Michael Essien is out of World Cup South Africa 2010 with knee injury

Ghana midfielder Michael Essien will miss the World Cup after failing to recover from a knee injury. Essien injured a hamstring while playing for Chelsea against APOEL Nicosia in the European Champions League on Dec. 8.

He returned to play the second half for Ghana against Ivory Coast in the African Cup of Nations of Jan. 15, then injured his right knee two days later during training. He has not played since.

"An evaluation by a combined team of medical experts from the Ghana Football Association and Chelsea Football Club revealed that Essien will not make full recovery until the end of July," the association said Thursday on its website.

Ghana opens the World Cup on June 13 against Serbia, then plays Australia on June 18 and Germany on June 23. Essien helped Ghana reached the second round of the 2006 World Cup in its first appearance at the tournament.

Chelsea banned until 2011: what has happened

It seems that we have confirmed Chelsea Squad 2009/2010/2011

Take a look at this very interesting report via Daily Mail

Goals of Nicolas Anelka in Chelsea to arrive again: “we will be stronger”

After two well-worked goals yesterday afternoon, Nicolas Anelka insists his understanding with Didier Drogba will only improve as the season progresses.

Sunday's game proved Chelsea's strike force are one of the most proficient in the league, as they set-up each others goals in the 2-0 win over our neighbours.

Now, with only three games of the season played, Anelka knows there is plenty more to come from the two front men, especially as they are still settling into Carlo Ancelotti's system and style of play.

'We wanted to play together and when we are on the pitch, I want him to score and he wants me to score,' said Anelka.

'We put the team first and if we can set-up some goals for each other, it is good.

'We are playing well, we have to know the system better, but game after game we will be better. We will have more games and we will be stronger.'

Ancelotti always had faith in his strikers and their abilities to play alongside one another and Sunday's fixture showed the Italian how their two styles can combine to create a danger to any defence.

But, describing Anelka as the 'complete striker', Ancelotti admitted Chelsea played better once our number 39 moved into the centre, just behind Drogba, than when he was out on the right.

Anelka himself is happy to play in any offensive position, although he knows that no matter where he plies his trade, being in a team like Chelsea can only help you succeed.

'It [the position] is not the same every time, last season I started up front alone, then I was on the right, now I am in the middle,' he explained.

'But when you play with a lot of big players you learn quickly, everybody is helping everybody and it is easy.

'He [Ancelotti] puts us on the pitch and we try to do our best, we want to play together, we like to play together and we are happy.'

Last season's Golden Boot winner will have his sights on the same award once more, but after our third win in a row, he knows the team's overall performance is more important than individual goals.

'Of course, it is always good to win a game, even better when we win against Fulham, because it is a derby and we enjoyed the game.

'We are strong; we know if we score first we have a good chance if winning games. Against Fulham we didn't concede any goals, we scored first and we looked strong.

'For me, it is always important to score, but I am very glad because first we won, although I always try to do better than last season.'

Chelsea Press

Chelsea FC 2009 / 2010 squad and numbers: Premier League and Champions League

Community Shield Champion have confirmed the squad and numbers:

1 GK Petr Čech
2 DF Branislav Ivanović
3 DF Ashley Cole
5 MF Michael Essien
6 DF Ricardo Carvalho
7 FW Andriy Shevchenko
8 MF Frank Lampard (vice-captain)
10 FW Joe Cole
11 FW Didier Drogba
12 MF John Obi Mikel
13 MF Michael Ballack
15 MF Florent Malouda
17 DF José Bosingwa
18 MF Yuri Zhirkov
19 DF Paulo Ferreira
20 MF Deco
21 FW Salomon Kalou
22 GK Ross Turnbull
23 FW Daniel Sturridge
26 DF John Terry
33 DF Alex
35 DF Juliano Belletti
39 FW Nicolas Anelka
40 GK Henrique Hilário
- MF Nemanja Matić


Picture: Chelsea official site

Nemanja Matic profile: the Serbian arrive to Chelsea

Chelsea Football Club announces the signing of midfielder Nemanja Matic on a four-year contract.

The 21-year-old joins us from Slovak side MFK Kosice and is highly regarded around Europe as a talent to look out for in the future.

Matic already has two full Serbia caps, playing alongside Branislav Ivanovic, and was at the Under 21 European Championships in Sweden this summer, although a broken metatarsal ended his tournament in the first game against Italy.

That injury means he will be ruled out for a number of weeks yet, although he is recovering well, and he is delighted to be a Chelsea player.

'I know a lot about Chelsea, I have been following them,' he said.

'I play together with Branislav in the national team and have spoken to him about Chelsea. The first time when I met him to play in the national team I asked a couple of questions,' Matic added.

He may be a relative unknown to Blues fans, so chelseafc.com asked the player to say a few words about himself.

'I am a solid midfield player, I have a lot to offer and for sure to progress and I will show everyone why I am at Chelsea,' he began.

'I am a central-midfielder, and I know I am not well known but I have physical power and I am quite a technical, left-footed player.

'Since the age of 18 I have been at Kosice, and before that I had played in the youth team of Red Star Belgrade.'

Matic, who is 6ft 4ins tall and also holds a Slovak passport, has been heavily trailed by other Premier League clubs, and actually spent some time on trial at Middlesbrough in January.

'I was there in the winter, when I came it was winter in the north of England so it was not very nice, but the squad was okay and I liked it,' he said.

Hopefully London will be a more hospitable destination, and while Matic does not yet speak English, having Ivanovic alongside, as well as other eastern European influences Andriy Shevchenko and Yuri Zhirkov, he is sure to settle quickly.

Nemanja has got two nationalities. He is born of Serbian and he obtained Slovak nationality. His younger brother Uroš plays for MFK Košice. After having a trial early in the 2008-2009 Premiership season, it was believed Middlesbrough F.C. were leading the pack to sign the young Serbian star, but the trial was cut short as he was called up for Serbia's full squad for a friendly against Denmark.

Chelsea sign 188BET

Chelsea announce the signing of 188BET as our Official Betting Partner.

188BET, the leading online gaming and entertainment company, and Chelsea will use the partnership to undertake a series of co-marketing initiatives, primarily focused on the Asian market. These will use each company's global appeal to develop their international ambitions. 188BET is regarded as the world's leading in-play betting specialist.

The deal, which will run for an initial three-year period, will also see 188BET take over the management of Chelsea's online and in-stadium betting operations. The partnership will give Chelsea supporters the opportunity to take advantage of a range of special 188BET promotional activity, which is set to be rolled out during the course of the 2009/10 season.

Chelsea chief exectutive Peter Kenyon said: 'Having just concluded a major extension with Samsung we are delighted to have finalized another significant deal with a leading brand in 188BET.

'Chelsea had a number of companies from this sector bidding to be our official betting partner but 188BET were the right choice, both financially, and in terms of their ambitions and aspirations globally. They are making an impact in English football and therefore are an excellent partner for the present and future.'

According to Chelsea press, Andy Scott (pictured with Carlo Ancelotti), CEO of 188BET, added: 'The announcement of our partnership with Chelsea represents a landmark moment for the company. Having already agreed deals with three established Premier League sides the company has now aligned itself with one of the world's most famous clubs.

'Chelsea's reach globally will allow 188BET to fully establish itself throughout the UK and across the continent and we are delighted to have finalised this deal.'
Keep your eye out for 188BET's staff in all concourse and hospitality areas on matchdays at the Bridge.

The deal represents another addition to Chelsea's Platinum level partners which includes Etihad, Thomas Cook, EA Sports and Heineken.

Chelsea is the Community Shield Champion starting season with a trophy

• Community/Charity Shield finals decided after a penalty shoot-out

Chelsea and Manchester United launched the Premier League season in explosive fashion as the Blues' 4-1 penalty shoot-out win in Sunday's Community Shield was marred by an ugly clash between Michael Ballack and Patrice Evra.

With United keen to prove a point to the critics questioning their ability to cope without Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez and Chelsea trying to impress new manager Carlo Ancelotti, there was a definite edge to a match that finished 2-2 after 90 minutes.

The bubbling tension boiled over in the second half when United defender Evra fell to the Wembley turf in pain after a cynical body-check from Chelsea substitute Ballack.

Referee Chris Foy waved play on but United's players wanted Chelsea to kick the ball out so Evra could get treatment.

Chelsea refused and Frank Lampard took advantage to score, much to the frustration of Evra who became involved in a row with Ashley Cole and then scythed down Ballack to earn a booking.

Sir Alex Ferguson's team had taken an early lead when Nani drove home from the edge of the area. Ricardo Carvalho equalised after half-time before Lampard's controversial strike, but Wayne Rooney levelled for United in stoppage time.

For Ancelotti the feisty encounter was an ideal introduction to the no-holds-barred nature of English football, while United could take heart from a determined display that showed they won't give up their three-year reign as champions without a fight.

After a disappointing start to his career at Old Trafford, Nani has the chance to make amends this year. Ronaldo's departure has opened up a berth for the Portuguese winger on the left and he gave a glimpse of his potential with a fine strike to put United ahead in the tenth minute.

Collecting Darren Fletcher's long pass, Nani shifted away from Branislav Ivanovic and Michael Essien before firing in a powerful drive that flashed past unsighted keeper Petr Cech into the far corner.

If Cech could have done better with that one, there was no questioning his agility when he plunged to his left to claw away Park Ji-Sung's shot and then kept out Dimitar Berbatov's flicked effort.

Just as he did at Milan, Ancelotti used a midfield diamond formation that saw Frank Lampard deployed just behind Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka, while John Obi Mikel shielded the back four.

But the system may need some work judging by the way United, and Nani in particular, were able to find holes in Chelsea's defence in the first half.

United goalkeeper Ben Foster, selected ahead of Tomasz Kuszczak as the stand-in for the injured Edwin van der Sar, had a chance to underline his England credentials, but he looked nervous at times and twice dallied dangerously over back-passes when a quick clearance was needed.

Fletcher's curling effort forced a brilliant tip-over from Cech before half-time, but it took Chelsea just seven minutes of the second half to equalise.

When Florent Malouda lobbed a cross towards Drogba, the Ivory Coast striker collided with Foster and accidently floored the United keeper, giving Carvalho time and space to direct a diving header into the empty net.

Lampard's controversial strike arrived in the 70th minute. Ballack clearly blocked off Evra but Foy didn't give the foul and Chelsea broke through Drogba, whose pass allowed Lampard to drive home via a post.

Evra was clearly incensed and made a crude attempt to seek revenge on Ballack with a lunging tackle that earned a booking.

With a minute of stoppage time to go, Rooney ran onto a Ryan Giggs pass, held off Jose Bosingwa and planted a low shot past Cech to send the match to penalties.

Cech saved from Giggs in the shoot-out and then easily kept out Evra's weak effort before Salomon Kalou slammed home the winner.

Source: Times Online

Chelsea - Manchester United preview: Community Shield on Wembley

On Sunday, 9 August, Manchester United and Chelsea will contest the Community Shield on Wembley. United have won the last two editions, both after a penalty shoot-out.

ManU’s last four Community Shield wins all came after penalty shoot-outs.

According to Infostrada, six times, including the last two years, the Community Shield was decided after a penalty shoot-out, with United winning on the last five occasions.

Chelsea suffered a penalty-shoot-out defeat in their last appearance, in 2007 against Manchester United.

They also lost to the Mancunians on penalties in the 1997 Community Shield.

Community/Charity Shield finals decided after a penalty shoot-out
Season Winner Runner-up Result

2008/2009 Manchester Utd Portsmouth 0-0, 3-1 on pens
2007/2008 Manchester Utd Chelsea 1-1, 3-0 on pens
2003/2004 Manchester Utd Arsenal 1-1, 4-3 on pens
1997/1998 Manchester Utd Chelsea 1-1, 4-2 on pens
1993/1994 Manchester Utd Arsenal 1-1, 5-4 on pens.
1974/1975 Liverpool Leeds United 1-1, 6-5 on pens.

Chelsea 2009 - 2010 Squad: Drogba is Blue for three years

• Chelsea squad

Ivorian striker Didier Drogba has put pen to paper on a new three-year contract with Chelsea.

The 31-year-old pledged his future to the club recently and has committed himself until 2012, extending his existing deal by two years.

He told the Blues website: "I love the club, I feel good here and I want to continue to win titles. My objective is to win the Champions League."

Drogba eyes Champions League

Didier Drogba has set his sights on finally landing the Champions League trophy after signing a new three-year contract at Chelsea.

The striker has yet to win European club football's top prize but insists he is at the right club to do it.

He told Chelsea's website: "My main objective is to win the Champions League and I am convinced that this year we can finally lift the trophy."

Di Santo, Malouda score for Chelsea in 2-0 win

Franco Di Santo and Florent Malouda each set the other up for a goal in the span of two minutes in the second half to lead Chelsea to a 2-0 win over Club America on Sunday in the final game of the World Football Challenge.

Malouda took a pass from Ashley Cole and chipped it in front of the goal, where DiSanto beat Club America goalkeeper Armando Navarrete to the ball and knocked it into the net in the 76th minute.

Two minutes later, DiSanto beat defender Oscar Rojas, and dropped a ball back to Malouda, who fired it past Navarrete from about 12 yards out.

Chelsea went undefeated in winning the four-team, round robin-style tournament. Club America was second, one point ahead of Inter Milan. AC Milan finished fourth.

AP

AC Milan: from Los Angeles to Boston

The balance of the American tour, ahead of Sunday's derby, is positive for the Rossoneri, who work, experiment, and spend time together. Despite defeats to Club America and Chelsea, the team grows.

Milan's American ended in a draw. At the Home Depot Center, Milan faced David Beckham's Galaxy, after the Englishman paid a visit to his former team mates. The match finished 2-2: on the Di Gennaro-Thiago Silva axis Milan opened the score, but Gordon's equaliser on an assist by Beckham came soon. In the second half Inzaghi took 17 minutes from his entrance to score, but again Gordon (again thanks to the collaboration of the British champion) 'ruined' the Rossoneri's party.

The stats

L.A. GALAXY: Ricketts (45' Saunders); Berhalter (45' Griffin), Gonzales, De La Garza, Dunivant (45' Sanneh); Donovan (45' Birchall), Miglioranzi (45' Kirovski), Beckham (75' Magee), Lewis (65' Klein); Gordon, Eskandarian (60' Jordan). Coach: Arena

MILAN: Kalac (45' Storari); Oddo (77' Albertazzi), Nesta (45' Favalli), Silva (81' Ikande), Jankulovski (45' Antonini); Flamini, Ambrosini (77' Strasser), Seedorf (71' Abate), Di Gennaro (45' Inzaghi); Borriello (69' Zigoni), Ronaldinho. Coach: Leonardo

REFEREE: Silviu Petrescu SPECTATORS: 27.000

AMERICA-MILAN

At the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Milan make their debut in the World Football Challenge: the match is positive, the team fights and responds well to the Mexicans' aggressive rhythm, who opened the score with Esqueda. Pippo Inzaghi, him again, doesn't agree and finds the equaliser on an assist of a good Flamini. For the striker from Piacenza it's the fourth goal in three friendlies. In the 39th minute of the second half, however, Marquez scores the second goal and gives his team the victory. Ronaldinho does well (the Brazilian also hits the crossbar), and is named man of the match. Onyewu debuts with the Rossoneri shirt.

Match stats

MILAN: Storari, Antonini (68' Zambrotta), Nesta (45' Onyewu), Favalli, Jankulovski; Gattuso (75' Strasser), Seedorf (55' Abate), Flamini (79' Ikande), Zigoni, Inzaghi, Ronaldinho

CLUB AMERICA: Navarrete; Cerda (90' Garcia), Rojas, Mosquera (82' Inigo), Rodriguez; Reyna, Sanchez, Carlos Silva (92' Kontogiannis), Beausejour (65' Martinez); Esqueda (79' Chitiva), Cabanas (69' Marquez)

GOALSCORERS: Esqueda (A) 55'; Inzaghi (M) 65'; Marquez (A) 84'

REFEREE: Alex Prus

MILAN-CHELSEA

At the M&T Bank Stadium the confrontation between past and present takes place: Ancelotti's Chelsea against Leonardo's new Milan. In Baltimore, in front of 71.000 enthusiastic Americans, the English side wins 2-1, after a 'real', hard-fought match, with three goals and three yellow cards, in which Milan didn't appear inferior to the London team. The Milanisti in fact hit the woodwork twice with Seedorf and Ronaldinho and hold the pitch well. 'The team moved very well, I am satisfied - Leonardo said at the end of the game -'There is a constant growth and even though we lost we managed to keep control of the match.'

Milan have the merit of reacting after Drogba's early goal (scored from over 30 meters) and finding the equaliser with a nice goal by Seedorf, on a pass of Ronaldinho, who's constantly improving. In the second half, Zhirkov scored the winner but Milan have no luck.

Il tabellino

MILAN: Kalac; Oddo, Thiago Silva (77' Kaladze), Nesta (67' Onyewu), Zambrotta ('73 Jankulovski); Flamini, Pirlo (71' Gattuso), Seedorf (63' Abate); Ronaldinho (78' Di Gennaro), Borriello (67' Zigoni), Pato (80' Inzaghi)

CHELSEA: Cech; Belletti, Terry, Ivanovich, Cole; Obi Mikel, Lampard, Bosingwa (90' Hutchinson), Zhirkov (85' Mancienne); Anelka (63' Shevchenko), Drogba (73' Pizarro)

GOALSCORERS: Drogba (C) 7'; Seedorf (M) 37'; Zhirkov (C) 69'

REFEREE: Mark Geiger (USA) BOOKED: Flamini (M) 35'; Ivanovich (C) 56'; Oddo (M) 76'

MILAN-INTER

Boston, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough: Sunday 17.00 local time (23.00 Italian time).

Source: AC Milan Press

Deco happy at Chelsea after Ancelotti meeting

Chelsea midfielder Deco insists he is happy at the club after showdown talks with new manager Carlo Ancelotti.

The Portugal international was expected to leave the Blues this summer, but failed to seal a move to Inter Milan and now claims he will give his all for the cause this season.

"I have talked with the manager," explained Deco. "We talked a lot about things, about the game, about what he thinks about the team and tactics. "I will be here. I have a contract and I will do my best, wherever I am on the pitch."

Although Deco flourished early on last season a succession of injuries hampered the Brazilian-born star's form. The 31-year-old is hoping staying injury-free this time around will give him the chance to show fans what they have been missing.

"The last season was difficult for me - I had many injuries," he continued. "You recover and get fit again and, straight after, another injury. I hope this season will be different. I'm happy to play.

"I hope I can show fans what I can do. I'm happy to be here. The club is good, the atmosphere around it is good. I like being here."


Source: ESPN