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By Tim Robertson
WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer The winter transfer window is about to close, and Chelsea are yet to make any new signings. But they look like having the equivalent of a new striker on board after Andriy Shevchenko found the net again in Sunday’s FA Cup win over Nottingham Forest. Having struggled to make any sort of impact all season, the �30 million summer signing from AC Milan has been playing with a spring in his step of late, and he also found the net against Wycombe in the Carling Cup in midweek. Granted, neither goal came against Premiership opposition, but it will do Shevchenko’s fragile confidence the world of good to see his name on the score-sheet.
Facing Blackburn’s physical defence is the next challenge for the 30-year-old when the two teams face off at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night. With Jon Obi Mikel finding his feet -- and the net -- in the last few games as well and Didier Drogba still in red-hot form, the Blues have too many weapons not to be favourites against a team which is missing its first line of defence -- tenacious midfielder Robbie Savage. WagerWeb offers Chelsea at -400 with Blackburn +1000 to grab all three points, but as there has been all season with Jose Mourinho’s side, there is a question mark. Off-field distractions have taken their toll on the defending champions, and despite two convincing cup wins on the trot, the speculation over Mourinho’s future continues in West London – with the Portuguese coach himself helping to keep the fire burning with his own comments. Mourinho chose the post-match interview on Sunday to reignite speculation he will quit at the end of the season by suggesting he will be a hard act to follow. "I think it is difficult to be a manager after me at any club, so I would not recommend it,” he said. "I know the list is quite long -- 11 or 12 [rumoured candidates] for Chelsea -- but even if the list becomes bigger it is no problem for me. I am cool but it is my desire to stay at Chelsea." One of those candidates, Internazionale’s Roberto Mancini, tried to play down the speculation this weekend. "It's like if a good player who plays in a great team is wanted by another big club. It is satisfying because it means that I am doing a good job,” he said. "I have never spoken to anyone, and I certainly haven't said those comments," he added when asked if he wanted to move to England. "I cannot deny something that I haven't said.” The ongoing debate will give Blackburn hope of at least nicking a point on Wednesday night. Mark Hughes’ team are in buoyant mood after dispensing with Luton Town in a 4-0 win at Kenilworth Road on Saturday. Stamford Bridge is not likely to be so accommodating, but Blackburn’s in-form strikers have the honour of being the last to face Chelsea before the expected return of John Terry next weekend for the Charlton match. Having seen how Liverpool ripped through Chelsea’s makeshift backline in the Blues’ last Premiership match, the former striking great Hughes will recognise the opportunities that might be there for his side. The question for Hughes is whether to stick with youngster Matt Derbyshire, who turned in a star performance against Luton and who has now scored five goals in six appearances for the club. Hughes might be tempted to go with the more experienced partnership of Benni McCarthy and Shabani Nonda, but Derbyshire is making a convincing case. |
