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Jose Mourinho is desperate to fire up his shot-shy strikers when Chelsea return to Premier League action against Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge today. The club’s three main forwards, Fernando Torres, Samuel Eto’o and Demba Ba, have managed just four league goals between them this season.
And Blues boss Mourinho has already expressed his frustration at his side’s lack of cutting edge in front of goal, which was again apparent in last weekend’s 3-2 defeat at Stoke.
That result meant Mourinho’s side slipped to third place in the Premier League table, five points behind leaders Arsenal.
The 1-0 midweek victory over Steaua Bucharest in the Champions League meant Chelsea quickly returned to winning ways and ensured they advanced to the knockout stage of the competition as group winners.
But while Ba’s strike was enough to see off Steaua, it was another underwhelming display in front of goal from the Blues and brought a reminder from Mourinho that the Senegal striker must improve his overall return — a message that could also be directed at Torres and Eto’o.
“He could do better,” Mourinho said when asked about Ba. “He got his goal, it’s a good feeling for him. He never played in the Champions League before; this is the first season he has played.
“And he has two goals in the Champions League, which is nice for him. More goals in the Champions League than in the Premier League.”
Having criticised his team’s defending recently, Mourinho must decide whether to change his back-four despite the clean sheet against Steaua after Ashley Cole and David Luiz both made their return after lengthy absences.
One change Mourinho will definitely make will be to recall Petr Cech in goal in place of Mark Schwarzer who at the age of 41 became the oldest player ever to make a Champions League debut this week.
Meanwhile, Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard will be out for at least four weeks with a hamstring injury, leaving the English Premier League title chasers without the England star for the busy Christmas period.
Gerrard pulled up with a hamstring problem during the 4-1 win over West Ham last weekend and limped out of the game in the 56th minute.
Gerrard, who has helped steer Liverpool to second spot in the table, will miss the games against Tottenham, Manchester City, Chelsea, Cardiff City and Hull City.
Fixtures
Today: Manchester City v Arsenal, Etihad Stadium 14:45, West Ham United v Sunderland, Boleyn Ground 17:00, Cardiff City v West Bromwich Albion, Cardiff City Stadium 17:00, Everton v Fulham, Goodison Park 17:00, Newcastle United v Southampton, St. James’ Park 17:00, Chelsea v Crystal Palace, Stamford Bridge 17:00
Hull City v Stoke City, The KC Stadium 19:30
Tomorrow: Norwich City v Swansea City, Carrow Road 15:30
Aston Villa v Manchester United, Villa Park 15:30
Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool, White Hart Lane 18:00- AP.
Online Reporter