the small side for a centre back. Vermaelen’s towering header to open the scoring on Saturday provided the perfect response.

“You can question his height but not his leap,” said Wenger. “That makes up for his height. He’s taller than you expect him to be, he’s not small.

“He has a very strong upper body and has a very good leap. His leap is very sharp and that’s important. If two players go for a ball the one who jumps first will win it.”

Vermaelen’s Arsenal career is clearly coming on leaps and bounds.

By Richard Clarke

"Senderos has a new start tonight" Wenger

This evening, Philippe Senderos has a "new start".

When the centre half joined Milan on loan in August 2008 it was widely anticipated that he would not come back to Emirates Stadium. However injury restricted the 24-year-old to just 12 games for the Rossoneri and he returned to Arsenal in the summer.

In pre-season Arsène Wenger admitted he was open to offers for the Swiss international. But fate would intervene. A six-month knee injury to Johan Djourou, ironically with the same national team, saw Senderos stay and, this evening against West Brom, he will make his first competitive appearance for Arsenal since May 2008.

"I don't believe he is starting his career with us again because we know how good he is but it is a new start let's say," remarked Wenger.

"We have already seen his quality and he is still very young for a centre back. He's 24 years-old and he has the future in front of him. The best 10 years are now coming for him.

"Philippe is an intelligent boy with a very good attitude and you don't ever question that.

"His position at the moment is that we have four centre backs and he is one of the four because Djourou is out for nearly the season. In this job you have always to be ready and the day you get the chance you can do well. If you are not ready, everybody will say he is not good enough to play for Arsenal Football Club.

"Now he is back with us so we will just give him a chance."
By Richard Clarke

No respite for the leaders

The squad returned to the training grounds the day after thrashing Xerez 5-0 in order to prepare for Wednesday’s game against Villarreal at 20.00 CET. Xabi Alonso trained outdoors but on his own while Metzelder stayed in the gym recovering from his injury. Van Nistelrooy will undergo medical tests to reveal the injury he suffers. The starters on Sunday worked with less intensity than the main group.

Xabi Alonso severely bruised his triceps surae with affectation of the investing fascia of the soleus muscle of the right leg in the game against FC Zurich and jogged on his own. His recovery is going well and confirmed yet another good news for Madridismo.

The only player to stay indoors was Christoph Metzelder. He is recovering from a grade I soleus muscle injury and bruised right calf muscle. Van Nistelrooy injured his left leg while netting the fifth goal for the Whites against Xerez and is being diagnosed by the Club’s medical staff.

As usual, coach Manuel Pellegrini held a team talk with his players prior to starting the session and devised two separate workouts for starters and bench players.

By:Alberto navaro

Ronaldo la liga top scorer

Real Madrid’s match against Xerez left several positive notes. Not only did they net five strikes and top the table with just three games played, but also Cristiano Ronaldo became La Liga’s leading scorer. The Portuguese star is no disappointment and with four strikes leads the fight for the Pichichi Trophy.

Cristiano Ronaldo is meeting with the expectation generated and has scored at least one goal in every official match of the season. He has netted six strikes in four games; one against Deportivo La Coruña and Espanyol, and two against Xerez and Zurich. Tallying four goals, he is La Liga’s top-scorer alongside Valencia’s David Villa. His numbers all the more impressive considering Ronaldo is not playing as centre forward. However, his talent allows him to spell danger for the opponent’s goal anywhere he is positioned. He even won the Golden Boot in 2008 after netting 31 strikes in 34 games.

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored goals in every possible way. His first goal came after converting a penalty in Matchday 1. One week later, he beat Espanyol’s keeper Kameni in a one-on-one after a dazzling run on the counter-attack. He then moved on to hammering home two set-pieces in the Champions League’s debut. And last week-end, his first strike of the evening came after a great personal play on the 1-minute mark and his second after heading home a corner-kick.

By:Carlos Cristobal / Translation by Manuel Arcedillo

Marquez back in Action

Marquez made his return to the team last night when he came on for the last 25 minutes for Pique. The Mexican captain returned after a pre-season injury for his first game at the Nou Camp since picking up a knee injury against Chelsea last season.

Marquez came back from the injury he'd so cruelly picked up in the Champions League semis when he played half an hour against LA Galaxy in the first game of the summer tour of The States, before a muscle injury again sidelined him. Guardiola was finally able to call him into the squad for the Atletico game and he came on for Pique in the centee of defence with just under half an hour left to play.

Iniesta back too

As well as welcoming back Marquez, the 75.928 fans at the Nou Camp also saw the return of Andres Iniesta who came on for Xavi, also on 65 minutes for his first appearance at home this season.

By:Edgar Fornós

Mission: Scoring goals

Real Madrid’s start to the league has been extraordinary. The Whites have won all three games averaging more than three goals per game (eleven strikes in three matches). Pellegrini’s men showcase tremendous offensive power and top the table due to their favourable goal difference over Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao.

Real Madrid jumped to the first spot of the table in Matchday 3 after netting five strikes against Xerez and becoming the tournament's top-scoring team. In the two previous games, the Whites had scored three goals apiece against Deportivo La Coruña and Espanyol. Also bearing in mind the five goals scored in Zurich, it seems like this team is capable of breaking every record.

On top of that, every member of the squad is committed to the project and Pellegrini’s rotations system is working perfectly well. In fact, up to seven Madridistas have tallied goals this season. Cristiano Ronaldo, Raul, Lass, Granero, Guti, Benzema and Van Nistelrooy have netted at least one strike each.

One has to look back 22 years to find such a brilliant starting run for the Whites. The 1987/88 season squad featured the likes of Butragueño, Hugo Sanchez and Michel, and they ended up conquering their third consecutive league title much to the delight of the fans. Cristiano Ronaldo, Raul, Kaka and Guti are on the right track to repeating such feat.

By:Carlos Cristobal / Translation by Manuel Arcedillo

"Barca till 2014"Valdez

27 year old Víctor Valdés has extended his contract with Barça until June 30, 2014. The termination clause has been set at 150 million euros.
Shortly after 12.00 midday, Victor Valdés signed an extension to his contract with FC Barcelona. As well as president Joan Laporta, Valdés, was also joined for the event by his father and agent, as well as vice presidents Joan Boix and Rafael Yuste. The deal links him to the club until June 30, 2014. His previous contract was until June 30, 2010. The termination clause has been set at 150 million euros.

“A great day for Barça”
After seeing Víctor Valdés sign his extended contract, Joan Laporta spoke to Barça TV and www.fcbarcelona.cat. “It is a great day for Barça” he said, before going on to explain just how important a member of the team the first choice goalkeeper is.

Justified effort
“It was very important for us to renew the deal with our first team goalkeeper. He has always been a reference for the team and has contrinuted a liot to the successes of recent years. This has added stability to the team” said Laporta. He also commented that the club has made a special effort to settle the right terms because “Víctor deserves everything, Barça has made the kind of effort that corresponds to a player of his level”.

Key moments
“He is a committed and talented man, and has shown his worth at the most complicated of moments”, added Laporta, remembering his starring performances in Rome and Paris, and in the Champions League semi final where he did so much to keep Chelsea at bay.

An example for young players

Finally, Joan Laporta, who believes Víctor Valdés is “the best keeper in the world”, pointed out the importance of the player being a product of the club’s own youth system. Thinking of other future prospects, he commented that” Víctor is a mirror in which all youth players should see themselves reflected. For the club identity and model it is essential for us to have players like him”.
By:Navas pedro

Milito Close to recovery

The Argentinian defender appeared on Monday on the Ciudad Deportiva Joan Gamper turf. Having donned his boots, Gaby Milito exercised in isolation from the rest of the team.
Although there is no set date for his return, Gaby Milito is gradually heading back towards working for Josep Guardiola. He returned to Barcelona on September 9 to continue his recovery, and this was the first time he has been seen kicking a ball on the training ground.

In isolation
While his team mates prepared for the game on Tuesday against Racing Santander, Gaby Milito worked with a fitness coach on another section of the field. Judging by the way he was able to run and kick the ball in seemingly trouble-free fashion, his treatment is going well and it shouldn’t be long before he is given the medical all-clear.
Year and five months
Gaby Milito has been sidelined for almost a year and a half. He damaged cruciate ligaments in his right knee in the 2007/08 Champions League semi final against Manchester United.

The Argentinian centre back underwent surgery on May 13, 2008 and has not played since. On June 5 this year, Milito was subjected to arthroscopy in Buenos Aires in order to solve some of the problems he was having.
By:Navas Pedro

“We should and we can do better”

Josep Guardiola wants more and more. The Barça manager still sees room for improvement and felt tiredness was to blame for the lack of finesse against Atlético Madrid.

If you were an astronaut arriving at the Ciudad Deportiva this afternoon having spent the last month on Mars, listening to Josep Guardiola you would get the impression the season had got off to a bad start. As it happens they have won two Super Cups, drawn away to the Italian champions and won three out of three in the league.

But Guardiola was not happy with everything he saw against Atlético Madrid, despite the 5-2 win. He wants the team to win, but also to take all their chances, and after Saturday’s performance, he feels “we should and we can do better.”

Lost finesse
Guardiola likes his team “to pass the ball as fast as possible, in simple fashion, getting it circulating around” and didn’t think he saw that this weekend. “We weren’t as sure on the ball or with our decisions, but otherwise it was good.” Basically, the end to end nature of the Camp Nou encounter was not to his liking.

The coach also added that “the team trained hard today and were also extremely precise about things”.

Mentality

“As a team we take a lot of shots a game, about 16 or 17, and our opponents usually only make 6 or 7. But the other day we had very few shots and they had more chances than usual. But as we were efficient, we won”, he said. But he has noted a lack of finesse, which may be related to the huge mental demands being made of the players, with so many important games so early in the season not just for Barça but for their national sides as well.
Sardinero, a difficult trip
As for Tuesday’s away match in Santander (22.00, live on Canal + and R@dio Barça), Josep Guardiola predicts a difficult game. “We have got some good results there in recent years, but they have been tight matches. Like last year when we won in the last minute (1-2). And we drew with them at home (1-1). The Sardinero is always a difficult place to go” he said.

Guardiola defined Racing as having a well structured defence and being skilful down the wings, and singled out Geijo as the dangerman in their attack. He also fears Munitis, who “always seems to play better against us.” This evening, Guardiola is going to watch a recording of their 2-1 win away to Malaga on Saturday, from which he hopes to pick out some further clues.

By:Roger Bogunyà

Joe cole" back to work"

Another weekend and another win in a professional, structured and powerful manner.

The fact that Spurs were swatted away in the end with what looked like minimal effort, shouldn't overshadow the fact that the north Londoners have been considered by many to be among the most likely to break into the top four this season.

Just as Manchester United beat those other pretenders to the elite, their neighbours Manchester City, 'the top four club' now looks like it will be harder to get in to than it would be for me to gatecrash a Mayfair private member club wearing jeans and a Chelsea home shirt.

The difference was that while Chelsea strolled in at the end of the game, United only scraped by with a goal in extra time, or was it injury time or indeed a hole in the space-time continuum? Even if it was a faulty second hand on the referee's watch that annoyed Mark Hughes, it was three points by the skin of their teeth in their derby, compared with Chelsea's a few hours later.

Once again two players had to be mentioned above all others down at the Bridge, Didier Drogba for scoring yet again and of course Ashley Cole. He is without even the slightest shadow of a doubt, currently the best left full-back in world, except that he seems to spend increasingly less time each week in his own half. If we rewind back a few months we were considering the debate about lack of width in the team. As we have gone along in the first few games, Ashley, and of course Bosingwa on the other side have given a pretty clear answer to that concern.

There is of course the added bonus of Joe Cole coming back, with any luck against QPR tomorrow as well as Yury Zhirkov; both will provide more width again when utilised. They may however need a little time and a few games to get fully match fit and confident after their injuries. I had Joe's one myself and it does take a few weeks to truly believe that a 50/50 challenge will not tear it again. It should not however recur and he will certainly be welcomed back for the options he gives us of something different.

As for Zhirkov, if he plays his normal style on that left hand side and Ashley Cole doesn't change his current perpetual motion attitude, I reckon the groundsmen are going to have to hose the grass even before half time to keep it from catching fire. Between them there is so much energy, in fact I don't know anyone currently playing who has the same energy levels as either player. Writing as a former attacking right sided wide midfielder, the idea of playing against both of them, without the aid of oxygen, would be unthinkable.

The return of Joe and Yury from injury does once again focus the mind on the size of the Chelsea squad and it isn't huge. For this reason and for one of the few times I can ever really remember feeling this, I wouldn't blame the manager if he sent out something close to a reserve side against QPR. It is upsetting to treat a competition with what looks like disdain, but you could reasonably argue that Arsenal and Manchester United have treated the Carling Cup as a reserve team cup for years anyway.

Injuries are a certainty this season, as are suspensions and the loss of players for the African Cup of Nations. Add on top off this the possibility of a transfer ban and Chelsea's top players simply might not be able to give 100 per cent application in all the competitions without risking more injuries and burn out.

I have no insight into the manager's thoughts at the moment, but in Italy there is no real equivalent to tomorrow nights competition, certainly none that has the same importance as the 'League' Cup certainly used to have and in many ways still does have in England. So where he gauges the importance of this one is hard to tell, we will find out.

Carlo Ancelotti will make his decision with one eye on what else is on his plate, though as a player I know I would always have wanted to play in every game and never had any rests. I suspect players like Frank Lampard and John Terry also have to be ordered to sit out against their will. Now I am older and hopefully wiser, and not just more cynical, I realise that sometimes the players themselves do not always know what is best for them, Carlo however probably does.

Last week's quiz question was how many points had Chelsea dropped in the last 54. The answer was five, (not four as quite a few suggested) two points dropped v Everton after drawing with them and three points shipped to Spurs, although the lads made up for that at the weekend of course.

By:Pat Nevin

Anelka: We Miss Drogba"

Nicolas Anelka admits Chelsea miss Didier Drogba when the Ivory Coast striker is out of the side.

Drogba was undergoing further assessment on the calf injury that forced him out of Chelsea's 3-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

The talismanic forward made one and scored his fifth of the season before being substituted seven minutes from time.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti is hoping Drogba's injury is nothing more than cramp and says the team can function without him.

Anelka stepped in for the suspended Drogba in last week's Champions League victory over Porto and is happy to play the lone attacking role if the 31-year-old is sidelined for any length of time.

physical impact

"We miss him when he's not around," said the Frenchman. "We miss his physical impact and things are definitely different without him.

"I usually play behind him, in midfield almost. But against Porto I was up front on my own, not that that's anything new for me as I must have played about 15 games like that last season."

Anelka played his part in helping Chelsea create a new club record of 11 straight wins with victory over Spurs.

It left the Blues on top of the Barclays Premier League - three points in front of Manchester United.

Anelka believes he is playing with more freedom in Ancelotti's new diamond system and credits the Italian's laid-back style and rotational policy as being among the reasons for their fabulous start to the new season.

more involved

"I am playing more freely now," added Anelka. "I played with that system at Fenerbahce and it allows me to ask for the ball at my feet and to get up front with Didier at the same time.

"That's the position I prefer playing in because I can get more involved in the game. The more I get on the ball, the better I feel and the more I can express.

"Ancelotti rotates the squad, which is new at Chelsea. Everyone gets to play a part and everyone is happy, even if they just get to play 20 minutes.

"We really like him as a coach and as a person too. You can feel that out on the pitch and you really want to work hard for him. He's laid back, he talks a lot and he knows exactly what he's doing.

"It makes things easier when you've got a coach like that, someone who's calm and who shows you that he's in control.

"He won the league and the Champions League with Milan. He's been there and done it."

By:Shane evans

Ancelotti:Chelsea can cope without Drogba

Carlo Ancelotti believes Chelsea can cope without Didier Drogba even if his calf injury sidelines him for a long time.

The Ivory Coast international striker was carried off in the 83rd minute of Chelsea's 3-0 Barclays Premier League victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

Drogba had already made and scored one of Chelsea's goals before he had to be substituted.

The victory earned Chelsea a new club record of 11 straight wins, better than the one forged by Jose Mourinho, but Ancelotti was more concerned with the condition of his top striker.

important player

"We don't know precisely what happened," said Ancelotti. "It is too early. We will have to wait a few days. We hope it is only cramp.

"We hope soon we will have a precise diagnosis of the situation. It is a calf injury but he felt that he had cramp. If it is cramp, it is good for us.

"We have played without Didier before. He is a very important player for us, a fantastic player. I think we can play well without Didier.

"In the last game against Porto we won without Didier and we have Nicolas Anelka, Salomon Kalou, we have Daniel Sturridge and Fabio Borini.

"Borini is a young player and we are pleased he came on for his first game in the Premier League. We have a very good academy and we want to take a young player into the first team."

By: John nelson