This afternoon sees the return of Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke to Stamford Bridge as Chelsea take on West Ham.
Obviously a lot has been made of their return and although they’ll undoubtedly receive the warmest of welcomes, I hope they don’t go away too happy as we look for our seventh successive win against West Ham in the Premier League.
Of the returning heroes, Chelsea assistant coach Ray Wilkins says “Gianfranco has legendary status as a player, and Steve was a coach and player here for more than 20 years. I sincerely hope they get the applause they merit when they step out into that dug-out. It will be lovely to see them both. They have been wonderful servants to the club, and it will be nice to have them back. Franco is held in great esteem by our supporters, as is Clarkey, so it will only be fitting they get a rapturous round of applause when they come out on Sunday.”
Gianfranco meanwhile says “We will play in a very, very good atmosphere at a fantastic stadium so I am looking forward to it and I believe Steve is also. I hope that the crowd will give us a good reception. We were very committed to the Chelsea cause when we were there, but now we have made a different choice. We are starting a new career somewhere else and they have to respect that as much as we respected them when we were players. We are very happy to have been part of Chelsea’s history. It was an honour for me and Clarkey and now we are starting again. Hopefully everybody will understand this.”
On the injury front, Luiz Felipe Scolari is still without the services of Michael Essien (knee), Ricardo Carvalho (knee) and Franco Di Santo (hamstring), whilst Florent Malouda (hamstring) is a doubt. Didier Drogba is available again after serving his suspension, so the Chelsea manager has some decisions to make up front for a change.
For Zola, Kieron Dyer (broken leg) and Dean Ashton (ankle) miss out, with Lee Bowyer doubtful with a hip injury. Matthew Etherington, Freddie Sears and Jack Collison are all fit to play.
KEY PLAYERS
CHELSEA
Didier Drogba – if he features for Chelsea today, Drogba should be working his arse off to catch up Anelka’s 15 club goals so far this season.
WEST HAM
Scott Parker – I’d expect to see a few tough tackles flying in from the former Chelsea man who could do a bit of damage if our midfield aren’t lively enough.
CLUB FORM
CHELSEA
Chelsea have lost just one game in seven going into this, keeping six clean sheets and conceding just two goals. However, we’ve won only one game from three at home in the league since our defeat to Liverpool. Having said that, Chelsea still have the strongest attack and defence in the league, and go into this game in 2nd place.
WEST HAM
West Ham have won just one game in ten in the league and haven’t scored in six of their last nine. They’re also on the longest current run in the Premier League (10) since scoring more than a single goal in a game. West Ham go into this game 16th in the league.
HEAD TO HEAD
Chelsea go into this game looking for their sixth win from seven home games against West Ham having done the double over them last season. In fact, West Ham haven’t taken a point of us since the 2002-03 season, whilst we’ve put 24 goals past them in nine games in the top-flight. Going into this game, Chelsea have twice as many points, twice as many goals and have conceded a quarter of their opponents tally.
Home And Away
League (inc PL): Chelsea 31 wins, West Ham 34 wins, Draws 15
Prem: Chelsea 14 wins, West Ham 9 wins, Draws 3
At Chelsea Only
League (inc PL): Chelsea 20 wins, West Ham 12 wins, Draws 8
Prem: Chelsea 8 wins, West Ham 4 wins, Draws 1
LAST SEASON
Chelsea 1-0 West Ham
Chelsea scorer: Joe Cole 76
1 December 2007 – Ref: Howard Webb
PREDICTION
Zola hasn’t exactly got West Ham playing free-flowing exciting football away from home, pretty much the same as Scolari with Chelsea at home. The writing could be on the wall for a bore draw here.
TEAMS
CHELSEA (from): Cech, Cudicini, Hilario, Bosingwa, Belletti, Ferreira, Alex, Terry, Ivanovic, Bridge, A Cole, Lampard, Ballack, Mikel, Deco, J Cole, Kalou, Drogba, Anelka
WEST HAM (from): Green, Neill, Collins, Upson, Etherington, Ilunga, Faubert, Boa Morte, Parker, Mullins, Behrami, Bellamy, Cole, Noble, Lastuvka, Tristan, Sears, Davenport, Collison, Di Michele, Bowyer
REFEREE
Mike Riley (Leeds)
Blue is the colour
