Brad Smith 
With John Terry injured for England’s game tonight against Ukraine at Wembley, Frank Lampard believes Gary Cahill is the man to replace his Chelsea team-mate.
That’s likely to be the case, with national manager Roy Hodgson set to pick Cahill to partner Joleon Lescott in the heart of the defence, preferring him to Everton’s Phil Jagielka, and Lampard cites last seasons’ performances in the Champions’ League from Cahill as the main premise for his inclusion.
Florent Malouda’s fall from grace at Chelsea has hit an all time low, with the Frenchman told he is not only omitted from the Blue’s Champions’ League squad this season, but also has to park his car on the academy site next door to the main senior car park.
It’s a dramatic call from manager Roberto Di Matteo, with Malouda having enjoyed five successful seasons with the Stamford Bridge club. In that time, he has made 149 first team appearances in the league, and his recent banishment is sure to leave many fans asking questions.
John Obi Mikel has only scored two goals since his arrival at Stamford Bridge back in 2006, and those came in his first season with the club, but the Nigerian isn’t too concerned with his personal drought in front of goal.
The Chelsea number twelve has gone over five seasons without hitting the net, but such is his importance to the team now as a defensive midfielder, he can’t venture forward or the Blues would be carved open through the middle.
AFTER conceding four goals against Athletico Madrid in the Super Cup final, Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo has plenty of work still to do to make the Stamford Bridge outfit a real force again.
Yes they are defending Champions’ League winners and yes they have had a fantastic start to the new Premier League season, but there are still concerned whispers muttering around Stamford Bridge regarding the strength of the squad.
Toure: One of the Premier Leagues highest earners.As was discussed earlier in the week, the veracity of surveys to do with football is somewhat dubious due to various factors but, they’re talking points that can be used to stimulate debates and that is the point of this post.
Nine points. Eight goals. Three games. One new hero.
To say Eden Hazard has taken the Premier League by storm may be an understatement. He has set up six goals and scored one in the first three games, and now, Chelsea fans have a three week break to take some deep breaths, and calm themselves down.
Ok, both Wigan and Reading would’ve been expected wins for the Blues, and a win at home to Newcastle, albeit a complete contrast of the scoreline in May, is hardly extraordinary.
As we face the black and white stripes of Newcastle United today, we again spoke to our resident opposition fan, to get his views on the season ahead, as well as todays game.
One of both of these teams will have to surrenders their 100% record today, and with us finishing in 5th and 6th place last season, it is sure to be a close game.
The Toon will want to build on their 2-0 victory at the Bridge in May, whilst Chelsea look to win this fixture after failing to do so in the last four.
After a slight scare in midweek against Reading, we showed our star quality on the last few months, that “never say die” attitude.
Fair enough, The Royals are no Barcelona or Bayern Munich, but they put up a great fight against us on Wednesday, and we again needed a bit of luck to scoop the three points, but that will be need if we want to scoop a first Premier League crown since 09/10.
Reading are the first visitors to the Bridge this season, in a repeat of the game that caused Petr Cech’s horrendous head injury.
The Royals are enjoying Premier League football for the first time since 2007/08, where they were relegated, just one season after finishing eighth in their debut season in the top flight.
Marin: Still Out With Hamstring InjuryChelsea have no fresh problems ahead of tonights game, with new midfielder Marko Marin still struggling with a hamstring injury, although Ramires may come back into the frame after falling ill for the Wigan game.