Subterms
JORDAN HENDERSON could end up with a statue outside Anfield for his Liverpool achievements, according to former mentor Roy Hodgson. And the Crystal Palace boss, who has fond memories of their time together with England, will vote for the Liverpool captain in tomorrow night’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards. Hendo, 30, has been […] More
DIEGO COSTA should be available for Atletico Madrid’s Champions League tie against Chelsea, after recovering from deep vein thrombosis.
The Spanish international was diagnosed with the nasty condition three weeks ago.
Diego Costa has recovered from deep vein thrombosisCredit: AFP – Getty
Deep vein thrombosis is a condition that involves a blood clot forming in a deep vein in the body.
It is most usually suffered in the leg or pelvis.
Costa, 32, had only just returned from a muscle injury, when his latest ailment struck.
And the luckless former Blue also suffered from Covid-19 during the summer, which is thought to have possibly affected his latest medical condition.
Costa is yet to feature in the Champions League this season, and has appeared just five times in LaLiga.
He picked up a muscle injury, having appeared in the first four matches of the season for Diego Simeone’s men.
After missing three games, he returned to make a 17 minute cameo against Barcelona on November 21, before his deep vein thrombosis diagnosis.
Costa has been linked with a move away from Atletico Madrid, having struggled for form and fitness since leaving Stamford Bridge.
Costa has only played 17 minutes since mid-OctoberCredit: Getty Images – Getty
He is likely to remain at Wanda Metropolitano until his contract expires at the end of the season, however.
Costa scored 58 goals in 120 games during a glittering three-year spell in West London, during which he won two Premier League titles.
And he’ll hope to feature against his former side, when they face off in the Spanish capital on February 23, with the return leg in London set for March 17.
The Spaniard bagged 58 goals and won two titles in his time at ChelseaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge
Diego Costa awkwardly diverts a Lionel Messi corner into his own net More
DEMBA BA has accused Paris Saint-Germain manager Thomas Tuchel of ‘blaming’ Istanbul Basaksehir stars after both sides walked off during their Champions League clash last week.
Play was halted in the 14th minute, as fourth official Sebastian Coltescu sought to bring Pierre Webo, 38, to the referee’s attention.
Play was halted after alleged racism from Sebastian ColtescuCredit: AFP or licensors
Thomas Tuchel has been accused of ‘blaming’ Istanbul Basaksehir starsCredit: AFP or licensors
Ba has spoken further on the incident in an interview with TRT World
In doing so, he used the Romanian word ‘negru’, meaning black – with the nearby Ba taking issue with the official’s choice of words.
After lengthy discussions, PSG players united with their Turkish counterparts to take a stand against the alleged racism, by walking off together.
But according to Ba, 35, the French champions’ manager wasn’t so supportive.
The former Chelsea star told TRT World: “Hats off to Basaksehir players because they felt something had to be done.
“Hats off to the players of PSG because they could have stayed on the pitch and said ‘we are here to play and they’re not’ but they decided to stop.
“One element of Paris that I wish was in front of the camera and explained is how he (Tuchel) treated us because I don’t accept this.
“I will never accept this and the next time I see him he will hear about it.”
Quizzed further on what he meant by these comments, Ba clarified: “Their manager. I’m not going to go into it but he probably will.
“He had one or two discussions with players of our team and was basically blaming us for what happened. That’s his problem, not mine.”
The match was resumed the next dayCredit: Reuters
The match was continued to completion the next day, with PSG running out 5-1 winners to progress to the round of 16.
Coltescu, 43, had appeared set for a ten-game ban from Uefa.
But the Romanian, who has denied being a racist, appears likely to dodge the punishment – by retiring from officiating.
Istanbul Basaksehir’s Pierre Webo given a special jersey by PSG’s president More
EUROPE’S premier footballing competition may no longer be the Champions League.
Incredibly, there are NO league leaders in the competition.
Spurs are currently on top in the Premier League but play on Thursday nights in EuropeCredit: Reuters
While there are a massive 13 table-topping sides in the supposedly inferior Europa League, ESPN revealed.
Jose Mourinho’s Spurs are currently top of the pile in the Premier League but play on Thursday nights in Europe.
Tottenham celebrated clinching sixth-place and a Europa League spot on the final day of last year’s league season and now somehow appear to be plying their trade in the tournament full of the best current sides.
Spain also has a surprise LaLiga leader with Real Sociedad flying high.
They face Manchester United in the Europa League knockout stage with Chelsea’s Champions League last 16 opponents Atletico Madrid in second spot.
In Serie A, Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s AC Milan are leading the way with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Juventus down in fourth as they look to make it TEN Scudettos in a row.
Even reigning Champions League champs and favourites for this year’s crown, Bayern Munich, are not on top of the Bundesliga.
Instead, Europa League group winners Bayer Leverkusen are out in front.
Just seven players have managed to score a hat-tricks of CL hat-tricks
Similarly, French giants Paris Saint-Germain are one point behind Lille in Ligue 1.
So perhaps Thursday night really is the new Tuesday or Wednesday?
Not all fans were convinced though.
One tweeted: “Thursday night will never be “where it’s at” delete this immediately.”
It is still early on in proceedings across Europe’s major leagues and not everyone in the Europa League is excelling domestically – just ask Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.
Man Utd get horror draw against La Liga high-flyers Real Sociedad as Arsenal face Benfica and Spurs take on Wolfsberger More
FEBRUARY promises to be a make or break month for Chelsea as Frank Lampard’s title challengers face a host of tough trips.
Of the six matches the Blues are currently scheduled for, only two are at home.
The month kicks off with a midweek trip to table-topping Tottenham before a potential banana skin versus Sheffield United.
A break before the next weekend’s game against Newcastle may not be what Chelsea want, with the FA Cup fifth round scheduled for Tuesday, February 9.
The Blues will hope for another comfortable night against the Magpies having won their last eight meetings in West London.
Finally guaranteed a few days’ rest, Chelsea then make the short trip to Southampton on February 20.
Saints sit above Lampard’s men at this moment after seven wins from their opening 12 matches.
And the visitors to St Mary’s may have one eye on their Champions League last-16 first leg trip to Madrid the following midweek.
Atletico welcome Chelsea to Estadio Wanda Metropolitano aiming to knock them out in a similar fashion to last year’s upset against Liverpool at the same stage.
Rounding off the difficult spell is a visit from Manchester United on the weekend of February 27.
Jose Mourinho welcomes old club Chelsea to Tottenham to kick off their tough runCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Manchester United round off the February spell at Stamford BridgeCredit: AP:Associated Press
Broadcasters are yet to pick their matches for this period but the Blues will be spared from the disliked Saturday lunchtime kick-off for that game, if the Red Devils are still in the Europa League.
Having lost to Everton on the weekend, Chelsea’s position as title contenders will be much clearer by February.
But any ambitions of silverware will have to cross this tricky gauntlet.
⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge
Chelsea face Atletico Madrid in horror Champions League knockout stages with Liverpool taking on tough RB Leipzig More
THE Europa League draw has been made and there are challenging ties for Arsenal and Manchester United. But there are gentler ties for Tottenham, Leicester and Rangers who face Wolfsberger, Slavia Prague and Antwerp respectively. Europa League draw Wolfsberger vs Tottenham Dynamo Kiev vs Club Brugge Real Sociedad vs Man Utd Benfica vs Arsenal Red […] More
CHELSEA drew Atletico Madrid in a horror last 16 Champions League tie as Liverpool face a tricky test against Manchester United’s conquerors RB Leipzig. Frank Lampard’s men know they will be in for a huge test of mind and muscle when they face off against Diego Simeone’s rugged veterans and are set for a reunion […] More
Chelsea need not worry who they face in last 16 – they can beat any side.
The Blues are in the hat for the last sixteen of the Champions League and the all important draw takes place this coming Monday.
Chelsea finished top of Group E with 14 pointsCredit: EPA
Frank Lampard’s side won their group having not lost a single match, one of only three sides to do that this year.
Winning the group puts them as a higher seed for the next round draw, meaning they will avoid clubs such as Bayern Munich and Manchester City.
Chelsea can face any of Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Atalanta, Porto, Lazio, RB Leipzig, or Borussia Monchengladbach.
There is never an easy game in the Champions League, but Chelsea fans are hoping to be drawn against Atalanta, Porto, or Lazio over Barcelona or Atletico Madrid, obviously.
But the truth is, Chelsea need not worry who they are drawn against, because this season they are capable of beating any team in the world.
It has been a while since I have felt the genuine confidence to be able to state that.
I would not worry if we were drawn against Barcelona on Monday – I believe we can beat them.
This is not me looking through blue tinted glasses, this is a genuine belief that Chelsea can beat anyone based on form and morale.
Frank Lampard’s men are third in the Premier League table Credit: Getty Images – Getty
We are on a great run right now and the momentum is building.
Chelsea have not lost [within 90 minutes] in their last 17 matches, and 7 of those winning games have been thrashings.
Lampard has tightened up the defence, and turned them into a very dangerous attacking unit as well.
The new signings that have come in this summer have clicked already and are really making differences all over the pitch and Lampard has his team setup in the style of play and formation that he has been building since the start of last season.
They are playing with a new-found confidence that will put fear into teams across the world, and fans and pundits alike are taking notice.
Chelsea were written off as Premier League and Champions League challengers at the start of the season.
But now pretty much every pundit around is admitting that at the very least, Chelsea must be considered as contenders for both now, and they genuinely are.
I’m not meaning to get carried away and I will stay grounded, the season is long and we can expect many more bumps along the way.
Chelsea could come up against BarcelonaCredit: AFP or licensors
But there is a different feel within the Chelsea camp this season, good morale is seeping through the players and the staff.
And they have a real strength in-depth – probably the best in world football when you consider the likes of Jorginho and Antonio Rudiger are currently considered backup players.
This is what can give them the edge over their opponents in the Champions League as further fatigue and fixture congestion kicks in; Chelsea can use their strength in-depth to see them through.
We are far from invincible, but it is CHELSEA who clubs will be looking to avoid in the draw on Monday, let’s put it that way.
⚽ Read our Chelsea live blog for the very latest news from the Bridge
Champions League last-16 draw simulated with Chelsea landing nightmare clash against Lionel Messi’s Barcelona
Twitter @SiPhillipsSport More
