Chelsea face QPR test in League Cup

Chelsea are set to face a variety of tests over the next 15 months if FIFA do not lift their transfer ban, and the League Cup visit to Queens Park Rangers should give the rest of the football world a clue as to just how well prepared they are to deal with the situation.

The Chelsea backroom team need to discover whether their young talent can cope with the rigours of top level football too, so Carlo Ancelotti is expected to give some of his fringe players an outing at Stamford Bridge in Wednesday’s third round tie.

Three of the most unfamiliar names anticipated to be on show are Italian forward Fabio Borini, English full-back Sam Hutchinson and Dutch central defender Jeffrey Bruma.

The trio have all been an important part of the reserves in recent times, with Borini, 18, finishing last season as their top goalscorer with ten goals from 11 appearances.

Hutchinson, 20, has been a regular member of the first team substitutes bench so far this campaign, and will be eager to make an impact, while 18-year-old Bruma is believed to be maturing into a player capable of taking the role of John Terry in future years.

These are the players Ancelotti may have to call upon, particularly in January when he expects to lose at least four players to the African Cup of Nations, so the scenario will add intrigue to a West London derby encounter that is sure to provide great interest.

“We have very good young players in the academy and I want to use them because they represent the future of this club,” explained Ancelotti. “Some very good players are coming out. Bruma, Hutchinson and Borini are ready to play.”

Chelsea have a 100 percent record in all competitions so far under the guidance of the Italian, as they have won all of their 11 fixtures so far.

Not all of the faces on show at QPR will be unfamiliar as they aim to build on their impressive start though, as Joe Cole and Paulo Ferreira will figure. They are making a return from injuries, while forward Daniel Sturridge, signed from Manchester City in the summer, can also expect a start.

Didier Drogba has a calf problem following the match against Tottenham last weekend, so misses out. However, French forward Nicolas Anelka may be included in the squad to add experience, even though he admits he finds it more difficult to make an impact when he is not in a two-man attack alongside Drogba.

“That’s the position I prefer playing in because I can get more involved in the game,” Anelka said. “The more I get on the ball, the better I feel and the more I can express myself.”

Championship outfit QPR may not have to worry about a transfer ban, but there have been matters off the field to keep them occupied ahead of this tie.

Flamboyant co-owner Flavio Briatore has become embroiled in a Formula One scandal, during which the sport’s governing body have banned Renault’s former team principal from any further involvement, following his role in ordering Nelson Piquet Jr to crash during last year’s Singapore Grand Prix.

He could now find his position as QPR chairman under threat as there are concerns over whether he is now able to pass the test as a “fit and proper person”, which is a requirement to own an English club.

LONDON, AFP