|
Chelsea on verge of club record
01/02/2008 15:08 - (SA)
London - Chelsea can set a club record of consecutive wins on Saturday despite being hit by injuries and players called up for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Victory at Portsmouth in the Premiership will mark 10 wins in a row for Chelsea in all competitions. The previous record of nine - equalled with Chelsea's 1-0 win over Reading on Wednesday - was set under Jose Mourinho two years ago when Chelsea were on their way to a second straight Premiership title.
The last time Chelsea lost to Portsmouth was in December 1960 in the League Cup, before any of the Blues current squad was born.
It's the first visit for Chelsea manager Avram Grant to his former club Portsmouth. Grant, who took over from Mourinho in September, began working in English soccer in 2006 when he became technical director for Portsmouth.
Grant moved to Chelsea in July 2007 to become director of soccer.
While Grant has not attracted Mourinho's mass following, he has matched his playing record. After 30 games, Grant's record is identical to Mourinho's at the same stage: won 23, drawn five and lost two.
And Chelsea is still in four competitions. The Blues defend their League Cup title on February 24 against Tottenham, are four points off joint league leaders Manchester United and Arsenal, and play Olympiakos in the first knockout round of the Champions League on February 19.
"I am happy that I can play for a club who wants to win all trophies," Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack said. "It's not that we are focused on two or three, we want to win them all.
"There may be a few problems with injuries, but I hope they come back soon and we can have a very good chance in all competitions."
Chelsea have been without Didier Drogba, Michael Essien, John Obi Mikel and Salomon Kalou at the Africa Cup of Nations and have also missed goalkeeper Petr Cech, defenders John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho, midfielders Claude Makelele, Michael Ballack and Frank Lampard, and striker Andriy Shevchenko at various times.
Only Alex, Shaun-Wright Phillips, Steve Sidwell and Joe Cole have played in every game of the winning run.
Portsmouth have also sent several players to the Africa Cup of Nations but strengthened their squad on the final day of the transfer window on Thursday with striker Jermain Defoe from Tottenham, who is set to make his debut against Chelsea.
"He's a clever player," Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp said. "He's top drawer. He's capable of getting us 20 goals a year.
"I'm not expected miracles on Saturday against Chelsea. It's a tough start and he doesn't know the players. But he'll be ready to go and play."
- AP
|
