Friday, December 24, 2010

Chelsea can't cope! Skipper John Terry admits Blues don't have squad to handle injury crisis


John Terry of Chelsea
Concern: Terry is hoping for better luck at Chelsea
John Terry admits that Chelsea are paying for cutting back their squad and relying on young players to take the strain.
While many were predicting the Blues would waltz to a second straight title back in October, five League games without a win means they are three points behind Manchester United and have played a game more.
Chelsea have struggled without key players such as Terry, Frank Lampard and Michael Essien - and the Stamford Bridge captain is praying for no more setbacks over the busy festive programme.
'We've missed some key players at key times and it is a case of keeping everyone fit now over the Christmas period, where we have two games in three days,' said Terry.
'In the past, we had a big squad and could rotate and put other players in. We don't have that now, we have quite a young squad and it's a time for everyone to stay together like we always will.
'Once we've turned that corner, we can move on from there and wait for other teams to slip up, which they will do.'
Didier Drogba tussles with Wilson Palacios (right) during Chelsea and Spurs' draw
Scuppered again: Didier Drogba tussles with Wilson Palacios (right) during Chelsea and Spurs' draw
Fit-again Frank Lampard is brought on against Tottenham
Comeback trail: Fit-again Lampard is brought on against Tottenham
The postponement of Sunday's clash against Manchester United arguably came as a relief and gave players extra time to get fit ahead of going to Arsenal on Monday and hosting Bolton two days later.
Carlo Ancelotti now has most of his players back - apart from Alex, Yury Zhirkov and Yossi Benayoun - but appears to have paid the price for letting go of experience such as Michael Ballack, Deco and Juliano Belletti in the summer.
Terry said: 'We have a tough game away at Arsenal, which could prove to be very difficult, but we're just one game from moving on.
'Recent form isn't something you can pinpoint, but we know it hasn't been good enough and we'll improve.
'Teams go through bad spells throughout the season. Arsenal have dropped points at home, and we've done the same, games we should have won.
'Sunderland at home was a poor performance but I don't think, overall, too much has gone wrong; we've had some tough games.
'We dropped points against Everton last year, we lost at Tottenham last year and still came out champions.'



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