JustChelsea.com

The Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge has been playing through the pain of an ankle injury, but feels that he is now approaching his best at last. He played a part in yesterdays Community Shield, and looked quite good for an injured player!

“It is good to get some fitness from the game, and we’ll come back in the week and try and put things right,” he said.

The Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins believes that Daniel Sturridge can make a step closer to becoming a regular starter for the Blues next season.

Sturridge arrived from Man City last summer on a free transfer, and with a big reputation as a star of the future, but is finding limited chances behind Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka.

The new Portsmouth boss Avram Grant is looking to reinforce Portsmouth’s depleted squad, and it is being reported today that he is going to go cap in hand to his old club Chelsea for help.

The News of the World says that Grant is keen to take Daniel Sturridge and Juliano Belletti on loan until the end of the season.

The Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti says that he has no need to buy any new players to cover Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou when they go to the African Nations Cup in January.

Chelsea have been linked to many strikers lately, now that the FIFA transfer ban has been suspended until after the appeal has been heard. But Ancelotti seems to be happy with the team and the reserves he already has at his finger tips.

The Carling Cup victory over Bolton last night was a very pleasing experience for Chelsea fans, as not only did Chelsea keep their 100% home record for the season, but they also did in in style with some players that rarely get the chance to shine.

Joe Cole looks like he is back to his brilliant best already as he mesmerised the Bolton defence, and the two defenders returning from injury, Alex and Ferreira, both came through with flying colours.

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has publicised his starting line-up for tonights Carling Cup match against Bolton. Despite leaving out Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka, John Terry and Frank Lampard, there is still a very strong team available, especially in midfield.

Joe Cole gets another game to help build up his fitness levels, and the rest of the diamond will consist of Malouda on the left, Deco on the right, and Michael Ballack in the holding position.

Chelsea have three players in Stuart Pearce’s Under 21 squad who have two games next week against Macedonia and Greece.

Our new signing from Man City, Daniel Sturridge is picked up front, while two of our players that are out on loan are also included. Ryan Bertrand is currently with Reading and Michael Mancienne who is on loan at Wolves until January.

Two of Chelsea’s new signings will get their first official game for the Blues tonight against last years Reserve League Champions Aston Villa. Sam Hutchinson, who made his second senior appearance against Fulham on Sunday, will also be in the team, as will Gael Kakuta and Michael Woods, who are both returning from injuries sustained last season.

Hutchinson will be captain tonight.

The Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has said that Andriy Shevchenko will not be leaving during the transfer window, and if the Ukrainian star manages to stay fit and motivated then he will get some games.

Ancelotti also had Sheva at AC Milan last season, and he only used him nine times in the whole season, but he is sure that this season could be different. He said: “Sheva is in better condition than last year at Milan. But we have a lot of strikers here. For him it’s not easy to find a place on the pitch.

The new Chelsea coach has announced that he is very happy with the squad at his disposal, and has no interest in bringing in or selling anyone at all.

Daniel Sturridge, Ross Turnbull and Yuri Zhirkov have been added to the team already, and Ancelotti explained that he has no room for any more arrivals.

“We stay with these players,” he said.