Crampon Mercurial 2014: Chelsea sweat over striker Didier Drogba for Arsenal tie

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba is facing a race to be fit after picking up an injury ahead of Sunday's clash at Arsenal.

The Blues are 10 points clear of the second-placed Gunners and a win against Arsene Wenger's men will mean they can wrap up the title at Leicester three days later.

Manager Jose Mourinho will be desperate to avoid any late Premier League wobbles and the news that the Ivorian has picked up an anjkle injury will be a blow, considering the ongoing doubts over Diego Costa and Loic Remy.

Drogba, 37, has led the Premier League leaders' attack in wins over QPR and Manchester United in recent weeks due to Costa's hamstring injury and Remy's calf problem.

Drogba, a United Nations Development Programme Goodwill Ambassador, on Monday withdrew from featuring in the Match Against Poverty in St Etienne.

He tweeted: "Disappointed not to be able to play the #MAP2015 because of an ankle injury but still supporting #EbolaResponse."

It is not the first time Drogba has had an ankle problem this season. He has made five Premier League starts this campaign, but could be displaced in Chelsea's starting line-up at the Emirates Stadium if Costa or Remy is fit.

"Our target was for Diego to play the last four matches and Arsenal is the sixth match from the end," Mourinho said last Friday. "He starts training with rest of the squad next week."

Mourinho also reported Remy had a better than 50 per cent chance to play against United, although teenager Dominic Solanke was on the substitutes' bench, with the France striker ruled out.

Aston Villa defender Ron Vlaar has revealed he may sign a new contract to remain at the club beyond this summer.

The Netherlands international is out of contract at the end of the current campaign and was expected to be on his way out of Villa Park, with Manchester United among the clubs linked with his signature.

Tim Sherwood’s side secured their place in the FA Cup final after defeating Liverpool 2-1 after extra-time at Wembley on Sunday but their Premier League survival is not yet guaranteed.

But Vlaar, who joined the club from Feyenoord for £3.2m in August 2012, admits he can now see a future for him at Villa after battling back from calf and knee problems earlier in the season.

"Things have changed for me in the past few months since (Tim) Sherwood took over,” he said.

"It's been a hard season for me with all the injuries. Now I just want to play and be important for the team. This helps - you can trust me on that.

"I don't know about my future but to be part of this feels so good, to feel the joy and relief after the West Brom game (the FA Cup quarter-final). So many people came on the pitch.

"The impact for the fans, how big this club and what it all means. I called my dad and said 'This really means something'. It's great. Everything helps."

Crampon Mercurial 2014

2015年4月21日星期二

Chelsea sweat over striker Didier Drogba for Arsenal tie

没有评论:

发表评论