Cech welcomes Chelsea break

Petr Cech admits he is happy to enter a ‘relaxed’ atmosphere with the Czech Republic squad after enduring ‘problems’ with Chelsea.

Andre Villas-Boas has come under increased pressure following his side’s poor performance in the Champions League and the FA Cup in recent weeks, while a faltering Premier League campaign has overshadowed the Portuguese’s reign at Stamford Bridge.

The Chelsea boss has also admitted to differences with the club’s senior players, and Cech admits he is welcoming the international break.

“When you go with the national team and then go back with the club, it’s two different things,” Cech said.

“If you have all the sort of problems in the club and the club is not doing well and you come to an atmosphere where everyone is relaxed because you have made your target by reaching the European Championship, then the atmosphere is different and you can enjoy it.”

“But you always separate the two teams because, whatever problems you have with the national team or with the club, it doesn’t really concern the team you are in.”

Villas-Boas wants vote of confidence

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has suggested that the club’s hierarchy should make it clear that they back his long term vision for the club. According to the Daily Mail.

Villas-Boas has repeatedly fended off dispersions on his long term future at Stamford Bridge and maintains that he has the full backing of owner Roman Abramovich.

The Portuguese manager is growing tired however of mounting speculation that he is on borrowed time by dropping a hint to his employers: “These words would be more valuable coming from the top. I cannot keep saying them.”

Villas-Boas has presided over the club’s least successful period since Russian billionaire Abramovich took control of the club in 2003. The West London outfit have accrued a miserly 3 points from their last 4 league games and have not won since 14 January.

They currently lie fifth in the Premier League, are out of the League Cup and face an FA Cup fifth round replay at St Andrew’s after being held 1-1 by Championship side Birmingham City at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Speaking on the day before the Blues Champions League game with Napoli, AVB insists he is in the middle of a three year restructuring process that will “sustain” their long term success.

“In terms of the results this year,” added Villas-Boas. “The speculation is normal given the cultural past of this football club, but you have to understand that there’s a different perspective now.

“We had a three-year project to change not only the team, but the culture and structure of the club.

“There’s a lot we needed to do, a lot of plans. That’s why I’m excited about the future.

“Having said that, we have to build a team to win trophies.

“We’re no longer in the Carling Cup and don’t have a chance to win the title. But we are still confident we can do well in the Champions League and the FA Cup.”

The club’s joint top scorer Daniel Sturridge had insisted earlier in the day that they are not “a divided unit”.

“We are a family and we’ve got a good unit going,” the 22-year-old told Chelsea TV. “Maybe we will see that in the next few games.”

Fellow Blues striker Didier Drogba said: “We feel that no one really believes in us.

“We are going to show we deserve to be here. It’s a top game and we are going to have to get a good result.”

Drogba denied that he gave a half-time “team talk” to Chelsea when they were a goal down in Saturday’s FA Cup tie against Birmingham before coming back to draw.

Cameras picked up footage of Didier Drogba giving a pep talk in the Stamford Bridge tunnel just before the start of the second half.

Drogba’s apparent motivational speech will have done nothing to quell talk of growing rifts between Chelsea players and the manager but the Ivorian said:

“The manager made the speech at half-time. He has leaders in the squad and we are here to help him.

“We wanted to gee the team up at half-time and nothing more.”

Villas Boas Wants Two January Signings

Chelsea boss Andre Villas Boas has admitted that he ideally would like to sign two new players in the January transfer window.

The Blues have made it publicly known that they are eager to recruit a central defender, with an offer forBolton‘s Gary Cahill accepted and negotiations with the England international ongoing.

Despite this, the Portuguese coach has indicated that a second new face at Stamford Bridge would also be welcome.

“Apart from the central defender we might get one more player in, but we’re not sure yet,” he told Sky Sports.

“It’s always difficult (in January). First of all, the top talent is normally cup-tied in the Champions League, or in the different domestic competitions.

“It’s difficult for the selling club to make players available. So it’s normal to struggle in the transfer market.

“Normally it’s a market where you overpay a lot and that’s not what we want to do now. I think that’s why we’ve set out not to do a lot in the transfer window,” he stated.

Porto attacker Hulk and Juventus winger Milos Krasic are two players that Chelsea have been linked with, whilst The Daily Mail have reported that The Blues have bid £8 million for Genk starlet Kevin de Bruyne.

Meanwhile, injured midfielder Michael Essien played 75 minutes for Chelsea reserves, as he looks to get back to full fitness.

The Ghana international has well-documented knee problems, and has been on the sidelines since July, but featured in The Blues’ 3-2 defeat against West Brom‘s second team.

Man Utd on alert for Chelsea target Cahill

Manchester United are on alert after Gary Cahill’s expected move to Chelsea has stalled.

Bolton had agreed a £7million fee with the Londoners for the England centre-back.

But the 26-year-old’s representatives have failed to agree personal terms at a first meeting with Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas revealing on Friday that the club and Cahill were “miles apart” over wage demands.

Chelsea are offering £70,000 a week, while Cahill is seeking £100,000 a week.

Cahill is reportedly unhappy that he has been portrayed in the wrong light and is now having second thoughts about moving to Stamford Bridge.

Now United could make a move to bolster their injury-hit defence, according to The Sun.

Manager Alex Ferguson is minus captain Nemanja Vidic for the season, while Rio Ferdinand has struggled with injury problems.

Chris Smalling and the Da Silva twins have also been sidelined, while Phil Jones has been operating more in midfield of late.

Ferguson has insisted he has the money to spend in this month’s transfer window but added he would not enter the market unless the right player became available.

Chelsea are the only club to have made a firm bid for Cahill, although it is believed Tottenham will step in if the move falls through, according to the London Evening Standard.

Spurs have been interested in Cahill for some time and were already looking at signing another centre-half during the transfer window.

The club will only make a move if the Chelsea deal collapses completely because they are determined not to get involved in a bidding war with their London rivals.

Bolton manager Owen Coyle was delighted with Cahill’s performance. He was given the captain’s armband despite the ongoing talks with Chelsea and was rewarded when the defender bagged the winner.

Coyle said: “I think that showed the focus and desire Gary Cahill has to play.

“I wouldn’t expect any less. When you work with someone day-to-day you get to know them as a player but more importantly you get to know them as a person and Gary is a nice, genuine person.

“Chelsea have respected the fact that they didn’t want Gary thinking about other things, but I’m led to believe there will be further dialogue in the next few days.

“If that’s the case, then it’s great for Gary and obviously we adjust from there.”

Malouda sparks Chelsea exit talk

Florent Malouda has threatened to leave Stamford Bridge if he is not given more playing time by Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas, with Paris Saint Germain looming as a possible destination.

Malouda has been used predominantly as a substitute since the arrival of Juan Mata last summer, managing just 15 appearances in all competitions this season.

Meanwhile, former Blues manager Carlo Ancelotti has been touted as a possible replacement for Antoine Kombouare at PSG, leaving many to speculate Malouda is set to re-unite with his previous boss.

“I’m not getting enough playing time,” Malouda is quoted as saying in the English press. “It’s too limited for the ambitions I have. I can’t be happy with that. If it is necessary, I will leave.”

Malouda, though, laughed off reports he will move to big-spending Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala if he decides to leave Chelsea in January.

“I couldn’t even manage to pronounce the name of this team,” he said. “I don’t know from where these rumours come, when they don’t have any base in reality.

“Me, I am someone who prefers transparency. I don’t have anything to hide, so I’m telling you the truth.”

BARREN YEAR TO FORGET FOR MISFIT TORRES

His chronic lack of form, confidence and, crucially, goals have led to him being dropped to the bench.

Torres has enough on his plate trying to regain his first-team place, but that has not stopped him from hitting out at former club Liverpool.

He claims he left last January because the club lied to him and made false promises about big-money signings who never arrived. He has insisted that he was let down by Liverpool’s owners, the Fenway Sports Group.

Torres, 27, recently linked with AC Milan and Malaga, said: “The Liverpool fans don’t know the truth about why I signed for Chelsea.

“They don’t even know half of what happened. They don’t know what the people in charge at Liverpool are like.

“They made promises that they didn’t keep and I left because I realised I didn’t have time to be part of a project that would take years.”

The former Kop idol, who netted 81 times in 142 Liverpool appearances, pleaded for understanding from the Liverpool fans who have castigated him since his departure.

He said: “I have nothing against the Liverpool fans. I didn’t want to leave Liverpool the way I did, but the club lied. I was let down and I don’t understand why the fans hate me.”

Torres has scored just five times in 35 Chelsea appearances in a dreadful run since his move and has been relegated to the bench by manager Andre Villas-Boas. But last night the World Cup winner backed himself to rediscover his goalscoring touch and demanded some respect.

Chelsea misfit Torres said: “My form has not been good but I am World and European champion and I deserve more respect.

Chelsea planning another raid on Barcelona

Chelsea are keen on landing yet another Barcelona kid as they prepare a swoop for Sergi Roberto.

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas landed Oriol Romeu in the summer and the midfielder has made an instant impression at Stamford Bridge.

He was handed his first league start of the season against Wolves on Saturday and impressed in midfield – and now Villas-Boas is keen on another product of Barca’s famed academy.

Roberto, 19, also plays in midfield and is highly regarded at Barcelona – but Chelsea are ready to tempt them with an offer.

Roberto, a Spain Under 21 international, would be available for around £5m but Barcelona would insist on a buy-back clause if they did part with him.