Carlo Ancelotti is hoping that Chelsea (6/5 to win Premier League) stars John Terry and Frank Lampard both continue their progress returning from injury in time to face West Ham at the weekend.
The duo both missed the latest round of international games, but that has allowed the Italian manager to assess the rehabilitation of his captain and vice-captain at Chelsea’s Cobham training base.
Chelsea have had an impressive start to their Premier League season and are the only side with maximum points from their first three games.
In that time the Blues have scored 14 goals and conceded none and their fans will be hoping that impressive record can continue against West Ham at Upton Park this weekend (West Ham 15/2, Chelsea 1/3, draw 18/5).
The Hammers are currently rooted to the bottom of the Premier League with three defeats from three games, and things could be looking even worse for their fans as Ancelotti has claimed there is a chance that both Lampard and Terry could line up for the game.
“Lampard had surgery on Tuesday and I think that he will start to train this week. I don’t know when but we will see how he trains and we will take a decision for the game against West Ham,” said the manager.
“Terry didn’t have surgery but he used the last week to improve his hamstring. He will start to train with the squad this week and I think he will be able to play against West Ham.”
After the West Ham game, Chelsea then get their Champions League campaign underway with a trip to play Slovakian side MSK Zilina (Chelsea 11/2 to win tournament).
For all their success since Roman Abramovich took over the West London club, the Champions League trophy has been the one that has eluded them over the years.
Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien recently said that he was confident that curse could be broken this season, especially after the club looked so impressive winning their first ever league and FA Cup double last season.
The Ghana star said the club aim to “win every competition” they enter and, while they seem a certainty to get out of the group with MSK Zilina, Spartak Moscow and Marseille (Chelsea 2/9 to win Group F), he thinks they stand a great chance of winning the Champions League.
“As a player you get the inner feeling that something big is around the corner and I feel the same way I felt last season when we won the double,” said Essien.
“However I am sure we can go one further and add the big one – the UEFA Champions League to our collection of trophies.”
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