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 Carlo Ancelotti has been talking in depth about this weekend's opponents and his previous encounters with their manager, Alex Ferguson. Chelsea players welcomed members of the armed forces to Cobham to mark the start of the club's support for the 2009 Poppy Appeal. Chelsea will not automatically sign new players in the January window according to the manager now there is a stay on Fifa's ban . Chelsea's Under 18s side secured another home win at a chilly Cobham today as they saw off visitors Portsmouth. Chelsea's red hot striker has had a busy seven days. He also has news of an important charity event. On Sunday, Carlo Ancelotti faces what is likely to be the sternest test of his Chelsea team so far. He believes the challenge couldn't come on a better weekend.
As an experienced player on football's top stages, Deco believes this weekend's visit of Manchester United is as big as they come. In light of numerous media enquiries, Chelsea can confirm that the Court of Arbitration for Sport has informed us that it has agreed to a stay of the two window transfer ban and the playing ban. Chelsea and Sunday's visitors have identical records from our league meetings in the Premier League era. There has been a change to the following fixtures' kick off times as they will now be broadcast live on television. Chelsea is aware that a number of fans are disappointed with the time taken to access their seats through the turnstiles as kick-off time approaches.
There have been further announcements made regarding our Barclays Premier League game against Arsenal on Sunday 29 November. Anyone heading to Stamford Bridge for Sunday's Barclays Premier League clash with Manchester United may appreciate the following information. In his first major interview since beginning life as chief executive, Ron Gourlay has discussed his past and his ways of working. In his exclusive interview with Chelsea TV, new chief executive Ron Gourlay has been explaining how he aims to appoint a supporter liaison manager.
Gourlay, who has sat on the Fans' Forums in recent years, outlined an increase in discussion with supporters as one of his primary objectives, referencing ticket pricing as an area where we have succeeded in recent times.
'We've frozen the prices for four years now and that has been very well received by the fans,' he said.
'I have been very close to the Fans' Forum in the last three or four years and it has been a great platform to understand with more insight into what the fans want from their football club. What I wanted to do was get closer and one of the changes is that I will introduce a new role into the business which will be supporter liaison manager.
'That will be a key role working with the fans, getting to understand more the needs of the fans. We do lots of requests already, we give free away travel to games, cut ticket prices, we can't do all of the things requested but it will be good to see which ones the fans want more and which ones are more important.
'Working more closely domestically with the fans and nationally with our supporters groups and our international membership, we have a lot of people out there who will never come to see us play at Stamford Bridge, so how do we connect with some of these fans and make them feel part of their football club.'
And what ideas does he have regarding these developments?
'More focus groups, a greater interaction with the fans on an international and domestic basis, understanding more of the needs of the fans from their football club and understanding more where they would like to see their membership go.'
Ron Gourlay has confirmed the club is in talks over a new contract with Joe Cole as our number 10 heads towards his 28th birthday. New Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay has revealed that the club would consider naming rights for Stamford Bridge. Being a player of the digital age, Frank Lampard is able to watch a new DVD chronicling his full Chelsea career. Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to follow in John Terry's footsteps and lift the Barclays Premier League Trophy? Florent Malouda believes the form of Didier Drogba can be the difference between ourselves and Manchester United on Sunday. Ticket sale dates for our fifth round Carling Cup game against Blackburn Rovers have been announced. In his first interview as chief executive of Chelsea Football Club and Ron Gourlay predicts a bright future for the Blues. There's a piece of good news for the Ladies this week following the League Cup semi-final draw. This week's official club podcast Inside Chelsea looks back over a successful week for the Blues. Giles Smith was there last night in the Vicente Calderon stadium, which is more than can be said for some people. He reports in this week's column. This December, there will be a very special Christmas Star on a Stool, as John Terry and Frank Lampard face fans' questions. The Chelsea players begIn to make sense of the dramatic conclusion to Tuesday night's Champions League action in the Spanish capital. Chelsea Ladies will face Arsenal at home this Sunday in the first 'big three' clash of the season. It may have been a dramatic ending but Chelsea progressed to the next stage of the Champions League tonight, and there was one man who stood out for Carlo Ancelotti. The first draw of the season is enough for Chelsea to make the next stage of the Champions League, Didier Drogba scoring twice on the night.
The first draw of the season is enough for Chelsea to make the next stage of the Champions League, Didier Drogba scoring twice on the night.
87' CHELSEA GOAL: Drogba scores an astounding goal, he breaks down the centre, past the centre halves and beats the keeper, driving the ball into the centre of the net. Joe Cole and Salomon Kalou are the two players selected to support lone striker Didier Drogba. Our Carling Cup quarter-final away at Blackburn Rovers will take place on Wednesday, December 2, with an 8pm kick-off. Juliano Belletti, who played five seasons in the Spanish Primera Liga before moving to Chelsea, believes the Blues could play in 'the best atmosphere in Spain' tonight. Before Pat Nevin's column next week comes 180 minutes of Chelsea action that he believes could put the team in a very healthy position indeed. Calling all young Blues - we need you to help design our official 2009 Chrismas card! Chelsea Football Club today launches our support for the Tickets for Troops initiative, promising 50 tickets per home game to our Armed Forces. The last fortnight has seen Chelsea in some of the best form in our history, contrasting strongly with our hosts on the banks of the Manzanares river. Quique Sanchez Flores, the new Atletico coach, is hoping the atmosphere in the stadium tonight (Tuesday) could overcome a team he admires. Carlo Ancelotti will unleash Didier Drogba on the Champions League for the first time this season as tomorrow in Madrid, he looks to secure passage to the knockout stage. He's here, he's there, he's in Madrid and Joe Cole is looking forward to playing in a confident side tomorrow (Tuesday) night. Despite a spirited performance, Chelsea's reserves fell to an injury-time winner against an experienced Stoke side at Nantwich Town FC on Monday. The squad has landed in Madrid with Ashley Cole and Hilario returning to the travelling party. Penalty king Frank Lampard insists we must not relax after another superb victory at the weekend. Chelsea TV hosts live coverage of the reserves in action away to Stoke City tonight, and manager Steve Holland is expecting a tough examination. Chelsea Football Club is stepping up the fight against knife and gun crime this week. Carlo Ancelotti was understandably contented following a second 4-0 win over Bolton inside four days. Chelsea's Under 18s side netted a late goal to seal a 2-2 draw away to Ipswich Town this weekend. Chelsea eased to a 4-0 win with a superb display against 10-man Bolton on Saturday afternoon. Chelsea eased to a 4-0 win with a superb display against 10-man Bolton on Saturday afternoon. 60 CHELSEA GOAL Stunning counter attack by Chelsea as a Bolton corner is turned into a Deco goal via Carvalho and Anelka. The main electricity supply to Stamford Bridge will be switched off for essential maintenance on Sunday 1 November 2009. Branislav Ivanovic has been passed fit and will play right-back. Deco is preferred to Joe Cole at the front of the midfield diamond. Chelsea have drawn Blackburn Rovers in the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup, the game will be played in the week beginning 30 November. Carlo Ancelotti is glad to have Nicolas Anelka on his side as the Frenchman returns to his former club this afternoon. As a man on top of his game, Michael Ballack is relishing the challenge of Bolton this afternoon. Carlo Ancelotti is expecting a very different Bolton Wanderers challenge to the one faced on Wednesday, but will be disappointed if it is a different Chelsea as well. If selected this afternoon, Florent Malouda will make his 100th Chelsea appearance, yet his focus remains on repairing the club's run of poor away form. John Terry, Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack, Michael Essien and Didier Drogba are all in the shortlist for Fifa World Player 2009. There is a new addition to the 'squad' of bloggers on the official Chelsea website with the start of a blog written by regular contributors to the Chat Page. Chelsea traditionally do pretty well in the second of back-to-back fixtures against the same club. On Thursday evening, the man who spearheaded Chelsea on some of our most memorable European nights was back at Stamford Bridge. Anyone heading to Bolton for the weekend's Barclays Premier League clash may appreciate the following information. The Chelsea goalkeeper has been reflecting on a rare night off and bouncing back from disappointments... Last night Chelsea emphatically broke down the opposition in front of home fans again, with a complete team effort bringing goals from up front and midfield. The government Foreign and Commonwealth Office is providing online information for supporters planning on travelling to the Champions League match in Madrid. Chelsea Ladies are top of the League thanks to last night's (Wednesday's) 4-0 thumping of Millwall. With nine goals from two games there's plenty to look forward to in this week's official club podcast Inside Chelsea. John Terry used his matchday programme notes to pay tribute to Alex Nairn, a masseur for the Chelsea team for seven seasons, who died last week.
The captain wrote:
Lampsy and me are dedicating this page tonight to the memory of Alex Nairn. After the game on Saturday night I received the bad news that he'd died.
He'd worked at the club a long time (1998-2005) and Coley, big Pete, Paulo, Riccy and Didier were all here when he retired.
What a great old boy he was. All the lads loved him.
There was him, Terry Byrne and John Kelly doing massage, and later Bill McCulloch came in. At his age, for Alex (pictured below) still to be working in the way he was into his 70s was incredible.
Anyone who knew 'Grappler' and heard his stories will laugh just thinking about him. Sorry, can't retell them here! Our thoughts are with his wife Beryl and his family. We're all really saddened.
Back at the start he often used to turn up late, and he'd swear and moan about his car all the time, blame it for breaking down, swear about having to get the bus.
So Dennis Wise spoke to the players and they had a whip round, and they got him a
little car. They took him out at Harlington and showed it to him and his eyes welled up, and it was one of those great moments in a club.
It was a great touch from Wisey, Hitchy, Franco and everybody, and Grappler was never late again. I phoned him a few weeks ago when I heard he was ill, and I said
to Beryl that it was John Terry from Chelsea, could I speak to Grappler, and she said that he wasn't remembering much, but she'd put him on.
I heard her say, 'Alex, it's John Terry from Chelsea,' and he came on. I said, 'Grappler, JT here, how are you?' and we had a great chat for a few minutes about everything. Then I heard him pull the phone away and say, 'Beryl, who is this?!'.
So she went and got some photos and then he remembered it all and was asking after the lads and everything. Brilliant! Rest in peace Grappler. We love you!
Carlo Ancelotti and John Terry put their thoughts down on paper for each home game and e-members can read their matchday programme notes online before the kick-off.
>> click here to read programme notes
Chelsea Academy players have played a part in England Under 17s securing a place in the Elite Round of the European U17 Championships. After 13 goals without reply in three games, Carlo Ancelotti couldn't be anything but pleased, although he is anticipating stronger Bolton resistance on Saturday. The team may have been much changed, but the result remains the same. A tenth successive victory at Stamford Bridge has put Chelsea into the quarter-finals. The team may have been much changed, but the result remains the same. A tenth successive victory at Stamford Bridge has put Chelsea into the quarter-finals. 15' CHELSEA GOAL: Kalou heads home a Ferreira cross, nodding down at the far post while Al Habsi can only watch. The team is the one named by Carlo Ancelotti well ahead of kick-off. That means a full debut for Daniel Sturridge. Alex makes his first team return tonight, and is determined to show Carlo Ancelotti what he has been missing. Carlo Ancelotti has not only named his side early for tonight's Carling Cup meeting with Bolton, but the full substitutes' bench is known as well. In the wake of Big Sam's public health warning, columnist Giles Smith has sensible guidelines to take on board before a large crowd gathers in close proximity at the Bridge tonight. It may be the third home game in eight days but this Carling Cup match is a sell-out. Carlo Ancelotti will give a full debut to Daniel Sturridge as he makes changes to the side to face Bolton in the Carling Cup. Wednesday sees Chelsea resume their Carling Cup campaign when Gary Megson's Bolton Wanderers travel to the capital. Chelsea performance director Mike Forde helped turn Wednesday's opponents Bolton into an established Premier League club. Here he explains how… Plenty has been written about Joe Cole's return but not many have suffered similar injury and had the similar experience of being denied their favourite position. Due to a system upgrade, the box office, call centre and online sales will all be closed from 3pm this Thursday (29 October). Didier Drogba, during his live phone-in appearance on Chelsea TV on Monday evening, vowed to reach the 200-goal mark for Chelsea Football Club. You could watch Chelsea's young stars represent their nation at Wembley on Saturday 14 November. Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba are in contention in the voting for the PFA Fans' Player of the Month for October. There are still a few places left for the hugely successful Question of Chelsea quiz night where fans can test their knowledge and raise money for a worthy cause. Joe Cole, prior to the Blackburn game, revealed he is anticipating good days and bad days on his return from injury. It is safe to say Saturday was a good day. Josh McEachran was a starter for England Under 17s as they won 6-2 against Kazakhstan in Azerbaijan on Monday morning. To coincide with Drogba Day on Chelsea TV, the official Chelsea website has the full breakdown of the player's scoring for the club. On Monday the official Chelsea website catches up with the expert summariser from the club's radio partner, BBC London 94.9, for analysis of the weekend's game. Chelsea and betting operator 188BET.com are making available a second concourse payout point for customers who would like to collect betting winnings after a game. A Chelsea legend returns to Stamford Bridge this Thursday, as Tore Andre Flo answers fans' questions at the latest of our Star on a Stool events. Paul Canoville was inducted into Show Racism the Red Card's Hall of Fame at half-time during the Blackburn game on Saturday.
Frank Lampard, full of smiles after his two-goal part in the 5-0 win over Blackburn, apologised afterwards for not helping returning hero Joe Cole on to the scoresheet. Today saw the definition of an emphatic win played out at Stamford Bridge and Carlo Ancelotti insists it was a pleasure to watch his side play. Chelsea returned to full working of order as two goals for Lampard and one each for Essien and Drogba added an own-goal start.
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