The Telegraph
 

Chelsea ready to take a rest

Henry Winter
29 April 2005

Chelsea are considering resting players for tomorrow's Premiership match at Bolton Wanderers, a move that has the surprising blessing of the Premier League but has stirred consternation at Everton, who are vying with Bolton and Liverpool for the fourth Champions League place.

According to the Chelsea defender William Gallas yesterday, "there could be a few" of the regulars "rested" for a tough contest against Sam Allardyce's industrious Bolton to keep them fresh for Tuesday's Champions League semi-final second leg at Liverpool.  Chelsea drew 0-0 with Liverpool on Wednesday and a number of their key players, including Frank Lampard, looked tired.

Premier League rule E20 demands that "in every league match, each participating club shall field a full-strength side", a stipulation designed to ensure the integrity of the competition.  The grey area is what comprises full-strength" in an era of elite clubs boasting internationals as understudies.  "Given the strength of Chelsea's squad, it is very unlikely that they will fall foul of this rule," a Premier League spokesman said last night.

Everton are known to disagree and the Premier League's stance has not gone down well in the corridors of power at Goodison.  David Moyes's over-achieving side have faced countless obstacles this season, from the departure of important individuals like Wayne Rooney and Thomas Gravesen, via injuries and suspensions to a general shortage of funds, and they were hoping that Chelsea would take maximum points off Bolton. 

Bolton lie sixth, on 54 points, behind Liverpool on goal difference, while Everton occupy fourth place with 58.  Moyes's men were delighted that second-placed Arsenal beat Tottenham on Monday, because it meant that Chelsea would go to Bolton still requiring points to secure the Premiership title.  Liverpool are also unlikely to be pleased at the thought of Jose Mourinho resting stars, not simply because of Tuesday's match but because they need Bolton to drop points.

Yet Mourinho's side are so close to winning the Premiership, and so far ahead of Arsenal, that they can afford to ease up this weekend in advance of the far more significant game at Anfield.  Chelsea know they can still lose at Bolton and win the title in front of their own fans against Charlton on May 7.  If Arsenal slip up at West Brom on Monday, the Premiership is Chelsea s anyway.

Certainly no one within Stamford Bridge would blame Mourinho if he gave some of his overworked thoroughbreds a breather, particularly for a contest that is sure to be draining against Bolton.  "We will try to win the league at Bolton," Gallas stressed.  "Whether we do that depends on the team we can put out.  It's a question of how many players are rested.  There could be a few." The race for fourth place involves far more than prestige and additional revenue. 

The Premier League will demand that the team finishing fourth enter next season's Champions League, even if Liverpool lift the trophy in Istanbul on May 25 and finish outside the top four.  The Premier League, and certain sympathetic individuals within the FA, argue that the FA have a moral obligation to invite the Premiership's leading quartet to enter the Champions League.  UEFA demand the holders be picked but it is the individual national association's decision. 

Everton will be pleased to hear of the Chelsea players' desire to settle the title race at Bolton.  "I want to get the championship won as quickly as possible," said goalkeeper Petr Cech.  "We want to win it there.  They're in a great position and trying to achieve a European place, which would be amazing for them.  But it would be amazing for us to win the title there.  If we can do that it will be easy for us to be properly concentrated on the second leg in Liverpool."

Chelsea's players were united in their belief that Liverpool will badly miss Xabi Alonso, suspended after collecting an unfortunate caution.  "It is a big blow for Liverpool," Didier Drogba said.  "He passes the ball well and is a very intelligent player so I think it will be difficult for them without him at Anfield."

Chelsea themselves need reinforcing in the summer.  They still look light at left-back, where Gallas, a right-footed centre-half, does not seem happy (and he has his back heavily strapped).  In attack they require a sharper cutting edge than Drogba, who squandered one dream chance and was otherwise splendidly marshalled by Jamie Carragher.  "Carragher had a very good game," Drogba said.  "He is a great defender but at Liverpool we will have more space and chances to score."

Gallas urged caution.  "It will be very dangerous for us at Anfield," the French defender said.  "The atmosphere will be fantastic and Liverpool could be lifted over the moon by the intensity of their fans.  It could be difficult but we know what we have to do."

[The above is unedited and provided within ToffeeWeb for archival purposes.]