Kalou: players not fazed

CHELSEA winger Salomon Kalou insists the players have not been affected by the shock departure of assistant Ray Wilkins and the rumours surrounding coach Carlo Ancelotti’s future.

Kalou came off the bench to inspire Chelsea to a 2-1 victory over Group F whipping boys MSK Zilina at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night.

On Monday Ancelotti denied rumours that he was on the brink of quitting Chelsea after their 1-0 defeat at Birmingham in the Premier League.

He also maintained he was happy to work alongside new assistant first-team coach Michael Emenalo. The Nigerian has replaced Wilkins, who was axed by the club two weeks ago.

But Kalou insists all the off-the-field speculation and the departure of Wilkins has had little effect on them.

“It has not been weird for us,” said Kalou. “Everything has been the same. We have trained like normal.

“Chelsea is a big club. When things aren’t going well we have to be focused and not concentrate on other things outside.

“This weekend against Newcastle is a big game. We are back to winning ways and we have to continue. This weekend will be a good game again for us.

“We have to keep working hard. We created a lot of chances last time at Birmingham and we have to start scoring them now.”