MIKEL JOHN OBI is confident he can take over from Claude Makelele in the Chelsea midfield after the departure of the veteran Frenchman.

The Football Association have written to Chelsea coach Avram Grant to ask him to explain his remarks about referee Steve Bennett.

New Chelsea recruit Jose Bosingwa has realised a “dream” by moving to the Premier League and has told the club’s fans he is coming to Stamford Bridge “to win titles”.

Newcastle 0 Chelsea 2

Chelsea left grieving Frank Lampard out of their line-up for today’s Premier League title showdown against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.

Frank Lampard’s participation in tomorrow’s crucial Premier League showdown with Manchester United remains unresolved with coach Avram Grant insisting the decision would be left to the grieving player.

Chelsea 1 Wigan 1

Chelsea 1 Middlesbrough 0

Avram Grant has accused the Football Association of treating Chelsea unfairly over their behaviour towards referees this season.

Petr Cech’s fitness is the only major problem facing Chelsea coach Avram Grant ahead of their top-of-the-table clash with Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

MIKEL JOHN OBI claims Chelsea’s players have talked their Carling Cup final defeat out of their systems as they prepare to return to Barclays Premier League action against West Ham tomorrow.

Nigeria midfielder Mikel John Obi returned to Premier League action against Liverpool on Sunday after admitting he feared the loss of his eyesight at the African Nations Cup.

CHELSEA manager Avram Grant has warned Premier League bosses to think carefully about taking the English game across the globe.

England midfielder Frank Lampard could be back in contention for a place in Avram Grant’s squad against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Mikel John Obi has returned to Chelsea insisting that Nigeria should have reached the semi-finals of the African Nations Cup.

Midfielder Frank Lampard has an outside chance of returning to the Chelsea squad for their trip to Portsmouth.

Chelsea are waiting on the fitness of Germany midfielder Michael Ballack for the visit of Reading.

Chelsea are sweating on the fitness of Germany midfielder Michael Ballack for the trip to Wigan.

Chelsea are waiting on the fitness of midfielder Frank Lampard ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Birmingham at St Andrews.

Chelsea’s new signing Nicolas Anelka is available for tomorrow’s clash with Tottenham after being registered with the Premier League following his £15m move from Bolton.

BOLTON manager Gary Megson insisted yesterday that Chelsea will not land transfer target Nicolas Anelka on the cheap.

Chelsea boss Avram Grant hopes to complete the signing of Nicolas Anelka before Saturday’s clash with Tottenham.

Chelsea 2 Everton 1

Chelsea will continue their bid to land Nicolas Anelka on Tuesday after having a £12m bid rejected by Bolton.

Defender Ricardo Carvalho is available again after suspension as Chelsea prepare for the first leg of their Carling Cup semi-final against Everton.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes Chelsea will be hit hardest by the loss of key men to the African Nations Cup but maintains no-one can use that as an excuse should Manchester United go on to claim the Barclays Premier League crown again.

CHELSEA coach Avram Grant remains tight-lipped over the expected arrival of Nicolas Anelka but has dismissed suggestions linking the club with Dimitar Berbatov.

Chelsea coach Avram Grant remains tight-lipped over the expected arrival of Nicolas Anelka but has dismissed suggestions linking the club with Dimitar Berbatov.

Chelsea coach Avram Grant is sweating on the fitness of striker Didier Drogba and goalkeeper Petr Cech ahead of their FA Cup clash with Queens Park Rangers at Stamford Bridge tomorrow.

Fulham 1 Chelsea 2

CHELSEA chairman Bruce Buck has called on FIFA to deal with the “craziness” of the international calendar as the club prepare to lose four players to the African Nations Cup this month.

Chelsea 2 Newcastle 1

Chelsea midfielder Mikel John Obi’s representatives have claimed Peter Crouch’s suggestion that foreigners are prone to diving is “potentially racist”.

Frank Lampard has defended England team-mate Peter Crouch after the Liverpool striker was sent off for a two-footed lunge on Mikel John Obi during their Carling Cup quarter-final tie.

Michael Ballack has rejected suggestions he was unhappy with his treatment from Chelsea’s medical team.

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez claimed Peter Crouch was provoked into his two-footed challenge on Chelsea midfielder Mikel John Obi which earned him a red card last night.

Tottenham defender Pascal Chimbonda plans to avenge last season’s Carling Cup semi-final defeat to Arsenal when the rivals meet at the same stage this year.

Chelsea 2 Liverpool 0

Chelsea and Liverpool went into the break goalless in their Carling Cup quarter-final at Stamford Bridge.

The Football Association will not dictate to the next England manager who his captain should be.

CHELSEA manager Avram Grant insists no decision has yet been taken on whether striker Didier Drogba will undergo an operation to solve a knee problem.

Chelsea 1 West Ham 0

Chelsea are looking to take advantage of their early kick-off clash with West Ham today by picking up the victory that would take them into second place in the Premier League behind Arsenal, for a few hours at least.

Chelsea coach Avram Grant made five changes from the side which defeated Derby on Saturday for the Champions League clash with Rosenborg.