By Football Talk.
It’s not been the best week for Chelsea despite their week off from competitive football. Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich gave the players a dressing down and warned them about their future conduct after weeks of headlines regarding certain players private lives. To add to manager Carlo Ancelotti’s problems Chelsea have been hit with several injuries to key men ahead of their game against Wolves as The Blue’s aim to keep themselves top of the Premier League table.
Abramovich warns players
Chief executive Ron Gourlay was ordered to hold show-down talks with the club’s players by Roman Abramovich after the Russian Billionaire expressed his concerns over his clubs public image.
The meeting was called following headlines involving captain John Terry and full-back Ashley Cole made the front pages of national newspapers over the last few weeks. Manager Carlo Ancelotti was also present at the 10 minute meeting to remind the players of their responsibilities to protect the image of the club with severe disciplinary action taken against those who step out of line in the future. Ancelotti said:
“We had a meeting this week with the players. It was a good meeting. Ron Gourlay was there as well.
“We spoke to the players and explained to them the behaviour that is required of the players in this club.
“Now they know very well what they have to do and what behaviour is expected of them when they’re in the Chelsea shirt.”
“We are interested, me and the club, in protecting the image of this club. Not only the players and the manager, all the staff – the people who work in this club – have to protect that image.
“That is one of the most important things, the image of the club. We want to carry that forward. And I think the players and all the staff know very well what they have to do.
“All the players were there. Ron spoke for the club, for the owner, and the players listened.
“It was a private meeting and I don’t like to speak about what exactly was said. But, to confirm, the most important thing is that everybody has to pay attention to protect the image of the club.”
Chelsea will be keen to get their league campaign back on track following the 2-1 defeat to Everton last time out. With Manchester United facing the same tough away trip to Goodison Park this weekend, Carlo Ancelotti will see this as an opportunity to extend their lead to more than the current 1 point over their nearest Premier League rivals.
Chelsea welcome back captain John Terry after he was given time off to spend time with his wife in Dubai following recent personal problems. Striker Nicolas Anelka is likey to replace Daniel Sturridge after also being rested for the FA Cup game against Cardiff and will take his place up front with Didier Drogba.
However, Frank Lampard will miss the trip with a virus and full-back Ashley Cole will be out for three months will a broken ankle, Yuri Zhirkov will step in.
Chelsea will also be without Alex who suffered a knee injury in training, while Michael Essien, Jose Bosingwa, Juliano Belletti and Deco also miss out.
Probable starting eleven:
Cech
Ivanovic Terry Carvalho Zhirkov
Mikel
Ballack Joe Cole
Malouda
Drogba Anelka
