Chelsea face New Year Blues
2008-01-04 08:04
London - Nothing encourages the optimist more than the arrival of a new year, but Chelsea would be forgiven for approaching 2008 with a touch of trepidation.
An FA Cup third round tie with Queens Park Rangers on Saturday may not have Avram Grant's side quaking, but such confidence promises to be short-lived.
The encounter with QPR is the last match before the start of the African Cup of Nations and, while the tournament has caused ripples of resentment to sweep around the entire Premier League, nowhere are the complaints louder than at Chelsea.
Grant is bracing himself for the loss of Didier Drogba, who will fly to Ghana as soon as he recovers from a knee problem, Salomon Kalou, Jon Obi Mikel and Michael Essien for up to six weeks. Even for a club of Chelsea's resources, it will require a superhuman effort to shrug off the absence of such key personnel.
The Blues boss will attempt to soften the blow with a flurry of transfer activity, with the Serbian defender Branislav Ivanovic set to join from Lokomotiv Moscow and Nicolas Anelka, the France striker, keen to move from Bolton.
Gloomy backdrop
The task of bedding in new arrivals while also attempting to maintain Chelsea's push for silverware on four fronts promises to be the sternest test yet of Grant's managerial abilities.
Against that gloomy backdrop, Grant should make the most of the visit of QPR.
The Championship club are rebuilding under the stewardship of Luigi De Canio and the investment provided by a heavyweight new board, which includes the Formula One moguls Bernie Ecclestone and Flavio Briatore and the billionaire steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal.
But not even their most ardent supporters will travel to Stamford Bridge expecting to register a first win over their local rivals since 1995.
Grant has continually sought to distance himself from the past since his appointment as manager in September, but even the Israeli would not dare to do away with the ruthless streak instilled in Chelsea by his predecessor Jose Mourinho.
The Blues have been at their most bloody-minded in recent weeks, eking out points without ever sparkling, and there is no suggestion their guard will drop against QPR.
Chelsea faithful
"This game is important for us," Michael Ballack, the Germany midfielder said. "We play at home so we are favourites and we want to reach the next round. In England the FA Cup is very, very important and maybe it doesn't compare with cup competitions in other countries."
Ballack has more reason than most to dream of an extended run in the tournament. He was forced to miss Chelsea's 1-0 victory over Manchester United in last year's final due to an ankle injury - a suitably wretched end to a miserable year following his free transfer move from Bayern Munich. Only now is he beginning to win over a sceptical Chelsea faithful.
"I was disappointed to miss the final last year but I can't change the things that have happened," he added. "I got my injury but now I'm looking forward to having a run in the side. I hope we reach the final again and that I can play."
For QPR's 6 000 travelling fans, a short hop across west London will serve as a reminder of former glories and, possibly, a portent of better times to come. Certainly their players are relishing the prospect of shining on Stamford Bridge's grand stage.
"It's a game we can't lose," said Akos Buzsaky, the Hungarian midfielder. "The Championship and Premier League are different but if you can play well in the Championship you can play anywhere in the world. There is nothing to fear - we'll be trying to win the game."