Next Up: Chelsea

THE CLUB

Champions for the past two seasons Chelsea are enjoying the most successful period in their history. Prior to 2005 the Stamford Bridge club had won only one League title – way back in 1955.

The arrival of Russian owner Roman Abramovich has provided the funds for Chelsea to financially out-compete most European clubs, though the Champions League trophy has thus far remained elusive.

Having finished second in the Premiership in 2004, Chelsea dismissed Claudio Ranieri and installed Jose Mourinho as Manager.

Mourinho proclaimed himself a “special one” and made Blues special too, losing just once en route to the 2005 Premiership title.

Though Chelsea lost five League matches last season- including a 1-0 defeat at Craven Cottage – most of their defeats came after their rivals had been left trailing and they ended the campaign with an eight-point advantage over Manchester United. Chelsea have not lost a Premiership home game since March 2004; Mourinho has never lost one.

THIS SEASON

For the first time in Mourinho’s reign Chelsea find themselves chasing the title rather than leading the race with Manchester United ahead in the build-up to Christmas. After starting the season with a convincing home victory over Manchester City the Blues were defeated 2-1 at Middlesbrough before rattling off seven wins in the next eight games. Only Aston Villa managed as share of the spoils with a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.

At the beginning of November, Chelsea lost a League game to Tottenham for the first time in 16 years, going down 2-1 in a stormy encounter at White Hart Lane which saw captain John Terry red carded but bounced back with successive home wins over Watford and West Ham. A crucial match at Old Trafford ended all square but allowed United to maintain a three-point advantage at the top, a gap which widened when the Blues were held 1-1 at Stamford Bridge by Arsenal.

Chelsea stormed through the group stage of the Champions League despite once again having to face their bête-noire, Barcelona. The Blues won their opening three European ties including a 1-0 home success over Barcelona before drawing 2-2 in the Nou Camp to ensure qualification for the next stage. The Blues then lost 1-0 to Werder Bremen in Germany (conveniently ramping up the pressure on Barca) before concluding the group stage with a comfortable home win over Levski Sofia.

THE TEAM

A £30 million capture from AC Milan, Andriy Shevchenko was the big summer arrival.

Despite arriving with a magnificent scoring record the Ukraine striker has found it relatively hard to find the back of the net in the Premiership.

Perhaps more surprisingly, he has also struggled in the Champions League before finally netting a fine opportunist finish against Levski Sofia.

Another major signing was Arsenal left back Ashley Cole in a deal which saw William Gallas move to north London. Portuguese goalkeeper Hilario arrived from Nacional as a firm third-choice, but found himself thrust into first-team action when both Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini were injured in a brutal 1-0 win at Reading. With Cech likely to be out for the season, Cudicini is now the preferred option but Hilario has proved himself a capable deputy when called upon.

Though Portugal international Paulo Ferreira initially competed with new Dutch recruit Khalid Boulahrouz for the right back position, both have been surpassed by converted winger Geremi of late. England international Wayne Bridge, a loanee at Fulham last season, now operates as back-up to Cole and recently agreed a contract extension. A formidable defence is completed by England and Chelsea captain John Terry and the unassuming and underrated Ricardo Carvalho in the centre.

Chelsea already had a number of quality midfielders before adding Michael Ballack this summer. Germany’s captain left Bayern Munich under freedom of contract, agreed a record weekly wage of £121,000, and took up a central-midfield berth alongside Frank Lampard. Competing for the other midfield slots are England playmaker Joe Cole, Ghana powerhouse Michael Essien and Claude Makelele. The array of international talent also includes Netherlands winger Arjen Robben and former Manchester City man Shaun Wright-Phillips, who broke a season and a half long goal drought in the 2-0 win over Levski Sofia.

Top scorer this season is Didier Drogba who generally partners Shevchenko in a two-forward formation. Drogba whose goals tally in all competitions is now well into double figures hit hat-tricks against Watford and Levski Sofia. Salomon Kalou, a summer signing from Feyenoord, has been used mostly from the bench.

Ground Details

Address: Stamford Bridge, London, SW6 1HS

Telephone: 020 7385 5545

Capacity: 42,420

Visitors' Section: South Stand

Disabled Section: East Stand Lower

Travel By Road (Approx 2 miles from Fulham)

From Putney - Follow signs A304 into Fulham Road. In 1.5 miles ground is on the left hand side.

From end of M1 - Join A406 North Circular (West) until Chiswick roundabout then take second exit onto A4 (signs to Hammersmith). Cross flyover at Hammersmith and after 1 mile turn right into Earls Court Road (A3220). Turn right into Fulham Road. Ground is on the right-hand side.

From M4 - Proceed directly ahead at end of motorway onto A4 then as above.

Car Parking

There is no car parking in the immediate vicinity of ground. Pay & Display street parking is available within a 10 to 15 minute walk to the south and west of the stadium but fans are advised to check signs carefully.

Travel by Train

Fulham Broadway tube station (District Line) is a five-minute walk from ground. You are strongly recommended to purchase your return ticket before the game as queues can be lengthy afterwards when you may wish to consider walking to either Earls Court or Parsons Green to catch a train.