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Chelsea FC

Thibaut Courtois injury big blow for Chelsea

In a press conference by Jose Mourinho he outlines just what a big blow the loss of one of the best goalkeepers in the world is to his side. Coutois who has damaged his medial ligaments in training, will be out of action for the next three months. With Petr Cech moving to Arsenal the Chelsea number one spot will be filled by Bosnian shot stopper, Asmir Begovic. Already recognised as a one of the leading goalkeepers in the premiership after time served at Stoke City, Chelseas bought Bergovic during the summer transfer window for £8 million pounds.

Although his debut for Chelsea was less than impressive conceding 4 goals against New York Red Bull in a friendly, we are sure he will settle in to the number one spot and may even give Jose Mourinho a moment’s thought when Thibaut Courtois returns from injury.


Asmir Begovic saves

Chelsea Want Duo

Claudio Ranieri has a couple of injury doubts over Eidur Gudjohnson and Marcel Desailly ahead of tomorrow's clash with Middlesborough. Gudjohnsen an injury doubt

Gudjohnson has not trained since returning from World Cup duty with Iceland, while Desailly has also picked up a slight knock following the midweek friendly against Spain, although it is felt that he will almost certainly be available.

Desailly's centre-half partner Frank Leboeuf is definitely a non starter as he picked up a groin injury last Saturday whilst playing for France against Japan.

Midfielder Jody Morris is still a couple of weeks away from full fitness following the ankle injury he sustained back in January at Gillingham in the FA Cup. Winston Bogarde continues his

rehabilitation in Holland, although his knee injury will probably mean that he will not play again this season.

Di Matteo return boost

The Blues have received a boost today, with Roberto Di Matteo returning to full training after recovering from a triple fracture of his leg. Di Matteo ready to put injury behind him

The 30-year-old Italian international was injured in the UEFA Cup defeat by St Gallen early this season, and after 5 operations was given the go ahead to begin running and start some light ball work.

The news will give the midfielder a real boost, while Ranieri can look ahead to involving him in his plans for next season.

Target unsure over future

Reported Chelsea target, Rangers ace Giovanni Van Bronckhorst, says he's unsure what the future holds in store for him. Van Bronckhorst future unclear

The Dutch international has been linked with summer moves to Stamford Bridge and Highbury in recent weeks, but the midfielder says he knows as much as everyone else.

Van Bronckhorst said: "I read in the paper this week that I might be going to Chelsea or Arsenal, and of course it's always flattering when clubs of this calibre are said to be interested."

He added: "It's all a bit confusing at the moment. Nobody has spoken to me about it, so I know as much everyone else who read it in the papers."

Gi Gi retires

Former striker Pierluigi Casiraghi, who had his contract terminated last season, has conceded that he will not be making a comeback in the game.

Casiraghi has announced his retirement after failing to recover from a knee injury he sustained playing for the Blues, in a Premiership match against West Ham at Upton Park back in November 1998.

Although he endured 9 operations he always remained optimistic that he would return to action.

He is however determined to stay in football and its believed that Italian Serie B side Monza, the club where he began his career, have offered him the opportunity to coach the clubs youth teams.

If you can't make it to the game this weekend why not get your copy of the programme from Programme Master.

Thursday, March 29, 2001

Chelsea adamant on getting Salas

Reports suggest Marcelo Salas could be on his way out of Lazio very shortly, with Chelsea still keen on the Chilean striker.

According to media reports in Italy, Lazio's vice-president Massimo Cragnotti and the player's agent Gustavo Mascardi have agreed to resume negotiations with the Blues.

The deal, according to the same sources, may have been clinched in Buenos Aires despite the fact that negotiations to transfer Salas came to an abrupt halt last week. The player headed to Santiago de Chile to nurse an injury and told Lazio he did not want to move to Chelsea.

However, Salas reportedly changed his mind after a phone conversation with Claudio Ranieri.

Deschamps' French warning

Former Chelsea star Didier Deschamps has sent out a warning to his fellow countrymen who are thinking about joining The Blues to think again. Didier warns off French targets

In his recently published biography The Soul of a Conqueror, he first attacked the club over the treatment of him and his family when he first arrived in the country.

He says that chairman Ken Bates and the rest of his staff failed to make his family welcome, and that his wife and son were given no help in finding a school and somewhere to live.

He also had a go at the training ground and the general amenities available for the players' welfare, saying that they left a lot to be desired as far as equipment and comfort was concerned.

He also felt that London was a difficult place to settle in, and that the relationship with the media and player would not encourage players to want to come and play in the Premiership.

Internationals in action

Four of Chelsea's international's were in action last night, with none of the Blues stars ending on the winning team. Desailly suffers rare French defeat

Marcel Desailly suffered a rare defeat with France, as the European and World Champions were beaten 2-1 in a friendly against Spain in Valencia.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink played eighty minutes for Holland away to Portugal but despite scoring a 17th minute penalty, couldn't stop the home side coming back from two down to claim a draw.

Meanwhile, Slavisa Jokanovic came off after 68 minutes of Yugoslavia's 1-1 draw in Slovenia and Jesper Gronkjaer was subbed after 46 minutes of Denmark's goalless draw in the Czech Republic.

Wise praise for Tottenham

Skipper Dennis Wise has been quick to congratulate Spurs on their move to appoint the former Blues boss Glenn Hoddle as their new manager. Wise thinks Spurs have been shrewd

Wise believes that Hoddle's arrival will ensure that the likes of Sol Campbell, Darren Anderton and Les Ferdinand will all stay at White Hart Lane.

Wise said " Glenn can do great things for Spurs, he is a well respected man within the game. Look what he did here persuading the likes of Ruud Gullit and Mark Hughes to come and join the club."

On whether or not he felt that his former England team-mates would now stay, he added: "Of course I can't speak for Sol, Darren and Les, but knowing the way Glenn handles players, he will spend some time talking through his plans and hopes for the clubs future and I am sure that they will now stay."

Parkin still waiting to start

On loan youngster Sam Parkin is still waiting for his first start for Second Division Oldham after his switch from Stamford Bridge.

The forward, who joined The Latics on transfer deadline day, could be in line for a place in Andy Ritchie's team from the first whistle on Saturday when Oldham face Bury.

Parkin has appeared twice as a substitute since going to Boundary Park, he came on in their 2-1 win over Northampton last weekend and in the 2-2 draw at Bristol City in midweek.