Latest news across Chelsea FC:
John Obi Mikel
Dailymail reports that midfielder John Obi Mikel is in a race to be fit for Chelsea’s Champions League game against Basle on Wednesday night. Mikel who picked up a knee injury during Chelsea’s 1-0 defeat to Everton last Saturday had an intense treatment regime which could keep him out of the European competition.
If you have remembered, Ramires is not available for the game as he is serving his one match ban following his controversial red card against Bayern Munich last month. Jose Mourinho will be forced to reshuffle his midfield as Frank Lampard and David Luiz have been alleged to start in the holding role.
Fernando Torres
In other news, Torres has talked about his new strike partner Samuel Eto’o and his targets for this season. Although, the Spaniard has been below par this season , it has not kept him from taking positives from his teammates. Torres talking to the Chelsea TV revealed his pleasure in playing with some of the best midfielders.
El Nino said “Having players who can regain the ball and be really quick is one of the big qualities we have this season in our squad. We have those type of players up front and on the wings. That is good for us to play in the space behind. The main thing is to take it step by step, score goals, work for the team and do well when we have the chance and win a trophy.”
And talking about Eto’s signature and his future with the club, the striker has hit back and re affirms that he aims to play under Jose Mourinho.
“There is now more competition up front but Demba, Samuel and me are not enemies, we are friends. We are team-mates and are fighting for the same targets. I think it’s really good for the team.”
“Eto’o is one of the best strikers I have ever seen. I played against him in Spain many times and you can see the record he had there with Real Mallorca and Barcelona, as well as in Inter.”
“I am sure he is going to really enjoy this period of his career with Chelsea. He is training really well, I wish him all the best and will help him in every way that I can to win everything.”
The majority of Chelsea’s goals have come from their star studded midfield line so far and the supporters would like to believe that Torres would soon regain his old touch and provide the requisite support to the likes of Hazard, Oscar and Mata. Chelsea who are known for their flying starts to the League campaign have been under par this season and the loss to Everton is a wake up call for Jose Mourinho. With the Champions League around the corner, it is high time that Torress contributes to the cause of the team and make an impact on the field.
Speaking of the loss to Everton, Mourinho has stated that his team were not far from Everton tactically, but ended up being on the losing side for emotional reasons. He felt that times have changed and it was unfair to expect the same results of 2004, when he jumped into the Premier League and became an instant hit.
“No, this is not 2004 all over again. This team has a different profile and we are not unbeatable. I came here to work with time, to develop the players and play the best they and we can,” he said.
“We have to be effective, be adult and not naive. We have to transform the beautiful football we played into goals. The players did not lose the game tactically, they lost it emotionally.”
Tactically, they knew what they had to do with three at the back. They know the distance they can go. Emotionally, it is different. You see your watch ticking down and it goes very fast when you are losing. They lost a little bit of emotional control. Who is going to win it. (Eden) Hazard? Oscar? (Juan) Mata? There was too much emotion and not enough football,” he added.