Chelsea entertain Middlesbrough in a Premiership encounter given added spice by the return of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink to SW6.
Vital Quotes:
If the recent events surrounding Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink havn’t been sufficient to stir Chelsea then Friday’s announcement from Mark Viduka claiming that Middlesbrough are coming to shock Chelsea should indeed do so.
Chelsea Team News:
Mourinho faces a wait to see if either of his preferred lone strikers will be fit to play. Didier Drogba has been complaining of a knee injury since returning from international duty whilst Hernan Crespo limped off at Fratton Park, last Saturday. with a rib injury. Out of the two, it looks as if Crespo is favourite to play. The Argentine striker has returned to full training and will be looking to keep his recent record of a goal a game going.
Elsewhere, Arjen Robben is slowly working his way back to full fitness. The Dutch winger started the week training with the youth team on Monday, progressed to training with the reserves on Tuesday and joined the first team squad when they reported back to training, after a two day break, on Wednesday. However, with Mourinho keen to take all three points, we may have to wait until the Liverpool Champions League fixture next week for the reappearance of Robben.
Claude Makelele will stil be missing as the influential defensive midfielder battles to overcome the knee injury sustained against Newcastle. Michael Essien will once agin fill the role Claude plays with such aplomb.
Elsewhere, Joe Cole will be aware that he is only one booking away from a suspension. With such a talented squad, Joe knows a suspension could herald a spell on the sidelines despite his fine recent form.
With the squad having had a full weeks break, courtesy of an early Carling Cup exit, Mourinho will be keen for the team to give an impressive display. Therefore don’t expect too many changes as Mourinho will probably start with the eleven that served him so well at Portsmouth.
Player to watch: Joe Cole
Without wishing to appear that this site forms the basis of the Joe Cole fan club, there is no arguement that his recent form has been impressive. We marked him as the man to watch at Fratton Park and he never let us down. His slick ball skills tempted rash challenge after rash challenge with three Portsmouth players eventually being yellow carded. As Chelsea looked to settle the match it was Joe’s darting run that won the penalty that settled matters. Expect more of the same against Middlesbrough as Joe looks to cement his place in Sven’s World Cup eleven.
Middlesbrough Team News:
After playing three times in ten days, Steve McLaren will be only too aware that his team could have done with some rest before facing the might of Chelsea. With Downing out injured his options on the left flank have been severely restricted. Up front, McLaren has two natural finishers in Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Mark Viduka. In midfield George Boateng will be his normal energetic and enthusiastic and agressive self as Middlesbrough attempt to end a disappointing run of results at Stamford Bridge.
Player to watch: Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
JFH will be keen to put on a better display this season than he did last season on his return to Stamford Bridge. Last season saw his contributions restricted to a high and wide free kick late on that saw him ridiculed by those who once worshipped him. Expect Johh Terry to give JFH a match to remember as two giants of the game clash.
Match Facts & Stats
Middlesbrough haven’t won at Stamford Bridge for an eternity. Recent games have seen Chelsea triumph with a brace from Didier Drogba last season, a solitary goal from Babayaro a couple of seasons ago and some remarkable finishing from Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola if you delve back even further.
Perhaps Middlesbroughs best result in recent years came when they fought back from two goals down to earn a draw. the second equaliser coming after Graeme Le Saux was penalised for handball and Alain Boksic cooly slotted home the resulting penalty deep into injury time.
Off course we must mention the epic FA Cup Final win over Middlesbrough in 1997 and the marvellous Coca Cola Cup win over Middlesbrough the following season, both by magical 2-0 scorelines.
Ref Watch:
Please let the game flow and don’t give Joe Cole a fifth yellow card of the season in a fixture that should be a joy to referee.
Match Prediction:
Chelsea to beat Middlesbrough by that all too familiar score 2-0
Next Fixtures:
Chelsea welcome Liverpool in the Champions League midweek before resuming Premiership action against Wigan Athletic next Saturday.