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.”

Arsenal’s Van Persie doubtful for England clash

Holland striker Robin van Persie is a doubt for Wednesday’s friendly against England with a groin injury, Oranje coach Bert van Marwijk has confirmed.

Arsenal‘s talisman Van Persie sat out the last 10 minutes of Holland’s hour-long open training session at Wembley on Tuesday after aggravating the problem, which he originally suffered in the Gunners’ 5-2 win over Tottenham on Sunday, according to the Mirror.

He was in sublime touch against Spurs scoring the equaliser when they 2-0 down with a magnificent left footed volley.

The Arsenal captain, who has been in scintillating form this year, appeared in discomfort towards the end of the training session and missed an eight-a-side practice match at England’s national stadium in north London.

The 28-year-old, who has scored 33 goals for club and country this term, is a doubt for Wembley, although Van Marwijk was optimistic the striker would feature.

Frank Lampard emotional after Chelsea fans show support

Lampard admitted for the first time on Saturday his relationship with Blues boss Villas-Boas had ‘not been ideal’, amid speculation of a falling-out between the pair.

Even before he made three separate pieces of history by scoring his 12th goal of the season in their much-needed 3-0 Premier League win over Bolton, his was the name on the lips of the Stamford Bridge crowd.

‘Super Frankie Lampard’, they sang about the man who repaid their adulation with the 150th league goal of his career and his 125th in the league for Chelsea, the latter taking him ahead of legendary striker Jimmy Greaves in the all-time Blues scoring charts.

The 33-year-old midfielder also became the first player to reach double figures in the Premier League for nine consecutive seasons.

‘I just want to play and the way the fans were with me was amazing,’ said Lampard. ‘It’s lump-in-the-throat stuff when they sing your name like that.

The fans have stuck with us brilliantly. It’s been a tough old season.’
Saturday’s match was the fourth this season in which Lampard was scored on his return from being benched by Villas-Boas and he added: ‘When I play I know I can contribute.’

The victory over Bolton was Chelsea’s first in six matches and Lampard demanded consistency in their push for the top four, adding: ‘It can’t be a false dawn. We need to carry on.’

Villas-Boas insists he wants Lampard to stay at the club, but added: ‘It does not depend on me. It depends on three parts – I want him, [he] wants to stay and the club wants him.’

Robin van Persie: I’m a true Gunner and I love Arsenal

Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf have some comforting words for Arsenal fans from Robin van Persie today. Fresh from their excellent win at the weekend, the Dutch striker has taken steps to calm fears that he’s on his way out of the Emirates.

“I sit there for eight years and I’m proud. At the end of the season I sit down with the trainer and the president. Then we make a cup of coffee all together. I am a true Gunner. I love this club and that’s no secret.”

Van Persie is keen to leave everything until the end of the season, when he’ll only have a year left on his contract. Though he may have the best intentions at heart, the delay has created many rumours and also stirred interest in other clubs who feel they may have a chance of signing him. He’s still determined to wait “We will soon talk about many things. I do quite often with the trainer anyway. Only later on is the president there.”

Robin van Persie is the Premier League’s top scorer with 23 goals for Arsenalalready this season.