Mata & Luiz in line for Chelsea return against Swindon

 

Jose Mourinho is set to hand starts to Juan Mata and David Luiz for Chelsea's Capital One Cup tie against Swindon on Tuesday.

The duo have been on the fringes of Mourinho's side this season and were left out of Chelsea's matchday squad against Fulham on Saturday.

MATA MUST PROVE ME WRONG - MOURINHO

Fernando Torres, Michael Essien, Willian, Ryan Bertrand and Cesar Azpilicueta are also in line to feature against the League One outfit and Mourinho believes it is a chance for players to stake their place for a regular role.

“Against Swindon it will probably be good to play with some of these boys to get them confidence if we play well,” the Chelsea manager told reporters.

“It is the type of game that can betray you. It can give you confidence or take your confidence.

“Naturally I have to make some changes and wait for some players to say, ‘I am you first choice – compulsory’.

"Some of the others when they don’t have strong effective performances, it’s normal we have some doubts. This is the process.”

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Family Celebrates Mikels First Ever EPL Goal in Jos

Nigerian midfielder Mikel Obi scored his first-ever goal in the English Premier League (EPL) for Chelsea FC seven years after joining the premiership on Saturday and it was celebrated by his entire family.
The goal was scored during Chelsea FC’s match against Fulham at Stamford Bridge, the club’s home grounds.

Mikel struck in the 84th minute, giving the North London club a 2-0 derby win over Martin Jol’s Fulham in week five of the league.

Ebere Obi, Mikel’s elder brother, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the whole family was excited at the first-ever goal.

“I feel great, it is a thing of joy for him to be playing for a club like Chelsea, playing week-in, week-out, without scoring.

“But he kept on working and hoping that one day, he will score and now, he has made it, I’m so happy for that,’’ Ebere said.

Ebere, a second-choice goalkeeper with Heartland FC of Owerri, added that there was a lot of merriment at home on Saturday as the Obi family saw the goal as a thing to celebrate.
Chelsea’s Manager, Jose Mourinho, said after the match that it was good for the Nigerian midfielder and for the club, adding that it will add to his confidence.

“Good for him, good for us. It’s good for his confidence. He played well, giving balance to the team,’’ Mourinho said.
Mourinho added that Mikel’s first EPL goal would definitely spark a flurry of congratulations for him.

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League Cup Preview: Manchester United v Liverpool

 

Controversial Liverpool striker Luis Suarez could return when his side face rivals Manchester United in the League Cup on Wednesday.

The Uruguayan completed his 10-match ban for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic by sitting out Brendan Rodgers' team's 1-0 defeat to Southampton at Anfield on Saturday.

And, while Rodgers has insisted a decision on Suarez's participation in the cup is yet to be made, he claimed the 26-year-old will be ready to play should he be called upon.

"It has been a really difficult time for him not playing games," he said. "How he has prepared himself over the last number of weeks has been fantastic.

"He's really chomping at the bit to help the team. Everyone knows the depth of his quality and his attitude. Once he gets back on the field again he will show what he has shown since he's been here."

Suarez has scored four goals in five League Cup appearances for Liverpool, and will be keen to make a goalscoring return to the side at Old Trafford.

United's ability to call on their main goal threat is shrouded in doubt, however, after Robin van Persie missed Sunday's 4-1 defeat to Manchester City with a groin injury.

These teams have met on four occasions in this competition in the past – two of them in finals – with Liverpool boasting a superior record having won three of those.

Their last encounter in the League Cup came in the 2003 final, when goals from Steven Gerrard and Michael Owen helped Liverpool clinch the trophy at the Millennium Stadium.

As well as van Persie, United have injury concerns over Phil Jones (ankle) and Rafael (hamstring), and David Moyes may use the competition to field some of his squad players after the disappointing defeat on Sunday.

Rodgers may have Suarez available for selection, but he looks set to be without Glen Johnson (ankle), Philippe Coutinho (shoulder), Joe Allen (hamstring) and Aly Cissokho (ankle), while Sebastian Coates is definitely out with a long-term knee injury.

The Northern Irishman will also assess the fitness of Daniel Agger (rib) before deciding whether to play the Denmark international.

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Bayelsa United overtake Enyimba after 1-0 win in Yenagoa

 

The newly promoted club are becoming the revelation of the season alongside El Kanemi Warriors after they beat Enyimba on Sunday to return to the top of the NPFL

BAYELSA UNITED 1-0 ENYIMBA

The Restoration Boys beat the erstwhile league leaders Enyimba 1-0 to take up their position on the log at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa on Sunday.

Bayelsa’s Uche Ihuarulam's 17th minute goal proved to be the difference. Ladan Bosso’s side now have 55 points from 33 matches while the Peoples Elephant are three points behind in fourth with 52 points from 32 games. Bayelsa United could hold on to top spot if they beat neighbours Nembe City on Wednesday. The first leg result ended 2-0 in the league leaders’ favour. Enyimba will be praying for a slip in Yenagoa when they host Akwa United at Aba on Wednesday also in Matchday 34 clash.

LOBI STARS 2-1 KADUNA UNITED

 Lobi Stars of Makurdi defeated Kaduna United 2-1 to move to 12th on the log with 45 points from 33 games after an energy sapping tie played at the Emmanuel Akume Atongo Stadium, Katsina Ala.

Two first half goals from Abraham Peters and Esosa Igbinoba put Lobi in the lead before Kaduna United reduced the arrears in the second half to make for a tension soaked climax at Katsina Ala.

Lobi started faster of the two teams right from the blast of the referee's whistle and impressive Douglas Achiv almost scored the opening goal inside the first two minutes.

The Makurdi Bombers got the curtain raiser in the 4th minute after another nice work from Achiv gave lurking Peters the opportunity to nod into an empty net. Lobi netted again before the Ben Duamlong tutored Kaduna United could recover from the initial shock. Igbinoba was the architect of the second goal after he drilled the ball beyond the reach of Kaduna United's goalkeeper.

Lobi hung on to an important victory. The win shot the Evans Ogenyi coached side to 12th on the log with 45 points from 33 games while Kaduna United slipped to 14th with 44 points from as many matches.

ABS 2-1 HEARTLAND

The privately owned side eased their relegation worries with a home win at the Kwara State Stadium, Ilorin.

Abdulrahman Bashir and Thomas Zenke scored for the hosts before Heartland reduced the arrears. All the three goals were scored in the first half.

ABS are 15th on the log with 44 points while Heartland slid to 11th with the same 45 points from 33 games.

ABS' head coach, Kabiru Suleiman Dogo told Goal that the club would be aiming for an away point in Enugu against the Flying Antelopes on Wednesday.

He praised his wards for ensuring that Heartland did not come back from behind the second time in the match but informed them that the game against Rangers would be key to their survival battle.

"We beat Heartland 2-1 but we have a bigger task at Enugu on Wednesday where we hope to get a positive result to ensure that we secure our objective of not going on relegation. Wednesday will be key for us and my players know this," Dogo said

3SC 2-1 ENUGU RANGERS

The two traditional clubs never disappointed in their league tie decided at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan as the Oluyole Warriors picked all available points to return the Flying Antelopes back to Enugu empty handed.

Shooting Stars’ Edem Francis got the opener from the penalty spot in the 23rd minute but their goal lasted only few minutes as impressive Chinedu Udeagha equalised for Rangers 10 minutes later.

The Oluyole Warriors dug deep and got the winning goal in the second half.

The Ibadan side are still last on the log with 39 points from 33 matches while Rangers are still fifth with 48 points from as many games.

3SC will seek second consecutive away points in Lafia against equal relegation battlers Nasarawa United on Wednesday while Rangers will trade tackles with ABS in Enugu, midweek.

SUNSHINE STARS 1-0 SHARKS

The Akure Gunners edged the Blue Angels 1-0 in a tough league encounter played Sunday evening.

Philip Auta, who has played for Enyimba, Heartland and Dolphins scored the winning goal in the first half. It was some minutes after his initial effort was inexplicably overruled by the centre referee.

Sunshine have risen to their best position in the league this season. They are placed seventh with 47 points from 33 matches while Sharks are 13th with 44 points from same number of matches.

Sunshine and Sharks will play Heartland and El Kanemi Warriors respectively at Owerri and Port Harcourt in that order this Wednesday.

EL KANEMI WARRIORS 1-0 GOMBE UNITED

El Kanemi Warriors of Maiduguri continued their home invincibility yesterday after they edged Gombe United 1-0 to rise to second position on the table with 54 points from 33 games.

The Maiduguri side just gained a return to the elite division at the start of the season after some seasons in the lower league, but they have gone beyond their expectation after another routine win at the El Kanemi Stadium.

The Zachary Baraje-led club are currently in a CAF Champions League spot with 54 points from as many games which is an opposite of their modest target of staying in the top flight at the beginning of the season.

The will be hoping to consolidate on their league form away to Sharks in Port Harcourt on Wednesday while Gombe United who are yet to secure an away point this season will be home to Dolphins on Wednesday also.

AKWA UNITED 1-1 NASARAWA UNITED

The Uyo side slipped to another home draw again against Nasarawa United at the Uyo Township Stadium on Sunday.

The draw has slotted Akwa United into the drop zone. They are 16th with 43 points from 33 matches while Nasarawa United are 17th with 43 points from same encounters.

Victor Namo scored his 14th goal of the season at Uyo while in-form striker and one of the closest challengers to the top scorer's award, Mfon Udoh was also on the scorer' chart. He scored his 13th goal of the campaign

Akwa United will visit Aba to play Enyimba and the Lafia team will await their guests, 3SC in a must win match.

WIKKI TOURISTS 3-0 NEMBE CITY

The Bauchi side whipped fellow relegation battlers 3-0 at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium to move up just by a step on the log.

Wikki are 18th on the log with 42 points from 33 matches while Nembe are in race against time. They are 19th with 42 points from 33 matches also.

Wikki will seek another favourable result to wounded Warri Wolves while Nembe will also pray for good display against Bayelsa United in their South South derby. Both matches hold on Wednesday.

KANO PILLARS 2-0 WARRI WOLVES

Two goals from Rabiu Ali was all Sai Masu needed to turned back the resistance of Warri Wolves at the Kaduna Township Stadium where the reigning league champions were banished to after alleged crowd violence in Kano.

Ali's double took his tally for the season to 13 goals and he is barely a goal behind hotshot, Nasarawa United's Victor Namo who has fired home 14 goals.

Pillars win lifted them up to third on the table with 54 points from 32 matches while Warri Wolves slipped on the log further to ninth with 46 points from 32 games.

Pillars will play against Kaduna United in the club's supposed new home for the rest of the season while Warri Wolves will welcome Wikki Tourists to Warri on Wednesday.

DOLPHINS 1-0 KWARA UNITED

A last gasp strike from Emem Eduok handed all three points to Dolphins in a tough home clash against Kwara United at the Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt.

The Afonja Warriors were almost running away with a point but momentary loss of concentration caused them to lose the match.

Dolphins are eighth with 47 points from 33 matches while Kwara United lost more ground after the defeat. They are now sixth with 47 points from 32 matches.

Dolphins visit Gombe United while Kwara United entertain Lobi Stars at Ilorin on Wednesday.

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Arsenal have potential to win Premier League with Ozil, says Robert Pires

 

Arsenal should be able to win the English Premier League this year with the present squad, according to club legend Robert Pires.

The club now has a mix of youth and experience that could help them to their first trophy in eight years since their golden generation last won the FA Cup in 2005, a squad where Pires played a key part.

The retired French man feels that the key to rejuvenating their title hopes lies in new summer acquisition Mesut Ozil who led the Gunners to a 3-1 victory over Stoke City on Sunday.

“It’s possible [for Arsenal to win] because now the young players have grown up and have more experience. They also have a good mix for [Arsene] Wenger. If you put Ozil in the middle, I think it’s a very good mix for Arsenal,” Pires told Goal at a soiree organised by Airtel to round up the Airtel Rising Stars African youth championship in Lagos on Sunday.

“[Ozil’s] a very good player, he plays for the German national team, he played for Real Madrid, now he’s playing for Arsenal. He has the experience. I think the football will be more simple now.”

With the Gunners also chasing glory in Europe and hoping to get out of their famed ‘group of death’ that includes, Napoli, Borussia Dortmund and Marseille, Pires says that the club should concentrate on the Premier League.

“Seriously, I think Arsenal have a good potential to win the Premiership. For the Champions League I don’t know but the most important thing is to focus on the Premiership because it is very important for the club and for the fans,” he said.

Another of his former teams that is not doing too well at the moment is the French national team where he won the World Cup in 1998. Pires is optimistic that les Bleus will make the World Cup to make his countrymen happy.

“When you have an opportunity to play in the World Cup it’s very important for the people. We’re in a very difficult group because when you play against Spain, normally they finish first,” said Pires.

“The team is not very good at the moment but the most important thing is that I hope they qualify for the World Cup in Brazil, like Nigeria. I hope to see France and Nigeria.”

Since retiring from playing football, Pires has taken to commentary on French TV. Asked if he is keen to pick up coaching like former teammates Laurent Blanc and Didier Deschamps (former and present France national team coaches), he said: “I don’t think so. May be one day, but not for the moment because the job [of coaching] is very tough. At the moment I don’t have the character to be a coach.

“For the moment I work in commentary for French TV, more simple and easy,” Pires concluded.

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Mourinho says Chelsea are struggling to play attacking football

Jose Mourinho has suggested that Chelsea’s problem this season, is linked with the brand of football they are trying to play.

The Blues have lost back to back games against Everton in the Premier League and Basel in the Champions League. Mourinho feels his side’s lack of cutting edge is down to the type of football the club wants.

“I feel we are going in one direction, which is the direction we want to be to play a certain kind of football, but the reality is we are not scoring goals,” he is quoted in the Daily Mirror.

“You can’t say we don’t score goals because we’re not an offensive team and don’t play offensive football and don’t have ball possession, because we have an attacking mentality.

“Probably, if we play a defensive game and we just go on the counter-attack, probably we go there and score two or three goals.”

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Messi targets Raul's Champions League record

The prolific attacker is keen to add his name to the record books by overtaking the Real Madrid legend on 71 goals but added that success with Barca remains his top priority

Barcelona attacker Lionel Messi has targeted breaking Real Madrid icon Raul's Champions League goalscoring record but added that winning trophies remains his main objective.

The Argentina international netted a hat-trick in Barcelona's 4-0 Champions League win over Ajax on Wednesday to take his tally to 62, leaving him just nine shy of Raul's haul of 71.

"The idea of overtaking Raul at the top of the all-time Champions League scoring charts is a fine challenge," Messi was quoted as saying on the official Uefa website.

"It is not essential, though. We, as a team, have other more important objectives. For example, to get as far as we are capable of in this competition. To try to win it again.

"Obviously I am pleased that my hat-trick makes it 62 Champions League goals but above that is the result and how our team played.

"Whether the right number of goals come for me this season or not is less important."

Messi will be looking to add to his tally on matchday two when Barca travel to Celtic.

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Impressive Nosa Igiebor named man of the match against Lyon in the Europa League

The Nigerian midfielder was the pick of the pack for his team in Europe on Thursday

Super Eagles midfielder, Nosa Igiebor was the star player for Real Betis in their 0-0 home draw agaist Lyon in the first match day of the group phase in the Uefa Europa League on Thursday.

The Nigerian went closest to breaking the deadlock in the 71st minute when a combination play with Salva Sevilla saw the midfielder hit the post with a chipped shot.

He also missed a header in the 81st minute as the Andalucía side pressed for a winner. He and his team travel to Croatia on October 3 to face Rijeka.

In other matches, Ogenyi Onazi played all 90 minutes for Lazio as they beat Legia Warszawa 1-0

Standard Liege lost 2-1 at home to Esbjerg with Imoh Ezekiel not listed at all and Dynamo Kiev with Lukman Haruna and Brown Ideye also lost 1-0 at home to Genk. 0leh Husyev replaced Haruna in the 72nd minute while Dieumerci Mbokani replaced Ideye in the 56th minute.

   

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Bafana, Nigeria meet at Chan

Major rivals South Africa and Nigeria were drawn together on Wednesday in the first round of the 2014 African Nations Championship (Chan).

Mali and Mozambique complete a tough Group A in a tournament for home-based footballers to be staged between January 11 and February 1 in South Africa.

The rivalry between South Africa and Nigeria is among the most intense on the continent with the west Africans having a distinct advantage since it began 21 years ago.

More than half the South African side are locals while eight of the 23 Nigerians at the 2013 Confederation Cup in Brazil play at home.

South Africa are competing at the Chan for the second time with a makeshift team losing to Algeria in the 2011 quarterfinals in Sudan.

It will be the first appearance by the Nigerians, who edged Ivory Coast 4-3 overall in a qualifying thriller to secure a place.

The mini-league will be hosted by Cape Town, as will Group B, which comprises Zimbabwe, Uganda, Burkina Faso and Morocco.

Ghana, runners-up in the inaugural Chan tournament four years ago, are in Bloemfontein-based Group C with Libya, Ethiopia and Congo Brazzaville.

Democratic Republic of Congo, who beat Ghana to win the first edition in 2009, were placed in Group D, which is based in Polokwane, along with Gabon, Burundi and Mauritania.

Burundi and Mauritania will be playing in a Caf senior national team tournament for the first time and were the most unexpected of the 15 qualifiers.

Kenya and 2011 bronze medalists Sudan were the victims of Burundi, while Mauritania eliminated Liberia and 2009 semifinalists Senegal.

Both surprise packets have foreign coaches with Egyptian Lofty Naseem guiding Burundi and widely-travelled Frenchman Patrice Neveu handling Mauritania.

The Nations Championship follows the traditional Confederation of African Football (Caf) format with group winners and runners-up advancing to the quarterfinals.

CAF headquarters in Cairo was the draw venue and those who attended included the president, Issa Hayatou, and the secretary-general, Hicham El Amrani, of the organisation.

Qualifiers are played on a regional two-legged basis with defending champions Tunisia among the casualties as they fell 1-0 to Morocco.

Angola, defeated 3-0 by Tunisia in the 2011 final, also failed to make it, going out on the away-goal rule to Mozambique after two draws.

DR Congo,Ghana and Zimbabwe have reached all three tournaments and Gabon, Libya, Mali, South Africa and Uganda two each.

Burkina Faso, Burundi, Congo Brazzaville, Ethiopia, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique and Nigeria are the eight debutants.

DRAW

Group A: South Africa, Mali, Nigeria, Mozambique

Group B: Zimbabwe, Uganda, Burkina Faso, Morocco

Group C: Ghana, Libya, Ethiopia, Congo Brazzaville

Group D: Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Burundi, Mauritania

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Suarez edges closer to return

Naijafootball has confirmed Luis Suarez is fit and ready to play as he prepares to sit out the final game of his 10-match suspension.

The Uruguayan, the subject of numerous bids from Arsenal this summer, is expected to play some part in Liverpool's Capital One Cup clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

And Rodgers revealed how Suarez is progressing as the 26-year-old awaits his first competitive Liverpool match since last April's league match against Chelsea.

"He's just been working hard," said Rodgers.

"He's done some games behind closed doors but he serves the last ban at the weekend and then we'll talk more next week when he is available."

Rodgers' squad has been stretched with vice-captain Daniel Agger the latest player added to a long injury-list at Anfield after sustaining a rib injury in training ahead of last Monday's Premier Leaguer encounter with Swansea .

The Liverpool manager explained his medical staff will monitor the Dane's fitness in preparation for Saturday's game against Southampton.

"We'll see how he is in the next 24 hours," Rodgers said.

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Ghana's Asamoah Gyan hopes to be fully fit for Egypt

Ghana skipper Asamoah Gyan is battling for fitness ahead of next month’s 2014 World Cup qualifier play offs against Egypt.

The 27-year old almost missed Ghana’s 2-1 win over Zambia in their final group game of the qualifiers as he continues to play with a thigh strain that has been troubling him for the past two months.

However he came off the bench for Al Ain in Sunday’s 3-1 defeat to Al Shabab in the Arabian Gulf league.

“I have not fully recovered but hopefully I should be fit for the game against Egypt,” Gyan said

“I was not fit when we beat Zambia in Kumasi and so I’m still in the healing process.

“It’s my prayer that all our players will be fully fit to face the Egyptians. If we’re all fit, I believe we can beat them to qualify to the World Cup.”

Ghana host the first leg of the game between the 11-15 October while the return leg would be staged between the 15-19 November

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Okocha warns Super Eagles against complacency in WCQ playoffs

Ex-Super Eagles skipper Austin Jay Jay Okocha has warned the Super Eagles against complacency following their pairing against Ethiopia for the playoffs of the World Cup qualifiers.

Even though Okocha confessed that Nigeria comparatively had the best fixture for the playoffs, he however noted that Ethiopia worked hard for their qualification and so should not be taken lightly.

“The Ethiopians didn’t get a bye to qualify for this final stage; they worked hard to qualify. We cannot, therefore, afford to take them for granted. We must put our acts together to ensure that we beat them and qualify,” Okocha told The Punch.

Okocha has urged the Eagles to make use of their lone advantage in the playoffs which is the fact that they will be playing the first leg in Ethiopia.

“It is very helpful that the Eagles are playing first in Addis Ababa which is surely an advantage. But we must then use every advantage to our benefit by preparing for the encounter like a real World Cup game. We have no reason not to qualify,” Okocha said.

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Premier League Preview: Liverpool v Southampton

Southampton head to Anfield on Saturday as the last team to defeat Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Brendan Rodgers' side have taken 10 points from their opening four top-flight games of the season to extend their overall unbeaten run to 12 matches after a strong finish to last term.

But this sequence only began after they fell to a 3-1 loss at St Mary's in March, when Morgan Schneiderlin, Rickie Lambert and Jay Rodriguez netted for the hosts.

Liverpool's goalscorer on that occasion - Philippe Coutinho - will miss this encounter with Southampton after suffering a shoulder injury that is expected to keep him out of action for around six weeks in Monday's 2-2 draw at Swansea City.

The Brazilian playmaker has been in fine form in the opening weeks of the campaign, but joins Glen Johnson, Aly Cissokho (both ankle) and Sebastian Coates (knee) on the sidelines. Daniel Agger (muscle strain) is also a doubt.

Wales international midfielder Joe Allen could be in line for a return after his hamstring problem, but Liverpool will once again be without Luis Suarez, who serves the last match of his 10-game suspension.

In the absence of the Uruguay international and Coutinho, Rodgers will continue to rely on Daniel Sturridge for attacking inspiration as the striker looks to continue his red-hot run of goalscoring form.

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Mourinho takes blame for shock Champions League loss

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has accepted responsibility for his side's shock 2-1 Champions League defeat against FC Basel.

And the 50-year-old has challenged his players to show their 'character' when they return to action in the Premier League against Fulham on Saturday.

Blues owner Roman Abramovich paid a visit to Mourinho's dressing room after their 2-1 upset defeat at Stamford Bridge, greeted by a manager who was content to accept blame for the surprise result.
"I am the manager, I am responsible for everything, especially in the bad moments," Mourinho told Sky Sports.
"In the good moments I want everyone to shine. In the bad moments, I want everyone to keep calm, to keep in the shadow and let me take responsibility for that.

"Of course we are not happy, but to play football in good moments is good fun and is easy for everybody. In the difficult moment is when you see the man, when you see the character, the personality. So let's wait for Fulham and try to clean what we couldn't do today.

"I will wake up at 7am in the morning, I go to Cobham (Chelsea training ground) and try to get three points against Fulham. In the Champions League, we go to Bucharest next and then we have a double fixture against Schalke and we have to get the points we need to make progress in the Champions League because we don't want to be in the Europa League."

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